YES OR NO?

Sadie Mae, my recently adopted shelter kitty...has expressed her desire to explore the great outdoors...Her plea is constant and continual as she sits by the front door watching the world go by...okay, watching the birds and insects fly by...so here's the question, if Sadie Mae were your kitty would you allow her free range? I would love to hear what you think...Thank you...

YES INDEED~

Remember the teeny tiny egg? It did indeed contain a teeny tiny yolk...go figure...

Have an enjoyable weekend everyone....

JUST DO IT!

It is no secret that I adore my chickens...I currently have a flock of 16, fourteen hens and two roosters. My best gal however, is Gladys...she is a Barred Rock and is one of the orignal hens from my first flock of ten, now three years old...out of those original ten I have five remaining, two Barred, two Buffs and one Americuana. These five hens are more like pets, they respond when called, sit to be picked up, enjoy treats and from time to time have had the pleasure of residing inside the house at the chicken hotel/infirmery...No car ride...as of yet! My gal Gladys has attitude, she knows she's a good looking gal, why the way she sways her rear end is quite indecent, never mind that it's bald...My chickens have provided us here at Dog Trot Farm with over four thousand eggs, and with the aid of Don Juan a hatching of chicks.

I do realize that in the not so distant future, the girls egg production will slow and eventually end. They need not worry, there is no stew pot in their future, just senior ladies living the good life. Pictured below are three regular sized eggs, three banty eggs, and one teeny tiny first egg..

First eggs are so special, yet I have never had one so tiny. A product of one of my latest full sized hens, which hen I'm not sure. Time will tell. Tonight, however, I'm going to crack the egg, I'm curious to see its yolk...a picture for tomorrow's post...now if you are on the fence about getting some chicks, jump off that fence and just do it!

HAPPINESS~

It's the little things in life that puts a smile on my face...warm days and cool nights... the realization that Autumn is just around the corner... watching late summer blooms dancing in the cool evening breeze...

discovering Jack Be Little pumpkins...two in white and four in orange...survived... despite a beetle infestation...

A trip to HomeGoods...a twenty dollar budget... purchased... orange/clove hand soap, I discovered this product on someone's blog, I'm sorry I don't recall which blog it was, but I thank you for bringing this product to my attention, a Yankee Candle and a Yankee Candle car refreshener in the scent Candy Corn...black and orange paper straws and a wooden twig pencil with an owl topper...love owls...

and with Autumn on my mind, I decided to dust off my ceramic pumkins... bought at the Dollar Tree last year, and if you are wondering... yes... they do have them in stock again this year...I tuck them in nooks and crannies...a simple delight...now Winslow Homer enjoys the simple things in life too ... chicken treats, short walks, a favorite toy and recently guarding over Travis Lloyd...this may not be simple...especially being an old blind dog...but...three days per week Winslow Homer and I are on baby duty and enjoying every moment...

At three months Travis enjoys carriage rides on the bumpy dirt driveway, is partial to the color red, and loves being read to...

and I recently discovered Travis smiles in his sleep... simple pleasures...it's what makes my world go around...how about you? do tell...

SUBTLE SIGNS~

This morning the sun dawned sunny and bright with the air dry and cool...a much welcomed relief. Subtle signs of Fall are now beginning to be seen as well as heard...my small friend took a moment from his "busy work" and allowed me the opportunity to snap a photo. Mr. chipmunk's cheek pouches found stretched to the brim with a future winter's day snack...acorns... Mr.Thaddeus P. Scarecrow informed me that he was more than ready to be removed from storage. I happily obliged, out of the dark cellar he came, happy to once again see the light of day.

Afternoon shadows now appear ealier in the day...the cricket's song is sung loud and clear...

crows are found taking their position in nooks and crannies of the old homestead...

butterflies...

dot the landscape...

the flowers of Summer...

are ready to relinquish their role to the flowers of Autumn...I hope you too have enjoyed this beautiful day, blessings.

A DAY OF SADNESS~

Yesterday began as any other ordinary day, but by day's end it would no longer be, it would become a day of sadness and grief... A brilliant, courageous young man...a Navy Seal... was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. My family and I had the honor of meeting this man, the new husband of our niece, who also serves in the Navy, when he traveled to Maine to meet the family and enjoy the Christmas holiday. A young couple with hopes and dreams of a happy life together. In the blink of an eye, life can change. My heart aches for Emily and her husband's family. Please know that my thoughts as well as those from my island family are with you. Tonight dear blogging friends, if you would keep Emily in your prayer's, as well as those brave soldiers who continue to fight for our freedom, I would be forever grateful. Blessings, Julie.

THE DREADED MIGRAINE

Pumpkins...last year's photo of course, but it is a vision I am longing for. It has been so humid here for far too long. I am ready for cool crisp dry air and for all the wonderful delights that Fall brings. Yesterday was not a good day...MIGRAINE...My head was throbbing, throbbing with a capital "T" actually it has been throbbing since the humid weather arrived. Yesterday I had an appointment in the big city (Portland, the city by the sea) with my primary care physican, time for the annual physical...My physican was running late, I was not. Besides being late another gripe I have with physicians, would it be to much to ask to keep current updated magazines on hand? Nothing is worse than perusing a year old magazine while waiting for your name to be called. Finally, an appearance. How are you she inquired? My head is pounding I sputter, and I hit and killed a squirrel and a seagull on my way here. Surprise, I did get a reaction out of her. Alas, my visit went well, bone density and mamogram scheduled for next week, nothing new for the migraine, grin and bear it. Easier said than done. However, the good news is I have kept the weight off that I lost while on Weight Watchers, surprise...surprise...Now this little guy, he's spending three days a week with his Granny. If anything can help my migraines...while "grinning and bearing" it's Travis...

His magic brings a song to my heart and a smile to my face, plus he's good company while I attempt to pull feathers from the underneath of my car...

~SUNFLOWERS~

Sunflowers, such happy flowers, they can't but help put a smile on your face... they stand tall and erect, as watchmen over the garden...sunflowers are a favorite of our feathered friends as well as backyard chipmunks and squirrels...my sunflower travelled all the way from Bakersfield, California...it arrived as a seed, a packet of seeds sent from my dear blogging friend Kim. Kim grows the most beautiful sunflowers in her Field Of Dreams. This sunflower is a symbol of friendship and kindness from one friend to another. And such a lovely way to put a smile on this friends face...

UP TO CAMP~

I have been up to camp. A small slice of heaven found at the foothills of western maine. A place where cell phone and internet service are sketchy at best, and you might as well forget about television reception... Camp is a place where you are happily awakened by the early morning serenade of web footed feathered friends...

and lulled to sleep each night by the cry of the loon as it echos across the lake...

Camp... where berry picking is a sport and a three mile daily hike is a must...

camp...where one's daily uniform dries quickly in the afternoon sun...

and a place where a grandbaby has come for a first sleep over...

sporting a new sun hat

and sandals...

Camp is a place where memories are made...

and puzzles are pieced together...transportation is by canoe...

a place where Winslow Homer gets to sleep on a "people" bed while Sadie May keeps her eye on the rodent population...Camp is a place for family...where memories are shared...and new memories are created...

SADNESS~

May she spread her wing's and soar... Today, while reading a recent post from the blog Octoberfarm, I learned of the death of Kary, writer of the My Farmhouse Kitchen blog. I know many of you too are devoted fans. Kary was a kindred spirit, being that she loved everything New England and her dear dog Teddy. I living in New England and my devotion to old Mr. Winslow Homer made us e-mailing pals. I did not know Kary had been ill, just assumed she was taking a break from the blogging world. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolence to her family and dearest friends, she will be greatly missed. With sadness, Julie.