a birthday ride

Tomorrow is Dave's birthday, so to celebrate, Nate planned a day on the motorcycles. We skipped out on church this morning and met for breakfast. Kas and Nate were on their bike, Ed and I on our bike and Dave on his bike. Deb followed in the car (thank goodness.... because the ride was too cold at first for Kas, and we had somewhere to put out "shopping goodies" that wouldn't fit on the bikes!!!)

It was an absolutely grand day. Still a bit warm for this time of year, and the leaves are just beginning to turn... but we couldn't have "asked" for better weather!!! I love riding the bike on the "back roads"... the traffic is less, you can take your time and really see the countryside. Ed and I have to make a "habit" of getting out more often... winter will be here soon, and the bike will be tucked away... so we need to enjoy it while we can.

People have asked if I miss living near the ocean.. and of course I do. But I have to say the "lake region" is just as pretty. I guess as long as I am near some body of water.. I am a happy gal.

Once the leaves are in full color, we will certainly need to make this trip again.

Happy Birthday, Dave... and thanks for the great idea today, Nate!!!!

grand-DOGS!!!

Ed and I are at the point in our lives where we have "grand dogs!!!" I remember when my own parents were grand dog grandparents, and I used to send them all sorts of photos of their grand dogs and tell them about all the things that they did. Now, I find the same thing happening with our own grand dogs....

We "have" three grand dogs.... they are....

Kato..... (Sadie and Matt's pitbull)

Tatter (Sadie's cocker)

And Charlie.. (Nate and Kassy's cocker)

Now, with the idea of "moving home" Kas and Nate began to talk about getting a second dog.. a little brother (or sister) for Charlie. They really didn't want another cocker and thought that a bigger breed would be fun to have. Looking around, they have "toyed" with the idea of a few different breeds, but so far, nothing seems to be exactly what they want..... UNTIL...





Yesterday!!! when this little bundle of joy entered the world!!!!

I didn't say too much about him in yesterday's blog.. but actually this little "chap" and I already have a "history" together.... for when he arrived in the world, he wasn't breathing, and I had great fear that we "had lost him" during his birth. I wasn't about to let him go without a good try, and after a few anxious moments, he began to come around..... and within a few hours, he was up and around and "wrestling" with his littermates over his spot on Mom. Right away, he became my "favorite" and a special little blessing in his own right.

Well, after sharing the details of this story with Kas and Nate... they asked... "do you think Mary would consider us as "parents" for your special puppy?" so, we called and talked with Mary... and it looks like we will have a "new grand dog" within a few months!!!!

How cool is that?? Kas and Nate will have a new baby... I get to have this special guy as a part of my life, and Mary will be able to watch him grow up......

Seems God has blessed us with another gift!!!!!

midwife duties!!!!

As some of you already know... one thing that is on my "list of favorite things to do".. is to play puppy midwife!!! It is so hard to describe how wonderful it is to watch a new life appear on this earth... especially when "it" is one of my most favorite animals... mainly dogs!!! Last spring I had the great pleasure of assisting my friend Julie and her German Shorthair Pointer with puppies... and I was just thrilled when my friend Mary contacted me late in August to ask if I might be interested in helping her with her Chesapeake Bay Retriever... Rosie. I couldn't wait for the big event.

Then came that "wonderful" little notice with regards to jury duty, and I had great fears that I might have to miss Rosie's puppies coming into the world!!!! Mary wisely made up a list of "people to call", putting my name last, because I just couldn't promise her that I would be there when she needed me. But the Good Lord must have seen that my "services" where better needed for puppies, because last Monday when I reported for jury duty... I did not get picked for any of the three trials that were coming up. I contacted Mary and said I would love to be at the top of the "call list" as the week that the puppies were due.. I would be totally free.

Thursday evening, both Mary and I had our local (dog) club meeting. Rosie was in the "getting ready mode" (not eating great, temperature dropping, out of sorts) and Mary thought that she might be needing me soon. As I was traveling home from the meeting, Mary called on the cell phone... looked like the time was getting close and would I head to her house.


My first "drawback" about now living out in the country... you have to really think about travel time... at the "old" house, most everything was minutes away... but "out here" most everything is a half hour to an hour drive, and with the idea of puppies coming who knows when... I hustled along. When I arrived, Rosie was definitely looking "ready".. I felt pretty sure that we would have puppies by 3:00 am.. so I settled into Mary's guest room for a short snooze. A few times in the night, we were up with Rosie... things looking promising.. and then she would settle down and look at all of us like "why are you all up in the middle of the night". This is Rosie first litter, and often times with a young dog and a "first timer" they will and can fight off labor pains, not understanding what it is all about... so, you often have "long nights" with them. Well, Thursday turned into Friday with no puppies.


I thought about heading home Friday morning, but each time I thought I would leave, Rosie would start in again, and I just didn't want to miss out. So, it looked like I would just be camping out with Mary and "her" Ed until the big event. All of Friday day was off and on.. as a rule, most dogs I have worked with never have "daytime puppies".. so it was pretty sure that I would be staying over another evening. I have to say, Mary and Ed took "very good care of me".... I was "spoiled" with all kinds of good eats, and it was wonderful to have such a nice long visit with them both. Mary and I have been friends for longer than I can think, but with our busy lives, we seldom have the chance to sit and talk about anything and everything... you can easily do that when waiting for puppies, and we certainly did. I had a great chance to talk with her Ed as well, I have always liked Ed very much and it was great fun to hear more about his life... he has some very interesting stories to share.


FINALLY around 7:00 pm (Friday) Rosie had to give into "her job". And her first little puppy was born around 7:30.. a beautiful little girl. Though the first couple of puppies were a little scary for poor Rosie, by the time the third one came, she now knew her "job" and really got to work. She was wonderful to midwife for.. and by 3:00 am (Saturday) morning.. Rosie, Mary and Ed (& Luke - the daddy dog) were now the proud parents of 8 beautiful puppies... 5 boys and 3 girls!!!!



Needless to say, we were all pretty tired by that point and time. Mary and Ed took shifts sleeping by the whelping box and

making sure that Rosie and her new family were settled and doing well... I crashed in Ed's big chair for a few hours.... just too tired to drive home.

I woke around 6:00 am (Saturday), and found Mary snoozing by the box... Rosie greeted me with a tired, but very proud look, and 8 little puppies were all cuddled in with their mom... it was an amazing sight. I bid them a quiet farewell, and snuck out of the house. The sun was just rising and it was a nice ride home after such an amazing couple of days. I doubt I will ever get tired of watching the miracle of birth.

I was happy to catch another few hours of sleep in my own bed. "My Ed" was happy to have me back home..... being the great guy that he is... he had "ran" the farm in my absence... tending to the horses.. the dogs, and still keeping the work crews on task with the house project. He is so supportive of me when I am running off and doing things like this....... (thank you so much sweetheart!!!)

I spoke with Mary later this afternoon... "everyone" is doing well.... it will be so much fun to watch these little "guys" grown over the next couple of months..... I will keep you posted....

just having way too much fun....

So... while the work goes on around the foundation... and the "keets" are practicing their flying lessons... "work" continues around the farm.
Ed and Nate are wiring the lights in the barn... because of the high ceilings, it's a lot of over head work and I appreciate the way they can both work from a ladder. Soon, there will be electricty to the barn, which I will really apprecaite, because (sadly) the days are already getting shorter.

I have had a couple of questions from horse friends about "what are doing about water for the horses".. I had been lugging it from the camp in a five gallon jug.. which I will assure you, three horses made short work of. But, leave it to "my Ed"... he came up with a great plan. He had this tank that holds around 300 gallons of water. He strapped it to his small trailer, "plumbed" it all up in a spicket style, filled it at the camp, and then brought it down to the barn for me. What a treat!!! I can easily fill buckets now, and this amount of water should last me a little more than a week. So, until the well is hooked in, this is the system that I am using!!!

Another bit of excitement is.. today I got Mocha hitched into her new little cart!!! I have been working on ground driving with her... she needs a ton of work on steering and stopping.. but each day she gets better and better. Today's lesson went so well, that I took the bridle off and thought I would do a bit of leading with her pulling the cart. She did grand!!! In fact, she did so well, that Ed volunteered to sit in the cart as I lead her along. If this keeps up, I might be able to do some "real" driving with her within the next few weeks!!!!

Tonka seems to enjoy watching Mocha work.. it's usually him that has the work going on.. and I do need to get him back in harness again and get his cart work going. I don't know, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in a day anymore...

guess I am having way too much fun......

when good pets go bad...

Well, I don't know if "bad" is the proper word, but it is pretty obvious to us that the move has been harder on them than we would have thought. Our dogs are highly socialized and well trained... I have had them in many situations, and I never thought that the move would have bothered them.

The thing is, we have actually moved twice in the past couple of weeks. See, our house is being built and won't be ready for us to move into until next spring.... so, we have been living in our camp for the past couple of weeks. There is another camp beside us that is "owned by the family"... it's really a regular house (cape style) that Ed and my brother in law, John built almost 20 years ago. The idea of the big camp, was that Ed's parents would retire and live there the better part of the year... but sadly, Ed's Dad passed before that could ever happen and his Mom passed last summer. We decided to try renting it out this past summer, and I am happy to say, that was done with pretty good success.

I was all for living in our little camp for the winter, but Ed had said all along that it would be better for use to move into the big camp. Well, once we had some of our personal things brought into the little camp, I quickly agreed, it would be just too small to spend the entire winter in.... so, once we were done renting the big camp..... we moved into it.

The poor dogs... all summer long I have taught them "not to come over this way" (so not to bother the renters) and now I call for them the moment they leave the property!!!!! If I "can't" find them, I usually walk over to the small camp and find them sitting on the door stoop wondering why I am not there to let them in.

I have also discovered that they really aren't "housebroken"..... they are "doggie door" trained, and with no doggie door to scoot out of whenever they need to... we have found several "presents" in the basement of this camp...they also don't know "where" to go.... so I find myself going outside with them, and encouraging them to "go", but to stay on this property. I know in time they will figure it out... but I just wish I could explain all of this to them. They seem pretty happy here, just confused....

The cats on the other hand, are having a grand time.... technically they have three floors to "play" in... the basement (which I have gated off from the dogs) the first floor and then the second floor. The ceilings in the first floor are part cathedral, and it didn't take Mona too long to make a "look out" on the beams that run across the living room. Dancer soon joined her, and they have great fun, hanging out on the beams and looking down on the "people" below. I dare say, one day they will attempt jumping down.... but so far they are pretty happy just to hang out there.

It's kind of strange to be sitting and just relaxing and feeling like you are being watched... especially when you look up over your head and find out that you ARE being watched!!!

But, it is finally feeling alittle like home, we have our favorite chairs here, and our own bed. The dogs are beginning to get into the routine, and I have figured out what is going on with them... another couple of weeks, and we should have it down pat......

now just get thru jury duty....................

the "guineas"

I heard on the news this morning, that the stock market is way down..... well (not making light of that situation, because I know that it is important)... but, maybe someone from Wall street should come and take a peek on the farm...

Because, with a bit of coaching from Mom.. the guinea keets are definitely "up".... Mom is beginning flying lessons and the keets are just so very proud of themselves... flying "all the way to the top" of the dog crate that I have in their stall. They are the funniest creatures to watch, and they fly up... peck around for a bit and then launch themselves off. A couple have actually had small flights across the stall.. course, stopping before they run into the wall or the door has been another matter!!!!

Pearl, I think, is pretty pleased with her brood... we have some neat colors showing up as well.... three look very much like mama, two will definitely be white and one is a little tan/fawn color.

I am amazed at how fast they are growing, and I think we may need a "roof" on that stall before much longer....

construction.. part 1

So, now that we are "somewhat" settled, and the horses are settled... it's time to think about the house and get ready for the arrival of timbers!! (which should be happening within a few weeks). Fortunately, Nate has some time on his hands right now, so Ed has "hired him on" to help get us caught up. The first thing that needed to get done was tarring the foundation. What a messy and miserable job that is to do, but good weather (not too hot, and not too cold) was on our side and Ed and Nate got the tarring done in just a couple of days.

Because we will be using the cellar as "living space" and my new kennel area... it will be heated, which meant that we needed to insult the foundation. No sense in heating a space and having the warmth sneak to the outside. This was another tricky job, the panels are light and don't like to stay put. Even though Ed used a construction "glue"... it wasn't much help, so Tony came to the rescue with the "digger".....





I am amazed at the way he handles this big machine... it's fun to watch. He can place a huge scoop of dirt and drop it gently.... despite all the mud and the closeness... Nate and Ed could comfortably work around that big machine.....

This is the first time that I have had the chance to check out the cellar..... it's a little "hard to see", but now I have a better idea of what the walk out side will actually be like....

It all looks a bit messy right now... and there's a lot of back fill to be brought in, but I have seen this "magic" before.. and within a few days, I know we will see some big changes......

construction part 2

I think I now know where the term "dirt poor" came from..... it's expensive to buy "earth"!!!

In a matter of two days, we are now able to "walk into the cellar"....

I am quite excited about a "walk out" cellar... think of those wet doggie feet that won't have to come into the house!!!

The back yard isn't so pretty right now, but that will improve with time....

working on that "open mind"

So say hello to juror number 186... that's me!!! And on Monday I reported to the court with 199 other people .. yes, there are 200 of us in all. They parked us down in the basement of the court and did their best to be very kind... but, running out of coffee and not having much to do... doesn't help much. We were given paperwork to fill out... watched a pretty informative video.. and then SAT....... and sat and sat and sat. They kept us pretty much up to date... that is, whether a case was going to need a jury or not..... because if I understand this correctly, "they" (people who are in court) can decide on the date of their case.. whether they want a jury or just go with a judge.... turns out that all the cases on Monday morning, went with the judge and so FINALLY at 12:30.. they released us!!!! I don't know if it will happen that way each time or not... BUT if it does... I need to get my attitude in line.

Boy was I UGLY after that (poor Ed!!!).... it all seemed like a waste of time!!!! it was a perfect day.. I have a billion things to do, and there I sat in the basement of the building. I know I have no idea (thank you Lord) at how the court system works, nor do I understand just what it takes to do this jury thing.. I am sure it is a ton of work.. but, I can't help but think there could be a better way to do this.

I did get to talk with some folks.. even saw a dog student there... but after a couple of hours, there just isn't too much you can say to "strangers"... I brought a book (which after I started it decided I didn't like it) and I did bring some cross stitch, but have decided that isn't the easier thing... so today, I bought some "sock yarn" and when I get called back in again, I think I will work on a pair of socks...no sense in wasting time.. and THANK YOU so much Dale and Karen for showing me how to knit.... it just might be the thing that keeps me together!!!

I am on this jury duty until the end of October, and each night .. after 6:00... I have to call an 800 number to see if I need to report the next day. THIS is a real bother, because I now have to plan each day with the idea that it could change after 6:00... fortunately my private students understand all this and I make appointments with them, based on "what I find out after 6:00"......

I am very grateful that Ed is so good with the horses... (he has always been wonderful with the dogs) so I can get out in the morning and not have to run to the barn (though I had wondered if the horse smell could get me out of duty!!!!)... and I do understand that being on a jury is a very important thing... and I am physically and mentally able to serve... but I really do need to work on that "staying positive and keeping an open mind"... I am sure the Good Lord has a lesson in this somewhere.........

"picnik"

a little bit ago, Kas found this website called "picnik"... where you can take your photos and "play around" with them and get all sorts of different looks...

Here are a couple of shots I took of the boys and changed them up abit...

so, if you have nothing better to do with your time... check this out!!!

playing with horses

My dear friend, Betty, (who I have known from the dog world nearly forever) has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the horses!!! She was so excited when she called me over the weekend and found out that they had arrived. Since she was on vacation this week... I told her to save a day and come and play. And yesterday morning, when I went out to feed, there was Betty waiting for me!!!

We had a wonderful day together!!! Betty is working with my trainer, Laura.. she is a bit undecided about whether she wants to learn to ride or not... but she does want to have good handling skills, so she and Laura are working together on "horsemanship" and horse knowledge. I admire Betty for being so smart and wanting to learn from the bottom up... too many folks decide "I want a horse"... then buy one, and have no idea what they have gotten into. Betty does amazing work with her Newfoundland.. so I knew that she would be an excellent "horse student".

We turned the boys out for some grazing time, and Betty... picked up a fork and got to work on the stalls!!!! I NEVER deny anyone who wants to come and pick stalls (hint, hint!!) We chatted all the time about horses, dogs, building (she is very clever and loves to hear all about the construction side of the house and barn!!) and the time flew by.

We pulled Mocha out and put her in harness... (oh my word... I forgot to tell everyone.... Ed bought a cart for Mocha... I must get some blog photos of that!!!) anyways, Mocha is in great need of a ton of ground driving before we hitch her... but, with Betty's help, the "lesson" went well.

Then I thought it would be fun to get Tonka in harness and do a little ground work with him. He hasn't been in harness since last spring when Butch and Becky came to help... so I was wondering how he would be. I have to say, all in all, he went quite well.... he had a couple of "sticky" spots past a boat with a blue tarp on it (that's ok... I have a tarp and can fix that).... and he wasn't quite sure of that big dirt pile (looked a bit like a horse eating monster I am sure)... but Betty's calmness on the lead rope and my driving from behind, we conquered both those things, and by the end of the time, he passed quietly by and hardly noticed a thing. I did have him stand for a bit on the ties, still in harness, I don't want to get into the habit of "we're done and lets rush to the stall". Actually I think he was happy to have all the attention, but training on a positive note is key, and if he thinks his harness is fun.... all the better!!!!

Now, as I said, Betty has a beautiful Newfie... which she brought with her!!! so nothing doing... I couldn't let her go without trying to get a photo of P'trosh and Mocha together!!!! Not too much difference in size.... I told P'trosh that I might even hook him to Mocha's cart!!!!

Happy Labor day!!!!

My Ed used to "hate" Labor Day.... when he was a young kid, his parents used to rent out their big house in York, which over looked the ocean. While the house was rented for the summer, the family would move to Acton and spend the summer on the lake, living in their little camp. Because of this, Ed has many fond memories of Acton.. and it is no wonder that he was happy to move here this fall.

But, as every child knows... when Labor Day rolls around, the fall is close and schools open again... for Ed it meant leaving "camp" and heading back to school... and he always dreaded the day. He even "hated" hearing back to school ads on TV and Fall previews.. for they were always reminders that the summer was closing.

This year finds us in a very different spot, and instead of leaving the lake on Labor Day weekend, Ed has actually gotten to "move in"... and as we watched the other camp owners pack up their camps (and their kids)... we sat back and enjoyed knowing that this does not pertain to us!!!

The day started out with two very happy horses enjoying some time on the grass. I really didn't sleep too well last night, I don't know if I was totally excited about the fact that the horses were here.. or worried that the horses were here.. either way... if we had electricity... I would certainly have gone down in the middle of the night to make sure all was well... since we don't I had to wait until daylight!!! Everyone was fine and wondering "where breakfast was" when I arrived.

Ed and I did some more work on the fence, but we also decided to take some time today and simply enjoy. We invited the family up for a cookout, and the afternoon couldn't have been nicer...

here is Dave... doing what you should on Labor Day!!!!

The kids are enjoying the lake and getting in the last of the season swims.... another few weeks and we will be taking the docks out of the water!!!

After the cookout, I had to get back to the barn to feed supper. Everyone decided it would be fun to go down with me and check out the barn and see the horses in their new home. Since many of them thought they would just head home after that, we had a regular parade of cars heading to the barn. My niece wanted to wear her "new boots" to show the horses!!!!

Sadie couldn't wait to pull ol Silver out and take him for a little ride up the driveway. He seemed pretty happy to be out and about. We don't really ride him anymore... but for jumping on and taking a little spin, he is game (and yes... I know... no shoes!!! no helmet!!!... but she is 20 and is going to do it her way.. no matter what Mom says!!!) Naomi thought that she might just sit on Silver with her cousin.... had to get a couple of shots of that!!!!

So, Labor Day has turned a new corner for Ed... and maybe he will actually be able to say.... "I like Labor Day"... hope you all have a fun holiday..... and now onto the fall....

it's just like Christmas!!! (part one)

Have you ever had a blessing from the Good Lord, where your most "never could happen" dream had come true??? If not, then it is my sincere prayer that one day... you may be granted your furthest wish... for it is an amazing thing.

When I was 8 years old and falling in love with horses, I dreamed of a day when I "would own a farm and have "lots" of horses". The first part of that dream came true 11 years ago, when.... (encouraged by my dear hubby) I bought my first horse, and really "owned a horse of my own!!!"

Then, when that dear old horse (Silver) had to be retired and I talked about a second horse..... our plans for "owning a farm" began to take shape....

And as you all know, all winter long, Ed has been working on "my" beautiful barn.....


but today.... the horses are "officially and forever.... HOME!!!"




Mocha was the first to arrive. Sadie went with me to load and bring her home, while Ed stayed at the barn to finish up some little things (like stops on the doors, latches finished up... some raking done on the pasture).

Mocha was quite pleased with the tour of her new home.... she was very curious with everything and checked it all as Sadie walked her about...

She seems pleased with her new stall.... nice and roomy... course, she would like a little hay please!!!!

it's just like Christmas!!!! (part two)

After we got Mocha settled, it was back down to York to get "the big boys"... mind you, its an hour's ride one way... so just getting Mocha was overall .... a three hour trip.

Again, dear Sadie was there to help. We couldn't leave Teresa's barn with dirty stalls, so once the boys were loaded in the trailer... Sadie and I mucked their stalls, Ed swept the floor and we left the barn... empty... but clean. I felt so bad for Teresa's little mare... Daisy... as she called and called when the boys left the barn... and for the first time in her life, she will be all alone in her own little barn......

By the time we arrive "home"... it was dark.. since we don't have electricity in the barn... Ed fired up the generator so we could have some lights to see by.

I have never seen the barn "lit" before, and it looked warm and cozy... definitely an inviting place to be....

Tonka has been here before (remember we brought him up last spring and did some driving work with Becky and Butch)... so he was pretty comfortable walking into his stall, and checking out the pile of hay that was waiting for him there.

Silver was a little less sure of where he was... but with Mocha on one side of him, and Tonka on the other... it didn't take him too long to figure it that everything will be OK.

I wished I had been able to get them home in the daylight and give them a little tour like we did with Mocha... but that can be done tomorrow....

tomorrow.... I will walk "our horses" on "our land".... it certainly feels just like Christmas!!!!!!

" Hey Mom... what's all the noise out there... I am trying to get some sleep???"

a busy week

It amazes me at how fast time can fly. Nearly a week ago, Ed and Dave were heading to North Carolina for Nate and Kas.... now they are "home" and the "transition" has begun.

"We" have been fortunate to get a second cut of hay here in the southern part of the state. It has been such a wet summer, that many "haymen" were not able to get a first cut. But, the weather seems to have turned for the better and those who were able to cut in June, are cutting again. Our own personal field was cut just this past week... it's one and only cut, but it looked good. Since the hay isn't the highest of quality, we just have Joe take whatever he can get off the field. He uses it to feed his cattle, and if he is happy to do the work, we are happy to just have him take the hay. He puts it into round bales, and the field looks so much better having been cut. We don't know exactly how much of it we will use for pasture when the horses live here, but for now, we are happy to have it knocked down.

Ed, Dave, Kas and Nate arrived home very early Friday morning (around 1:30 am) they would have made better time, but got hung up in Conn. due to road paving. They spent almost three hours in traffic. I tried to wait up for them, but since I had to meet Dean and have the horses feet trimmed, I just couldn't wait up any later. I bearly heard them come in.

I snuck out fairly early, and left everyone still sleeping, by the time I got back, Kas and Nate were up and eager to start the day. We still had some packing of things, but they wanted to get a few of their own things in the house. It seemed odd that as soon as Ed and I had something out... Kas and Nate had something in. It was a full day's work, but the end of the evening... they were pretty well in and we were pretty well out. I am excited to see what changes they will make with the house. And so, Ed and I headed north to home..... Acton!!!

Today, we worked on fencing!!! Once we get an area fenced in, we can move the horses up!!! Because it has been so long since they have had "pasture" I am choosing to keep them in a smaller space. In time, we will have a larger area for them, but for now, it is safer to keep them on a small amount of grass.

It is a real blessing to have that post hole digger for the tractor!!!

We have a double gate in the front ... this will be a big help when we have snow to move next winter!!!The rest will be done in electric fence, which our horses respect and will be fairly easy to move whenever we chose to do that.

With luck we will bring the horses up sometime within the next couple of days. This will be a very exciting day.... for all the work that Ed has put into the barn will finally be coming true. We still have to get stalls ready, and do some picking up, finish the fence of course, so we don't know exactly when this will all be done... but it will be soon..... stay posted....