~UNEARTHED~

Every treasure tells a story...

 my newly found treasure was unearthed at our local Goodwill for $1.99

A red ware plate hand crafted in Bird- In- Hand, Penn. signed by it's crafter M. Stoltzfus. Mr. Dog Trot and I have a fondness for Lancaster, Penn. Years ago, while on our first trip to Amish country, we stumbled upon a lovely out of the way Inn.  The owners, David and Linda Stoltzfus, (David grew up in an old order Amish home) quickly made us feel like family. The inn is a working horse farm and home to Himalayan kittens, which Linda breeds...Thanks to Linda Mr. Dog Trot and I have had the pleasure of dining with  Amish families...in the Amish community there are some Amish families who open their home once a week for dinner and scripture...before the meal is served a blessing is offered, hymns are sung and we each tell a little about ourselves ...it is a most joyous and memorable experience...and the apple dumplings out of this world! ...After dinner "we" are invited to tour the farm, dairy barn, and gardens.  As twilight descends ice cold lemonade is served on the front porch, while we watch in delight as Amish children chase after flickering fireflies...it is a most delightful was to end a perfect day...

~DEAR FRIENDS~

Dear friends...I fear my Sadie Mae will not be returning home...it has now been two weeks since her disappearance... after much searching... inquiries...and a visit to the local animal shelter...we still come up empty handed...

I want to thank you, my blog readers, for your kind comments and concern...Sadie Mae was a very sweet two year old  kitty...petite in size... an independent kitty, one with a mind of her own...initially my intent was for Sadie to remain an indoor cat...however...it simply was not meant to be...Sadie had been found as a stray from a neighboring town... living outdoors and fending for herself was her way of life...Soon after I adopted Sadie she discovered my flock of chickens and it was clear she liked what  she  saw and enjoyed hanging out with them... daily she could be found curled up asleep next to the chicken coop...drinking from their water container and eating  chicken feed...perhaps in another life she might actually have been a chicken for one day I discovered her happily tucked in a nesting box...Oh Sadie Mae we will miss you...our hearts are heavy here at Dog Trot Farm...

~INSPIRATION~

Inspiration in the form of Queenisms... words by Cindy Ratzlaff and Kathy Kinney...

She decided to stop waiting until

everything, including herself,

was perfect...

So she took a deep breath, let

go of her fear

of being judged

and simply began to live...

It felt delicious!!...



QUESTION?

Could this bird have the capability of flying off with Sadie Mae? Sadie was a light weight, perhaps two or three pounds...

I believe this bird to be a hawk, what species I am not sure...this bird has been hanging around (high in the tree tops and also in the field) since early July...There has been absolutely no trace of Sadie Mae, it is as if she simply vanished into thin air...Any information and or advice would be greatly appreciated...thank you...

~SALTY SEA AIR~

Blue waters and salty sea air are calling me...

I'm leaving my woe's behind and heading down the bay...an island visit is well needed and earned... 

~DEAR SADIE MAE~

Sadie Mae... where in the world have you disappeared to?  Come on now...It's been four long days since I scolded you for scratching the furniture...enough already...come home...

...I miss you...we miss you...

I apologize... come home...no questions asked... To be continued...

~AUGUST~

Twilight comes and the song of the cricket is soon to follow...

The August air lies soft and cool... a much welcomed relief from our summer weather...Once the grey rains of June disappeared ...July came barreling in with scorching heat and high humidity...

 The gardens have suffered...both vegetable and flower...the only plant to do well was dill, which had reseeded itself...

 In the hen house my flock of nineteen was suddenly reduced to eighteen...Annabelle...a petite white banty...suddenly became ill...she was brought inside and nursed in the chicken infirmary... sadly Annabelle passed away peacefully two days later...needless to say I have a very lonely rooster...But...on a happier note...Travis Lloyd is walking...and accumulating a vocabulary. His favorite word, said with much enthusiasm...

 one  he repeats over and over again..."TRACTOR"

tomorrow...I'll show you why...