got ponies?

Today was the day of "wild ponies!!" Though when we got up in the morning... "wild" was a better description for the weather. Since we arrived here on Thursday evening, the weather has been nothing short of wonderful... but this morning it looked to be somewhat different. Now, most of you know that weather isn't about to stop me.. (remember a dog show a few weeks ago) and since they were running the boat out to the pony island... Kas, Nate, Mandi, Patrick, Ed and I decided we would go and see what we could find on the Island.

For the most part, we were prepared for the weather.... however, the real rain began to show up as we were already on the boat and heading for the island. It was "cold" too..that wet /damp rain cold that after a little while you decide to "give up and go with it"....



Our boat captain seemed pretty certain that we would see some horses... after all the island is quite tiny (you can pretty much walk the whole thing in a couple of hours) and there are around 120 horses living there, including 8 new foals this season... I was excited!!!


Now "officially" this island is called Shackleford Banks... and back in the 1700's or so, a Spanish ship wrecked off the coast. The horses aboard the ship swam to shore and have survived generation after generation all these years. Today the town of Beaufort, does monitor the ponies, thinning the herd threw auctions when needed, and administering meds and such, also when needed. But for the most part, this is a wild herd, and though you are allowed to be among them, you are not suppose to approach too closely, and you run this at your own risk. The stallions will protect the mares, and the mares will protect the foals.

Besides the ponies, it is an awesome place to look for shells... of all kinds. We were told to walk over to the "ocean side" of the island for the best "shelling"... so, with all this advise in mind, we were dropped off on the island.. for a two hour visit.

The wind really began to pick up, and the rain was still coming down... but, we weren't going to let that bother us!!! and bravely started off to find ponies and shells.....

THEN, we came across some other folks on their way back to the boat... "Have you found any ponies?" they asked us.... No, we have just arrived... Well, they had been there a few hours in the rain and hadn't come across a single pony.....

I suddenly began to have second thoughts........

stories from the south

Hello dear readers, here we are in North Carolina!!!! two months later than originally planned, but here none the less. I am not sure what I am enjoying more, seeing Kas and Nate, seeing beautiful NC, or not being on any kind of a time schedule.... it's a little hard to choose. The weather is definitely "summer"... so today, we actually spent the day shopping for clothes. I hate to shop, have no sense of style and get discouraged easily, so it is always a good idea for me to bring Kas along... she is excellent at bargins, styles and getting me to try different things on. I am happy to report the day was a success and I have all the summer things that I will need for the rest of the season!!!!



After a morning of shopping, we returned to Kas and Nate's house for a bite of lunch and to re-group. We had also left Moxie and Charlie home, so we wanted to check in with both of them. In this heat, there is no way we could even think of bringing them in the cars!!!! Kas wanted to take me to see the "Turtle store".. so that was our next stop after lunch. What a cute little place, with all the "turtles" you could possible imagine!!!! I did splurge and bought myself a pair of turtle earrings and a necklace.





Since we had been gone most of the day (and will be tomorrow as well) we decided to "stay in" for supper tonite. Kas and Nate made us a wonderful supper!!!! (they work good together).. and after that it was a trip to Cold stone ice cream.. sadly, I was too full to think about dessert, but I will have to have one little treat from there before we leave.

So, the day flew by... tomorrow we head out to see the "wild ponies"... I can't wait to see what that is all about.
Sadie reports that all is well on the home front... I am so happy she is there taking care of all the critters!!! We couldn't have traveled without her doing this for us!!!!

got a home???

This is "Jennie"... she is currently a dog in rescue (though she is not with me!!) Jennie has been a foster dog for far too long and it's time for her to find that special family that will belong just to her.

She is about 7 years old, and would make the PERFECT companion for an older couple!!! as she doesn't need much exercise...

Please, dear readers, if you know of anyone who would like this love to come into their life... contact Maine Cocker Spaniel Rescue .. or me....

Let's get Jennie a home for the 4th of July!!!!!!

day to remember

Life has a way of speeding by, and I have come to learn that you take everyday as a very special gift. Ed and I can't believe that it was five years ago that we lost a dear and childhood friend, Dave Hilton. Dave died from a Brain aneurysm while he was visiting with his parents one afternoon.... he was in his early forty's.

Dave had a special love... the fire watch tower!! and the fire department itself. He was also a husband and a Dad, but aside from those other two things, the fire watch tower was a major thing in his life. In the early 90's the state of Maine felt that they could no longer afford to keep the watch towers running. Which is a bad mistake, because when it comes to catching fires, time is a huge factor. So, instead of letting them "go", Dave brought together a group of folks and trained them "how to watch" and this volunteer group began to take over, especially during fire season.

After Dave passed, the volunteers continued their work, and have added even more to their group.....I can't even begin to think of the number of acres of land that has been protected by them, let alone other fires that have been quickly spotted and brought people to the scene... sometime even house fires have been called in by the towers, before anyone else.

It was also decided that Dave's memory should be shown in another way. So, my Ed and another good friend and firefigther, Mark Gay... put together this memorial "garden" at the foot of the fire tower on the top of Mr. Agamentius. The story boards tell about Dave and the history of the three towers that keep watch over this part of York county. This is Dave's parents... Janet and Alva.. they come almost every day to the top of the mountain to tend to the memorial and often to answer the questions of people who stop by to look and read the boards.

We had a little memorial service in Dave's honor yesterday, Chief Rick Plummer from Gray .. a very dear and close friend of Dave's, my Ed, Mike Estes, a selectman, and Mark Gay all gave a little speech ... it was very touching, and meant a great deal to Dave's parents.

For those of you who live here in the southern part of the state, you should feel very proud of these volunteers who keep careful watch over the land.. especially during "fire season".... thanks, Dave!!!!

"typical" Saturday...

For a Saturday that didn't have too many plans, other than getting the house, animals and ourselves ready for the trip.... it turned out to be a day full of events.

The morning started with Ed rotortilling a garden for Teresa (where our horses live).. so, we went there, and while he and Teresa played in the dirt, I got to play with our horses. Everyone got a good grooming, stalls were mucked, and it was just fun to have some quiet time with them.

When we got home, we had planned on going over to Portsmouth.. I am in dire need of summer clothes, but a "fire call" changed that decision. Actually, it was a "medical call" as Life Flight had been called into York Hospital. This happens fairly often, and there is a whole routine that needs to be done when a helicopter is coming in.

First off, the landing pad is the parking lot, so all cars must be cleared. The fire department goes up to help with the organizing and to be on stand by ... just in case... it's a tight fit for the "copter"....

The fire department was already out on an accident call, so my Ed, being the Asst. Chief, was the "command" on this call. He has done this before, but it's still pretty exciting when this happens. This has been the biggest helicopter that Ed remembers seeing coming into the hospital. While the patient was being readied for the trip, Ed got a minute to chat with the pilot... turns out, that he lives in Portsmouth and flies out of Boston!!! He has been flying since the early seventies, and started out in the military. The pilot said that it was a pretty tight fight for this big copter, but Ed said he handled it like it was nothing at all.

I wished now I had gone up to see it, I can tell you, it certainly rattled the windows of the house when it came in and flew out again.

By the time, Ed got back, it was a little too late to run to Portsmouth, and besides, the "Flaggs" had called to see what the supper plans were going to be.....

NOW.. the night before, Ed and I noticed that the "Goldenrod" had opened for the season!!! So, no doubt about it, we decided to go there for supper and the FIRST of the summer sundaes... the Flaggs brought us to "Memories" and we brought them to the "Goldenrod".

This business has survived for over 100 years... it has come thru winter storms with the ocean knocking on its doors... and it has the best "salt water" taffy ever known!!!! It has played a big part of our lives and we have many good stories about it.

For example, when the kids were little and I was "always worried about that sugar overload"... the rule was... you could have a frappe (milk shake for my friends who read from other places)... OR you could have a sundae after dinner. Well, one weekend I was away at a dog show, and Ed took the girls to the "G-rod" for supper... HE let them have both a frappe and a sundae..... needless to say, I never was able to live up to that... even to this very day (right girls???)

So, here are the "parentals"... enjoying our first Goldenrod trip of the summer, we did have sundaes, but no one had a frappe.....

special day

This is my friend, Aileen, with her "soon to be dog".... Lilli. Aileen has adopted Lilli thru cocker rescue, but since Lilli is still raising her litter of puppies, it will be a few weeks, before she can live with her new owner.

Aileen and I met thru "the dog world", I feel so blessed at the number of wonderful people and friends that I have come to know because of dogs. All "winter" long, Aileen and I have emailed back and forth, talking about dogs for sure, but lots of other things as well. She has become very dear to me!!!

Yesterday, I took the "blankies" and dog coats to Aileen, because she had volunteered to work at the table that rescue had set up at the dog show. Since the day was suppose to be nice (and it was) I invited Aileen to go and see the barn. She has had a great interest in it, via the blog, and I wanted her to have a chance to see it in real life.

I packed up Moxie and Cammie (didn't take the boys for fear of all the ticks in the field and not wanting all that to end up in the truck).. and we went to drop off the donations and pick up Aileen. She hopped right up into my truck!!! and off we went.

We chatted the whole way, we never ran out of things to talk about, and that is so special when you can do that with someone else. Cammie completely took over Aileen's lap on the ride up. She didn't mind it at all, and I have a feeling that when Lillie arrives, she will do the same thing. Aileen loved the barn and the property.... needless to say, I had to take a quick shot of her in front of the barn... notice Cammie had to get in on it.

Then we had a grand lunch together (fried clams) and the whole day went zooming by. Moxie had a doctor's appointment, so, I was on a bit of a time schedule, but, we manged to do most everything that I had hoped. I have next promised Aileen a ride in Tonka's cart, she says she can't wait!!!

And I can't wait to meet her "Lilli dog"!!! Special days like this are ones that are treasured!!!! And I hope to have many more of them with my friend........

"blankies!!!"

Last fall, my friend, Kim, popped over with a gift that she had received for her birthday. It was a beautiful fleece blanket that had been made for her. She wanted me to see it, because it was easy to make and she knows that I am always looking for new and interesting projects.

NOT, that I need to know about more projects, goodness only knows that I have a "million" of them in process at any given time, but I do suppose it's nice to keep your "list" up to date. The blankets are so easy to make, that I gave them to "everyone" at Christmas time.

I also made a few extra to use as donations, four to my dog club, and these three are for Cocker rescue who have a table this weekend at the local dog show. (Deb also made 5 of her beautiful dog coats - like the one Camille worn at the dog show - as another donation for the table) We're hoping these items will bring in a little extra for rescue.

Basically all it takes to make them are two yards of two different pieces of fleece. You will want to trim off the salvage sides, and lay them out carefully without any wrinkles. The only place I manage to do that is on the kitchen table where I have room to spread them out.

Then, you cut out the corner, and I make a 3 inch "fringe" all the way around. The quickest way I have found to do this is with a rotary cutter, straight edge and a cutting board. I also find it is better not to make too much "fringe" in one sitting, as it makes it harder to do the tying later.
















Then you tie all the little fringes together, a top to a bottom and... there you have it!!!

These blankets are very warm and durable. Pop them into the washer to clean, and dry on a low heat.

so, if you are in need of a project or something different as a donation to your favorite charity... here you go!!!!

too cute!!!!!

After a "whole winter of waiting".... look who arrived safe and sound on Friday, May 9th.... this is "Rollin' Thunder Josiah Norton"... a brand new colt belonging to my friends, Karen and Missy!!!! His mom is a gypsy vanner mare.... "Lainey" (aka Rollin Thunder Lainey May)....

Currently both are at our trainer's farm (Laura), and week after week, when Tonka and I went for our lessons, the big question was... is the baby here yet. Last Thursday, the answer was the same "no, not yet"... but he did arrive shortly there after!!!!

Karen reports that all went well, that Lainey is a proud and excellent Mom (she has had babies before!!!) and that little Josiah is a doll. How could he not be???

"This" is such a nice breed of horse... it would be a dream of mine to one day have one!!! but in the meantime, I will just have to "enjoy" the vanners of Rollin Thunder!!!!!








I have a feeling that this is just the first of many hugs and kisses!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

What had been fore casted as a "rainy weekend" turned out to be nothing of the sort!!! So, on "Mother's Day"... Ed and I had the family here for a cookout!!! The weather was beautiful and we were actually able to spend most of the time sitting out on the deck. It has occurred to me that this will be the last Mother's day for me in this house, and possibly the last cookout here as well. We head to NC next week and when we get home, it will be June.... come June, a great many weekend are spent at camp.. and that's pretty much how the summer goes!!!! Come fall, we will be in Acton...

I guess Mom's have a way of passing things onto their children, whether they mean to or not. I have done just that..... poor Kas is afraid of thunderstorms (though she is getting better with them living in the south) and this fear came directly from me.... I HATE them!!!!!! but, on a better note, sometimes you pass on "good things" too... like my 4:00 tea time!!!

Like a lot of folks, come 4:00 in the afternoon, I begin to run out of steam. Course, teaching dog classes at night, you need to have your "steam" back.. so I have the habit of either having a coffee, tea or hot cocoa that time of day. Kas has found that she has herself in the same habit!!!! So, for Mother's Day, she sent me this "tea basket"!!! It has all sorts of goodies in it, and the little teapot that is sitting there is really a pot and cup!!! (cup is on the bottom).. Sadie kept along the same "theme" for her gift.. and got me a travel mug.... which, when I have an early morning student (like today) I can take that "last" cup with me!!!... Sadie's cup is the black one and it says.... "coffee and dog hair" on one side.. and "I never leave home without them" on the other side!!!!! Ya, pretty typical for this house I would say!!!!!

So, it was a great weekend... the festival on Sat., presents from the girls, and a cookout yesterday...... I am truly blessed.. and hope that all of you had as much fun on your weekend.......

wooly Saturday!!!!

On Friday afternoon, my friend Linda arrived from New York state.. she was here for a little visit and also to attend the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival that was going on at the Hopkinton Fair grounds. She has asked me to go with her for the past couple of years, but the dog show had always fell on the same weekend... this year ----- it didn't... so I was able to go.

We were on the road fairly early, course, half way there I realized that I didn't have my camera with me!!!! I WAS not a happy camper, because I could have taken "dozens" of photos for the blog!!! But aside from all of that, it was such a fun day. Having the time with Linda was a joy of it's own (we haven't had time together like that since our children were VERY little) but I so enjoyed seeing all the vendors and animals.

Linda and her family have alpaca on their farm. Linda spins.... and has been doing some "neat experiments" with all sorts of different "fibers". She was telling me about her "adventures" with them, and it just makes me want to get spinning into my life all the more!!!! We were able to see some alpacas, and they're a neat little "creature"... I know I will want "something" else on the farm with the horses, but I haven't quite decided "what" that will be. I did see some nice looking sheep and can't believe how many "breeds" there are of them!!!! There were llama there as well, but, "they" really don't do anything for me, so I think I have pretty much ruled them out. OH, and angora rabbits!!! Now, that is a neat little animal, but I'm not sure I am up for the "work" that they require.... but... they sure are cute!!!

Now, as any of my "knitting" friends can imagine... the yarn that was there was incredible!!!!! I can just see Dale and Karen there... NO... maybe they shouldn't go there, unless Val and Greg are ready to move out of their houses!!! I am still "new" to knitting, and it took great restraint to keep from going "crazy" with all the wonderful products and projects!!! I did come home with a few goodies, but ones that I will actually do!!!
There were also "tons" of spinning wheels ... wish I had known what I was looking for in that department, because I am sure it was there. I have to say, there is a beauty in a spinning wheel that is something else.

The weather was perfect, ( HUGE difference from last Saturday!!!) the people there were so nice... no "pushing and shoving" ......people were chatty and it was just a nice feeling overall. You don't get that sometimes at these sorts of events. The time flew by, and before we knew it, it was time to get back home again. I guess there are several of these types of "shows" that go on all year, but I am hoping next year I can go again, and maybe I will even have a better idea of "what" I am looking for. Either way.... it's always on Mother's Day weekend, and if you are in the "yarn, spinning, animal" department... take a drive out... you won't be sorry.

down on the farm...

So... THIS is what the barn looks like without a huge pile of snow all around it!! Actually, I think summer arrived in Acton yesterday.... temps were in the high seventies and the black flies were horrid!!!! Lucky us... the good thing is, they only hang around a few weeks, and for the most part are gone... I keep telling myself that tons of birdies are being fed by the little "buggers".. course, they're trying to "feed" on us!!!!

It's funny how projects like this one go... seems like there are huge changes, and even though the work progresses, you don't seem to notice anything new. Then all of a sudden, there are huge changes again....

And the big one for this week.... a driveway!!! It goes from the main road, to about where the house will be... and all the way to the barn (yes I have some tree trimming to do!!!) BUT, no more mud... so, if you were "waiting to visit"... drop by anytime... the path is clear!!!

And now, what always seems like the "messy part" of construction... the dirt being moved about and the plans are being laid for where exactly (and how) the house will sit..

I don't like seeing the land torn up and all these "piles" about.. but, can't be helped and I know its temporary....

"Mo" the operator of the big "tractor" is very clever... I love to watch things like this, he can move big huge mounds of dirt, or clear the tinest patch... it's a real talent....

This is also where the building part gets hard for me. I have such trouble looking at a semi-bare lot and "seeing" a house there. Ed, on the other hand, can picture it so easy, and he is always saying things like ..."so here's the front door, and the porch goes here, and the garage is here... and should we have a window here or there?" etc. etc...... he is very patient with me as I shrug my shoulders and say something like... "sure, honey... sounds good to me!!!" --- I haven't got a clue!!!!

The "good thing" is... we have built things together in the past, like our little camp... so, when Ed can "see" something, I trust his instincts.... and then when it's really there.... I can take over!!!!

looking for...

I am looking for a ... HORSE.... a "white" horse to be exact, and somewhere under all that hair (and dirt) he is there. It has been a daily search, and layer by layer, I think I am finally getting down to "him".

"poor ol' Sil"... when I bought him 11 years ago (this month in fact) my first words when I saw him was...."he's white??" I just knew that a "white" horse would be trouble!!!! Not in his temperment, mind you, in his "keeping clean!!!" and this has proven correct. Tonka on the other hand, can get away with a "ton of dirt" and you don't even know it!!!!

So, a sure sign of spring for me....

horse hair all over the floor.....

and for the old boy... well, he is there somewhere, but I still have a few more days of "looking" (ie: grooming!!!!)

Missy heads home

Here is Missy with her new "mom"... Juline.....

may they have a long and happy life together!!!

onto rescue #5!!!!!

two for two

Several times today, I asked a question that seems not to have any answer.... "Are "new englanders" a hearty bunch that, despite the weather, continue to do the outdoor things that they love?" or "are we just a foolish lot that don't know how to get in out of the rain?" either way, no one at the dog show had an answer for me. So, aside from the fact that it was pouring rain when I packed Moxie and Camille into the truck, we (like everyone else) headed to the show.

Our judge held her breath anytime we entered the ring... this is what the entrance looked like... fortunately, it was somewhat dry under the "pulling shed" where the rings were set up...

It mostly drizzled, but every now and again, it began to pour, which did manage to send folks scurring.....

as for Camille and I... well, we are two for two.... today Cam added two more points to her score.... we received a 96!!!! and came in third place.


One more "leg" to go, and she will have her first obedience title... we'll probably try to finish in the fall, I have a feeling the summer will be just too busy house building to "worry" about it now.....

"show" barn

If there is one thing that my hubby could never be accused of.... it would be "doing a poor job" with anything that he does. Ed is a "detail" man if ever I knew one, and he doesn't believe in just doing something to get it done. If it is "done" by my Ed... it is done right.

Case in point with this barn of ours!! and NOT because it is "ours"... but this building is beautiful... and if there were a "Better homes and barns" magazine... this one should have feature story done on it. Ed has made it a "show" barn if ever I saw one...

He told me that he and Ken had pretty much finished the tack room, so today, after the dog show, the "girls" and I went up to take a peek.... the tack room...is nothing short of amazing!!!!

And nothing doing, he and Ken continue to apply the same detail to the stall area of the barn.

All I can say is... I hope a couple of horses appreciate the home that they will live in...

if not... well.... I certainly am going to!!!!!!

good girl, Camille

Bright and early this morning, Moxie, Camille and I headed to Acton (my soon-to-be hometown) to attend the York County Kennel club dog show. This is a really nice show, with a history of really bad weather, and nothing was different for this year. What was suppose to be a "cool day with chance of showers" turned out to be a rainy day that was down right cold!!!! But, wisely (though not fashion for sure) I dressed for the weather.

I entered both Moxie and Camille in Rally Obedience, but with Moxie not feeling well all week long, I decided to pull her from the show and just let Camille do her thing. It was Camille's very first time in the ring!!!!

And the "thing" is... I haven't really even taken the time to "train" her. Anything that she knows, she has picked up herself just by coming to classes with me and being my "demo" dog. Rally Novice is pretty basic obedience, but there are some details to it, that I knew she could do... provided she would listen to me.

Showing outside is a bit of a trick at times... there are many distractions!!! On top of that, the obedience rings are set up under the "pulling arena"... where during fair season... horses do their thing. I can only imagine what that dirt has the scent of....

But, little Camille did her "mom" proud and worked like a little show dog......

A "perfect" score is 100.... Camille got a 94 and qualified for her first Rally Novice Leg"... PLUS took fourth place AND highest scoring cocker...... "NOT too bad for a very first try"..... good girl, Camille!!!!!

and tomorrow, we go back and do it again.... guess what, they are predicting rain!!!!!

foster #4

Happy May Day!!!!

This is "Missy"... our fourth foster dog of 2008!!! She is a three year old cocker spaniel and is the "perfect" dog... I am still trying to figure out why she was given up. It's a little unclear to me, just that I was told... "they didn't have time for her, she required grooming, and she will sometimes submissive pee"...

OK.... so, what's the problem? From the moment she has stepped inside this house, she has been nothing short of a little dream boat.

She LOVES everyone, is quiet, crate trained, and if I didn't already have SIX of my own... she would certainly be a keeper!!!

THANK goodness, there is someone coming to see her this Sunday. Actually, they will be making a decision between Missy and another rescue dog.. Jenni. I think it would be grand if they were both adopted, but... we'll see. Either way, this little girl will go fast...

You can see how "stressed out" she is to be here (that's Sadie's dog, Tatter sitting with her)

Hope I am not encouraging any bad habits!!!. cockers are allowed on the furniture.......

they really aren't "floor dogs: ...if you know what I mean