fall news

After having a wonderful day at the Common Ground Fair on Friday.... Saturday we found ourselves in Acton at the "Apple festival". Acton has several large apple groves, and each fall the groves open up for picking and start the season off with the Festival. There are craft fairs, and suppers, hayrides, music... all sorts of fun things to do and see. The weather has been simply amazing, and makes it so you just have to be outside and attending all these things!!! The apples this year are beautiful and the trees are full, so I think it must be a good season... and I can tell you, the apples taste grand!!!!

Along with the apple festival.... it was also Dave's birthday!!!! So, Saturday evening the family all got together at the "Texas Roadhouse" for dinner and celebration!!! If you haven't gotten over to the Roadhouse, and like a good steak... it's the place to be. We knew all about it, because we have been to one in Jacksonville when we go to see Kas and Nate. You will get a good meal there, but don't expect it to be quiet!!!! We weren't too sure how they "honor" one's birthday there, but we knew it would be "something special"... so a tip to our waitress about the birthday boy, was certainly in order!!!!

And here's what they do.... you have to sit in the "birthday Saddle!!!!" Course Dave always looks good in the saddle, ( we're used to seeing Buddy as well) so, it wasn't any trick for Dave to "saddle up"!!!! Needless to say, when you do this, the whole restaurant knows "it's your birthday!!!" Dave (always the good sport!!!) gave me a big happy grin as he celebrated his birthday and was "back in the saddle again!!!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.......DAVE!!!!!

Common Ground Fair

A long time ago, when the girls were very little and I first started boarding dogs, I used to take care of a little dog named Blake. The reason "why" I took care of him, was because his "parents" always had a vendor at the Common Ground Fair. They always had such wonderful things to say about this fair, and would say to me..."you should go and see it!!!" but as I told them, if I was off seeing the fair, they wouldn't have anyone to take care of Blake!!!!! However, I did tell myself, that one day, I would go and see the Common Ground Fair..... and yesterday, was "that day"

Ed and I got up fairly early in the morning and got on the road. It's about a two and a half hour trip, but I can say, it was worth the time and effort to get there. The fair prides itself on two very important factors.... organic and agricultural.....and it is at that. You won't find any rides, cotton candy, or blooming onions... but you will find lots of animals and " natural things," like wool for spinning, yarns, quilts, bee keeping items... etc. etc... and for food, all organic and VERY yummy!!!!

We watched the sheep herding demo... those border collies were some impressive, saw lots of livestock, including this beautiful "highland cow", mules, draft horses, lots of llamas and alpaca.. bunnies, chickens and all the sort of farm animals...

We sat in on a bee keeping lecture.. in fact, there are all kinds of lectures that go on all day.... saw one being done on sheep, another on "natural logging of your land", one on keeping alpaca., and the list goes on and on. It's what I would call a real learning fair, and if you ever had a question on farming or some part of it, you can probably get the answer there. They had a whole section on things like building a "green" house (environment friendly), using solar power or wind power, composting, growing your own food (or raising it for that matter!!!) There were lots of animals being put to good use, like this nice team of mules showing how a barley field can be cut by hand....

And look at this wonderful old thresher.... I don't recall what "year" it is, but it was run by some sort of engine ... possibly a one-lunger back in the day- and it was all belt driven. Course now, we look at it and wonder how they ever figured out something like that, but I bet when it was brand new and showed up on your farm, it was thrilling to think you wouldn't have to do all that threshing by hand!!!! The day went by so quickly, and we didn't even notice how tired we were from walking...until we sat down!!!! There were just so many wonderful things to see and do. On top of that, the weather couldn't have been any better, it was actually on the hot side, certainly did not feel like the middle of September!!!! and just a grand day to be out and about. So, to quote my friends from all those years ago..... "the Common Ground Fair, yes you really need to take the time to go!!!!!!!!!!"

mode of travel.....

On Sunday, after our exciting night at the Rochester Fair... Ed, cockers, and I headed up to Acton to check on the camps and bring the gator home.... after "losing" (stolen!!) our other little gator last winter, this one will winter at home!!!! So, before we loaded it up... Mox and I had to take a little spin down the camp road. She is SO funny and just loves to ride in all sorts of vehicles..... one minute she might be cruising the lake with us in the boat, and the next, sitting in the shotgun seat of the gator, riding in style!!!! I can even take her in the beetle with the top down and she never moves!!!! Needless to say, when she wasn't feeling good a few weeks ago... neither was I!!!!

And here she is..just being silly. The dogs absolutely love being at camp.... they all act like puppies when we are there.... I can only imagine what it's going to be like for them when we are finally settled in on the farm!!!!! We have the "blessings" of the town to begin work on the barn, and it's a real goal to have a building up before snow flies!!! With the permit in hand, it's now time to start shopping for lumber and begin our game plan. Ed wants to do most of the work himself, he loves building projects!!!!!

OH and get this.... we have in our neighborhood, a pack of coyotes!!!!! Kas heard them a couple of weeks ago, and I said something to one of the neighbors, and she says she has heard them all summer.... (I haven't!!!!) last night, or rather this morning, about 2 am Tatter was pitching a fit in her crate. I finally got up and yelled to her to hush, and there was "no hushing" to be done.... just when I was about to go and "deal" with her, she settled down, and I went back to sleep. Well, today another neighbor came over and asked if we had heard the ruckus in the night... we said, no, but then I realized it was about the same time that Tatter was barking.. so she must have heard them..... I can't believe that we would have them here in the village...... but since I have had a bear in the back yard... I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. On top of that, the deer are back at the old apple tree, we had three of them the other night... I am hoping to get a picture to post, they are so pretty and I love to watch them eat the apples........

you just never know

This family of mine!!! You just never know what they are going to be up to... but one thing is for certain, we hardly ever have a dull moment around here!!! So, last Friday evening, we are waiting for Kas to come home from work, and she calls..... "I have to run over to Portsmouth, and I have to go now, because I got to be there before 6:00"... fine, but "be" where? is the question..... She had to get over to WERZ radio station in order to pick up her tickets and the details to the contest. Contest??? I guess the radio station was running a contest for "MRS. Rochester Fair"... the only thing you had to do was....be married and sign up!!! (Kas qualifies for both!!) We don't know how many signed up, but they chose six, and Kas was one of the ones chosen!!!! For signing up and being chosen, she already won free tickets to get into the fair and a 50.00 gift certificate to a spa!!!! The contest consisted of.... changing a diaper, making a lunch and folding laundry... and the one that did it the fastest... was crowned Mrs. Rochester Fair... and the grand prize.... a private photo shoot, anywhere anytime, worth about 700.00 (or so)..... well, from the picture can you possibly guess who won!!!!!!! It was such a fun night, we met up with Deb and Dave, and I have to say, the Rochester Fair has come along way.... it used to be... well, let's just say, NOT the best "family fair" to go to.... but they have done a lot to clean that up, and it was a great fair, with all the "fair things" to do and eat!!!!!!

Now, that Ed is "retired" (we still don't really know what to call this!!!) I am putting him to real work!!!! It's nice to have a partner in crime when it comes to the barn chores!!! Course, I am still wondering how he gets the clean side of the stall mucking!!!! We're still in the process of figuring out what a daily routine is, but I have to admit, this is great fun and we love being together!!!! It's in my game plan to get him on the walking schedule that the dogs and I are on..... maybe we will get this "blood pressure" thing of his in hand yet!!!!

I also wanted to show off this handsome boy!!Doesn't he clean up nice??? I have posted so many pics of "mud boy" that I thought you might enjoy seeing one of him all cleaned up. This was taken last Thursday after our riding lesson, he's coming along quite well. Laura has moved us into some pretty complicated dressage moves.... much like a football player doing ballet.!!! Not that they can't "do it", but it makes for some interesting moves to say the least... course the fact that I am on the learning curve as well.........

And I can't believe that I have forgotten this, because SO many folks have been asking.... but Moxie is pretty much back to her old self!!!! The meds seem to be working and I need to check with the vet here soon, as we are nearly at the end of one of them..... but, she's doing well, and I want to thank everyone for checking up on her.....

just bloggin'

As I arrived to gather Tonka for his driving lesson this am... I caught Nutty, Keebo and Ransom in a very "serious barn meeting"!!! I don't exactly know what they were talking about, but it looked quite important from what I could see!!!!

Here we are, nearly the middle of the month, and it's been a strange September for me. I see that big yellow school bus rumble down the road, and it no longer has any meaning in my life. No more dashing about in the morning getting everyone out the door, nor afternoon curfews or homework around the table. I miss it in some ways, and yet, I am so enjoying the "freedom" that has come my way.

Ed is pretty much done working over at Wood Bros. and is busy getting a new office set up at his Mom's old house in the harbor. He still has a bit of paperwork that needs attention, and it's easier (and safer) to have all that somewhere else. He is still up and out the door about the same time in the mornings, but it's fun to run down to the harbor and check in on him!!! And once he really has everything all settled, he will be able to go and do things with me on a moment's notice (like Tonka's lessons) and that is going to be great fun!!!!

I hope, too, to get some projects finished up for certain.... he only thought the "honey-do" list was long before... he hasn't seen it lately!!!!

And take a look at this!!! these are the first of our house plans for Acton!!! We met with the designer on Monday and went thru a whole list of things!!! (mind boggling!!) and now have the plans to "live with" for a bit and change and re-arrange as we see fit. (much cheaper to change on paper!!!) It's pretty close to being just right, but, we want to make sure before we go ahead with the final drawings. He is also working on the material list for the barn (required by the town of Acton) which we hope to have by the end of the week. If so, Ed can run it up to the code enforcement officer next week, and we should be able to order lumber within a few weeks. Which means a very good chance of having that barn up before cold weather hits!!!! (so exciting!!!)

Sadie is having a grand time at college. We talked yesterday for a half hour about her classes. She really likes her "kennel management" course and can so easily relate.. simply because it's the way she lived her whole life. We have never owned just one dog, and with the foster dogs and boarding dogs that come in and out of here, Sadie says she completely understands what they are studying in class!!!! Kas is starting to think "south". In just about a month, I will be driving down with her and helping her get the apartment opened up and ready for Nate!!!! We are on the final countdown!!! I am so looking to that "vacation" in November.... Deb, Dave, Ed and I will be there for sure when Nate arrives home!!!! and afterwards, Ed and I plan to spend sometime at Colonial Williamsburg... we haven't been there in ages!!!!

My favorite time of year... September to January, and I have a feeling it's going to zoom by.. so I am planning on enjoying every sweet moment...............

college!!!

This is it... Becker College, where "our" Sadie is now a student!!! I still find it hard to believe that she is actually there... not that she shouldn't or couldn't be there... but for all of her high school years, Sadie always told us... "don't expect me to go to college". We never "expected" our girls to do anything that wasn't right for them, we are well aware that each person makes their own happiness in life, and basically, if our girls are God-fearing, good citizens, self supporting and doing what makes their lives full and happy.... then, we have done "our job".

But, last winter, when Sadie's High school mentor, encouraged her to look at the college route, and study what interested her... the story took a big turn around, and "we" went from..."never going to college" to " I hope they accept me"... and so "they" did.

Sadie is taking a two year, associate degree in "animal science"... which pretty much includes some Vet. Tech classes, small business courses, a kennel management class, obedience and grooming. Basically when she graduates, she could look into a number of different fields in the animal world, and then again, she might discover something more and chose to continue her education.... either way, it's a great start and I think that if the opportunity had been there for me, it would have certainly been something that I would have considered. (I already pawed over the books she had to buy for her classes!!!!)

She moved in on Tuesday, the campus is very small and very friendly and I had no reservations about "leaving her there". Sadie was a little nervous, because she shares her room with three other girls, and that will certainly take some getting used to and compromising... but, as of the phone call this evening all is going well. She also had her first two classes today, and said that she is going to enjoy them..... she said the "kennel management class" was great fun, and she expects to learn a lot there. (I guess they do a fair amount of work with greyhound rescue...... just what "we" need...eh?)

I also know that she must certainly be "enjoying her freedom" and being out from under my thumb..... it's just a "mother thing" and though I have tried very hard over the summer to "lighten up"... I haven't been very good about that. At college, it's all on her own, and the only things that I will know about... are the things that she chooses to tell me. But, it's OK, and I am doing OK with it. I have also made a point of asking her basic questions, and not going into my mother's mode of ..."you should or you need"... big steps for me!!!!

So, here are our girls... basically.. all grown up and out there in the world..... and now the next chapter begins... because for the most part... it's back to being just "sue and ed"....................................

new friends.....

Say hello to Becky and Butch Durgin of Meadow Creek Farm in Sumner Maine!!!! A few weeks ago, I posted on the Maine Draft Horse Assoc. page that I was looking for some help with Tonka and getting him hitched to a cart. Well, I got a nice note back from Becky, saying that she and her husband raised Belgians and did training, and if I would like to work with them, they would be willing. It also turned out, that they were doing some rides in Eliot at the Raitt Farm one weekend, and if we wanted to go and talk with them, we could. So, Ed and I went over early one Sunday morning and got to meet Becky and Butch in person.

What a nice couple and their horses are amazing!!! Not only did we have the chance to chat with them at great length, but got a number of rides behind those beautiful horses, AND>>>> Butch even gave me the chance to drive them!!!!! (If I wasn't hooked on driving before that.... I certainly am now!!!!)

The drawback ,at the moment, meeting up with Becky and Butch, is that the fall is their busiest season, so it might be a little while, before they can spend some time with Tonka and us... but that's ok... because we have some great new horse friends.

Today, we thought it would be fun as a family, to make a run to LL Bean and poke around Freeport. As we were having lunch, we heard the wonderful sound of bells, and hooves, and sure enough, there was Becky, Butch and the Belgians... doing rides for LL Bean's and the holiday weekend. You can be sure, that as soon as we finished with our lunch, we went over to see them, and they were so excited to see us!!!! Nothing doing, Becky told us to hop on the wagon and take a ride thru Freeport.... Butch asked if I wanted another try with the team, but to be honest .. with all that traffic and such, I begged off. Sadie however, hopped right up on the front seat, to get a bird's eye view, and away we went thru the busy streets of Freeport. This team walked quietly along, past barking dogs, clapping people, motorcycles, and even a fire engine, like there was nothing else in the world but them. Butch took them down a quieter side road, and handed the reins to Sadie!!!!! The smile that broke out on her face as she drove that team along must have been a little like mine a few weeks ago when I took them.

Becky told me that she thinks there is a weekend coming up soon, where we can bring Tonka to them, and she also told me that they are scheduled to come to York in October for Harvest Fest weekend!!! I invited them to park here at the house, and take the Belgians up to the village from here, so we will see how that works out... but it sure would be fun to have them in our yard..... either way, I can't wait to get Tonka with them, I know that Butch can get him going for us... and I suspect that we will all be friends for a very long time....

camp news

Every spring when it's time to put the docks in, it seems like we need a small army of friends and family to help with the "feat". This year, along with Dave, we had help from Dale and Val as well (check the spring blogs!!!) and every year, after the "feat" has been completed, Ed says the same thing "We should look into aluminium docks"

Now, there's no doubt that aluminium docks are nice, they are light weight and easy to handle, they are certainly "lake friendly", they last nearly forever.... but they can be expensive. As the summer has progressed, though, Ed has talked more and more about them, and finally went on a "fact finding" about them. Well, turns out, that if you order them at the right time (ie: the end of summer) you can sometimes find a deal.... and so he did. This past week, the old, heavy wooden docks have been replaced with these nice new aluminium ones!!!!

Course, that meant getting rid of the old docks, and hopefully, for the last time, it took a small army of men to do so. Ed took his chainsaw and cut the wooden docks into manageable pieces, and Dave, Bill and John, wrestled them up onto the shore and then to Bill's trailer to be hauled away!!! Oh, and maybe one of the best things about the new docks... NO dock spiders!!!! Those spiders are as big as house cats!!! and like the dark spots under the wooden decks, but the new ones are open, light and airy and we are told, the dock spiders don't like them as their homes.... fine with us!!!!

Now, what's with the boat. Well, it has it's own story!!! This boat is actually an old boat... a 1966 model and it used to belong to Ed's Uncle Phil. Back in the day, Phil and his family had a camp on Wilson, and Ed can remember running their boat across the lake to visit with his cousins, Deb and Cindy, and vis a versa...... he has a lot of wonderful memories of growing up on the lake. Uncle Phil sold his camp in the early 80's because his family was no longer using it, and when the camp sold, the boat was pulled from the water and parked in a garage.


I'm not exactly sure how Ed found out it was for sale, but either way, Ed decided it would be fun to have and bought it from his uncle. This boat has only ever been on Wilson Lake, aside from sitting in the garage, and it didn't take too much "tinkering" to get her running again. "We" aren't exactly sure what we will do with this old boat, it runs pretty well, and its fun to have a boat to take us around the lake, and we don't need any sort of "speed" thing, so for a while anyways, we'll hang onto it and use it. Sometimes its fun to have something older to play with and Ed thinks it's pretty neat that the boat has retunred to it's "home".

a new house

Our daughters might tell you, that there is no way they are as "animal crazy" as their Mom.... however, that is not the truth!!! Both of them have a cocker spaniel and a cat, and then Sadie has her "zoo" of guinea pig and bunny.... and Kassy rescued two baby turtles and brought them home last spring..... so, they can say what they will... but actions speak louder than words!!!!


Thus is the story of Applejacks... he was the bunny at the daycare where Kassy works. Now, I am all for teaching children about animals, but I don't think a daycare full of children under the age of 4, is the greatest place for a bunny to live. Especially a bunny that tends to be a bit nervous anyways. Kassy felt the same, and talked her boss out of keeping Applejacks at the school, and brought him home to add to Sadie's zoo. The sad part was, even though he had grown into an adult bunny, he was still in the cage that had been bought for him as a baby.

Sadie was (is) very good about getting Applejacks out for exercise (hopping time and swimming) but to see him just sitting in that small cage day after day, was more than I could handle. So, I moved him into a large dog crate. He was much happier there and even took a little weight off, and began to groom himself better. But, neither Kassy, Sadie or I were happy with the crate idea either.


So, we pressed into service... Daddy!!! I'll tell you, "my Ed" can build anything!!! (including that new barn and house in Acton very soon!!) And we asked him to build an outdoor house for Applejacks to live in. We told Daddy that Applejacks needed plenty of hopping space and a warm, cozy house. We wanted off the ground so he would be safe, and not effected too much by the outside weather conditions.... and look at what Ed designed and built!!!! It's just perfect!!! the ends have doors for easy entry and cleaning purposes, the wire mess is fairly small so Applejacks feet won't be caught, but his "poopies" will fall away, its got a great roof that will shed water and its just off the deck, so we can still see him and enjoy watching him!!!!

I took Applejacks out there this morning, he is a bit shy and hasn't discovered all of it yet, but he will. I have no doubts that he is going to be a much happier bunny out there. We're thinking too that Pete (the guinea pig) might spend some time out there as well. He and Applejacks do fine together and now that Bella is gone, Pete doesn't have any company... so later today, I might try and that and see how it goes.

I have also added one more thing to my life....... a new job!!!! Short story of it, I have a friend up in Saco that runs a doggie daycare. The trainer that she had for a number of years is no longer able to teach for her, she called me and asked if I knew of anyone else. Well, Saco is a bit of a haul from York, but it won't be from Acton.... , I met with her yesterday and decided that I will take the classes, and get started up that way...then, when we move, I will already have something going. The classes that I teach in Wells were for the same reason.. they have gone very well, and have done a good job in getting my reputation known up that way.... I keep reminding myself that I am "going to cut back" and had decided not to build a school in Acton, but just teach a few classes here and there and continue with my private work..... somehow I don't think adding Saco to the list is "cutting back"... oh well......... can't say that I'm ever board!!!!!!

bye to Bella

It is with sad news, that we say good bye to Guinea Pig, Bella. Sadie bought her a year and a half ago, as an 18th birthday present to herself.

Bella was a sweet little "piggie" and we will certainly miss her whistles and squeaks!!! And watching her "swim" in the bathtub with Pete and Applejack.

don't ask....

I have it as "policy" never to ask ... "what next?" because somehow if you do, something always comes about, and the fact that I know the Good Lord would never send more than you can handle, and that faith and prayer will get you thru anything... it's just best not to say the words. BUT, when I woke up last Thursday morning and found that Moxie was having a great amount of trouble walking, I made two panicked phone calls... one to Laura to say Tonka's lesson was off and the other to the vet, warning them that I was on the way in!!! (mind you I said to warn them.. not ask them!!!)
Well, something is up with Moxie, though it's still a bit of a mystery and we're taking it day by day. The lameness is probably due to lyme's disease and she is on meds for that, but in all the tests that they ran, it has been discovered that she has the beginnings of kidney disease. She is on meds for that too, will be for the rest of her life, and I am still learning about the whole thing and what impact this has on her life. For the moment she is very quiet and still limping about, so I have been at her beck and call, and doing whatever she needs to have done.

Aside for all of that, my life, such as it is, continues to go it's pace. I had made a promise to the daycare where Kassy works, that Mocha would pay them a visit and give little pony rides to the children. (she needs to earn her keep you know). so Thursday afternoon, after we sort of knew what was going on with Moxie, I packed Mocha up in the trailer and went over to the daycare. The children were so cute and very excited to see her (don't you love this picture? Notice "who" is "penned in"!!!) I didn't have too many takers on the pony rides, some of these kids have a hard time being around dogs, let alone a horse that can look them in the eye!!! Mocha was a very good girl and was very gentle and careful around the little ones!!! She got lots of apples and carrots as a paycheck and was pretty pleased with herself.
Then it was off to camp. They had predicted very hot and humid weather, and when that happens there is only one place for me. Moxie still wasn't feeling great, but I knew I could watch her at camp just as easy as at home, and she likes it there. The weather turned off just as predicted, and I spent some time in the lake. And look who's turned out to be another swimmer dog.... Cole!!!! He loves the water, and though he doesn't swim too far, he certainly enjoys paddling around the water's edge. In fact, all the dogs went in, which only proves just how hot it was..... Moxie didn't swim.. which proves just how yucky she felt.


It was also Acton Fair weekend. I usually have a piece or two to enter in the fair, but I didn't have anything ready this year, and just as well, the way things went last week, I wouldn't have had the time to get them up to be entered. I did, however, enter a square in the Acton Fair Quilt. Each year, they have a contest... they give you a theme and a little patch of material, and you need to come up with a square and mail in it by a certain date. When all the squares arrive, they are made into one quilt ..the fair quilt... and are displayed. They also judge each square, so, if it's good enough, you can earn a ribbon!!! At the end of the fair, the quilt is given to one of the contestants, chosen by a drawing. Well, my square didn't pin and I haven't heard from the fair committee, so I am guessing I didn't win the drawing, but it was fun to see the quilt. The theme was "stars" and my square is the lower left hand corner one... its name is "seven sisters"..... We actually stayed at the fair for about an hour, it was BEASTLY hot and when the first steaks of lightening lit the sky followed by a rumble of thunder, we were out of there!!! All the animals were back at the camp, and I just didn't want to leave them alone during the storm!!!

We mostly spent the weekend, Ed and I, just trying to rest and sort out all the happenings of last week... the selling of the business, passing of his Mom, our 26th wedding anniversary, sick doggie... and the fact that Sadie is off to college next week. I said to Ed one day way last spring..."you know, it will probably all hit at once"... guess what... I'm not going to say that statement again, either!!!!!

catching our breaths.....

It's been quite a week, for sure. Having to say good bye to "Mommy Kay" has certainly been a hard thing to handle, but life does go on, and she would have told us to stay with it. So, in that spirit, we take a deep breath, and focus on the good.

On Saturday, between visits to Mommy Kay, we attended the 91st York Fireman's Muster, with none other than our own Sadie, taking the role of "Miss Flame" the mascot of the day!!! It was her duty to oversee the parade... here she rides in my little beetle bug, with her Daddy driving and Fire Chief, Chris at the helm!!! She waved to all the folks, and looked so cute going along.

After the parade, the firemen all met at a little park in York Harbor to show off their skills in a number of competitions!!! Everything from how quickly you can get a line of hose put together, to how quickly (and securely) you can hook that hose and shoot a stream of water!!! The teams did a good job this year, and earned a number of trophies, Miss Flame handed out the trophies to the teams!!!

My little niece, Naomi, got her first ride in a firetruck with my folks. She loved it, and waved to all the folks watching the parade. We thought that maybe all the noise would bother her, but it really didn't seem to!!! Funny, we have pictures like this one of me... and of Kassy and Sadie!!! Guess the tradition continues on.....

After the parade and field events, the firemen get together for a lobster bake and dance. Ed and I attended the bake,( but not the dance as we wanted to get back to Kay)... it was as good as always, I certainly enjoyed my lobster. And Kas had the musican sing "Happy Anniversary" to Ed and I, because the 22nd we celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary......

heaven bound....

It is with a heavy heart, that we bid goodbye to "Mommy Kay" and send her home to be with God and her loved ones that have gone ahead.

She was born in Canada, on March 17, 1915 (St. Patrick's Day). These pictures were taken this past March, on her 92nd birthday, when we had a little party for her with a number of family members. This was a great day, and as you can see from the smile on her face, a very happy day indeed!!

She was an amazing lady, a nurse by trade, until she married Ed Walsh (whom we called "Papa Ted") and the two of them ran the moving company, Wood Bros. Moving and Storage. After Papa Ted passed, Ed and Bill took over the operations of the company and ran that until this past Friday (August 17) the company has now been sold to another person. (more on this story later.. but let's just say, its been a rather long weekend!!!)

Mommy Kay was very elegant!! I think I saw her ONCE in her pj's after 8:00 in the morning. She always believed that you got up in the morning, got dressed (including your jewelry and shoes!!!) and got your day started. You never went out without being totally "put together"!!! You also exercise everyday (walking and climbing stairs were her two favorites!!!)say your prayers, sing (she was in the church choir for many, many years) and you live life to it's fullest.... which is probably why she lived so long!!!

She was, no doubt, blessed... with good health and a close family, which when it comes down to it... is what really matters in life. She loved her children, grandchildren... and all my silly spaniels!!!!! (Moxie attended her birthday party!!!) To say that we are going to miss her, is almost a waste of space... because you know that we will. But to go home to heaven, in peace and love has to be one of the most amazing things in life and I can only imagine all the hugs and kisses she received at the gates!!! So, until the day we are all together again........ "say hello to everyone there, Mommy Kay".

the start......

Even though the past few Fireman's Musters have been on the quiet side, I still get that "excited feeling" when the third weekend in August rolls around. Afterall, its been a big thing for me...my entire life.... I attended my first muster in 1960... at the ripe old age of 5 months!!! My Dad was (is) a firefighter, and has held several offices as such... including Chief... so, I grew up with the fire department.

I never really planned on marring a fireman, in fact, Mom said not to, because they were always leaving you for fire calls, but with all those handsome young men in my Dad's fire company, how could you not date a few, and yes, fall in love and marry one!!!! So, being Ed's wife... my "life with the department" continued .. as it should.

Ed is the "keeper" of an old "handtub" fondly called "Protection 2".. this is a piece owned by an association named the "Red Shirts",( there's a whole story on them, that I will need to tell at another time. ) And for me, the muster all begins when Ed brings "Protection 2" home for the parade. In a couple of hours, a group of red shirts will appear, bring Protection 2 out of her house, and polish all her brass and get her looking good for the parade. It one of those silly things that has a special time about it, and I look forward to seeing them come every year.

Now, you have to know that where there is a muster and a parade, you have to have a "queen".. in the past years "Miss Flame" has been a high school senior, and picked in a number of different ways. In 2004... Miss Flame was our own Kassy!!!! (so was her best friend Diana.. they shared the fame) The girls had their picture in the paper, received a savings bond for their efforts, rode in the parade in an antique car and tossed Goldenrod kisses to the crowd... then handed out the trophies after the running events .. and oversaw the banquet and dance afterwards. To this day, Kas likes to pop out the line " Miss Flame, 2004, thank you for coming!!!" And Nate can proudly say, that he married a beauty queen!!!!!

So, I guess that none of you will be surprised to learn that this year's Miss Flame is Sadie. Tomorrow will be the parade, the muster events, banquet and dance.... the third Saturday in August..... always the same!!!!!!

cleanin' tack

it's too hot to ride, the horses have had their baths... what else is there to do.... well.... there's ALWAYS tack!!! (with horses.. there is always something!!!!) Cleaning tack has to be another one of those " really owning a horse" experiences. I don't mind cleaning so much, as finding (no.... taking) the time to get the job done!!

It's important to keep tack in clean condition... afterall, you depend on it when you are riding... so, if it's weak or in bad repair, you could really find yourself in a mess. It's also important that it stays comfortable for your horse, I should imagine that stiff, dry tack would be alot like wearing shoes that don't fit you right. You might be able to walk in them, but in the end, was it worth it. And nothing looks nicer than clean leather!!!! Besides, my riding instructor is a great one for commenting on the condition of your tack, so I sort of feel "inspired" to do it :-) .

Tack cleaning is really a job to do at the barn, but for now, I find it easier to lug it all home and do it there. Ed's sawhorse is a perfect "step in" for my saddle, and that pile of leather pieces on the ground, does make into my bridle (and yes, I can get that all put back together again!!!!) So, tomorrow there will be nice clean tack to put on Tonka (just so he can "mess it up again").

Speaking of Tonka.... Ed and I recently joined the Maine Draft Horse and Mule Assoc. I posted a note that I was looking for some help with regards to Tonka's driving... and I got a few responses back. This Sunday, a member of the club is doing an event over in Eliot and has invited Ed and I to come and look them up and talk about Tonka... so MAYBE, I can get a handle on this driving thing..... .that would be cool.............

Mocha.... goes to camp

So, on Friday afternoon, my house guest, Rachael and I load the truck and head to camp. Among the items that were taken...were, our personal things, food, 7 cocker spaniels, and one horse trailer containing one miniature horse!!!! I have been wanting to take Mocha to camp... just "because", but this weekend was the perfect one to do it. Teresa and Dave were away as well, so, to make the work a little easier for the folks that were doing "barn chores" for us, I decided it was better to bring Mocha along with me.

Ed picked up some fencing and a box so we could "electrify"it (mainly to keep any loose dogs out of Mocha's area) and we used the horse trailer as her little barn at night. It worked perfectly, and she soon became a real favorite on the camp road. Everyone that walked by, stopped to talk to her, and being the social gal that she is.... she loved all the attention!!!!

Then Saturday afternoon, Linda arrived to get Rachael!!! Because of the long trip back and forth, I invited her to spend the night. We had a grand time together!!!! Had a little cookout, went and showed them where the new house will be, and sat by the "cooker" and ate marshmellows for the better part of the evening. Sunday morning, she and Rachael packed up and headed home!!! I still can't believe how quickly the week went, Rachael is a great little gal, and we had such fun together!!!! (didn't we Rach!!!!)

Sunday afternoon turned out to be a family reunion of sorts!!! My cousin Kevin and family, have rented the two camps for the week. They had invited my Uncle and Aunt (my Mom's brother) and all the cousins up for a cookout, so I got on the phone and did the same with my family!!! We haven't all been together like that in ages, and it was great fun!!!! Mocha did some "pony rides" for the little ones (this is Naomi having her first pony ride)... I must get a little saddle for her!!!

It was hard on Monday morning to pack up and head home... back to "real life".... but Dean was waiting at the barn to trim Tonka and Silver's feet, and I had been missing them, so it was a good reason to get back. Since Mocha did so well at camp, and everything went so well, I already have plans to take her back....... as if 7 little spaniels weren't enough!!!!!!

dogs

I have seen in my day, a number of dogs who love the water.... but Charlie... is "crazy"!!! Anytime there is water around, you can pretty much find Charlie in it. At camp, he spends hours in the lake, chasing sticks, swimming after the ducks, or just "fishing" along the shore line. He also likes to watch things related to water. Kas and Nate actually bought him two gold fish... and yes, he will sit near the tank and just watch them float about.
He is equally fascinated with Titus's pool (Iooks a little like my fountain dog in this shot!!!) he would be in that pool if we didn't keep an eye on him!!! I can't believe how long he is able to balance like this!!!! And when Titus is in his pool, I can almost hear Charlie thinking... "he's so lucky!!"

And look at this handsome bunch!!! I'll tell you for someone who isn't that excited about "black cockers" funny how I ended up with three of them in the house!!! Maybe I should explain myself... it's just with all the colors that are in the cocker breed, I don't find the solid blacks that exciting (guess I am more of a parti gal!!!) but these boys are pretty great, and I do love them dearly. Obviously Cole is fitting in just fine, almost like he never left us in the first place!!!! (Trevor is the in front wearing the red collar, that's Cole in the back with the white muzzle, and Hunter is on the other side!!!!)

I can't believe the week is at the end, it's been a busy one, and has flown by. It's been a great treat to have Rachael here with us, and I have spent my days "playing" at the barn... nothing's been done around the house, but I have a feeling it will all be waiting for me next week!!!!

it's a girl!!!!

Miss Rachael Joy arrived on Friday, August 3rd at about 11:00 am... all 12 years old of her!!! She is here to spend the week with us, to get a good dose of "horses, dogs, camp and being a little sister!!!"

Right away, it was up to the barn to see the horses, Silver is definitely Rachael's favorite boy, and she took him right out to get a good bite of green grass (he certainly appreciated that!!!)
Then she got little Mocha out, and gave her a good grooming... nothing like going from one size to another!!!!!!

We went to the camp over the weekend, but once we were "home" again on Monday, it was back to horse business.

Rachael finally got a chance to ride ol'Silver horse.... he's nearly 30 and a bit on the "creeky" side, and hasn't been ridden since January when we took him to the beach.... but he seemed happy to be back under saddle again. Since Sadie came out to see what was going on, it was a good chance to take some pictures of Mocha and Silver together. (still want to get that shot of Tonka and Mocha, maybe we'll get that chance one day this week)

Either way, I think Rachael is having a pretty good time here... we are certainly trying to spoil her a little!!!!! it's nice to have a "youngster" around the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

York Days......

For the past 20 years (as near as I can figure) Piscataqua Obedience Club ... my dog club...has been invited to do an obedience demonstration for the York Days Celebration. York Days is a week long event celebrating the town of York, with all sorts of entertainments. Some nights its music in the gazebo, puppet shows, sand castle makings on the beach... a wonderful firework display... and the dogs!!!! Actually, the dog show is one of the most popular events, and if you check out the crowd in some of these pictures, you can see that its true. This year the weather was just perfect!!!and the crowd was as big as ever.

I am the MC at this event, mostly because its the town I live in, and it sort of fell into my lap a number of years ago. I always get so nervous before this event, and I really don't know why. I don't mind speaking in public, I know what I want to tell folks, and I can always count on a big number of other POC members there to support me.... but I still get the "jitters".... I try and change it up each year, because I know we have people that come to watch year after year, and I try and keep it fresh and fun. For the most part, it always goes off without a hitch, but this year, we did have some trouble with the music, and a couple of the dogs... mainly my Moxie... had their own idea of how the "show would go"...... (ie: barking at me, jumping over the jumps that she wanted to, taking her old sweet time on her come... and the more the crowd giggled, the "worst" she got!!!) But I think that the crowd likes to see that sort of thing, and one other thing... it goes to prove that our dogs are "just dogs" and that anyone can and should owe a well behaved pet.

We do all sorts of things, try and show all the different levels of obedience, work a whole crowd of dogs together (the people are really impressed with that!!!) and of course, our flyball team is always a huge success!!!! After we do a couple of runs with the teams, we pull kids out of the crowd and have them race the dogs!!! THAT is a huge crowd pleaser!!!!

And then, after the show, we invite the crowd to come and talk, meet the dogs, ask questions about obedience and all that sort of things. I think that's the part the dogs like best, because they certainly get a ton of attention. This is when I breath a sigh of relief and consider doing next year's show (though I always think ... this is the last one!!!) and think of what I might do different the next time around. So, I guess that means, I'm not ready to retire... quite yet.....

day 100

And "HAPPY BIRTHDAY,NATE!!!"

August... another month down, and beginning tomorrow, 99 days until the expected arrival home of "our" Nate... today he is 22.....

Wednesday nights are known as "steak night", I don't get to go too often because I am usually teaching, but this evening I had off, so I got to join the "steak night crew". When everyone heard it is Nate's birthday, glasses were raised in his honor!!!!

Mini Nate was pressed into service yet again... what's a birthday unless you have your picture taken under the birthday banner!!!!

Acutally, this banner was put up by Kas and Nate for the Mom's birthdays back in April... I just haven't had the heart to take it down...so, here it was, all ready for mini Nate and Kas to have their picture taken together!!!!!

So, even though Nate is on the other side of the world at the moment, he is very much here at home!!!!

"We love you, Nate..... happy, happy birthday!!!!"