One thing, about having a puppy in the house, AND covering a few extra days at the post.... you get to see some pretty amazing sunrises around here. I appreciate seeing them, but there is something pretty amazing about my comfy bed and quilts too..... at least there isn't a foot of snow and wind .... right now....
We have fired up the "little" stove a few times, the weather has been on the damp side, and this certainly takes the chill off. Actually, by the time the evening is over, we are usually opening the windows, because it's too hot in the house. But, something about the first "fires" of the season......
Rylie is growing in leaps and bounds, and her puppy look is fading fast. She's doing very well and loves to go to puppy school. She's a little "worker" for sure and just wants to learn what you have to teach....
Kas and I saw this "dress" a few weeks ago, and nothing doing.. Tee Tee just had to go and get it for Abbie. Needless to say, Abbie was more than delighted when she saw it and put it on right away. That was on a Saturday night.. the next morning as we were getting ready for church.. Abbie announced that she was ready to go.... in her "weddin' " dress. At first Sadie said no, but really what's the harm.... so off we went to church, bride in tow. I can't tell you how many smiles she brought the to folks at church... and out right laughter when the kids headed to Sunday school and Abbie ran up the isle "yelling" -- "come on, let's get to church!!!" She brings smiles to us everyday........
I've had a hankerin' for turkey these past couple of days. "Sadly" the gobblers we are raising aren't "ready" yet... so, one rainy afternoon, I ran down tot he store to buy a turkey to cook......
Wouldn't you know, on the way home... these two crossed my path. Now, I have never had "wild" turkey... don't really plan on having any.. but I thought it was ironic.. that I have a "store" bought in the back.. and a "real in the front"...
Actually, these are too pretty to eat.....
Keep a low profile, guys... it's bird season afterall.......
Happy October...... my favorite month, actually, it's the start of my favorite season... from now until January, this is when I am the "happiest". I love the weather, the changing of the seasons.. the approach of the holidays... it's all good. I have always loved this time of year....
so, it was (is) extra special that Kass was born on October 1st!!!! I loved having that little baby to take dog walking the first fall that she was here. And I have never missed one birthday with her... even when she was married and moved away... we spent everyone of her birthdays together. So, I wasn't about to break "tradition" this year, and on my way to teach dog classes, I popped by her work to deliever a little cake.....
And check on grandbaby #2.......
Happy birthday Kass..... we love you!!!!!
"Life with Rylie" is going very well.. and it's so much fun to have a puppy in the house!!! She's growing fast and it amazes me (still) at how quickly puppies learn.. and how much time is often wasted when they are so young and can be learning...
She had her "first" vet visit this past week.. (first with me, she has seen a vet before).. and the wonderful people at Down Maine Vet Clinic have (yet again) agreed to sponsor my service dog. (Which means.. all vet care is donated)... I love these folks, not just for the care of the service dogs.. but for the care of all my pets... they are so welcoming and very clever when it comes to the care of animals!!!!!
Now, somewhere under this big (wonderful) lug of a dog is my little Rylie. Her new friend is "Monty" and he's just a little St. Bernard puppy (about 10 months old) weighing in at about 130 lbs. He's a real sweetie pie...
Good thing when you see him next to his "daddy" and know that he's not done growing yet!!!! The first dog that I can remember is a Saint, his name was Cesar, and there are tons of photos of me as a small child with a big Saint at my side. I loved that dog, and can remember the day we had to say goodbye to him. If it weren't for the slobber... I would have another....
Hard to believe that this was also our week to check in at NEADS.... another whole month has come (and almost) gone... Rylie got to meet up with her brother, Norton when we arrived. They were so happy to see each other again. There is one more pup related to these two being raised as a service dog.. but that one has gone into the prison program....so, we more than likely won't run into her, but it will be fun to watch these two together.
First part of the day.... the "round table"... where Dave goes over the "how has the month been". This was hard for little
Rylie to be still for so long, but she did a pretty good job of it.
And look who joined the party.... "muppet boy"... Dave is really enjoying him and he's doing good work with all the service puppies in training. So nice for me to be able to hug him once a month.......
Rylie, waiting to get the show on the road.....
EEWWWW.... who or what is this creepy guy???? Actually none other that our Dave!!! Test for the day... how do the dogs react when "something strange approaches the car".... happy to tell you, the puppies just looked at him like "really Dave...." (whew test, passed!!!!)
Into the city we go. It was such a pretty day, that we took advantage and made some trips around the park. I think the dogs did better than I did... the park was pretty crowded. But not even that so much as the language that I heard. Ya, know, I just not used to hearing such fowl language used as everyday words... it was appalling... I didn't want my puppy hearing such words....sad to think that this is the "road our young people are on"....
Rylie looks so little in the big city.......
but, I have to say, she trucked right along and did everything that was asked of her. She also was the star of the show and drew alot of attention... which she took all in stride.
We camped out for awhile near a bus stop. Good exposure to sounds, smells and sights.... she was as "cool" as she could be ..Dave is very happy with her. My prediction is... she'll be a service dog without any trouble....
Because we spent time in the park, we missed out on the train this visit. And by the time we got to the hospital for a bite to eat and a little rest... this little girl was down for the count. One thing about puppies, they either running or sleeping......
Couple of quick trips in the elevator....
Which, for the older puppies is old hat, so Rylie thought "no big" deal... and then we were packing up and heading north. Another day, gone zooming by. There's hoping that next month's visit, we might be able to see one of the prisons and meet some of the inmates that are in the puppy training program. For us who raise these little guys, it would be nice to see the next step that the puppies go to...but, we can't just walk into the prison, there are steps that have to be taken..so we'll wait and see if it can be worked out. And more than likely photos won't be allowed, but we'll see how it all goes.
And September comes to an end.. with the "fear" that October will zip by just as quick... we still have lots of projects to finish before the snow flies... it might be a race to the wire!!!!
A few years ago, Ed and I went to the Common Ground Fair. We really enjoyed ourselves and said that it would be a fair that we would like to visit often.... however, with time and commitments, we haven't been able to go back... until this year. We really even weren't sure we could go this year, but suddenly we both had the day off from work, and we have Sadie and Denise to "farm sit".. and the day opened up, and we went... kinda of last minute.
This is a very nice fair, and very back to basics and "earthly" (for lack of a better word). There is no mid-way, no bright lights (which means it closes at dark), it's all organic, including the food and the way of life. You can't buy soda there, food is fried but in very pure oils... breads are whole grain.. and it's all delicious.
But what I really enjoyed seeing are the "modern ways" of living simply. I loved these little "houses"... you build them into the side of a hill, and they can be used for all kinds of storage, even a root cellar.
This one was a chicken coop -- though you see, the kids had more fun in it. If I had the money, my chickens would be living in style in one of these, for sure!!!!
It's all very geared to the family. As I said, no mid way of rides, but you can use a piece of cardboard and slide down the hill. They also had a whole craft area just for kids, they could do pottery, painting, spinning, cooking, gardening... just a big variety of different things....
There are gardens all around the fair, with all kinds of things in them. You can take workshops on planting and raising food all organic.
The "home" section has all sorts of demos... solar power is very popular, as is wind. They have timber frame homes, the latest in insulation and keeping your house warm... pretty much, if you wanted to build a "green" house, it's all right here.
But, you just have to know, my favorite part were the animals. And unlike the last fair we went to.. there were tons of animals here. Livestock of every kind, birds of every kind and work shops on how to have the animals help out with your lifestyle and farm.
We sat in on a talk about guinea fowl (proper name) and all the good things they can do on your farm.... and then we popped over to a clinic on harnessing a horse. (Nice little Percheron mare!!!) It was fun to listen and see how familiar all these things are to us now.
The crafts and fiber were my next favorite. These little ornaments are gourds......
Very cute!!!!!!
I loved watching this waterer.... it would look so nice in any type of garden....
And the fiber and yarns!!!! Most hand spun, and all hand dyed. We went from tent to tent ... me trying to decide what "needed to come with me".... (Ed gave up and looked on his own, I was taking so long!!!)
Another nice team of Percheron's... (they seem to be a popular breed here)... these guys did a demo in plowing with a team.....
Back to food.... I can't remember all that we ate, but every bite was grand... my day ended with home made pumpkin spice ice cream.... the best!!!!!!!
As we were leaving, I heard a familiar sound, and caught this flock of geese heading south. Yup, a sure sign, the season is changing....
but, I finally made up my mind and came home with these "goodies", and now when the wintery winds are blowing, I'll have something to occupy my time. Fall in New England... it doesn't get any better than that.
We opened the pasture completely up a few weeks back. Time for the "boys" to get as much grass as possible before the winter weather arrives. I love seeing them out, and it's saving big time on the hay bill. Abbie loves to see them so close to the house, and she often calls out to them.....
Honey (Denise's horse) is all settled in her new home as well. She likes hanging out with the big guys....
It is certainly fair time here in New England, and we were off to see another fair not far from home. Though, as far as "fairs" go... this one is more on the carnival side and less on the animal side. Really not my "type" of fair, but it sure was fun for Abbie.
She's into the rides, and is fearless when it comes to trying them. Because she likes to go.. I find myself trying rides that I haven't done in a long time....
Wasnt' too sure about the Ferris wheel.. but it does give you a good view.....
Abbie thought it was great. Now, this fair costs you a bit to get in, but all the rides are included int he price. Which worked out fine for us....
We met up with Kass and Nate... and then Katie and Craig... so Abbie had plenty of folks to do the rides with. As I said, we didn't see much in the animals... mostly did rides with Abbie
There were a few "not so traditional" animals as well. I admit, I felt bad for this giraffe, but he certainly was fun to see. I hope his whole life isn't from fair to fair....
And some piggies.....
and then more rides. I think our next fair visit is going to be "more traditional" (animals, quilts, canning...)
But who can resist that smile of joy.....
And of course, a wonderful memory....
