snow horses

This morning we awoke to a wonder
ful surprise.... fresh snow!! Just a couple of inches, but I was happy to see it.

The horses were enjoying it as well. Tonka had a nice roll, and Silver was just dozing in the semi-sunshine.

For some reason, it made me think of the "horses" I used to have in the snow. The "horses" that I made, winter after winter, when the snow was just right. I know, most kids go for snowmen... but not me.

After looking about in some of my older photo albums, I found a picture of "my horse"!!! The date on the back of the photo is January 1975!!! The top picture is of "my horse" and my first cocker spaniel -- Blackie!!! (have cockers been in my life THAT long). Blackie was with me every moment of the day, so, not too surprising that he would have one of the "first rides" on "my horse". The second photo is of my sister Rachel (who will celebrate her 40th birthday on the 25th of this month!!)... I took great pains in making sure that my horses were "ride-able".

"My horses" often had coal eyes, pine bow tails and manes, and I see this guy even got a rope bridle!!!! Guess I have always been horse crazy!!! I remember spending hours out in the snow, building my horses and then great "games" of imagination.... probably riding on the beach, or owning a stable full of beautiful horses... whatever!!! it was great!!! I even recall feeling a little sad when the weather warmed up and my horses melted!!! :-(

It's been a long time since I made a snow horse.. I think I did make a couple for the girls when they were little, but they never "got into them" like I did... and now, I have the real thing to enjoy the snow with!!!! I guess I only think that I have grown up!!!!!

it's a houseful

It's not that uncommon for us to have a few dogs around here. Having "five" of my own is a good start, but there are a number of folks who use me for dog sitting. Ever since I was a little girl, having lots of dogs was always my wish.... looks like this one has come true. And it's nice that they're not here all the time and that I have different ones... just to keep things interesting.

This weekend we have.... Moxie, Marley, Mandy, Trevor, Tazzy, Tatter, Hunter, Hannah, Camille and Sophie!!!! All are cockers!!! There are two brown and whites, four ascobs, two blacks, a black and white and a black and tan... I think we have all colors covered!!!!!

Dinner time is always interesting as well... each dog has their own special diet, keeping all that kibble sorted out can be fun... you should see the bowls lined up on the counter waiting to be filled... let alone all the cockers on the floor waiting to "be filled"......

Finally the pen is a little less icy, so I have been letting them out together (wouldn't do that earlier in the week, for fear that racing around could cause some serious injuries!!!) They have a ball together, racing and running. I need to try and get a picture of them!!!

So, great fun for the weekend!! a houseful of cockers!!!!

hot mash

You know how "they" say, be careful what you wish for???

Well, I guess I should have listened. I have been "missing winter" and wanting to have Maine looked the way its suppose to this time of year. Well, it happened this past weekend, with an ice storm.. then on Tues the cold came, COLD!!! even for us New Englander's!!!

All in all, it was a fine day, bright blue sky, "warm" sunshine, the ocean had a nice "smoke" going on... so did the wood stove!! It was also Ed's Birthday!!!

AND.... the FINAL court date for my new neice, Naomi..... the adoption is all done, and she is totally , competely and LEGALLY.. a member of the family!!! very EXCITING!!!

On a more somber note, we have also found out that Nate's orders have been moved up and he heads to Iraq in April, not in September!!! Still have lots of details to work out on that one with Kas and such, so more on that later.

The horses certainly apprecaited the hot mash that I brought them at lunch. As you can see, they "wolfed" it down!!! I worry alittle about them when its this cold, but they were just as happy as always, and even went back outside when they had finished their lunch!!! I know they are made for cold weather, but if I could bring them in by the woodstove... well, you know me!!!!

Thought I would put up this pic of Dancer, too... she's getting big.... she really ISN'T allowed on the table, but I couldn't pass up that shot before shooing her off. I heard an expression one time... "if you want the best seat in the house... find the cat" and this is so true. Both Dancer and Mona have hardly left the woodstove!! The bed that is there for the dogs, has been cat claimed for sure!!!

So, its been a strange kind of day. Guess, we'll just take it day by day, as always!!! Keep the woodstoves chugging!!!

sea smoke

You know its cold in Maine, when........

the ocean is warmer than the air!!! Today at noontime, it was a "balmy" 8 degrees. So, I ran down to the water, to see if I could get a picture of "sea smoke"... or so we call it. The tide was out, so you may not see it so well, but it's defiantly there, and a true proof as to just how cold it is. Well, if stepping outside didn't that is!!!

Was I complaining that we had no winter?? what was I thinking???

southern exposure

Just so everyone can be jealous, while we were
in "Ice-ville" yesterday --look where Kassy and Charlie (and of course Nate) spent the day.

I think she gets a kick out of calling her Mom and bragging on the fine Carolina weather. I KNOW she doesn't miss boots, hats, mittens, and cleaning the car from snow and ice.. I suppose that if you need to live away from home, you might as well be in a place where you can enjoy somethings that you don't have at home.

No wonder that Sadie and Josh can't wait to spend February vacation with them!! Sort of wish that I could go too, but perhaps those plans will come together in April.

In the meantime, I will just enjoy this part of winter.. afterall, it's been a while in coming!!!!

beach weather

Beach weather?? well, that's what Kas told me this morning... she, Nate and Charlie were heading to the beach... course... that IS in North Carolina!!!

Here at home it's a little different. I had been waiting all weekend for the SNOW that was promised us. First reports were saying 6 plus inches... I was excited.

But at 6:00 am, it proved to be slightly disappointing, instead of a world of white, we have a world of "clear"... ice that is. And as the day has gone on.. its continued to be just that. We did get a little snow mixed in, which has been good, because it has given us some footing. Taking the dogs out has been nothing short of interesting... the words "NO PULL" certainly apply!!! Dog class tonite has been cancelled, I just can't risk anyone getting hurt trying to make their way to dog class... along with the warnings of tree branches coming down and the possibility of loosing power!!

So, its been a bit depressing in the snow department this year in Maine. I know we still have a couple months to go, and we may get something yet... but at this point and time... let's just get on with spring!!!!

its official!!!

Saturday, 1/13... today Ed and I had a lot of running around to do. We had to go to the butcher shop and pick up "our pig"-- his office manager, Faye, always buys a litter of piglets in the spring, and raises them all summer. Then, when it's "time" you can buy a pig from her. I love the idea of eating "home raised", knowing that not only has the animal had a fair and humane life, but that it has been fed high quality food itself, so I can justify it. Anyways, after we had been to the butcher shop, it was onto Meader's to ... TAH DAH... order Tonka's harness!!!!

I have been saving my pennies since September, and at Christmas time, Ed gave me a certificate that pretty much finished the balance of it. So, up we went and now its just hurry up and wait. However, since winter HAS decided to show up, I guess that pretty much takes the "hurry" part away. I won't be ready for any sort of harness training for a while, we still have alot of ground work to do.

The folks at Meader's just can't be any nicer. They know that we are real "newbies" to this driving idea and answer any and all questions that I can come up with. I confessed to them yesterday that my great fear was to open up a huge box full of leather pieces and not even know where to begin putting this thing on my horse. Everyone gave a little chuckle and said they had heard that before, and when the harness arrives, we can bring Tonka up to them, and they will put it on, make any adjustments, and show us just how to do it.... whew!!!!!!!!!!!! they also have extremely knowledge people there, so I am sure that we will get started in the right direction. I did ask if "Dana" (who helped up order the harness and did the fitting with Tonka) came with the harness, but they didn't think his wife would "let us have him"!!!!

I also felt a little sad yesterday, because I saw in the paper that "Troy" the kitty that I went to adopt, but got Dancer instead... is still up for adoption..... he is very cute (any of you out there reading this blog)... he is yellow and sweet, and so is his brother... now that I don't "need" a yellow kitty, they are everywhere. But, I love my little Dancer girl, and wouldn't trade her for anything..... she has now gotten into computer work, along with quilting and cross-stitch, so pretty much whatever I do around the house, she has to be a part of it!!!!!!

"who da thunk?"

Thursday, January 4th.. temps in the high 50's... so what does one do on such a day? Call your trainer, and pack up two horses and head to the beach!!! Why the trainer, because when a 1400 lbs. horse gets "worried" at the beach, (like he did the last time we tried this) you need another pair of "horse hands".. and was I glad that Laura was there to help.

Actually it was a wonderful day. Sadie took Silver for a little ride and they were a good help calming Tonka down and getting him to think better. He is really such a baby and quite inmature, but the only way to get him better in situations like this, is to do it.

Laura handled him first, he has great respect for her and doesn't "fool" around with her like he does with his "mom". Once she had him settled, she handed him over to me. We did ok, I still have a lot to learn with my own handling skills, especially in new situations, but its coming along.

As you can see, he did have a couple of "pushy" moments, but we finally worked thru them. Sadie at least got a ride in, but I felt perfectly happy, just walking calmly up and down the beach. Let alone, loading and unloading along the road way.





Some people take dogs for walks on the beach... ME?... I take my horse!!!




Anyone want to argue that a draft can't move?
Tonka can have great speed and lightness!!! One thing about the beach, lots of room for circles!!!!

I thought that it might be one of the last "good days" for beach work, but if this weather keeps up, I have a feeling that there could be quite a few more!!! We only have until April, then its "horses off the beach", so I don't want to miss out on this opportunity. I don't know if I will actually get a ride on him before the season is done, but, one can never get in enough training time!!!!

look what we got

The cockers just wanted everyone to see what they got for Christmas!! These wonderful coats were made by Deb (Nate's mom). She has made all sorts of coats for her own dogs and of course for Charlie and I was just thrilled when I opened them for "my guys".

Not only are the beautiful, but they are so nice for the dogs when walking in "yucky" weather. We have had a number of compliments about them. One lady even stopped her car in the middle of the street to take a closer look... fine with me, but the car behind her wasn't so happy!!!

The girls look so cute in their coats, but I have to say, I think the boys look "dashing".. that green plaid just suits them..

Now, if anyone in town has any doubt that it's me when I walk... there can be no mistakes made now!!!!

quilting 101

So this is what "quilting" looks like these days. Dancer HAS to be there every moment!!! It usually takes us a couple of tries... she needs a comfortable spot and I need her to be somewhere that I can see over or around her!!! A couple of times, I have convinced her to lay in my lap, under the quilt, but for the most part, she likes to be out where she can see what is going on.


She is very curious about the needle and thread, but lately when I tell her "no", she seems to understand that it's not to be played with. The "other" trouble I have with her laying so close, is the purring!!! Sometimes she is so loud that I can hardly hear the TV over it!!!

A couple of people have made the comment to me that she looks like a "ragdoll" cat. So I did a little looking on the internet and have found out a couple of things about them. For all I know, she might have a little of that in her back ground, because a couple of their "traits" certainly apply to her. For example..

"Ragdolls have been described as codependent" (ya think??)
"Ragdolls love for you to hug, hold and handle them alot" (really??)
"Ragdolls" are very loyal and like to be with you and share in what you are doing" (sounds very cocker-like to me)
"Ragdoll" owners usually say their cats have puppy like traits (good thing in a house full of cockers!!)

So, I guess I picked out a pretty good kitty, or rather she picked out me, but either way.. I would say we have a good match going on here!!!! (good thing too, do you see the size of this quilt that I have to do?? It's Kassy and Nate's wedding quilt, since they have already had their first anniversary, guess I better get stitching!!!! ** and not play on this blog!!!!)

now Dancer

Here she is.... Dancer... named after one of Santa's reindeer. Not that I needed a kitten, goodness only knows with the "zoo" we already have around here, but I wanted a kitten, and that makes all the difference in the world. I was actually looking for a yellow kitty, we had one a number of years ago, and he was a wonderful
cat and I thought it would be nice to have another one. So, I began looking a few months back, but it seemed anytime I found one, I was just a little too late.

About three weeks ago, I saw that the Second Chance Animal Rescue in North Berwick, was advertising that they had a number of kittens, two of them were yellow, so I called right away, and was told that both were available. Sadie, Josh and I drove up to see what they were like, as it turned out, the kittens had a little infection going on, so they were all being treated, but they had pictures of all the kittens, and I saw a beautiful white kitten with blue eyes. I told them that I might be interested in the white kitty, so they put a hold on the yellow one and the white one.

The next Saturday, I went up again, the yellow kitten was still being treated, but the white kitty was there, along with his sister. I picked up the little boy, he sure was sweet, but he was not what I call "cuddly", he climbed all over me and wanted to explore. I saw his little sister still in the cage, and asked if I could see her. When I picked her up, she cuddled right under my chin and was pretty happy to stay there. I must have sat there for over an hour, trying to decide which one to take. I had already named the little boy "Blitzen" (after another one of Santa's reindeer) but, the little girl just kept "calling my name". While I was there, another family came in, and seemed to fall in love with the little boy. When they asked about him, the volunteer told them that I was still trying to decide between the two. The family had a couple of young children, and I just got the feeling that the little girl might do better in a "quiet" home. So, I said I would take her, and if the other family wanted the boy, they could take him.

It's a little hard to tell from photos, but Dancer has the biggest blue eyes!!! And you can see her cute little "split" face, dark ears, and she has a dark tail. Her body is cream colored, and she has four white paws. She has been with us for a week, and has settled in perfectly. Nothing bothers her and she is quite amused by the dogs, I have actually seen her chasing after them.

The greatest part is whenever I sit in my chair, she is right there with me. It has made crafting a little interesting, but we are beginning to learn how to work around each other!!! Today, I took her in to visit my Mother-in-law in the nursing facility, she was a perfect guest, and sat in her lap for a while and even got passed around to a couple of the nurses... I think she would make a neat therapy cat... be pretty cool to have a therapy dog and a cat!!!!

So, another one to tell stories about and add to the list.... Miss Dancer, the Christmas Kitty.

Unbelievable!!!

Today, I have been given an amazing gift, and even as I write this, I am finding it hard to come up with the proper words.... a gift only from God.. would be some way to put it.

Sadie went to take her test for her driver's license (she passed!!!) and as I was sitting there waiting for her, so was another Mom. I was pretty nervous, but she was beside herself, pacing the floor, big sighs, looking out the window... she really made me "more jumpy" than I already was. Trying to think of something brilliant to say to her, I came out with the lame sentence of " is this your child's first try?". She told me no, and I said it was Sadie's second try too, and that I really wanted to have her passed. She said to me, "well, I NEED my daughter to pass", and then didn't say much more as she looked out the window again, and said "oh, they're back, but I can't tell if she made it or not".

A few seconds later, her daughter bounded thru the door, big smiles and showing her Mom that everything had gone well. They both hugged each other, and began to cry.... well, you know me, I joined right in!!! and gave them both all the congratulations I could muster.

As they got ready to go, the Mom turned to me and said "I didn't get to finish when I told you that she NEEDED to pass, you see, my husband is in Boston at the Cancer institute, since I need to go there everyday, my daughter has had to give up several things because I can't drive her to all the places she needs to be. Now that she can drive herself, she should be able to get back to the things she enjoys doing." I didn't even know what to say to them, this just took my breath away, so I quietly asked her husband's name and said I would pray for them... she told it was Jim.

After Sadie had driven me home... and drove herself to school. I went out and got the mail. It was full of Christmas cards from all different friends... but one in particular.... a horse friend... who had included with her card a letter... it starts off " I have never written a Christmas letter before. But this year, I am motivated by a story that has been unfolding since November 1.. when my dear friend Kate took her husband Jim to the ER......" and it goes on from there. THE Mom.... THE MOM that I had --just less than an hour ago --been waiting with at the Motor Vehicles Department!!!! My horse friend knows them.....

It is just one those things, where I am amazed at what God crosses my path with, and long ago I quit asking and wondering "why" things like this happen... I accept that they do, and that it's best to pray and see what I need to be doing about this. When I told this story to Ed (before the Christmas card arrived) he made a comment ..."times like that, don't you wish you had a gas card in your pocket that you could just hand to them and say, this should help you get to Boston".... well, guess what, as it goes, my horse friend put their address in her Christmas letter.... and I have a feeling that a gas card along with a note from "the other nervous Mom" needs to be sent... in fact, there is my answer.. it HAS to be sent... so I guess I'd better getting moving.........

there's a baby in the barn

This is "Jewel" the new baby at the barn, actually she has been there about a month, but I didn't have any pictures to share until now. She was born on June 26, and is a little Morgan mare. She belongs to Teresa, who has for a very long time, wanted a baby to raise and train. She is quite a little pistol and though Teresa will have great fun with her, she has her hands full. It's very nice for me too, because I haven't had the experience of being around a baby from the beginning, and I will be watching (and maybe even helping a little) with the training of this little girl. Tonka is in love with her, and he tries to push Silver out of his stall which is next to Jewel's. They "talk" all the time over the stall wall. Silver on the other hand seems to have an attitude of " another kid" and he doesn't want much to do with her. I think if Tonka had his way, he and Silver would switch stalls. It might happen if Silver continues to show his impatience with her. It's such fun to walk into the barn and hear that tiny little whinny... she is very social so you never can walk past her stall without saying hi to her... and who wouldn't want to say hi anyways.... She had great fun in the snow on Friday, jumping and kicking and racing around... what a cutie!!! So, here's to the new kid on the block.....

fuzzy wuzzy

December 8th, first snow of the season... not much, just a few inches to make the world white and put you in that Christmas feeling. It's a cold day, too, about 22 degrees, with wind!!! so the cockers and I stay close to the woodstove... but not the big boys, especially Tonka. Both Silver and Tonka have heavy winter coats, but Tonka's is very thick, and being black, the sun warms him. I don't know if it's because he's a draft (cold blood) or Canadian, but either way, this is his kind of weather. I don't bother with blankets on either one of them, unless we get down below zero, because they can come and go as they want from their stalls, they know where the most comfort is. They do however, appreciate the hot beet mash that they got for lunch today, and gobbled it down quickly. Then long drinks of water, and were beginning on a flake of hay as I left the barn. It's cozy in the barn, the big doors are shut and the hay up in the loft makes a good insulation, they are happy boys!!! I keep dreaming that next winter, we will be sleigh riding, provided I get my driving work done, and we can re-store the sleigh we have in the back shed... it's certainly fun to think about it.... well, time to do some more decorating... the dog club comes next week for their annual party, and I have lots to do.....

waiting takes forever

On December 3rd, we found ourselves at Camp Lejeune in anxious "wait" for our son-in-law to arrive home. There were a number of other families there, doing the same thing!!! We were kept well informed of when to expect them, but it still seemed like a long time. The cheering that went on when that bus pulled up, was wonderful. Marines poured off the bus!!! and families ran to grab them up and hug and hug them!!! and not let them go!!! (though I have to admit, it took me a little time to find "our" marine... they look alike in their gear, and its hard to spot one from another) But, not so for my daughter, she knew just "which one was her's"!!!! Even little Charlie dog, all dressed up in his "camies" waited very excitely for his "daddy", though his first greeting was not as nice as we hoped!!! Charlie actually barked very mean towards his "daddy" and took a few minutes to sort it all out!!!! But once he did, he didn't want him out of his sight!!!

the marines have landed

After what seemed like an incredible long wait, the "boys" finally arrived!! It's hard to describe the excitement that everyone felt, and you can't even begin to count the number of hugs, tears, and even introductions (ie: new babies!!!) that went on!!! It had to be quite overwhelming for the marines, to go from such a "structured" way of life and thrown back into "real life" must be a bit of a shock. They all looked good, maybe a bit on the thin side, but definitely everyone looked very well. And they were certainly happy to be home to the people they all love so much. We got lots of great pictures, but you could tell the "boys" were very anxious to get going and have time with their families, and yet, a little hard to say "goodbye" to the friends that they had lived with over these past months. They still have a couple of weeks of work, and then a nice leave over the holidays, which will bring "our" two back home.

change of seasons

It is with much happiness that today, I removed the "deployment flag" from our front door and replaced it with a Christmas wreath!!!! My son-in-law who was deployed with the US Marine Corps in June will be arriving home the first weekend in December!!! When he shipped out, we were allowed to place a deployment flag on the front door and I remember thinking, "I can't wait to replace this with my Christmas wreath"... today is the day!!! It's been a long six months for us, but especially for my daughter, and her hubby's family, I can't imagine what "homecoming" is going to be like, but I will be certain to post all about it.

For the many other families who are still waiting, keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and remember this is a "volunteer" thing that these young men and women do for our country. The USA is blessed to have such great people who do this for us!!!!!! And as we head into the holiday season, I say with a greatful heart "Thank you and God Bless the USA"!!!!

the crew

the dogs of "Sweetgrass Kennel" ( left to right) Camille, Moxie, Tazzy, Trevor, Hunter and Charlie. picture was taken December 2005.

the brothers!!

I have felt a little guilty that Trevor and Hunter haven't had their picture on the blog. So tonite I went searching and found this one.. the two of them together!!! And if it's hard to tell them apart, that's OK, because they really are brothers, a matched set!!! In this picture, Trevor is on the left and Hunter is on the right.

In real life, Hunter is a little bigger than his brother and has a curlier coat. He is also more patient than his brother, I call him the "salt of the earth". He is not easily phased by things and seems to roll with the punches. Trevor is more fiery, any new dogs that come into the house, are met with growls first, and "get to know you" second. He doesn't like things to be out of order. Funny how they can be a like in so many ways, and so very different in other way.

We got Hunter and Trevor thru rescue. I received a call to foster a puppy (which of course I said yes to -- especially when I was told that he was only 10 weeks old!!) and when I met the family, there wasn't one puppy... there were two.... little black, bear-like babies!!! I remember coming into the house, with one under each arm and said to Ed "look honey... twins". Now, as luck would have it.. it was November and rescue doesn't like to do adoptions during the holidays, besides these babies at 10 weeks, needed a little growing up time, so we knew that we would have them for a while. (just occurred to me... all the dogs that we have adopted from rescue have come to us the month of November... that's IT... no more "november dogs!!!") Any ways, back to the story... as you can imagine, it doesn't take too long to fall in love with a puppy, and I knew I had hit the jackpot, when Ed said one night (cuddling Hunter) "you know this little guy could stay"... well... no way was Hunter going to stay and Trevor wasn't... so, you can guess the rest of the story!!!!

By the way, the reason they had been turned into rescue was a family had gone to pick out a cocker puppy from this "breeder", but they couldn't make up their mind between the two boys, and decided to buy them both. They also had a three year old son, and after a couple of weeks, were almost driven mad trying to house train two puppies and potty train their son. Plus teach their son how to properly treat a dog(s)... they didn't want to return them to the "breeder" (ie: not the greatest of places) nor did they want to just leave them in the shelter, and thus cocker rescue came into the play. Their names had been chosen by the family and since "we weren't going to keep them" I just continued to use the names they had come with. Actually, though, their names fit them well!!!

They turned 5 this past September (which hardly seems possible!!) and have been great little guys to have around the house. Sadly, I haven't done much "obedience" with them, both have their CGCs and Trevor played flyball for a while (picked up two titles there), but mainly I have enjoyed them just a pet/house dogs. and of course, part of my two "matched sets" of dogs!!!!

a day of horses

• On Friday, Ed and I took the day and went to the Equine Affair in Springfield, MA. I had been told about this event for a number of years, but this was the first time, where... the timing actually worked!! To say this was a huge event, can't even begin to describe it. Everything and everyone that is "horsey" was there, and for a "newbie" to it, it's a bit overwhelming.
• There were a number of buildings that held all sorts of different things. One building was just vendors.... anything from tack to gifts, and barns to supplies. Another building had a small arena in it, where clinics were being held, and a third had a large arena, where Ed and I got to see a whole jumping clinic being done. A fourth building was great fun... it was the "breed" building, where you could not only learn about the different horse breeds, but in most cases you could see the actual horse. A few favorites of mine, were the Icelandic Pony, a beautiful white Shire (standing at 19 hands!!!) and a gorgeous Mule!!! (wouldn't mind having one of them someday, he was handsome!!) Course everyone had their favorites. We talked to a few barn builders and have some connections to make at another time. (We pretty much know what we want in the new barn, its just a matter of finding out what route to go with that.)
• We spent hours looking at all the vendors, and after all that, the only thing I bought was a new pair of gloves. I guess it was just a little too much for me, and I couldn't even think of what I wanted to buy ( just not too good with that crowd thing, you know). However, the day flew by and we were tired from walking!! It's definitely worth the trip down, and I was glad that we could go on a Friday, as crowded as it was, I can only imagine what the weekend must be like. So, to any of my horse friends out there in cyberspace... if you get a chance to see the Equine Affair, I say, make the trip.