Friday, September 30, 2016

end of the month....

I find it a little amazing at how quickly it all changes. One day summer is here, and the next, the season has changed and fall has begun. Everything seems to have a different look... the sun comes up later and sets quicker.. the light of it doesn't seem as strong.. the air is cooler, but it has a different feel. It's hard to describe and unless you live in a place where seasons change, you don't really know what I'm saying. 


We have come threw the hot summer well.. this year we're in drought conditions.. the hay crop was "great", but I think I have enough to get us threw... our well is holding out, where others are not... we haven't had to mow the grass too often, and have waited to knock down the fields... I have left the horses on pasture longer this year, though there really isn't anything for them to eat... it's mostly "busy grass"...

We had just finished the walkway last year about this time, and I had planted all sorts of fall flowers... I am happy to say, I see they are back, so once the summer ones are done, I will cut them back and the fall flowers will be there. The bees have been busy around the garden, stocking up I suspect for the winter months ahead.

We'll have to think of shutting down the garden pond soonish. I am going to get a tank for the fishes to winter in, and I'll pull out my favorite plants... mostly the lilies and the grasses... I know now what I like and what I don't, so I'm expecting that next summer's water garden will be even better that this one. What a fun project this has turned out to be.

We had one more therapy visit to do today with Mocha and Livy. I guess the children at the center so enjoyed seeing her that they have been asking to have her back again. I told them she needed to come before she starts to grow her winter coat... and so, we planned for today.

Livy really doesn't like sharing the spot light.... but I guess she's know that every once in a while she's going to have to.

Maybe if she copies what Mocha does, the kids will notice her too.....

When we bring Mocha, we have to be outside... Livy keeps an eye on the door waiting for the children to come and see her.

The kids just love her... and I am so happy that she handles all of this so very well. She can be surrounded by kids and she just stands and lets them go all over her.... they come in groups, so once one group is done and goes back in.. I let her eat some grass before the next group comes. I guess this is a suitable reward for her efforts.

Livy was so happy to be surrounded too... she worms her way right into the center of things and that is where she is the happiest....


Therapy work does amazing things. This little chap has a hard time opening up his hands and often keeps them clenched in a tight fist. His aid is working on helping him relax and open his hands. They sat for a while and practiced petting Livy... (she was more than happy to just sit still and help) and after a bit of time, he did open his hand and gave Livy some nice pets. His aid was thrilled and everyone celebrated with this event. Seems like such a simple thing... pat a dog... but I am reminded that not everyone thinks that is "simple".

We did have our usual big crew for this visit... actually Rick and Atticus were the only others who came... but the three critters handled the visit well.. and we'll certainly be back sometime soon for another visit...