Another check in day at neads!!! But this time, we brought more than just puppies... Abbie has been wanting to "go to neads" with me for a long time, and turns out... the time has come. She was so excited to have a day with us and see the big city... but even more so, she said she wanted to help with Danny too. When we arrived, Danny noticed one of the stuffed dogs right away, and at first, he didn't quite know what to make of it. Abbie stepped right up, went over to it, and said to Danny "it's not real".......
That was all it took, Danny checked that stuffed dog out, and quickly realized, "it's a toy"... and began to chew on it....
Abbie grabbed a second stuffed dog, and brought that over for Danny to see. She proudly smiled at me and said " see Baby, I showed Danny that there was nothing to worry about"..... (good job Abbie!!!)
Then, getting Danny NOT to play with them was another story!!!!
After our check in meeting, we headed into the city. I kept asking Abbie what she thought, and she kept asking "where's the big city"... I'm not sure what she was expecting to see... but I think she was a little disappointed that this was "all" of it....
We went into the big hospital, had lunch together.. and Abbie was getting bored. "this is all you do here Baby??" But when lunch was over and we headed to the glass elevators, Abbie was (finally) impressed. She certainly is not her grandmother's granddaughter when it comes to the elevators.... she loved them!!!!!
As I stand back in the corner of the thing... Abbie (along with Sasha) was right at the edge. She loved looking out on the people below and kept saying, "this is really neat..."
Danny, could have cared on either side... he didn't run to the edge to "watch".. but he also didn't hide in the corner with me... he's a steady, middle of the road fellow, and doesn't get too excited about much of anything.
We then hiked over to the train station. Again, Abbie thought all of this was pretty neat, and we got to see a couple of freight trains come threw.
Abbie would have loved to jump on the train and go for a ride (something we'll have to plan for the future) and she certainly had fun chatting with Dave and watching the trains.
I'm not sure if she has seen one this close before... and I was happy to have her "corralled" by the railings of the stairs. Just what I would need, for her to jump on and ride into the next town. Now she was thinking the big city was pretty neat.
Danny-- well he decided just to hang out and wait until it was time to head for home.
So, another successful happy day of training in the big city, and it was so much fun to have Abbie get to be a part of it.
When we do the "pet therapy visits'.. I am never sure "who" has the most fun, the people we are going to see, or the puppies when they have the chance to be all together. Today we had Camille, Livy, Danny, Moxie and Sasha.....
and it's always a puppy pile when we first get there!!!!
Once all the puppies have had their chance to say hello, it's off to see "our friends"... Rick and Moxie lead the way....
Linda and Sasha....
Danny Boy.....
and Camille and Livy. Everyone is always so happy to see the dogs, and I just find it so much fun watching the dogs enjoying all this attention....
Livy is becoming a great therapy dog, and I am just so pleased with her. What cocker spaniel doesn't like attention, but Livy is really understanding what this is all about. There is no doubt that she will be ready to certify this coming fall. I love how she has plenty of "bounce" but knows when it's time to settle down and be serious.
This is great "work" for Danny as well... and he seems very comfortable being around all the people and their equipment...
Afterwards, we let the puppies end the day with a bit more playtime. After being so "good" and "quiet", it's nice for them to be able to be silly again......
But one thing I can count on... very tired puppies on the ride home....
In fact, both Livy and Danny were sound asleep before we even left the parking lot..... and that is what I would call, a day well spent.....
I don't know if it's just because winter was so long... or if because we did have such a "wet" spring... or if it's just because I am loving this summer weather... but it seems to me that everything looks so pretty this year!!! We have a ton of wild flowers growing all around the farm, and since a gardener I am NOT... I am happy to see these, knowing my little bees are finding good things to "eat"...
The horses are enjoying being on pasture again. They hardly spend anytime inside, (which makes for clean stalls!!!) and I basically check the water... I haven't bothered putting out hay, because they aren't eating it... the grass is just too nice....
Speaking of hay... it's that time again!!! As if getting the beach house and camp isn't enough work on our list... the hay is on it's way in!!! Time to open up the loft doors.......
Can you believe this view we have from the hay loft!!!! Honestly, this would make a neat apartment with all these grand views!!!!
But, the "only ones that see it" are the hay bales!!! We did pretty well this past year, even with the very cold temps, and all the hay we fed out.. we have some left... I like to take the time to get all the "old" hay in one area, sweep up and feed out any broken bales, and just have a nice place to put the new hay in....
And we're ready just in time, because "Father" has knocked down my favorite hay field. He knows I really like the hay from this particular field... and he usually "saves" it for us....
The family that owns this farm doesn't live on it, and let's "Father" tend the fields and sell the hay. I feel very fortunate that there are still farms like this one!!!
Once the bales are made, we wait for the call and head over.... the hay this year is looking very good... and I would think that there will be two cuttings this year.
We pull up with the trailer and everyone pitches in!!!! Big or small, every hand helps and it so nice to see that the "kids" are happy to lend a hand....
This year, even Abbie is big enough to move some bales around. And she was pretty excited to know that she is "now big enough to help"... (and let me tell you, she can really hussle those bales!!!)
I only hope that we will continue to have "generations" that want to keep these traditions alive and well. Many horse folk - other than us - depend on people being willing to hay and keep the farm lands open....
And the first load heads for home. Two big loads will fill the loft half way, and then I can rest easy and wait for the second cut - usually in late August - to come in. I usually buy more hay than we need, but there is something comforting just knowing that hay is in the loft....
Elevator is down, a few extra hands unload at the farm, and before I know it, the trailer is empty, hay's inside and we're heading back for load number two....
The group is waiting for our return, and get right to work. I think they look a bit like the bees at the hive!!! but they make quick work of it.....
And the field is all cut, ready to grow again.....
Twinkle and Mocha come in from the pasture just to see what is going on. They get the first taste of the this years hay, and from what I can tell... they approve....
Tonka, on the other hand, was just as happy to stay out on his grass... but I know he'll appreciate this hay come winter winds!!!!
A stormy looking sky says that we got the hay at just the right time. Haying is a tricky business that depends on the weather, but once again... Father got it right!!!!! and for now... this job is behind us, and we get on with the next...
Father's Day weekend... nice June weather, and we're finishing up the last of the detailed work with the beach house... yeah!!! Summer is certainly on the way, and we'll be ready for the summer folks who rent our house during this season. I couldn't help but play around with my camera and get some shots of the light house ---- and yes, this is the view that our little beach house has... (no wonder why people like to rent it!!!)
I'm quite pleased with these photos, and thinking they might be good enough to enter in the fair later this summer. I love these beach roses....
Pink and white.... these grow in the neighbors yard.....
Father's day itself, was spent at Kassy and Nate's... a nice family cookout. The day was great, the food was great, and anytime that the whole family can get together is GREAT!!! Reagan loves it when everyone is together, and he had a grand time walking all around and greeting everyone...
We certainly filled up the deck.......
Livy and Danny were excited with all the attention they both got... but actually .. found sharing a stick was even better....
Silly puppies, they certainly are good friends. It was such a nice weekend, but I can already say that the summer is going to go zooming by, and we'll be thinking "winter" again.. so I've decided.. I'm going to enjoy every minute possible!!! (as it should be!!!)
So, the "work" of the restoration continues... Ed has been working off and on all winter on the hand pumper Protection II ... which means we have had some wonderful days, running back and forth to Firefly, getting various parts done and the like. Today was a pick up day, and more than likely the last of our trips "north" to this place anyways. It's such a pretty ride, and I don't mind going along with him one bit.
Today, we were picking up the wheels... These a beautiful wooden wagon wheels and they just needed some touching up. Ed might have been able to do them himself, but it certainly saved him some time to have them done.
They're big... and they're heavy!!!! You just have to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into something like this.... Over 100 years old and with a bit of love... they are going strong....
I have to wonder... how many miles do you think these wheels have traveled???? Oh, if they could only tell the stories.......
We got them loaded in the back of the truck, and now they will go to be painted and stripped before going back onto Protection II. They're going to look amazing.....
As we pull out of Firefly... I have to look back and see this nice old piece... waiting for it's day to be back in the lime light!!! So much history goes threw is building and I for one, very much appreciate the people who still care and work to keep this part of history alive and well.
Just traveling threw the countryside.... I am a gal that is all about "open spaces"....
And (maybe the main reason why I like this trip so much!!!) Lunch at one of our favorite diners!!!! Didn't take a picture this time, but you can be assured.... Lobster roll and chocolate cream pie for me!!!!!
