a model is "born"...

We have a star in our midst... this month's issue of the "Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar" has some mighty fine articles and information.. as usual. But one in particular is...

OUR wonderful ol' boy Silver!!! well.. the article isn't about him, it's about contracts and boarding issues and the like... but the picture that goes with the article is of Silver!!!

As you all know, our neighbor Dusty is a photographer, and she asked if she could set up a shoot in the barn. I wasn't even going to be home, so I told her, "go ahead and use anything you want".... well, what she decided to "use" was Silver. She said he was the perfect model and there is a good chance that he will be in future shoots....

So, now, Mocha, Tonka and Silver have all had "Dusty photos"... hope they aren't subbing Duke too much!!!!! (oh if you happen to pick up a copy of the magazine... Silver is on page 30!!!!)

"poor" babies

Today was (is) Palm Sunday, Ed and I started the day out in church. then (along with two other couples) became "official members" of our "little" church, and it feels great to be settled in. We started attending as soon as we moved here, we already knew a number of the members, but it is such a friendly church, that even the folks we didn't know soon became friends. About a month ago, we were asked if we were thinking about becoming members, and both Ed and I said that we would like to. We met with the Pastor, and today during service we "joined".

After church, we headed down to the barn. Betty (my dear friend!!!) was there, she had all the chores done and was just enjoying the horses and doing an amazing job at grooming!!! (which they all greatly needed... mud men that they are!!)

I have been thinking about our pasture, and felt that we needed to block the boys out of the lower end. I fear that if we don't give the pasture a chance to dry out and green up, we won't have any grazing come summer.

So, the three of us, strung a line across the paddock area, giving the boys about a third of the pasture, and hopefully allowing the lower end to dry out and get a hold. I don't think the boys were too impressed when we cut them lose and they found themselves in a smaller area. (poor babies) but I think they will appreciate it later on....

After the work in the pasture, it was back to help the flyball folks pick up after the weekend tournament. Looks like they had a great time and everything went well. They were all pretty tired and seemed very happy to see a "fresh" crew arrive to help with the clean up. It didn't take too long to get everything picked up and then tucked away for another year....

Here's the latest picture of the lake.... the ice is going quick, I wouldn't be surprised if it is all gone by the end of the week.

setting up...

Woke to a very grey, very foggy morning, so much so, that you couldn't even see across the lake. But the ice is getting very thin and this kind of weather will make it disappear for sure!!! It's pulling back from the shore, and there are huge cracks and holes everywhere..... it can go anytime!!!!

However, for me there were things to do and places to go. This weekend is my dog club's annual Flyball Tournament. And every year, we use my truck and trailer to haul all the goodies needed in setting up the tournament. It's fun to drive the truck, and it's kind of cool to pull it into the big ice arena where the "tourny" is held.

It's nice because we can fit in all in one load. There's a lot of equipment needed for this event.

Are the "boys" praying??? Well, they could be, since the mats have to be secured to the floor and the tape was not sticking very well. This is Wayne, Scott and Rick hard at work... and hard work... there's no way this can be done without being on your knees!!!!

It's quiet now, but that won't be the case tomorrow and Sunday. There will be 40 teams of dogs coming for a weekend of racing.. it will be exciting, fast and loud!!!

Moxie played flyball when she was young, it was great fun and I miss the weekends that we traveled to the tournaments... who knows, maybe a future puppy will put me back in the races.....

shingle all the way......

Ken, Buzz and Eric start the last of the roofing project.....

No way would you find me up that high... I was "lucky" enough to even take the photo......

and here we are.... all done!!! including the upstairs windows in the garage.....

Back to "inside" work today... here the guys are getting the floor down in Ed's office area....

AND... we had our first "inspection" today... the rough plumbing and electrical had to be seen by the inspector before we put the plywood over the false floor...

everything passed with flying colors.... we are on a roll....

We also found out that we are officially on the list..... "Timberpeg" is hosting "Homes across the country" and has asked if we are willing to be one of their "open houses". Our date is May 17th and we are listed as "home under construction"... check out www.timberpeg.com/SpringOpenHome. We have decided to also use this date to invite family and friends to come and take a peek and I will be getting invitations in the mail soon. Kind of exciting.....

Happy birthday two Moms.....

As some of you may know (from reading blogs of the past) yesterday was my birthday and tomorrow is Deb's (Nate's Mom)... so for the past few years, Deb and I have had the great fun of celebrating together with our kids!!!! We feel so blessed to have such amazing "in-laws" (which is a term we don't chose to use .. their simply family)...

When I was done teaching dog classes, I went into Kas and Nate's house and found everyone there with a cake and presents!!! It was great fun.... we had a nice visit and some sweets and it was a nice way to close the day....

Happy Birthday to you Deb!!!!!






"birthday? have I had one of them yet? will I get cake too?"

It was another grey and rainy day, but it's just the sort of weather that makes the ice thin. You can't tell in photos, but there are big cracks and holes appearing all the time....Ed predicts that within two weeks the ice will be gone...

we'll see how close he comes......

good words for a birthday...

"I believe"...

A birth certificate shows that we were born. A death certificate shows that we died. Pictures show that we lived!!!

I believe that just because two people argue, doesn't mean that they don't love each other, And just because they don't argue, doesn't mean that they do love each other.

I believe that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change

I believe that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in awhile, and you must forgive them for that

I believe that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe that you can do something in an instant that will give you a heartache for life.

I believe that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe that you should always leave loved ones with loving words ... it may be the last time you see them.

I believe that you can keep going long after you think you can't

I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter what we feel.

I believe that you either control you attitude or it controls you

I believe that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences

I believe that money is a lousy way of keeping score

I believe that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and still have the best time

I believe that sometime the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones that will pick you back up

I believe that sometimes when I am angry, I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel

I believe that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you have had, and what you have learned from them... and less to do with how many birthdays you have celebrated

I believe that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.. sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief

I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become

I believe that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret, it could change your life forever.

I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different

I believe that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you

I believe that even if you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you...you will find the strength to help

I believe that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being

I believe that the people you care about most in your life are taken from you too soon.

And I believe that the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything......

rainy sunday..

Today is a grey, rainy day... good day to catch up on things and "get done" the stuff that seems to always be waiting....

But, it wasn't raining last night... it was just plain cold (well, cold in a sense.. certainly not "January cold"..but "March cold). Either way, we bundled up with the rest of the family (after supper) and went out for .... ice cream!!!!

"Memories" has opened again for the season. You would think that on a cold March night, not too many people would be ready for ice cream.. but you would be wrong. There were a number of people there... like us, all bundled up, and sitting out on the porch enjoying their first taste of summer!!! The ice cream was very good, but I have to say.. I think I will enjoy it more in July!!!!!

And thought I would share this photo of the "living" room" with all it's doors and windows in place. I gave my dear friend Betty, the "grand tour" yesterday... and just wished I could have offered her a cup of coffee!! Oh well, one day soon....

"Poor Titus"... he is SO long overdo for a good tank cleaning. I try to completely do the tank every three months or so... but, it's been longer than that. So, today, after we got out of church and had some lunch, I decided that it was time to tear down his tank and just get it clean.

I am a little surprised at how many people make a comment on him when they come to visit. Course, not too many homes have a 150 gallon fish tank with a turtle the size of a dinner plate .. but, people seem to really like him. And when his tank is a mess, I feel a little embarrassed that I haven't "taken better care of him". Still, tearing down the tank is a whole afternoon job, so, I almost have to make a date to do it...

Course, it means that Titus is without a "home" for the time that I am cleaning. Today, I found this old cooking pot to put him in ...

I'm not so sure that he was impressed with his new house, especially since he kept trying to climb out... hope he didn't think that he was about to become "Turtle soup".. (which I understand is a real thing!!!)

He's back home now, the water is beginning to settle down and he seems pretty happy to have a nice clean house to be in....

strength in the sun

This afternoon as I was puttering around the farm.. I noticed that the deer path...

and the woods, still have knee deep snow. Protected by the trees, the sun hasn't quite made it's way to the earth there.....

However, the pasture and field, are wide open!!!

And this is one happy horse, enjoying the warmth of the spring sun.... he was clean yesterday!!!!!

thinking of Moxie

Today is (would have been) Moxie's 12th birthday, and even though the pain of her passing is still very hurtful, I guess I am getting "used" to the idea of not having her around. I doubt that anyone who has truly loved anything gets "over" them when the time comes... I think that you just get "used" to it.

I have come to a big decision and am using today -- Moxie's birthday --- to let you all in on it. You might have noticed that there is a second blog listed now.. called "Moxie's gift". I have created this second blog because I am applying to become a puppy raiser for an organization called "NEADS". I contacted the Maine rep a few days ago, and she is sending me the paperwork. I have had the pleasure of meeting several puppy raisers in my obedience classes.... Kathleen, Mary and Scott, Katie... to name a few, and I have always thought that "one day" in my life, I would like to try it. The timing seems good right now to give this project a try and if I am accepted, then on the blog "Moxie's gift".. I will keep a journal on the experience of raising a service puppy. I am doing this in honor of Moxie, because if I can help someone else have a dog that is so much a part of their lives, as Moxie was in mine... it would be a very good thing.

I picked NEADS to work with (again if I am accepted)... because they train several types of service dogs... I encourage you all to check out their website. One of their "services" (if you will).. are dogs that go to veterans... and that is very near and dear to my heart. My dog club has made financial donations for the veterans dogs, as well as offer all obedience classes to all puppy raisers at half price. So, I have been around this idea for a long time

The question of "are you getting a puppy" might be yes within a short amount of time.. but "this" puppy will only be mine for about a year, and who knows, it might be the first of many.........

"Happy Birthday Moxie".......



" I Stood by Your Bed Last Night"

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying. You found it hard to sleep

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here"

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea. You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for you key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me"

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainly, "I never went away"

You sat there very quietly, then smiled. I think you knew, in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over.. I smile and watch you yawning and say "good night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning"

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side

I have so many things to show, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out..... then come home to be with me.....


(course with me... there will be several little cockers rushing to meet up with me!!!!!)

the "tundra"

All winter long, I have referred to "our" frozen lake as the great white tundra!!! Ed said that typically the ice is "out of the lake" by April 15th. So, I thought it might be fun to take pictures over the next couple of weeks, and watch it's progress. Already it is a bit punky in some places, and along the shore, there is open water. (which is why the doggies are being kept at bay)... the fishing shacks are gone now, but there are a few folks that still venture out to do some ice fishing (personally, you won't find me walking out there) At night the lake makes these "amazing" groaning sounds, and you can hear the water running under the ice, before long the snaps and crackles will begin, a sure sign of breaking up. so, let's just "watch it" together.....

lots of sunshine!!!

We have FINALLY been enjoying some mild temperatures!!! the sun feels so good, and the snow banks are getting small... ya, spring!!! A month from now, we should have the lake back instead of that great white tundra, and that has made some concerns for me.

The cockers have pretty much run loose all winter, except for the occasional "busy weekend" of ice fishermen and snow mobilers, they have owned the road. Hunter did "take off" every now and again, but the trolley line we put up for him curbed that. I would let him loose until he "goofed" and it would be back on the run for awhile, he seemed to get the message. But then we ran into mr. porcupine, and now with the lake getting soft, I have this fear of letting the dogs loose. So, we went and picked up a dog kennel from the old house and have temporally set it up. The cockers aren't too happy in losing their free range, but now I don't have to worry, and it won't be long before we will be next door again, and they will be back on the invisible fence. This of course, will mean, that I "owe" them walks since they can't run.. but, I should be out walking with them anyways.


The guys have gotten so much done with the house this week. Even though we had the high winds yesterday.. they managed to finish the shingles on the back side, and today it was "all about windows"... they put the two upstairs bathroom windows and the back bedroom window in. Then they dropped the staging and began on the living room windows and the back door that will (in time) walk out onto the deck. Now, I get excited when I see "holes" being cut in my house!!!!

The afternoon sun came pouring in!!! There is going to be so much sunlight in this house and that really makes me happy. I just love a house that is bright!!!!

It was fun to watch the windows going in... poor Ken and Eric, I was almost "underfoot" watching them work today.

Such a different look to the house now. I have taken this shot before (from the living room looking towards the kitchen area)... but the sunlight makes all the difference.

This is the view we will have from the living room and kitchen... looking out into our back yard!!! We plan on thinning a lot of the trees, because there is a great old stone wall that marks one of our boundaries... there is also a deer run, and we would like to be able to see both. A good portion of the yard will be fenced for the cockers (and other doggie guests)... and who knows, the idea of a doggie day care might come into play as well. I have all sorts of "plans" for this house, but we'll need to get into first!!! and those days are getting closer all the time.......

Ken was talking with Ed and it seems that "Timberpeg" wanted to know if we were willing to have an open house. I guess they like to "show the houses off" unfinished, that way future clients can see their houses at the bare bones... so, we think that we might plan something for the middle of May.... I will keep my faithful blog readers up to date, because if we do have this event... you will certainly be invited..... keep an eye open for details.

just stuff...

Is that Santa Claus up there on the roof???

No, that would be Ken (I think) doing the flashing around the chimney as they finish up the shingles on the back side of the roof. It was a very windy and cold day, the guys had to watch that the wind didn't carry the shingles away before the could nail them down. I don't know how they work in those conditions, but they always seem to manage. As of this evening, the roof on the main house is all done, and all of the second floor windows are in place!!!! (and the guys are very glad to be done with that part of the roof!!!!)

Inside view of the front door.......

Dean came today to trim the horse's feet. I wanted to get some shots of him doing that, but the horses were horrible!!! (in my standard...) usually our guys stand as still as statues.. but today, they couldn't seem to keep still. The wind was blowing pretty well, and their morning routine was messed up a bit, but still that isn't any excuse!!! Even the guinea hens were in such "a state".. that I ended up kicking them outside, because I couldn't stand their noise. Compared to some horses that Dean works with, ours (even being "bad" ) don't measure up .. however, I liked them to be "perfect".. Dean said not to worry, that they weren't that bad, but I will be paying even more attention to standing quietly and giving up "your feet" than usual.. so next time, we won't be playing those sorts of games.

After Dean left, I found a piece of Duke's hoof... and thought it was quite funny that my foot will fit "inside his, with room to spare".... he's one big boy, that's for sure.

And that's why he can't be "fooling around".....

NEADS dog, Posie...

This beautiful service dog is "Posie"... a dog that went thru a number of my obedience classes with her puppy raiser, Kathleen. Posie recently graduated from "NEADS" and has now been matched with a little gal.

If I remember correctly.. Posie is the 12th service dog that Kathleen has raised, and she is currently working with her next "service dog" , a black lab named Harvey.

I am always so amazed at wonderful people like Kathleen, who so willing raises these puppies for 14 (or so) months, and then turns them over for further training and starts again with a new puppy!!! Such a great gift to offer to people who's lives are truly changed because of these great dogs!!! "congratulations... to Kathleen and Posie, for a job very well done!!!" (and I am so very excited to be working with you and Harvey!)

nothing exciting....

I was at the farm bright and early this morning.. the sun was shining bright... with four boarding dogs, six dogs of our own, horses to care for, etc... there's lots to get done before heading out to church!!!

Ed and I are looking into becoming members of our little church, we have been attending since we moved and have pretty much settled on the fact that we would like to call this little church our "home". We met with the pastor and two other couples after the service today, so we got home later than normal. Made our usual Sunday morning breakfast, though it was lunch time, and just took some time to sit and chill for the moment... seems like we are always on the run these days....

Hunter and Trevor say "cheese" for the camera!!! silly boys.....











Suddenly the sky got very gray and look what came around the lake..... a "wonderful" little snow squall... would someone please tell ol' Man Winter that spring is here and we don't want any more of his foolishness!!!!!

We "puttered" around the camp for a little bit, and then headed down to the farm to do chores and take care of the horses....

Has anyone seen my WHITE horse... he seems to be among the missing!!! guess I know what I'll be doing sometime tomorrow...

grooming.......

sugarin'

Sunday is "Maine Maple Syrup Sunday"... and even though many people think of Vermont as the maple syrup state, there are many "sugar shacks" all over the states of New Hampshire and Maine as well. There are a number of commercial farms, but I think there are even more "hobby sugar farms"... and such is the case with our good friends, Peg and Chuck. Here is one of their groves of "sugar" maple trees on their farm, (if you look carefully, you can see the "taps and buckets" on the trees) The sap "runs" the best when the days are above freezing and the nights just under freezing... it varies a little each year, but for the most part... it's around the middle part of March that is called "sugar season"..... often times, the sap is collected while there is still snow on the ground, but this year, Chuck and Peg have an "open season" (some parts of New England are still under a blanket of snow)

From the trees to the bucket....












to the "sugar shack"...... I have to wonder who "invented" maple syrup... who was it that saw the maple trees and thought... "if I get the sap from that tree and boil it down... I will have a wonderful treat"... the sap, for those of you who may not know, is mostly water... there might be a glimmer of sweetness to it, but certainly not very much....

the average ratio is 14 quarts of sap, boiled down to make one quart of syrup.... there are variables that work into that equation, but overall... that is what you have to work with. Chuck uses an old woodstove to boil off his sap... the steam is incredible.. and this is certainly something you want to do outdoors.... as Peg said... this much steam in your house will take the wall paper off the walls.....

case in point... you can hardly see Chuck thru the steam!!!!!

Here's a batch almost ready to come off the fire... it has a beautiful golden color and the smell of it is simply wonderful....

From the fire to a strainer for one last "puring" and the syrup is ready to cool and enjoy......

so, if you have ever wondered why does "real maple syrup" cost so much (and I am NOT talking about "mrs. butterworth").. it's because of all the work that goes into it... but, if you have had the "real thing"... I am quite certain that you won't be able to settle for anything less....

Happy Maple Syrup season!!!!