HEN CHATTER

Okay, so my beautiful girls have not begun to lay eggs. I have not heard a "cluck "or a "crowing" but they do tend to "honk". They are unique unto themselves. For instance while free ranging they might decide to opt for a sunbath. A warm sunny spot in the lee where they cluster together and begin to purr in sheer happiness. Yes, that's right purr. Who knew?

Often when I visit the coop at night there is usually some quiet chatter going on.

And if I decide to visit for a minute, the girls start vocalizing their opinion. Barak-barak-barak, no "clucking" just barak.

So it took me awhile to catch on to "what" they might be voicing. Now I have been told chickens are not very bright. I beg to differ. I think barak refers to President Barack Obama. The girls have been voicing their opinions in regard to the state of the world and health care reform. Who's got egg on their face now, chickens dumb? Ha! Maybe I had better listen more carefully- the girls might just come up with something useful. It couldn't hurt, could it?

MORNING RAMBLE

Have you ever noticed how some of your most interesting thought's come to you in the middle of the night? I've read to keep pen and paper by the bedside so you can jot these thoughts down. Great idea, however, if you are of a certain age like me, you can never locate your glasses. I have told my husband on my gravestone I want the inscription to read "honey have you seen my glasses". Have you noticed when you get to this certain age words of wisdom from elder family members start to come true. For instance, "the older you become the faster time flies". True. How about that face you see in the morning, "mirror mirror on the wall I am my mother after all". True, and not always a negitive thing. You require less sleep as you age. True. It's really your body begining to dysfunction, it can now go from hot to cold in thirty seconds. It's no wonder we can't sleep. Liver spots, what exactly is a liver spot?I say sun spots. I have earned them from working thirty years bare handed in the garden. I enjoy the feel of dirt between my finger's. How about this, you look over at your husband and think to yourself, who is this person I married! Oh right, I have been married thirty-one years. The white in my hair, the wrinkles that now appear on my face and body I wear as an earned rite of passage. Aging is not for the faint of heart. I rise every morning take my fish oil, turn Imus on the radio and be very grateful I have lived to see another day!

WELCOME FALL

FALLWinter is an etching, Spring a watercolor, Summer an oil painting and Autumn a mosaic of them all~Stanley Horowitz~

Pinky Larue

PINKYIt was with much sadness and regret that I returned Pinky to the animal shelter Sunday. I keep the words that my friend Debbie wrote " think of your home as a foster home till the right placement comes along". I will hold on to those words.

CAN WINSLOW COME OUT TO PLAY?

This afternoon as I was in the kitchen deciding what to make for dinner, I heard a tap-tap-tapping sound at the front door. Winslow heard it as well and went running to the door and instead of barking he just sat down. Highly unusual for Winslow. I looked out the door and then went running for my camera. This is what I captured. Well hello ladies. These girls are becoming a little too brave for their own good.

Yes, that's Winslow Homer and yes, he is a dog. Okay, he might be a little funny looking. Does he want to come out and play, hmmm?
Well girls, I'm not sure if that's a good idea, remember the feather incident. How quickly they forget. No ladies I think Winslow Homer is better off on the opposite side of the door.

Now it's not nice to tease, he can't help the way he looks.

I swear I could here those girls snickering.

And look who's keeping an eye on all the action. Yes Pinky Larue still resides at Dog Trot Farm.

DAYLIGHT

The shadows in the yard appear earlier and earlier. Today, two hours and fifty-five minutes earlier. There is a crispness to the air.
Final cut of the season.

No matter what time of the year the sun always shines on Winslow Homer!

SEPTEMBER 11th

GOD BLESS AMERICAWE WILL NEVER FORGET.

"PINKY"

"Pinky" is the cat I adopted at the beginning of June. She was a victim of a house fire, thus the burnt nose. Her family was left homeless and Pinky was brought to the shelter. When I visited she had been at the shelter seven months. After hearing this sad story my heart took over, not my brain. I had been searching for another cat to befriend our sweet Emma Lou, who was our only kitty. When Emma was adopted into our family she joined a menagerie of 4 cats, 2 dogs, a pair of steers, 3 hamsters and a bird. The rabbit ran away. Over the years our menagerie has dwindled and I felt Emma was lonely and needed a friend, a feline friend that is. Enter Pinky.

Pinky aka "Edythe Larue" has lovely bedroom eyes, a beautiful coat, rolls of fat and is lovely to look at. However, she can meow and hiss in one breath, does not like to be picked up, and is just now warming up to my husband. The big problem, this is where I should have listened to my brain, Pinky has huge paws with claws. These claws have attacked sweet Emma , who has none. Emma who is sixteen and not as agile as she once was. These claws have dug deeply into our furniture, and now are shredding our pine door jambs. Initially, I gave her the benefit of the doubt, and time to adjust. I have come to the conclusion that Pinky should reside in a home with a single female, be the only pet, and should remain inside. I do need to say Pinky has bonded with me. She waits at the top of the stairs for me at night, purrs, is friendly, sleeps beside me or on the windowsill by the bed. But in order to keep peace and Emma's safety Pinky resides upstairs. Oh, she can sneak down and attack, even with a bell on, but Winslow will hear all the commotion and chase her back up. I should also reveal that Emma, who received a brain injury last year after hitting an inside window, has seizures, and these attacks from Pinky can trigger one.

So, enough said. I need to decide whether to keep her or return her. I keep hoping this situation will improve, however, I just don't think it will. I am listening to my brain. And yes the shelter will take her back and is a no-kill facility. Your input is greatly appreciated. Oh by the way, my husband wants to keep her.

LOOKS ARE DECEIVING

Winslow and Emma have one thing in common,

both would like this cat to find a new home!

Let me just say, she is definitely a "Pinky"
More to follow........

THE QUIET OF THE MORNING

A morning of gardeningwith visitors

I didn't know were watching

A BIG THANK YOU

Not only can my "Dear Hubby" take in laundry, produce lumpless gravy, and make a mean popover, He can dig a trench
connect the wires

which will now give the girls electricity.

The little "coop" in the woods is complete.

The girl's and I want to give their daddy a big thank you, here's to you honey!

CHICKEN?

Winslow, have you seen the chickens?What chickens
Oh, those chickens.

KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE

This is Walker's Point, summer home to 41 or rather George H.W.Bush and Mrs. Bush. First I must state that we Mainer's are a stoic breed and tend to mind our own business and don't impose ourselves on famous people. Or shall I say we don't impress easily. That being said, today DH and I were off on a day trip. We were driving on one of the scenic roads in Kennebunkport actually looking for the Franciscan Monk's Abbey, when we happened to end up by the Bush compound. We have driven by Walker's Point many times over the years and have admired the view, however, never bothered to stop. Till today.

I happened to notice a man sitting in a boat which read "secret service", we decided to play tourist and pulled over. We proceeded to see a scuba diver coming out of the water, obviously for security measures.

And behold 41 comes walking towards his boat.

Not far behind Mr. Bush was "Bar" probably sporting the white pearls that she is so famous for

I can hear her say "George wait for me"

President Bush was sporting a cane, as he recently underwent hip replacement surgery

The Fidelity IV was ready to "rock and roll" she is sporting three very large Mercury outboard motors.

Here is a closer look at the secret service boat

Everyone is aboard, life jackets on, and ready to go. We guessed the former first couple and friends were off for lunch at a local restaurant. Not untypical for the Bushes.

Hold on "Bar" They're off

The Secret Service was not far behind. Sometimes it's fun to play tourist! Oh, and we never did find the Abbey

SEPTEMBER MOON

Goodnight Moon

Goodnight Noises Everywhere. Thank you Margaret Wise Brown for a most loved and remembered children's book.