the Acton fair

A "lighted" midway....

Beautiful quilts (and various other hand made items)....

Sweet cows (who would rather be home in their own barns!!!)

Must be Acton Fair.

We went over to it last night with friends, Lisa and Chris.... did all the "usual" fair things.... looked at cows, horses, chickens, rabbits..... walked thru the 4H barns of quilts, knitted items, and garden things.... and ATE all that "wonderful" fair food!!!! It was a perfect late summer night.

My square in the the "fair quilt" received a third place ribbon... my little knitted hat took a first, and my horse picture... didn't get anything!!! I am already thinking about next year's fair and hope to get a couple of things done over the winter to be judged .....

living on the farm...

Today, Ed brought his 1940 John Deere L tractor to the farm to "live". He has been "waiting forever" to get his little tractor up there and drive it around the field!!!!

This is a "cool" little tractor, it's a crank start, and it runs like a little gem. Ed only has to crank it a few times, and it fires right up and is ready to go.

The piece on the back of it is called a bottom plow, and Ed has actually used it. We had a friend who planted hundreds of tomato plants, which he always planted by hand. So, one year, Ed took the L over with the bottom plow and made furrows for our friend to put his tomato plants in. He was thrilled and Ed loved working the tractor. It didn't take Ed took long to "fulfill" his dream, because once he had the L unloaded, they were off together around the field. He said the L had a big smile, but I think the bigger smile belonged to Ed!!!!

and now living on the farm....

"way back in July"... I went to visit my friend Laura on her beautiful farm... she has two new puppies and asked me to come out and get them started with some obedience. As I pulled into her place, I noticed a large flock of "guinea hens", there were many colors and a good number of them. I had been thinking about guinea hens for our farm.. I have been told that they are wonderful at keeping the ticks downs, and are good "guard birds"... but I have also been told that they are very loud and somewhat aggressive. So, when I had finished up with the puppies, I asked Laura about her "hens". She gave me alot of information on them and is quite fond of them. I told her that I had been thinking about them.

Each time I went out to the farm, I would look for the guineas and one time Laura took me to see a mother and her "keets" (as the babies are called) and told me more about them. The more I learned, the more I knew that we would "one day" have a few guineas. About three weeks ago, Laura told me that she had yet another hen sitting on a nest, and she asked me if I would be interested in taking this hen and her keets when they hatched. I was thrilled and told her I would love to have them.

Laura called me this week, the keets had hatched and I could come and get them and the mom as soon as we were ready. So, today, Ed and I went out to the farm to collect our "new family". The mother bird was already locked in a crate, but the babies ... six in all... were running about the garden. Laura and her husband, and her friend Rebecca.... Ed and I were all looking about the garden on the hunt for keets. They're tiny and know how to hide, so it took us about an hour to track them all down. Then we had to get Mom into the crate with the babies, she did get away from us (and guineas can fly) so we spent another hour getting a hold of her.... Rebecca finally caught her in a net, and with all the "birdies" in one crate we headed for home. On the way, Ed and I talked about what stall might be the best for the new family. You need to keep in them in for a long while so they will call it their home. We have four stalls done, but I really didn't want to "tie up" a horse stall... so we took a look at the other stall which is built but not done, and decided that this would be a good place for them.

In his usual way, Ed made this stall as comfortable and as easy as possible for me and the guineas. He built a great door and closed in the stall openings with chicken wire. It's a great place for them, with lots of room and good sunlight. We got the keet food that Laura had recommended, and put a little shavings on the floor and a bit of hay, and of course water.

I also left the crate there for them, and just removed

the door so they can use it as a nesting box if they so choose. and when we left for the evening, the Mother guinea hen and the little keets were all tucked in safe and sound. I had hoped I could get a good picture of the keets, but they had a busy day, and I didn't want to bother them. But here is the mother bird (her babies are all cuddled under her) and she seems pretty happy.

I wonder what Annabelle will think when she comes in tonite..one thing for sure, she won't want to mess with this bird!!!!

Happy 27th on the 22nd....

So, when a couple celebrates their 27th wedding anniversary... what wonderful and exciting things might they do??? Maybe they go on a vacation of a life time... or.... have a huge party....or.... a fancy dinner in a "good" restaurant... maybe they buy nice gifts for each other... yup, that is what a "normal" couple might do....

but, when did Ed and I ever call ourselves "normal"... and here on our 27th wedding anniversary, we packed boxes!!!!! boxes, and more boxes. Funny how much "stuff" you have when you have lived in one place for such a long time!!!!

It also turns out that we have lived in this house for exactly 26 years.... we moved into this house on our first wedding anniversary... or rather, Ed moved us into this house... I was at the airport in Boston, meeting my new puppy (a cocker of course) who was flying in from California!!!! And even though packing has become a bittersweet experience, I am so very excited about the next "27 years!!!" If we are as blessed as we have been on this part... I am very excited for the next.

It's nice too, knowing that the house will be left in good hands, Kas and Nate will be "home" next week, and they are pretty excited about starting this part of their lives in the house. It will be fun to see what changes take place... we certainly made huge changes when we first bought it, and it's in need for some "up dates" and a new look...... it will be fun....

For the moment, the dining room looks kind of empty... but that won't be for long. It will be filled again with family meals and good times. (and I will have even a bigger dining room in the new house!!!)

I also have to admit, that it has felt surprisingly good to weed out and sort thru things. And I feel very blessed that this is something I chose to do, because sometime folks are not so "lucky"... they end up going thru things after fire or floods.....and I just can't imagine what that must be like. I am happy that we can do it "this way".....

The future looks bright and exciting, we will soon be "on the farm".... a lifelong dream.... and tomorrow... we add something else to the farm... but you will have to wait until my next blog to "find out what"......

summer dog fun....

Even though we are working on the barn, building a new house, moving from an old house, and goodness knows what else.... summer dog classes continue on schedule. But I have to say, no matter how tired I am at the end of the day, teaching is one of my greatest joys. Especially when I am blessed to have such wonderful classes filled with great people and dogs. Such was the case with my "rally class" that graduated last evening... this has got to be the "funnest" group of people that you would ever want to meet. Everyone did an outstanding job and I dare say, some are more than ready to compete!!!! Everyone is so helpful to everyone else, always encouraging each other, and laughing together at their mistakes!!! And talk about a "mixed" group!!!! It's times like this that I know I have the very best job in the world........ so congratulations to all my fine students, and get out there and get those "legs"!!!!!!

footings, foundation & packing

As I pretty much figured, this week (is) and has been on the "crazy" side. Work is going like mad up on the farm!!! Despite the rainy weather... which actually has let up over the past couple of days... the footings for the house are now in. And "the house" goes from looking small to looking huge depending on the day and the work that is going on around it.

We actually have a friend that is doing the foundation work. Morse Foundations, and this is the third one that Scott has done for us. He did the camp, the barn and now the house. I first met Scott on the camp project (15 years ago) and then he showed up in one of my dog classes with a beautiful German Shepherd puppy and we really got the chance to know each other. Since they did an excellent job with the camp and were now "dog students"... it was only right that we called on him to do the barn.... and now of course the house. It is really impressive to watch someone who knows how to do this work!!! I sat one morning and watched Scott and his brother Jason, prepare for the walls. They measured and re-measured, and numbers flew all over the place. Scott prides himself in having his foundations perfect..... he told me that a builder once said to him..."I can't work on this foundation you poured"... worried Scott asked why, and the builder said.... "because its only a half inch off and I have never worked on a "perfect" foundation before!!!!" And we all know, that the base of a good home has to be strong...... I only hope Scott and Jason truly appreciate their talents, I know I will!!!!

Now, that the foundation forms are in place, I have a real sense of how this is all going to look. With luck and good weather.... cement arrives on Wednesday morning.....

And the tough work continues in the "old" house (boy does that sound strange)... packing and weeding out. Actually it's a good feeling to let those things go that are just taking up space. I think that Mona is a tad worried that she might not be going along.... so, she decided that she would pack herself. Course, she picked out a box that is headed to storage, and I told her I doubt she would last a year being in this box........

I did manage to get my items up to the fair for judging last night, and the Acton Fair opens on Thursday. We have plans to go Saturday evening with Deb and Dave, and our other friends, Lisa and Chris, so I am really looking forward to that. The first of the fairs!!!! and then... Sunday morning, bright and early... Ed and Dave head to North Carolina to bring Kas, Nate, Charlie and Nora back to Maine!!!! Four years have flown by when I look back on it now..... and Kas wasn't too excited to see my "fall photos"...... for she still sits in the 90 degree weather, pool side, in NC.....

Kass.... you better find a sweater or two!!!!!

fall whispers

"I am coming!!!!"

my riding instructor

Many of you, from reading my blog, "know" about my instructor, Laura. Well, last week ... Laura and her horse, Oscar competed in their first Grand Prix. I still don't really understand all the scoring that goes with dressage, but from what I understand, they did very, very well.

Oscar is a horse that Laura foaled... raised and trained... and in case you might be wondering... he was born without a tail!!!! but that certainly doesn't have anything to do with his talent!!!

It is very unlikely that Tonka and I will ever ride to this level.... but it sure is fun to watch (and dream)....

look who comes for dinner

Well, the "barn kitties" have still been among the missing... though our neighbor has called and said that he spots Sammy every so often. Annabelle on the other hand ... has not been seen.

Ed and I have an anniversary coming up at the end of the week, so, I went and bought him a "wild life camera"...he had seen one that some friends had, and commented that it would be "neat" to have up on the farm. I couldn't wait to give it to him, and last night, he set it up in the barn to see what he could "catch"

It is Miss Annabelle!!!! and from the times that are noted on the camera (a really neat feature it comes with) it turns out that she is never very far from the barn and almost appears the moment we leave.

She went in and out of the barn several times during the night, and the last shot of her this morning, was moments before Ken walked in for the day. The camera is so quiet that the animals don't even know it's there..... look at her stretching after having a good meal.

I am little concerned that Sammy never showed up on film, so we have left the camera there again tonite just to see "what's up" while we are away.

Ed is going to have great fun with this camera... and we'll be sure to share any of those "great wildlife photos" that we catch......

VOTE FOR CHARLIE

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England is having a "cutest pet (cocker) picture contest".. the winners are put into their 2009 calendar. I told Kas that she should enter Charlie.... not only because he is a cocker...but she and Nate adopted him thru "CSRNE". So, we are asking everyone to please "vote for Charlie". Now, you do have "donate" $2.00 per vote, all proceeds go to CSRNE, so it is for an excellent cause...

their link is http://csrne.org/joey/contest.htm

look for Charlie's picture, click on and you can do it thru paypal..... let's please help other cockers find good homes... and make Charlie a "calendar dog!!!!" Thanks..........................

now I can "talk"

As reported in an earlier blog... my friends, Linda and Wayne, came to Maine to check out a dog that I had "found" for their family. I didn't dare blog about it, because it was a surprise for their family (well some of them knew....) and I didn't want to "blow it"... but now that Linda has posted her blog... it is safe for me to do mine.

I am (proudly) a volunteer and foster home for Maine Cocker Spaniel Rescue... and though I want (and will) do more for them... I certainly do what I can, when I can. (once we are settled on the farm, I should be able to help even more than I have in the past). Any ways, back in June, I was asked by rescue to go and see a dog that was needing a new home. The owner said he would be happy to keep the dog with him until we found just the right place. This is very helpful to rescue, because when it can happen like that... a foster home isn't "tied" up. Once I met this sweet boy, I thought he would be a great dog for Linda and her family. And so, once all the paperwork was completed and Linda and Wayne could find a minute.... we got the two together... and as you can tell... it was "magic".

Now, because of the "kind of family" that they are... everyone "shares"... but this dog was basically Katelyn's idea. And as anyone can see, I think it must have been love at first sight!!! Aren't they cute together????

I also think I should be nice and warn anyone who is my "friend or family" that you all need to be very careful.... because... both Kas and Sadie have cockers.... Deb has a cocker... Dale has a cocker......Sarah has a cocker...... Aileen has a cocker... and now, Katelyn has a cocker.......

do you "get" what I am saying??????

firemen's muster 2008

The parade always begins with the "red shirts" pulling Protection II

close up photo of "her" pretty gold leaf.....

My sister and my niece.... she wasn't one bit afraid of those noisy firetrucks and enjoyed waving to the folks in the parade

Our little red beetle bug carried the "queen" again this year

Protection II.... all done with her "ride" and getting ready to head to "bed" for another year...

Moxie "enjoying" the parade (I have had some concerns about her hearing lately... the fact that she slept thru this parade .... even with sirens blaring... tells me that she probably is pretty close to deaf!!!!)

the day before....

And here we are again... the third Friday of August, which means tomorrow is the third Saturday of August..... and on every third Saturday of August, is the annual Fireman's Parade and Muster. This is the 90 "something" year that the muster has been held, and with my Dad being a firefighter and my Ed being one as well, it has played a big role in my life and the lives of our girls. Both Kas and Sadie were "Miss Flame" (the mascot of the parade) and for many years, our good friends from Southwest Harbor fire company would camp out in our back yard. All the wonderful memories that it brings back. This year is quite different, for at the moment... I am home alone. I haven't ever been "home alone" on "field day eve"... but, with kids living on their own, and the Southwest friends with older children that keep them busy they are not able to camp out anymore.... things do have a way of changing.

Happily, one thing that hasn't changed is... the polishing of Protection II.... Ed is the "caregiver" to this beautiful antique hand pump, and each year, he brings it out of storage, so that the group that owns her, can get her all shined up for the parade. "She" is own by a group that we fondly call the "red shirts"... and who, at one time (back in the 1800's) were an actual fire company. Today, they are mainly a group of "fire buffs", but they support our fire company, and proudly bring Protection II out and show her off.

The guys were surprised when they came today, to hear about our upcoming move, and were a little worried about how this might change things for Protection II.... but nothing will change. Ed will still be her caregiver, and with Kas and Nate living here in the house, we will still be able to bring "her" here each year for her shine and time to be in the sun.

Tomorrow will be the parade, each year it seems to get a little smaller.... which is very sad, but somewhere in this "progressive" world we live in... things like riding a fire truck in a parade, doesn't seem to excite children like it used to. The games that the firefighters do during the muster, gets smaller too..... people don't seem to have time to "play silly games with hoses and water"..... I think I am beginning to have an idea now of how some of the "older people" in my life felt when "things began to change... or.... when I was young we used to......" because I find myself having those same sort of thoughts more and more often. Don't misunderstand me, I like progressive things... computers, blogs, pictures that you can print in a moment, or decide to delete if you don't like them.... but, I also enjoy the simple things... parades, fireworks, ice cream... riding a horse... making a quilt... going to a fair.... and I just hope these things won't be lost in the years ahead. Guess we just have to keep them going the best we can....

"joy"

This little chap is Jon, Linda and Wayne's son. He had never seen the ocean before this trip to Maine, and though the weather was foggy and very cool, nothing would keep him from enjoying his time in the water. Just watching him.....

was sheer joy!!!!!

Here are my friends, Linda and Wayne. I don't even know how many years I have known Linda, we met long ago when our oldest kids were just babies, we "worked" together at church, and just hit it off as friends. Wayne was in the Air Force at that time, so, it wasn't long before "they" were shipped off. Linda and I have managed to stay in touch over the years, and now with computers, internet and blogs, it's even easier to be in touch. But, of course, the best times, are when we have the chance to be together. (She was here for the wool festival in May).

What brought them "out" this time, was a dog!!! They had been looking off and on for another dog for their family. One of their girls, Katelyn, decided that she "would like a dog of her own".. so Linda gave me a "heads up" and said that if I came across one that would fit into their family, she might be interested. I did a visit for cocker rescue and "found" this wonderful 5 year old dog in need of a home, he was "given up" because he spent way too much time alone. His owner dearly loved him, but knew that being alone so much of the time wasn't fair to him.. and he wanted a place where "Captain" would be loved and not so alone. I immediatley thought of Linda and her family, they have a farm and with a family of 9, it's a pretty safe bet that this dog would never be alone. So, I gave her a call, and she and Wayne decided to come and check him out.... and bring Jon along as he has never had the chance to see the ocean. Sadly, they really could only come for a very short visit, but it was wonderful... and Captain has a new home!!!!!

I had the chance to show them the new barn, we spent part of the afternoon, watching Jon enjoy the beach (and the seagulls).... had a fun supper together (sea food of course) and then went to adopt Captain... and the visit was over......

I hope it will be a time that Jon will remember, because it certainly goes into "one of my favorite days" memory.....

all at once......

In some ways, it feels like we have waited "forever" to get to this point. We bought our land almost six years ago, cleared the spot for the house, and have dreamed of the day when we would start to build.

Now,"suddenly" we have a foundation hole, and yesterday the farm was a busy, busy place. Ken was working in the barn, getting that long list of "finish-ups" done.... Dave was there with the "digger" getting the foundation hole done.... the "other Ken" (who will be buidling the house) arrived to make sure the foundation hole was meeting all the requirements...then Scott (who will pour the foundation) arrived to see when his crew could come in......and it seemed like there were a million questions that needed answers right away!!!!

On top of that, my dear friends, Linda and Wayne were here for a short visit (more about that in the other blog)... so I was happily showing off my barn. They had been "watching it" all winter, via the blog, and it was so nice for me to show them in person!!!

"thanks" the all the rain we have had for the past month.... our foundation hole has a little water issue. But "my" Ed, always the positive, said it "was ok" because now he knows just where he will need to put in all the drains, etc. that might be needed to keep our new cellar nice and dry. We built the barn in "snowiest winter" .. so why not build the house in the "wettest summer"!!!! All in all, it mean next week we will have "cellar" walls..... and all at once.... it's very "real"......

ok, Lord.... whatever.....

This morning I am up bright and early, it's a day of dog training, but I wanted to get at least one box packed before heading out on the road. It's suddenly getting "very real" this moving thing, and some days, I think "piece of cake" and others, I wonder "how in the world" we are going to move all this stuff.... today was a "how in the world" day.

As I head out to the truck, I see the mail has arrived, so I head to the box and see what the postman has left. Lots of junk mail (good) and then a very important letter... from the "Clerk of courts"... this can't be good. I open it up.... and it reads.... "You are required to appear at the court on September 8th for Jury Duty..... your appointed months will be September and October"... and it goes on and on from there. JURY DUTY!!!!! How can I do this??? I am moving, building a new house, I have dog classes that begin that week... students already signed up with deposits paid!!!!! THEY have to be kidding!!! I call Ed, he laughs.....

So, now that I have had some time to think about this, I can write to the courts and present "my case" and see if they will "let me off"... course I don't know if "self employed" and "moving" are considered good excuses, but I am going to try.... If not... I will have to trust that the Good Lord wants me in court for some reason, and HE will just have to handle the rest of my life!!!! and that everything will fall into place as needs to be.....

will keep you posted on this one.......

what to do???

The "digger" arrived this morning... and has begun the work of digging for our foundation. With the timbers arriving sometime around the 10th of September, we need to get moving. The weather has not been a help, and in fact, the "digger" only got about an hour's worth of work in this day, and had to quit because the rain was coming down so hard. We are in hopes that he can finish tomorrow, because the foundation crew is waiting to come in.

You know it's wet when even the mushrooms can't survive...Ed and I took a walk out in the woods yesterday and I noticed the mushrooms are rotting on their stems. It hasn't been a "great summer" weather wise and I feel bad for people who are trying to vacation or/and spending big money at the motels near the ocean.... it has to be a let down for them.

We are working between the rain drops... I have most of the painting done, fortunately, it's in places where if it takes days to dry... it's ok. This weekend Ed and I went and got the things needed for fencing. We need to start planning the pasture area, but one thing I have to be careful of is... the grass. It's been so long since any of our horses have had "grazing area"... I am going to have to start them off slow and small.

Ed and Ken got a gate up today. We had to think this thru as well, remember the snow we had last winter??? All that sort of thing has to be taken into consideration as well. We have two 10' gates "under" the shed roofs, this way, both can be swung back so Ed (or me) can get the tractor in for plowing. We think this idea will work, but we'll certainly know more when the winter time comes!!!

And I have just "one little problem" in the barn....

There are four completed stalls..........

and three horses moving in.....

What to do?????

the "end" of summer (sorry)

Well, "it" arrived just this past week... the premium list for our local fair... the "Acton" fair to be exact... fair season is beginning.... the true mark of the end of summer and onto the fall. Now, I enjoy doing "hand work" (cross stitch, quilting, needlepoint, knitting, etc) and I usually have a piece or two that I enter into the fair each year,,but with all that has gone on (barn building, moving) I haven't accomplished much. Though there might be something in my "done" box, that I could pull out and have framed or "whatever" to put in the fair. (guess I better check that out!!!)



I am, however, going to enter a photo... this photo, that I took when we visited the Amish country.. I figured with the horses and the buggies, it might win the approval of the judges... it needs to be at least an 8x10 and framed, so I did that yesterday, and it looks pretty nice in a larger copy.

The other thing that they do at the fair... is each year they have a contest... they give you a patch of material and a theme, and you need to come up with a quilt square. When your square is done, you mail it in, and they put it into a quilt. Then the squares are judged, after that, everyone who has made a square, has their name placed in a hat, and who ever wins the drawing, gets the quilt. This year's theme was "down on the farm".... well... I saw in the premium book that my square took third this year!!!!! so, I am pretty pleased about that, and cant' wait to see the quilt at the fair and see what others came up with for ideas. I would love to win that quilt, especially this year, since we are moving to our farm!!! time will tell I guess, but I have already decided that I will pick a patch and try next's years quilt as well.

They also have a couple of "in hand" classes that would be great fun to enter Tonka or Mocha in.... but, you need an insurance policy on them.. and I honestly don't have the time right now to get either one ready... next year.. that might be another story!!!!

well, off to see if I can fill up some boxes..............

moving in... "bit by bit"....

Since I have always known that "one day, I will have my own barn"... I have spent "years" collecting things. Some barn items come naturally, just because of the horses, saddles, bridles, blankets, etc.... but other things have to be thought of.... saddle racks, bridle holders, hooks and such to hang things on... and those are the things that I have been "collecting". I have always had the amazing luck of "gifts"... friends and family knowing I need things and getting them for me. One particular gift was from a client. Her husband had passed away, he had been a horseman, and when she was moving, she called one day and said that I would be more than welcomed to "go thru Bob's horse stuff and take whatever I wanted to take". I got all sorts of amazing things, beautiful brushes, whips of all kinds, leather halters and leads, all kinds of "hooks and such" for hanging things, a nice little tack trunk....I was beyond thrilled and she was too, knowing that "Bob's things" would be greatly appreciated and used once again.


And so, today, Ed and I began to plan out the tack room and get some things put into place. I still need a few items at home, where the horses still are... but some things can go into the new barn. Here is Mocha's saddle and bridle.... and Silver's as well. We don't ride Silver anymore, at nearly 30 years old, his riding days are over, but I have his saddle and bridle and will keep them. We still have a lot of other things to get into order... harnesses for Mocha and Tonka.. and of course all of Tonka's stuff when he moves in... but it's a good beginning. Sammy was a "big help" around the barn today....he has certainly begun his role as "barn cat" !!!!


Speaking of barn cat... Sammy has settled in so well, that we felt today, we could let him "go". So, we opened up the tack room and out he went. I think this picture says a thousand words... he was so happy to be "free". Having been a "house cat"... which he hated, and then penned at the shelter...which he also hated... I think "barn cat" is going to be the perfect job for him. He was pretty funny, and spent the whole day exploring... he would disappear for a half hour to an hour.. and then check back in with us. He loved laying around the barn and watching us work... and this evening when we left, he came when called, and didn't seem to mind being locked in again. In time, I will allow him to roam at night too, but right now it's still pretty new. Sadly, Annabelle is not adjusting as quickly... she is still staked out under the stairs, but she is eating now and using her box.. and looks a little less scared. I am just going to let her do what she can do.


The other nice thing, is Sammy could care less about Moxie... and of course, all our dogs have always been raised with cats, so they don't bother either. Moxie was rather concerned with Sammy out and about, and for a while she kept an eye on him... making sure he was alright. Tomorrow I think we'll bring Camille out with us... she loves kitties, and will probably try to "mother" Sammy. I don't think Annabelle is so keen on dogs, but I know they will be gentle with her.

Did some more painting and getting little things in place .. like door stops, and handles put on.. finishing touches...... it's getting close.....

the latest...

Work on the barn is getting down to the details... most of the "big stuff" is done.... and good thing, because the time is drawing nigh....

First stall in is very close to complete

Outside doors are made and getting "hung"....

"told you" that Sammy was a big cat... but we found out that "holding" isn't his style!!!!