Saturday Sighting?

As I ate my lunch today, I decided to sit where I could see the bird feeder. The cardinal families are eating with a vengeance and are so fun to watch. As are the woodpeckers and even the common sparrows. Everyone has something to contribute to the entertainment around here. Much better than tv.

One bird in particular caught my eye. A dove. By him or herself. Eating with the little birds. No other doves around........watching........thinking.........isn't that odd?.........wouldn't it be cool?.........could it be?..........Woodstock?!? While I have no way to be certain, I grabbed a quick picture just in case.



As a side note, I am trying to go back and label each post so that if, say, you wanted to read all the Woodstock stories, you could just click that label. I started doing this with all the entries several months ago, but wish I'd been doing that all along. As usual, why do I always have to be the one that everyone else can use to learn from my mistakes. Sigh.

Boo Makes A Bad Decision

Poor Boo spent much of his life in a kennel. And while we think he really enjoys living out on the farm with us, we know he'd be even happier if we didn't have a closed gate out at the road.

Boo sleeps very soundly. At least we think he's sleeping very soundly. So soundly that frequently you find yourself staring at him just to make sure he's still breathing. Somehow, even in that state, he's completely aware of what's happening around him. We have yet to figure out how he knows that the front gate has been opened and goes from dead to the world to trotting (now walking) down the lane in literally a matter of seconds.

Last night was one of those times. He apparently had a great time though. It was written all over his face. And doesn't he look quite proud of his garland of dried flowers....and burrs. Holy cow, Boo!!!



Even in the midst of grooming tragedy (from head to tail!), look who's still standing by his friend.



Through thick or thin.

Garden Oasis

We are horribly dry here in central Kentucky, so I was surprised the other morning when I snapped a couple garden shots - green!



We did get a little, much appreciated, rain yesterday, but apparently these late summer plants and flowers can get along just fine. Miss Mollie, the scarecrow, is doing just fine as well, although she's been getting about as much spinning done as I have lately. Sigh.



Equally refreshing, Boo and Comby. I just can't get over these two. I hope Boo's trying to impart some advice about getting along with everyone and staying out of trouble.

"Some Pig"

While I can't read "spider", I do have a general idea of what she might be trying to say...

Charlotte's Web remains one of my favorite stories and is one of the few beloved books from my childhood I've carried around throughout my entire life. What were some of your favorites? Which ones did you check out from the library time and time again? Which stories do you remember a favorite teacher reading out loud?

Check out What Book Got You Hooked? Yesterday I voted for the Little House series and asked them to send 50,000 books to Kentucky. Today I think I'll vote for Charlotte. Tomorrow maybe The Boxcar Children... As they say, vote early and vote often and for a good cause.

Birthday Bash

Saint Tim said everyone should get to have one big party. I think one big party might be all you can manage - whew!

Buddy, Boudreaux and Ewen McTeagle sent out the invitations and announced it was my birthday and I wanted lots of presents, but only things that the local humane society could use. They also shilled for some cookies and several people fell for it, to their great delight.

Our wonderful guests filled a trailer with 183 lbs of cat litter, 213 lbs of dog food, 145 lbs of cat food, bags of towels, blankets, biscuits, beds, kennels, bowls, scratching posts, leashes, collars, toys, paper towels, jackets and other miscellaneous items. They also put together $390...as of this morning - goodies and money are still trickling in. Holy cow, you guys!

And, not only are you generous, but you're good company as well. We had beekeepers who opened our hive to check for honey, a spinner working with some beautiful wool and fielding questions all afternoon, another friend who did a very short (too hot!) herding demonstration with one of her fabulous border collies (Iris thought he was pretty cool, too ;-), people who made us laugh, people who warmed our hearts, people we hadn't seen in awhile that were so nice to visit with (way too briefly), some neighbors we hadn't met before that we were so happy to finally meet, and I'd like to think some ghosts of parties past might have been there as well.

And how about that food! We really couldn't have asked for anything more. Well, other than more time to sit down and visit (see second sentence). Luckily some folks brought cameras, because I never even got mine out (again see second sentence). John and Reg took these priceless pics. Thank you!!!


Iris couldn't believe there was actually meat cooking on our farm.

Ben was a huge hit...with the people.

Could this little girl be any cuter?

Special birthday greeting from the real party princess.

The next morning I walked out to check the carnage (none) and enjoyed a cup of coffee under the now quiet tent.



Aren't these flowers just beautiful - thanks to my good friends who braved the heat to walk out to the Frog Pond to cut and arrange them - a truly special gift.

We'd like to again thank everyone, especially friends and family who travelled many miles. We cherish your friendship.

Saint Tim and the crazy sheep lady