sad day :(

Yesterday was a very sad day here on the farm. Our little grey pony, Kringle, had to be put down.  Though these photos don't show it (I purposely hid that) he was very frail and was really beginning to show his age. I was in fear that "something" awful would happen, so before it came to that, I made "the" decision.

We only had him here on the farm for about two years. We kind of "rescued" him from a farm close by.. where he was always escaping and letting himself and two other horses out. His previous owner just wanted him to leave, so Sadie brought him here. We never really knew his age, other than "old".. but he was sweet and kind, and became Mocha's buddy.




They quickly became friends, and were together all the time. These pictures show how they were.... so, aside from us greatly missing his sweet spirit, Mocha will certainly miss her friend.  The "good" thing is, he went very peacefully, with the taste of apple and green grass in his mouth and loving hand petting him, the vet even commented that she would love to see all old horses "go that way"....and I will picture him galloping across wide green pastures in Heaven.......(and Abbie's request...."I want to  kiss him before he goes to Heaven"-- which she did)

Storyland.....

 We have been anxiously waiting for the time when Abbie was truly "old enough" to visit Storyland.. and last Sunday the day arrived. We invited our niece to join us, and just couldn't wait to take these two little gals. "Na" came to stay overnight, so the weekend stated with supper out and ice cream!!!!

Sunday morning we were up bright and early and on the road. Storyland is a wonderful little park in Glen, NH. It was built in the 1950's but they have done a very good job of keeping the old charm and staying up with the times. There's something for everyone!!!

Course, you must get your picture taken in the frame... I know there are photos of me and my sisters, and of course, our own girls, and now the next generation... (scary)

Abbie was pretty thrilled that she got to drive her Mom in the cars!!!!

And we tried to do every ride that the offer. Naomi loved this water ride... she laughed, screamed and giggled the whole way threw...

 Abbie, on the other hand, was less than thrilled, "I don't like this ride.. let's get off".. "let's no do that again"....

The flying Dutch shoes were another hit. And (didn't get photos) we all rode the roller coaster too. It's just big enough to thrill the adults (or thrill us) and yet small enough that Abbie could ride. She liked that one......

Abbie is a huge fan of Cinderella, and she was told that Cinderella "lives in Storyland in the summer and Disney in the winter".... so, when she finally got to see the pumpkin coach......that certainly made her day.

Course, my all time favorite.. the carousal. Now there's a ride that I could do over and over again.

The horses rock back and forth, so you get a double ride. The girls loved this one too... but with so many rides to do (and just a day to do them in) we hurried along. Some day, though, when I visit, I am going to have the family just leave me there for the day....

We had a wait a little to visit with Cinderella (she had a tea with some other guests).. but when the time finally came, both Abbie and Naomi were pretty excited. She even let them sit in her Princess chair!!!! Abbie said she will visit her in Disney too.....

Just as we were thinking about heading for home, the weather made the final decision. Dark clouds began to roll in...









But the timing couldn't have been better. We weren't even a few miles down the road, and this was the view in the back seat!!! Quiet children and pretty screney made for a nice ride home.. filled with many happy memories...

catchin' up on the news....

As usual, the summer has been filled with activities of all kinds. Bogey finally made his first visit to church... we have been so busy on the weekends, that I fear we haven't been in church as much as we should..it felt good to be back and see all our friends. Bogey was very good, settled in quite well, and remained quiet for the whole service. 

Dog classes have been going on all summer as well, though during the month of August, I am taking a little time off. This was the graduation of the puppy class... what a nice group they were (are) and many of them plan to move onto higher education come fall.

You all remember little Amy, my Mom and Dad's new girl. Well, she has been in classes and is doing quite  a good job. She has quickly made her way into every one's hearts. Her little buddy here is Henry... my cousin's little dog who attended the puppy class as well. He's a sweetie pie too...

The last Tuesday in July, was our annual dog obedience demo put on by my dog club. This is always a big hit in town, and we had a great crowd of both members and spectators. We even made the local papers this year.

It always goes well, but for some reason, I am usually a wreck the day before it all comes together. I don't know why either, we have only done this for 20 + years, with no troubles, but I do worry. One thing I always fear is "will the show be long enough" and just like every other year .. it goes way over. By the time we pick up and chat with all the folks that like to see the dogs... we're there for the entire evening.

And bit by bit, we are working on increasing the pasture size. So happy to have this post hole digger, I don't know what we would do without it. Trouble is, the days have been so hot that we get three or posts in, and both of us have had enough. Maybe by fall, we'll have it all done!!!

And this wonderful white box contains a few good things..... 

Yup, those would be turkeys!!! We ordered them several weeks ago, and thought they would be in much sooner than this. But either way, they should be "ready" by the time the holidays roll around. Right now they are cute, yellow and fuzzy, and it's hard to think about eating them, but by the time, "that time" arrives, they are usually big, white and ugly (both in looks and temperament) and we're happy to see them go. But for now, we will enjoy them as babies, and think about they're leaving at another point in time.