~IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT~

In the still of the night...while I slept snug in my bed

an intruder found it's way into the chicken

 coop......A discovery I made early this morning... my hens were all accounted for, but Ramon... my banty rooster was no where to be seen... his beautiful tail feathers lay scattered about ...feeders were overturned...bits of egg shell mixed in with pine shavings... clear evidence of a struggle... sadly one in which Ramon could not survive...Ramon, my brave little rooster... thank you for saving the lives of my girls... your girls...We will miss

 you...Godspeed my friend...

 

~FALL SPLENDOR~

It is a cool September day, the morning haze slowly lifts as the sun climbs higher in the sky...there is a stillness to the old homestead...family members have scattered...some to work others in route to the island...Winslow still asleep, softly snoring...while Mrs. Tweedy and Birdie Mae let it be known it is time for breakfast...just another ordinary morning at Dog Trot Farm...

 I would like to thank you, my dear blogging friends, for the kind well wishes and prayers.  Darlene and her husband John are enjoying a bit of time away...a change of scenery... a time to clear one's head and gather strength for the next round of chemo...In the blink of an eye life as we know it has changed...We are a small family...but a strong one...with your continued prayers and kind words we will make it through...I no longer take ordinary days for granted...

           With Fall close at hand, apple season is  in full swing...Travis suggested that he and granny get busy in the kitchen and make Grampy an apple pie...flour and spices fill the air and cover the floor...Travis is an independant hands on learner...we get messy, but that is half the fun and in my thinking an important part of the learning...

 You will get no complaints for this granny as the boy does dishes...

and our pie...well... it turned out rather fine...

just as grampy...

~WHEN AUTUMN COMES CALLING~

When Autumn comes calling I shall be ready...I will greet her with arms wide open as one would greet a  long lost friend... 

Fall is my season...my favorite season...bright cool mornings now replace the hot humid summer air...shades of orange and gold begin to dot the countryside...farmers now reap their final crops of the season...flannel shirts and wool socks once again become a common staple to ones daily wardrobe... 

Spring in New England was cold and wet...July provided one perfectly lovely week which fortunately for me was spent at the family camp in Denmark Maine...August, well... it was over in the blink of an eye...

September has given our family a challenge one that we are meeting head on...My 33 year old niece Darlene, of the blog "missthesea" has been diagnosed with uterine cancer...It has been a difficult three weeks, but Darlene is out of the hospital and staying here at Dog Trot Farm until she is well enough to return to her home. She is a wife, daughter, teacher and much loved niece...Her parents are bunking in with us too. They have up rooted themselves from warm sunny Florida to spend the long, cold winter in Maine...Now, Mr. Winslow Homer is enjoying all the extra attention and treats, Birdie Mae and Mrs Tweedy are thankful for the extra laps to cozy in, and me I'm grateful that my sister in-law is such an excellent cook...We all face challenges in life and we are determined to see this challenge through...For those of you who have inquired as to my well being I thank you...I have missed you all...Over these next few days I hope to catch up will many of you, I look forward to learning what you have been up to.  If you could find it in your heart to say a prayer for Darlene, I would be ever so grateful and I know she would be too...I believe there is power in prayer...Thank you and God Bless...