The garden pond has been so much fun to watch over the summer. I have had 7 lily pad flowers bloom. I wished they would all bloom at once, but they seem to show up just one at time. Maybe that gives me more of them to enjoy
The fish have thrived this summer. Most of them were just 25 cent feeder fish, that I figured if they didn't make it, I wouldn't be so sad. But it looks like they not only survived, but grew. I'm going to have to think about what to do with them this winter..... I will probably just get a little tank to keep them in and then put them out next year. The only thing I don't like about them, is, they lay in wait for any poor little bee who comes for water and misses the landing spot. These guys eat those bees, and I hate to loose any bee....
We have two froggies in the pond as well. I think one is the bullfrog that we put in as a polliwog.. but it appears that he/she has a friend. I have to wonder how a "wild" frog would find this garden pond. When I look out over the front lawn and the drive way and think it had to hop that far, it's hard to imagine. But, it must have been worthwhile to come and live in our little pond. What I will do about them when the time comes, I'm not sure. There's not bottom in this pond where they can dig down for the winter... so I just don't know.
Now, here's an interesting story. One morning last week I went to do morning chores. The bucket for the little horses needed to be filled as it only had a small amount of water in the bottom of it... but... it also had.. this little barn swallow. There was a nest of babies just above the stall of the little horses, I could tell the babies would soon be flying.... well, I guess this little chap didn't fly very well and ended up in the bucket.
Lucky for him, the bucket wasn't full and he could keep his head above the water line. But he was soaked. I carefully got him out of the bucket and then looked for a spot where he could dry off and get his wits about him. He didn't seem hurt, so I figured if he could dry out, he would fly. I decided to put him on the big rock just outside the barn... and then I locked up Annabelle and Mona, so they wouldn't get him as an easy meal. In just a few moments you can see how much water came off him...
Because he was so little, he wasn't afraid of me, and just sat while I got these photos of him. I love my barn swallows... they eat a ton of bugs, and I like to hear them call. Some people don't like birds in their barns, but I am not bothered at all by them. After my photo shot, I went about my day and then checked back a few hours later, and he was gone. So, my hope is , he got his wings and will return next year and have a family of his own.....
Later today Logan leaves for NEADS... it's time to turn in and have her go onto her advance service dog training. So, we head out for one last walk about the farm and think about just how fast this "year" has gone. Darci was sitting out on the front porch so Logan stopped a minute to say hello (or good bye as the case might be this time)
I stop at the old mower at the end of the drive to take this photo. This seems to have become the "official" place to take the good bye photo... showing the farm in the back ground and the ready to go pup.... I am really sad about her leaving, a bit sadder than I have been with others, and I know why. Some of the reason is we are still getting over the loss of our dear Hunter dog, and the other reason is Logan in many ways reminded me of Debbie dog..... either way... the goodbyes are hard...and the "how do you give them up" question looms close by.
But this gal is destined for great things... I'm not sure just what she will "become".. but it's going to be good. Personally I think she would be an amazing PTSD dog... so, I'm making that prediction now, and time will tell... by this time next year, we'll know.
We take a hike around the pasture, walking on the driving path. Unlike my usual wishes, I allow her to stop and sniff anything she chooses and to take this walk and do it all her way.
She's probably thinking.. what's with this.. Mom never allows me to walk like this... but the joy she shows is well worth it...
We stop to get more pictures... I know I have "hundreds" of them.. but I just want to be sure that I have enough...
We stop at the barn because I have a few morning chores to finish up... she was so little when we first walked up to the barn for morning chores last fall.....
She certainly has had a good training experience being raised on the farm... horses, cats, chickens.. dogs... she knows them all and really isn't interested one way or the other with regards to them. She can do her work no matter who's around.
Mona had joined us, but snuck into the trees before I could snap the shot of them together.. Logan was hoping she might come back out to play.
Back at the house, she has her breakfast and some quiet time before we pack up and head out.... She senses I'm upset and keeps her beautiful eyes focused on me... Sweet sweet girl... you will take a piece of my heart and you will give your heart to someone very special. As I have done with all my puppies, I begin to pray for the people who will become hers... I don't know them (yet) and maybe they don't know that they even want a service dog.. or maybe they are waiting anxiously to hear that their dog is ready... who knows... only time will give me the answers....
Just as we head out the door, she grabs a dish.. this has always been one of her silly things.. and I think she wants me to smile as she takes her last steps and heads out the door....
We meet another volunteer in Portsmouth.... she is very sweet and gives me a hug. Logan... seeing that her car has some wonderful bones sitting on the back seat... takes a hug from me.. and then she jumps into the car. She picks out a bone, settles in and seems to say.. "I'm ready to go"
and then they're off.
I will wait for updates.. maybe some pictures and then the day we meet again..
at graduation!!!!!
The back deck steps are making progress... I guess one thing I have been learning living here on the farm is patience. We begin projects only to often have other projects step in and then the ones begun have to wait. The thing is, we do eventually get them done, just not as quick as I would like.
I wanting these steps done because it will be handy for me and the dogs. As Trev, Cam, and Tazzy get older, it would be nice for them to have use of these steps. We have a doggie door in the pantry door and Hunter was actually using it to spend time out on the deck. Trev probably won't use it, and Taz has trouble getting in and out of it, but I can still just open the door and have them go. Livy will be taught the dog door and she will more than likely get the most use of these steps.
Logan was quite interested in them.... but she'll not get the chance for I doubt they will be done before she heads back to needs....
Ah.. time, why is there never enough of you.
I am pleased to say that we have been using the deck. Especially in the morning.. when Ed is home we have made a point of going out there for a coffee and a chance to sit together. It's been nice. I haven't had as many cookouts as I would like, but the fall still has lots of good weather, so the season isn't done yet.
Ed spent all one day just cutting the stringers... the fussy work... once these are done and in place, then the treads and rails should go fairly quick
So much to it.. the stairs must have an even step... you have the ground landings to consider... talk about using math skills....
Getting closer!!!!
I'm so glad that the bees continue to use the garden pond for a water source. The summer has been dangerously dry and water is certainly needed by the bees. I find myself sitting for a time and just watching. I also have seen, much to my dismay, that the gold fish in the pond have also discovered the bees... and sadly, any bee that misses it's landing pad and ends up in the pond.... often end up as a meal!!! Which makes me not so happy with the gold fish and I stand at the ready to rescue any bee that I might see in trouble.
Things at work have been slow, so Ed has been taking some days here and there to get some of our "still waiting" projects done. One being the steps that will go off the back deck and into the dog's yard. I'm anxious to get these done because it will be so much easier for the cockers as they age to get into the yard.
Like so many projects... there is a great deal of fussy work that happens first and if this isn't done right, none of it will go well. Ed started with the landing deck....
this part went pretty quick, and now come the stringers which will take much longer to do... but at least it has begun!!!!
So, I had an adventure day with the boys last Saturday. Sean and Kelsey will be married the end of next month, and today was their parties with the gals going to a spa and the guys going to a paint ball match. Afterwards, everyone will meet at the Flagg's new piece of property for a cookout together. Since Kass was invited to join the spa date, I got to stay with the grands.... and we decided to take an adventure... Reagan's ready to go, but Cal thought he would catch a nap.
I took Reagan to the library one day last fall when I was watching him and he has asked about going there again. So, I thought we might as well head back there today. We walked up to the village and stopped in. He quickly remembered the "cool" trucks they had there, but was sad to see that some of the trucks have had "heavy" use while he was away.
He takes good care of his trucks and was quick to point out to Kathleen that these trucks had been broken....
Since there are other things to do, he found the doctor's kit and got all dressed up for that. Announcing that both Cal and I were in good shape. We visited a while and then headed back for home.... once Kass came back it was time to head to the cookout.
Dave has a friend, an older woman, who ran a farm and did haying and the like. As she aged, she found it harder and harder to keep up with all the farm things. Dave for many years, took on the haying and helped her sell it. But the last couple of summers, not being able to get help himself, the haying has gone to the way side. Dave knew of this piece of property close to the fields that he had hayed, and he told his friend that if she ever thought of selling this piece, he would buy it. Well... sort of out of the blue, she recently called him and said she's ready to sell and Dave could buy this piece if he wanted. He snatched it right up... and who wouldn't when you see it...
He's spent a lot of time cleaning it up, it's a nice little pond, full of fish and spring fed. Sean has done some fishing there and has caught some nice fish... the water is clear and it's good swimming. I'm not sure "what" they will do with it, some talk about building a retirement house there, but for now, it's a neat place to get away..
It was a fun way to end the day and Sean and Kelsey were quite surprised as they had no real idea what "their" day was going to be all about. The next big day will be wedding day!!!!
I brought Logan with us... I know her days are numbered, so I am taking her with me as much as possible, she's no trouble to bring and usually is happy just to hang out...
The day was warm and Abi and Reagan were more than quick to get into the pond. Abi is a good swimmer and Reagan is getting braver and better all the time... good thing.. water will be a big part of the things they do when it comes to these kiddos...
Next year, I am sure that Cal will be doing his best to keep up with his older brother and cousin
Dave has even put up a diving board and after a few attempts, Abi got brave and gave it a try..... once she did it, then she did it over and over. The pond is deep, so you can dive,... and yet it's scary to dive!!!
After swimming and eating, we decided to take a walk and Deb showed me around the property. There's 12 acres, so if they decide to build there is plenty of room.. but for now, it was nice to follow the paths.. Logan loved walking with the kids threw the woods
It was a good walk, and when we got back.. to sit again and visit. Cal was pretty excited to see Logan again, and she with him. She is such a good good girl... I haven't found anything or anyone that she hasn't like. Someone is going to get a very special dog for sure...
It was such a fun day... the morning with a "grand" adventure.... and afternoon of peace, good food and family..... a day that will be a fond memory
The garden pond has been so much fun to watch over the summer. I have had 7 lily pad flowers bloom. I wished they would all bloom at once, but they seem to show up just one at time. Maybe that gives me more of them to enjoy
The fish have thrived this summer. Most of them were just 25 cent feeder fish, that I figured if they didn't make it, I wouldn't be so sad. But it looks like they not only survived, but grew. I'm going to have to think about what to do with them this winter..... I will probably just get a little tank to keep them in and then put them out next year. The only thing I don't like about them, is, they lay in wait for any poor little bee who comes for water and misses the landing spot. These guys eat those bees, and I hate to loose any bee....
We have two froggies in the pond as well. I think one is the bullfrog that we put in as a polliwog.. but it appears that he/she has a friend. I have to wonder how a "wild" frog would find this garden pond. When I look out over the front lawn and the drive way and think it had to hop that far, it's hard to imagine. But, it must have been worthwhile to come and live in our little pond. What I will do about them when the time comes, I'm not sure. There's not bottom in this pond where they can dig down for the winter... so I just don't know.
Now, here's an interesting story. One morning last week I went to do morning chores. The bucket for the little horses needed to be filled as it only had a small amount of water in the bottom of it... but... it also had.. this little barn swallow. There was a nest of babies just above the stall of the little horses, I could tell the babies would soon be flying.... well, I guess this little chap didn't fly very well and ended up in the bucket.
Lucky for him, the bucket wasn't full and he could keep his head above the water line. But he was soaked. I carefully got him out of the bucket and then looked for a spot where he could dry off and get his wits about him. He didn't seem hurt, so I figured if he could dry out, he would fly. I decided to put him on the big rock just outside the barn... and then I locked up Annabelle and Mona, so they wouldn't get him as an easy meal. In just a few moments you can see how much water came off him...
Because he was so little, he wasn't afraid of me, and just sat while I got these photos of him. I love my barn swallows... they eat a ton of bugs, and I like to hear them call. Some people don't like birds in their barns, but I am not bothered at all by them. After my photo shot, I went about my day and then checked back a few hours later, and he was gone. So, my hope is , he got his wings and will return next year and have a family of his own.....
