A GOOD EGG

Well, I have had a response from Nellie's Eggs. First they offered me a coupon for one egg, (.30) then retracted and offered me a free dozen. I thanked them for responding to my e-mail's and informed them their acknowledgement was a credit to their character and no refund was necessary. In all honesty I was just curious to see if I would receive a reply. So, that being said I will continue to purchase Nellie's eggs, that is, till Gladys and the girls get busy. Three weeks and counting!

ONE EGG

Yesterday morning I went grocery shopping. Came home, started putting groceries away, opened the egg carton and did a double take. Eleven eggs. Eleven eggs, hummm, this has never happened before. I purchased organic free range eggs, on the carton was an e-mail address to contact if you had any issues. I sent them a humorous e-mail, not expecting a reply. This morning I did receive a reply. They offered to send me a coupon for the amount of the missing egg. Out of curiosity I e-mailed them back saying I would take them up on their offer. How much do you think one egg is worth? I have no idea, but I'll keep you posted!

THE MAINE COAST

If you happen to visit the rocky coast of Maine, you will be met by the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. You will surely encounter a true scavenger, the seagull. And If you happen to look out on the horizon you might see a lobster boat returning for the day.Off in the distance the Calender Island's of Casco Bay. You might see sloops passing in the evening breeze. And a head light

A most famous head light

The majestic Portland Head Light, located in Cape Elizabeth Maine.

Maine worth a visit, worth a lifetime.

BUSY BEE

I am happy to report someone is being a busy bee around here this morning, certainly not me. This humid weather is starting to wear me down. It makes my body feel heavy and lethargic. Oops sorry, Winslow is after the fox- gotta go- so much for feeling lethargic. Till later!

"JULIE AND JULIA"

Just returned home from seeing the movie "Julie and Julia". Oh what fun it is. I enjoyed it so much I had DH make a pit stop at Border's to purchase these books, Julia's "MyLife In France" and "Julie and Julia" ( which the movie was adapted from). If you are of a certain age, as am I, and recall a "skit" from Saturday Night Live featuring Dan Aykroyd as Julia Child, go relive those very humorous moments! And yes, if you are wondering, I will be tying my apron strings on and attempting Julia's recipe for Beef Bourguignon!

GLADYS

My husband frequently asks how do I tell the girls apart. Well, there are the obvious characteristics. Size, temperament, breed, sex, (well we're still on the fence about that one) and feathers.Well, one feather that is. Gladys is the Barred Rock with one rogue feather. With all this humid weather we are experiencing her tail feathers have taken on a mind of their own. I reassure her she's starting a fashion trend and to ignore all that snickering that goes on in the hen house. And besides her daddy knows her name.!

MORNING SURPRISE

This morning I discovered a lone poppy growing in my vegetable garden. A gift from mother nature or perhaps a feathered friend.

Winslow Homer

Here is my handsome boy Winslow-Homer, newly "fresh" from an at home "spa treatment". Winslow is a Cairn Terrier and believes he is a big dog in a little dog's body. He has a mind of his own and grooming is not always a positive experience. (Winslow is "the" dog that has the red check mark by his name, earned for his naughty behavior at the groomers.). So now, instead of stressing about his behavior, I do it myself. Today I pulled the garden hose out to warm in the sun, brushed out his puckers, gave him a haircut and bathed him. Once dry, a second brushing. "Oh Winslow not only do you look good, but smell like" lavender in summertime". How short lived that was. I had no more put things away when I discovered he was covered in puckers once again. Those nasty little green things that stick like glue.

And of course to top it off he just had to roll in chicken poop. I think Gladys and the girls were secretly laughing at me.

Winslow it's time out for you! (Boy,I haven't said that in a while)

Just wait till your daddy gets home!

HAZY HOT AND HUMID

It certainly felt like a typical New England summer day, hazy hot and humid. But, there is a change a coming. This evening while watching the local news, the weatherman informed us our day's are getting shorter. That would be one hour and thirty-nine minutes shorter. It's true my friends autumn is creeping upon us!

OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE

I love old houses, there is a certain feeling you experience when walking through. I love the creaking sound of the old wide pine floors- the bubbles in the panes of the old glass windows- and if you're fortunate, to learn the history of the house and it former owner's. This white washed saltbox with a simple white picket fence is just charming. I would plant cosmos, phlox, nasturtiums and roses in the front yard.

A Gambrel roofed cape shingled with pine shakes. An old fashioned rose climbing the front arbor.

I would love to have this style of fence enclosing my field's. I can imagine sheep dotting the scenery.

And this for my means of transportation. I would store plenty of apples and carrots in my larder.

And to enjoy the ability to sit and work in garden while the world passed by.

RACHEL CARSON NATIONAL REFUGE WALKWAY

An early morning walk is a single blessing for the whole day~Henry David Thoreau

MY INNER VOICE

The day began with glorious sunshine, well earned if I must say so. I greeted the girl's, "top of the morning to you ladies" and was just about to release them for the day, when I had this feeling or as I refer to it "my inner voice" telling me "NO, DON'T DO IT" So, I offered them strawberries instead. I went about my morning working in my gardens and happened to notice three momma turkeys with their twelve babies enjoying their morning stroll. They proceeded to walk through the yard by the coop. My girls stood completely still and did not make a peep. The turkeys gave them the once over and then made their way into the woods. I thought nothing more. Till all of a sudden I heard this horrendous screeching, like a cat fight only with "gobbling" thrown in. I grabbed the closest tool I had, and ran towards the noise. Yup, thats right a fox- the same very LARGE fox that I had encountered at the end of my driveway- the same fox that was under my bedroom window "howling" last night. This fox had killed three of the baby turkeys. That being bad enough, the sound of the momma turkey calling out to her babies was heart wrenching. So, this evening while visiting with family from Oregon, I asked my nephew to please see what Winslow Homer was barking at, Winslow can lose control over a mosquito. Geoff ran back in and said "there is a HUGE fox out there". Now, Winslow has been known to venture into woodchuck holes and shall we say have a little "go around". I thought great, all I need is to deal with Winslow and a HUGE fox. But, as I type this Winslow has been rounded up, puckers and all. My girls are locked up tight for the night, and that very LARGE fox is lurking out there somewhere in the dark. Gladys and the girls will not be free ranging anytime soon, that is, till I get the key to my son's gun cabinet. Watch out Mr. VERY LARGE fox this is war!!!!!!!!!!!! Tristan, I need the key to your gun cabinet!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday DadAge is just a number, mine remains unlisted!

MISTER or MISS?

Okay, here are Pip and Pearl, my Ameraucana's: Pip on the left and Pearl on the right. Here's the thing. My friend Becky came for a visit last week to see my "girls" ( she is from a fourth generation farming family) and these words came out of her mouth, "oh I see you have a ROOSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " as she pointed towards Pearl. "See those tail feather's- those belong to a ROOSTER". Oh, Lordy. Becky spoke the words I have been dreading, but dared not utter. Please don't misunderstand- I have nothing against roosters, I just don't want one. This is a girls only club, no boys allowed!

Now, I'm still not 100% sure. Pearl has not made a "crowing" sound, has not picked on anyone, but there is something about those tail feathers that has me worried. Pearl's tail feathers appear more erect and fan like than Pip's. So, all you wonderful chicken keeper's out there, got any advice? I have a feeling I'm going to need it!

ISLAND BOUND

My Bean bag is packed and I'm off to the island, see you later in the week. My DH is on "chook" duty. Say a prayer, Amen.

THE COG RAILWAY

The Mt. Washington Railway uses 7 steam locomotives and 2 that run on bio-diesel, one new this year. The train departs from the western side of the mountain and is a six mile ride up. On a clear day you can see for miles. Hold on, though, it feels like you're going straight up!!

July 3, 1869 Old Peppersass became the first cog-driven train to climb Mt. Washington. Nowadays it takes 1,000 gallons of water and 1 ton of coal to make the trip with one of the steam locomotives. At no time are the locomotive and passenger coach coupled to each other. The locomotive pushes the car up the track and remains in the same position for the trip down. On the way down, one of the crew mans the passenger coach brake to assist in keeping control. It's a great ride, surely one of a kind! Here's a shortcut to the Cog's website. Enjoy:

http://www.thecog.com/

THE GRANITE STATE

When it's a beautiful sunny day and your husband is on call, ( no, not a physician ) you take advantage of the situation and head out to the great outdoors. For us it was a day spent on Mt. Washington, located in New Hampshire. Mt. Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, with an elevation of 6,288 feet above sea level. Mt. Washington holds the all-time surface wind speed record of 231 miles per hour dated April 10th 1934. We drove to the summit which is 8 miles of winding twists and turns. ( not for the faint of heart ) The air temperature was 54 degrees perfect for hiking numerous trails and enjoying a picnic.

Yup, you guessed it those are train tracks. Also pictured is the auto road and hiking trails.

Another means of travel to the mountain is by Cog Railway. More to come on that tomorrow!

THE EVENING SKY

There are subtle signs of fall approaching. The days are becoming shorter, the night sky with a hint of pink. Leaves are starting to change and crickets are taking on their evening song.

THE FLUME

Saturday we woke to a lovely sunny summer day and opted to forgo chores and take a field trip. We headed to Franconia Notch, New Hampshire home of the Flume. The Flume is a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mt. Liberty. The walls of granite rise 70 to 90 feet and range 12 to 20 feet apart. Every year hundreds of feet of the Flume's pathway is removed due to large amounts of ice build up on the walls of the flume gorge. Ice can become 3 to 4 feet thick and rise up to 80 feet on the walls. The pathway is rebuilt every spring to enable visitors to walk this lovely trail. The hike was 2 miles, lots of spots for photo opts, and the mist of the flume keeping you cool along the way.

Yes, thats me in the black shirt, see my hair is gone!

Honey, take the darn picture we're holding up traffic!

What a beautiful day, um honey, did you close the coop door?