a world gone backwards...

It only appears that we allow our dogs to hang out on the furniture and ask the children to go into crates.....

Or use barn stalls as small cages......

But the sunset on the farm was certainly something that you didn't want to miss

now this is the way......

My little niece, Naomi and my sister Rachel have come to spend the night with us at camp. It is SO nice to have the activity of a little one around, and she has me laughing at all her antics!!!


She "discovered" the dog crate tonite after dinner, Tatter (Sadie's little dog) seems more than happy to usher Naomi into the crate... you can almost hear her saying "kennel up, Naomi..... better you than me!!!"







Tatter looks pretty pleased with "her training success"... and is probably thinking... now this is the way it should be.....instead of dogs being "away" from children.. let's put the children "away" from dogs!!!!






Course one big difference... children can let themselves OUT of crates... puppy dogs can't

guess Moxie wanted to see if she had the same training skills that Tatter did.... she seemed pretty pleased that she could "kennel the child" as well.....

when Father calls.....

A few weeks ago, we were able to get our first few loads of hay in. Everyone was happy, because for the first time in a number of years, hay season "seemed on schedule, maybe even a little early"... THEN... the "weather pattern" hit.... bright sunny morning, humid mid-days, and thunderstorms (BIG thunderstorms... wind/hail/driving rain, etc.) And it seemed that the weather men would say, this pattern should break within the next few days... only to decide later, that it wasn't going to break. NOT good for the hay man!!!

Now "our" hayman is fondly known as "Father", and he has been haying for years and years!!!! Ed first met him thru connections with the fire department, and we have watched him hay this field for many summers. When we knew that we were going to be living in Acton and would be needing hay, Father was the first one we called. He said he sold it out of the field, and if we wanted some, we just needed to "be there" when he said....

So, we go about our business, but always keeping in the back of our minds that "Father" could be calling us any day or time, saying that he was able to get some hay down, and we need to come and get it!!!!!

Yesterday, Father called.... sadly, I had to go to "work" and couldn't help out, but ever faithful Ken was there, and Ed was also able to grab brother Bill.... they brought in another 120 bales. Then this afternoon, Father was able to get another section down and baled, so I postponed my dog student and ran up to help bring in this batch. One more to go and we will have next winter's hay all tucked safely in the barn.

I feel so fortunate, because even as Father has been baling and Ed and Ken loading, people have been stopping by the field to see if they can buy some hay. We pretty much bought the "first field"... so Father just politely tells them.. "sorry, it's spoken for". Now, more than likely there will be a second cutting (which is usually better quality), but I am pretty happy with this hay and just feel happy that I know I have it, and don't have to "worry"..... and just before we went to get hay... look how far Ed and Ken got on the barn today.... it's no wonder that my dear hubby falls into bed at night and sleeps until the dawn!!!!


Moxie, by the way, is absolutely loving this life of "being a farm dog".... good thing she didn't know about this life style during her show days... she might have decided showing was a waste of time, when you could be doing things like this..... She sat and watched us bring hay into the loft, jumped in the gator when I parked it inside tonite, and generally loves checking out the farm and all it's goings on.......

pros and cons of an "empty nest"

Our youngest daughter recently moved out on her own... she stops in to visit, peek in the frig and do her laundry... but.. that's about the extent of it... and today, it got me thinking....

"Pros of the empty nest"....

the house is so quiet

when you "pick it up"... it stays "clean"

the grocery bill is less

things don't get "moved" around

you're not on anyone's schedule.. but your own

your kids come to visit... then leave to go "home"

"Cons of the empty nest"...

the house is so quiet

when you "pick it up"... it stays "clean"

the grocery bill is less

things don't get "moved" around

you're not on anyone's schedule... but your own

your kids come to visit.. then leave to go "home"......

I think you get the "idea".....

it's "just" a barn (?) ,,,,

My hubby and Ken have this comment that got "lost"...

"it's just a barn" would often be said when making decisions or finishing out a project. But somewhere along the line, "just a barn" went way out the window... and to be honest, this doesn't surprise me one little bit... because I have stated early.. there is nothing "just" when it comes to my hubby.

Ed likes quality and doesn't believe that you invest any of your time to do anything "half well"... it's all or nothing!!!

So, the big debate about what sort of siding would be used on the outside. Under the shed roof where the horses will be (and the tractor, etc will be on the other side) I was happy enough to leave the "t-111" and just stain it to protect the wood. But on the "face" sides, I thought that shingles would be nice. I guess I like the look because my Grandfather's old barn had shingles and they weathered into a silver gray... I don't remember him ever having much maintenance with them. So, I opted for shingles.

Now, I knew that shingles would be "labor intensive" but I was willing to stain them ahead of time and have them ready when the men-folk wanted them to go up. Ed wasn't so sure about this... and he and Ken went to the "store" and came home with a sample of "vinyl shakes"... of which I wasn't so sure. (mainly because I had a particular color in mind and wasn't so certain they could find it.) Well after some considerations about pricing, maintenance, labor, etc. etc. we went with the vinyl. It arrived yesterday, and nothing doing... I just had to have them put a few courses so I could see what I am "going to have to live with " :-D...... Needless to say, I am thrilled with the "look"... and (yes, sweetheart) Ed was right... once they are up, that will be "it"... we won't have to deal with these babies again.......

wished they would "hurry up" and get it finished........

a new plate for the state of maine

rescue workers in the State of Maine are working on a new licence plate for the state. proceeds of this plate will go to the welfare of animals ....

2000 plates must be pre-ordered to make this actually happen.... you can order them off line via Plant Dog email address is adoptteam@planetdog.com or just go to the Planet dog website and :they" will tell you all about it. the price for the plate is just 25.00...

so, all my "Maine" blog readers, please consider this... not only will it help our "rescues"... but it's a pretty cool looking plate.....

ah.... camp

I am sure that you have heard the saying.... "if you want the most comfortable seat in the house, move the dog!!" well, I don't think that the couch is the MOST comfortable seat in the house, but Trevor sure has found his spot!!! Actually, the dogs are always "so busy" at camp, that when they come inside, they are happy to crash. Nothing like the good behavior of a tired dog!!!!

Despite the warnings of today being rainy and messy, Ed was up bright and early to head out for the NASCAR race. Now, usually I have "girls day" at the camp when Ed heads to the races, but this year, it just got by me somehow. One thing is the race came earlier in the summer than it has in the past and the other is, we have been working so hard, that I tend to lose track of the days.

Either way, I had planned on getting some shopping done and dropping in on my friend, Aileen... but, when the sun broke out and I had the chance to get some outside work done around here... I changed plans as well... (sorry Aileen... I owe you a visit!!!)

I have been told that Loons are "fussy" birds and will only chose to live on lakes that are very clean. I was also told that most small ponds will only have one pair of loons ..well, I would like to know what's going on here....

This morning, I saw 6 loons out "fishing" in front of the camp. They hung around for the longest time, and I wished I had a better lens on my camera... they are so beautiful.

I could easily hear them calling back and forth to each other... I just love the songs that they sing (Kassy doesn't... she is "afraid" of them!!!) but, there's nothing like a warm summer night on the lake with the loons singing you to sleep...

Hey.. maybe that's Trevor's "problem".... the loons have sung him to sleep.

a new halfway

One of the highlights of my week, is meeting up with "the other side of the family".... (ie: Deb and Dave) and catching up on the news of the week. It's a rare Saturday evening that we don't get together somewhere, to chat and enjoy each other's company.... I feel so blessed that we have such a great family!!! there are no "in-laws" jokes or slams when it comes to this family.

Just so no one "gets stuck" with all the traveling we always try to come up with a halfway point to meet... course we do enjoy wonderful cookouts and the like at each other's houses, but when we eat out, we try to find that in between spot. Now, for years, that spot has been between Brentwood and York, but since we are spending more time in Acton (and soon to be EVEN MORE time) we needed to find a "new" halfway..... tonite it was at Wild Willy's in Rochester. There is also a Wild Willy's in York, so we know what to expect, but unlike the York location, we walked right in tonite and got a table. Same wonderful burgers, fries and onion rings, and the same wonderful friends and conversation... just a new halfway..... we will be looking for other halfways in the times ahead, but this is our first one!!!!!

A little hard to see, but just look at these little faces peering in the door tonite!!!! Silly spaniels, they have a nice little yard to run about in.. (all free).. but what do they want.....

to be with us.... one thing about a cocker, if you don't like dog that MUST be with you every moment of your life.... don't get a cocker.... if they are anymore than one foot away from you... it's way too much!!!!! they only can enjoy the "great outdoors" when you are there with them.......

start of the finish

We began this "barn building project" the day after Thanksgiving when the first load of lumber arrived. Now, about 6 months later, we are beginning to put the "finishing touches" on the building. This is very exciting, because the time is really getting close... and it's actually some work that I can do!!!!

Because the ally way runs a real risk of getting wet (barn doors left open during a rain, wet horses shaking of the water) we decided to try Thompson's water seal on the walls. We found one that already has a nice "honey stain" in it, and are very pleased with the outcome. Not only is the wood protected, but it gives the barn a "nice warm feeling".....

It was pretty easy to work with, and really didn't take that much time to get it up.

Ed and Ken got the other stalls framed in this week, and I went to work on staining the outside walls.... makes a big difference seeing these last three stalls in place. Next step will be to finish the inside of the stall (we're using hemlock for the interior wood) and getting the outside stall doors made. The list of "things that need to be done" is getting shorter and shorter....

just in time, house plans should be arriving this week........

you might be from Maine if......

you find yourself... stacking next winter's wood in your pj's!!! (your favorite pj's no less, the ones that Deb made for you!!!!)

And you give your "gator" a bath after using it for transporting wood to the woodpile!!!!!!

Tazzy on the fence..

Our little black and white cocker, Tazzy, has quite a story of her own. She came to us at about 3 months of age as a foster dog. She was born at a puppy mill out in Ohio, shipped to a pet shop and was bought by a loving (but not well thinking) lady. This lady had an old golden, who began to get sick shortly after she brought Tazzy into her home. After many tests and much money, it was decided that the golden was sick due to stress.... stress from a new puppy being in the house, so she had to give Tazzy up.

Tazzy wasn't her original name, I called her that, because she was forever "in motion" and her high puppy energy would drive you nuts within a short amount of time. I had a fear that she could be a hard dog to place, because many people don't understand this energy thing, nor do they want to put up with it. But Tazzy was lucky, because my dear friend Deb fell in love with her, and was more than happy to adopt her. Deb sent her application in. Now, please don't misunderstand me, Cocker Rescue ( of NE) is an excellent organization, but sometimes... in my opinion... they over look many wonderful homes due to some standard that a home may not meet. Deb was denied because she did not have a fenced- in yard... I tried to explain to them that she would be an excellent home, but my recommendations fell on deaf ears. (however, Deb did apply to Cocker Rescue of Maine, and adopted her little Hallie dog who she dearly loves!!!)

After that, I decided that Tazzy would just stay with us. I wasn't about to go thru that sort of thing again.. having some one else denied, and so Tazzy just sort of "became" a member of the family. Because I wasn't originally keeping her, she did not get the strong structure of training that I do with all of my puppies, and being a "mill puppy" she was in bad need of this. So, I say with guilt that she could have been a finer dog than she is today, if I had not been so lax. Her high energy needs an outlet and if I go a few days without walking her, you can see that showing up.

Now, at camp we have "invisible fence".. and what a dream it is. The property there is not very big, so fencing it for real would have been a pain to deal with... tying a dog there is "cruel" in a way, because the shade never stays in one place and there always seems to be a "dog under foot" with not enough room for tying. Besides, with six of them.. I can't even imagine where I would have six tie outs... so, this idea was the best. Everyone has trained well to the fence, and this summer it was Tazzy's turn to get onto it. This was the first weekend, where she had been allowed "freedom" on the fence, though I still stay with her and warn her even before the collar does. She did take three hits on it, but considering we where there for four days, that's not bad odds. And having this freedom made a world of difference in her behavior, she came in tired and happy. Which for Tazzy... is a great thing. I feel so much better knowing she has an outlet at camp, she likes to swim and of course walk... so camp is going to be a good place for this little girl......

a good job to do.....

We have been "in our camp" for about 10 summers now, and during this time, one job that has never been done is... pulls on the doors and drawers in the kitchen. Every summer as we grab at the corners to open them, we comment ...."we really need to find some pulls".

I didn't want "just any pull" and I have been looking in several different places for ones that would be just right. This spring I finally found them...

They look like twigs.. and I think they are perfect for a camp kitchen. So, we ordered them, and they have been sitting here for over a month waiting for a few moments to have Ed get them into place.

Well, thanks to this afternoon thunderstorms... Ed thought it was just as good a time as any to get them put up...

And so he did.....

(No Camille is not helping, she ran to him when I was "busy" taking pictures!!!..poor girl!!!)

So, now we won't "break" our fingers when trying to open a door or drawer... just goes to prove.. that even when the dark comes down, there is always something productive that can be done!!!!!

thunderstorm!!!!!

This picture doesn't really look like much, but what I was trying to show was a thunderstorm that was heading across the lake. We had been hearing the rumbles all afternoon.... so, we knew we were in for a "good one". I am NOT a fan of thunderstorms, and was very glad that Ed was here with me... er, us... for the dogs are all here as well.

I don't understand what is going on with the weather, we are getting "August" weather and its only June. For the past week, we have had thunderstorms almost daily... and not just rain and thunder, but lots of lightening and often hail. It's kind of creepy. This, of course, has brought haying to a screeching halt, I was hoping that all our hay would be in by now, but we still only have the first two loads brought in over a week ago. I am sure the "farmers" are just as unhappy about this!!!

The dogs and I had been out playing in the warm sunshine, but the first real clap of thunder sent them to the door and wanting... IN!! For the most part, Moxie, Hunter, Trevor and Cole don't really mind the weather.... Tazzy isn't too happy about it, but she can "manage"...

Camille on the other hand... is a total wreck!!! And no matter what you try to do for her, nothing is good enough. I did get a "remedy" from the holistic vet, but as the rain really opened up.. it was too late to run to the truck and try to get it. I wished I had tried it, for as "fierce" as this storm has been, it would have been a good test for it.... oh well, I fear there will be many other storms this summer and next time, I will be prepared.

Here's Hunter and Trevor snoozing on the couch (you can see in the background how dark it was... this was at 2:00 in the afternoon)... Poor Tazzy is trying to find a place to cuddle in with them... but they hardly care about that.
The fire scanner came alive with activity... lightening strikes all over the place, couple of houses were hit, as well as trees down and power outages... (so far we are still in the light here)...

So, as I happily blog and Camille trembles at my feet, we are seeing a bit of bright sky on it's way....

Whew... it's almost over

fog on the field...

What a difference a day (or a week) makes... ... last week at this time, we were "complaining" about the heat, and this week... cool, damp and somewhat dreary... from the sounds of things, there won't be any "hay cutting" done over the next few days.. which might work out for the best as I have a lot already planned.

Now that the bulk of the "big" work has been done on the barn, it's my turn to step up to the plate and do the jobs that I can do... mainly, painting and staining... two jobs that I have "no joy" in doing!!!! But, am certainly capable of doing, and it lets the "menfolk" continue on with more of the building side of things. This morning I was up bright and early.. got my "housework" done and ran to Acton to see about getting the tack room done. Because the boards are all natural, I am just putting a protective coat on them, and allowing them to "age" with time.

The "fun" part is, once the walls are all done, I can begin to plan where things will go.. so it's one of those deals, "do the work first, and the fun comes second". It would be nice to have it so I can move some stuff in, and that would be a few things moved out of the barn here (like Silver's tack, a nice tack trunk that was given to me, Tonka's harness and the like). Aside from the work, it's just fun to finally be able to "putter" around the barn. I took all the spaniels with me today... Moxie is the only one that will hang around (the others like to explore too much) so, after a short walk, I shut them up in Tonka's stall. I'm not sure they were all that happy about it, but at least they were able to be with me and not "stuck at home".

Well, off to teach puppy class tonite, good thing I have a "job" that I love... it's about the only thing that will be able to pull me off the farm.......

barn pics....

Even though "we" are bringing in hay, getting docks into the lake, pre-packing the house, sorting out the last details on the house plans, lining up electricians, plumbers and the like....

Ed and Ken still manage to continue working in the barn... this week we have the beginnings of the last three walk out box stalls... it's really beginning to look like horse barn!!!!

The red doors look grand... and the siding has been picked out for the front... so, that will soon be going up....




It's waiting for us..........

the first of many....

The very first load of hay heading into our new barn!!!


















Onto the new elevator.....








Up into the loft!!!


Enough of all this "picture stuff" lets get this job moving!!!

IF I had any worries about room in this barn.... you're looking at 77 bales in this pile...

I think there will be enough room for hay.....

A pony for Naomi

Actually, it wasn't a "pony".. but a miniature horse, and it "wasn't for" Naomi, but for her birthday party... either way, Mocha was a big hit with all the children there.

I can't believe that my little niece is two already, though I am sure my sister can, as they enter the wonderful world of "two year olds!!!" Sometimes, I do miss that stage of my life, but more than not, I am happy to sit on the side and smile.... they are fun days to remember, and I am happy to remember them!!!!

As I had thought, some of the children at the party could hardly wait for a turn on Mocha, others talked "big" until it was their turn to ride, and some we managed to talk into a ride, once they had the chance to sit on her for a little bit.

Naomi didn't want that much to do with Mocha or having a birthday ride, and it took a couple of tries just to get her on. (I will need to change that in the future!!!!) We actually got her to try after giving "Jimmy" (her favorite little doll) a ride around the yard. Here, Naomi is watching and telling "Jimmy" to hold on tight while Auntie Sue and Mocha take him for a little ride. After she saw that "Jimmy" didn't fall off and had such a nice ride, she decided it would be safe enough to try!!!

Mocha is amazing with children!!! she has a real interest in them and is so very gentle. A couple of the kids were pretty uncertain on her, and I would find her stepping so carefully when they were on. With the braver children she would step right out.

Before we went to the party, I had her out here at home, and a lady stopped by and asked if I did therapy work with her, and would I be interested in taking her to a senior home. I am thinking "why not" and if I can find a day or two, I will call them as ask if they would like a visit. She only requires a couple of carrots and lots of pats as her fee....

just things...

I felt bad for the trash men on Wednesday... this is what they had to deal with when arriving at our house!!! the "left overs" of the great basement clean out. "Sadly" I fear that our trash pile over the summer will look more like this and less like normal. Usually I have just one or two bags waiting out there for them, but, weeding out is a good thing and I guess they are the ones that get stuck with it!!! If I ever see them, I will have to say thank you.

It's kind of fun all this sorting out business, as I had thought, I am finding things that I had wondered what happened to them. I am also organizing as I go along so I won't loose things again. Ed always said (when he owned the moving company) that everyone should move every six years or so... I thought he was just drumming up business, but, I would think you wouldn't have so much "stuff" if you moved around often!!!

I debated about setting up "Titus's pond" this summer, and finally decided that I would. It doesn't take much to get it running, and I really enjoyed the sight and sound of it last year. Titus also enjoyed his afternoons out there, though the big tank he is in now does offer him plenty of swimming space. When we get to the new house, I would like to plan a turtle garden and put his pond in there. That won't happen for awhile, but it's fun to think about it. I will have to get Deb to help me with it, she is a real gardener (I need to get some shots of her gardens and show them to you) and I bet she could come up with some wonderful designs and ideas... and easy plants to keep, since I am certainly not blessed with a green thumb!!!!

Mocha has been invited to my niece's birthday party. So, after my riding lesson with Tonka on Thursday, I brought Mocha home with me. She was in dire need of a bath and good brush out. And, after all that work, I didn't want her returning to the paddock to roll around in the dust!!!! She cleans up well, and after being such a good girl for her bath, a bit of green grass was in order. She's put some weight on over the winter, and I only hope that her little saddle will fit. I don't know how many of the children will actually get on her, but, the little saddle does help them sit better. Guess we'll see this afternoon!!!
We found out yesterday afternoon that the hay will be in today... so, after the birthday party, I will be racing to Acton and help Ed get the hay in... we have 400 bales coming in. Thankfully, we got our hay elevator this week (thanks Dave).... it came in just in the nick of time!!!

So, it's off for a busy day.. this Friday the 13th...... and there will be plenty of blogging to do at a later date.....

summer begins....

Since I married my Ed in 1981... "camp" has been a big part of our lives. Our children learned the swim in the lake, and every dog that we have owned .. has become swimmers!! so, for me, it isn't officially summer until the docks are back in and the weekends mean packing up and "moving north". When we talked about "retirement" it was sort of a dream of Ed's to come to Acton... but for me, that was a bit of a glitch, because having (and wanting for as long as possible) horses in our lives, I wasn't sure how we could do both... live at camp and keep big animals. Because I currently board our horses, this hasn't been a "problem" in our life, but there isn't any way we could live at camp and keep horses here. So, a number of years ago, we decided to look for land within a certain radius of camp with the idea that we could spend a weekend on the lake and yet be able to care for the animals left at home. It was a complete gift from God when we were able to purchase the piece of land that the barn now sits on, and a complete blessing that all of this would work out so perfectly.... for our new home will be a mere two miles from the lake... and I can't even begin to express my gratitude.

It is always our wish too, to share this beautiful place with our family and friends. I have always felt that camp is way more fun with people around, and try to extend this invite as much as possible. And thanks to all our dear friends, there are always willing hands to help out with "chores".... ie: getting the docks in for the summer season!!! (some how chores at camp don't seem so "chore-like") Yesterday, Dave and Deb, brother Bill, Faye, Cozy, "Wayno" all arrived to help with the docks. The whole job went quite well and with temps in the high 80's ..getting into the water wasn't too much of a hassle!!!! After the docks were all settled in, and everyone enjoyed a nice little swim, we had a grand cookout... and it is now summer on the lake!!!

All our dogs love to swim, but for certain, some like it more than others...and I would have to say our number one swimming dog would be Trevor. He could hardly wait to get into that water!! and just swam and swam!!! The others swim to cool off, but Trev swims because he simply likes to swim!!! Kassy and Nate's Charlie is another "swimming fool"... but this summer finds them in North Carolina (no deployments this year for Nate).. so, Trev has the number one swimming spot!!!

In a couple of hours, it will be time to pack up and head back to York... real life calls, and I have to "get back to being an adult".... but, for a little more time, I am enjoying this "magical" spot....

no time to blog

I knew that all that "wonderful free time" on vacation was to be treasured, because the moment we got home, it was back to "real life"!!! I had dozens of dog calls to return, classes to get back to teaching, dogs coming for boarding.. and the beginnings of packing!!! sorting!!! and weeding out!!!



One thing we were able to do with Kassy and Nate was to go over the "particulars" for the big moves coming up. They will be living here, and we will be heading to Acton. Some things will be changing and other things not so much... I will still have the barn for dog training and such, but I will also have the "big" barn for the horses!!!!

We began the great clean out with a yard sale... so far, it has had some success, but I "fear" that many things will end up in the donate pile. I have collected over the years a number of dog crates, many of which are too small and really are better for cats.. so something like that I can take to the shelter, I am certain they must be in need of small transport crates. I'm not too sure what to do with the DOZENS of beanie babies that the girls have left behind, but I will come up with some idea. I have promised myself that there won't be "this much stuff" in the new house.... it's too mind boggling!!!!

In the meantime, work goes merrily along at the farm. Ken got some of the "odd things" done while we were away... but most exciting to me.. was getting the red on the barn doors!!! I thought that I would like it, but until I actually get to "see" it, I never really know how it will be. Now, ALL we have left is to shingle the front, and stain the sides, and the outside look will be done!!!! Still have three more stalls to finish, and the tack room to tackle... but all in all, the work goes well.

Now, the "other Ken" (who will be building the house) has been in close contact with us, and we think we have the final set of changes to ship back to "Timberpeg"... IF all goes to plan.. I think we will be digging for the foundation within the next few weeks, and the house may be able to come as soon as the middle of July!!!! Course, I have "done" enough building projects to understand well, that a time line.. is just that... a time line NOT a deadline!!!!

So, the summer seems "quite busy" at best... and I have this sad feeling it is going to fly by........