~QUIET~

Today the fleet of green remains quiet...

 the old homestead remains quiet...

My boy has gone to preschool...~sigh~

~CALLING ALL CHICKEN KEEPERS~

First let me say what I am about to tell you is the truth...the honest to God truth...

 so, here I am in the backyard...weeding the flower garden under the delightful shade of an oak tree on a very hot and humid morning...lost in thought...thinking about how much I missed Winslow Homer and how I sure could use his help keeping the local critters at bay...

then, I was completely caught off guard.. I heard this noise...a noise that I recognized but one that I had not heard for quite some time...not here at Dog Trot Farm anyway...I slowly rose from my knees... looked around half expecting to see the rooster who had just let out a "cock-a-doodle-do"...I saw nothing but the bewildered look on my hens faces...I stood there for a moment...questioning myself..had the humidity gotten to me or did I really hear what I think I heard... I saw no rooster...  I walked over to the coop and upon inspection

this hen...my five year old Ameraucana...my blue egg laying beauty... Pearly Mae...suddenly let out a deep, low, loud and clear "cock-a-doodle-do"..I was dumbfounded...stunned actually... had I not seen her in action with my own eyes I never would have believed it...so...you wonderful knowledgeable chicken keepers...please tell me have you ever experienced anything like this...is my gal trans gender? I just don't know what to make of this...I would love to hear your input...I fear I made need a chicken whisperer...help...

~SEPTEMBER DAYS~

Oh September how I welcome thee..

 I cherish your warm sunny days and cool crisp nights...

 windows opened...curtains  flutter...the house feels alive...cleansed..

   sunlight sparkles on shades of orange, yellow and gold...

there is delight in simple pleasures...

how I enjoy these late summer days...memories are in the making...

~LOVE~

 Death to a three year old...

"but, I loved her"..."I know honey, granny loved her too"...

"Granny, if Darlene has wings...pink wings... can I have John Deere green?"

Thank you dear blog readers for your kind comments, emails, notes and prayers...I have found such comfort in them...

Darlene's memorial service will be held Sunday on the island she loved so very much...I hope to return to visit with you all very soon...I look forward to seeing what everyone has been up to this summer...Warmest regards, Julie...

~LOVE IS STRONGER THAN DEATH~

In the early morning hours...while holding her father's hand... my niece... Darlene Lorraine Jones Sousa...quietly donned her pink angel wings and peacefully slipped away...

Darlene, wife to John...daughter to Kris and Jovan... granddaughter to Lloyd and Bev...niece to Julie and Bill...cousin to Kristopher and Tristan and beloved by her second cousin Travis Lloyd...Darlene was as beautiful on the inside as out...she was a dedicated teacher of young children... an adventurous  "foodie" who knew her way around the kitchen...Darlene was artistic and crafty and a self taught knitter...she loved to shop, especially for shoes and purses...she enjoyed wearing her Jamberry nails and  Alexi and Ani bracelets... Darlene was a "girly" girl who's favorite color was pink...she was  kind and compassionate..always more concerned about others than herself...it was with such dignity and grace Darlene fought her year long battle with cancer... today that battle has come to an end...there are no words to express how much we will miss this lovely young women...we, her family, find peace in the knowledge that she is no longer in pain and her suffering is over...

"Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death"  ~Anonymous~

~SUMMER GOODNESS~

~SUMMER GOODNESS~

I find myself at the age where I take nothing granted...I relish the small things that life has to offer... I find no greater pleasure than working in my gardens...whether it be flower, herb, vegetable, the act of placing one's hands in rich warm soil not only soothes the soul but lifts the spirit as well...gardening is a true country pleasure...How welcoming the delightful spring weather was...sunshine, warm temperatures with rain arriving when the gardens seem to need it the most....weather permitting I spend as much time as possible outdoors...June is soon coming to a close...July now waiting in the wings...4 minutes of daylight lost (sigh)...I toil in the garden till the curtain of darkness is drawn~  

~THANK YOU~

Friends...

once again...from the bottom of my heart...I thank you for your kind comments, emails, and well wishes...

Today was another long difficult day...but Darlene is home with those who love and cherish her...Tomorrow...another approach in her treatment against cancer begins...She fights like a girl, strong, unyielding and oh so brave...She is my heroine...

~DEAR FRIENDS~

Dear friends...

 Today, I am kindly asking for your prayers for my dear niece Darlene...over the past nine months she has fought a valiant battle against cancer...endured months of chemotherapy...surgery and radiation treatments...not once has Darlene complained or said "why me"...Early this morning she was admitted to the hospital...I won't burden you with details...but ask for your prayers...It is a difficult day...Thank you and God Bless...

~MEMORIAL DAY~

 Memorial Day...

A day to remember "our" fallen soldiers...those brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep these United States free...we Thank You~

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAVIS LLOYD~

Three years ago today I became a first time grandmother...

 Little did I realize the joy this child would bring to my life...minutes after birth Travis was placed in my arms...the heavens opened and the angels began to sing...I fell completely and totally in love...

 Travis filled a space in my heart that I never realized was empty...

 He is smart, witty, funny, aware of the world that surrounds him...strong willed and stubborn...

did I mention stubborn?  in all honesty Travis acquired that gene from my side of the family...

Happy 3rd Birthday Travis Lloyd...you are the stars and moon...

now, if we could just get you potty trained...

~SUGAR AND SPICE~

Sugar and spice and everything nice...

that's what little girls are made of....

A baby girl...due early October...will promote me to a Granny of two...

Travis Lloyd is to  become a big brother...

~out of the darkness light shines through~

I am blessed...

~MOTHER'S DAY~

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Dear blogging friends,

from the bottom of my heart I thank you for all the kind and thoughtful comments  received regarding Winslow Homer's death... My heart is beginning to mend...as is Mr. Dog Trot's...We shared a good laugh/cry reminiscing over Winslow's antics...Winslow Homer was such a naughty little dog...always in trouble...whether it be dragging a woodchuck out of it's burrow, returning from an unbeknown to me adventure... a deer leg bone dropped before me... twice his size... Skunked or "Quilled" we just never knew what he was up to. ...Winslow Homer proudly lived up to the independent...hole digging...barking... Cairn Terrier reputation...but we loved him regardless...It is quiet around the old homestead...but dare I say not for long...Tomorrow I shall share...

Lastly, I would like to wish each of you a Happy Mother's Day... may your day be sunny and bright... filled with the love of family and those you hold dear...Blessings...Julie...

~SAYING GOODBYE~

WINSLOW HOMER (2000-2015)

I know you must miss me,

by the tears rolling down your face.

But believe me when I tell you that,

I'm in a very good place.

There are meadows here to run in,

and plenty of rabbits to chase.

There are other dogs to play with,

to frolic with and race.

So please don't worry about me,

my spirit feels light as can be.

There's no more pain to plaque me,

I'm young again and free.

And I'll be watching over you still,

of that you can be sure.

I'm your canine guardian angel,

and my love for you remains pure.

 ~UNKNOWN~

Granny what is this?

Winslow's red harness, I say...

He won't use it anymore?

No... honey...he will not...

Because he has wings?

yes sweetie...

because he has wings....

~SPRING AWAKENING~

~SPRING~

The earth is awakening...warming...the weight of winter lifting...today...a perfect day...one where you can't wait to hop in your vehicle...windows down...a favorite song plays on the radio...an oldie but goodie..."Ventura Highway" by the band "America"...I turn the volume up...  my thoughts go back in time... "American" my first concert as a teenager ...long days spent at the beach...burgers and fries at the A&W drive-in...an orange bikini...golden tan and long blonde hair...I look in my rear view mirror and here the words "HI GRANNY...I like that song"...

Hi Travis Lloyd...I do too...sigh~

~IT CONTINUES~

 ~Winter~

that is...

~EASTER GREETINGS~

.

The sun shines...the north wind blows...it is a cold April morning here in New England... the Easter Bunny  arrived bearing  baskets of decadent chocolates and sweet fragrant flowers...later in the day a wee one will enjoy his first egg hunt along with a basket full of surprises...how joyful it is to be a Granny...I am blessed...Wishing everyone a joyful and blessed day...but I ask you...

 

 

does this look like spring? Blessings to all...

~ THEN THERE WERE SIX~

 What began as a lovely March day...sunshine...snow melting...continued sunshine...lunch with family...Travis catching 40 winks on the return drive home...radio on...car window cracked...fresh air... note... local Dairy Queen  open for the season...perhaps a good  afternoon for the "girls" to stretch their legs...  locate a blade of grass...find a bit of dirt...good mental health weather...

After pulling into the driveway... while Travis slumbered... I headed to the coop...mercy me...what I encountered was beyond belief...a hawk...a large...no... huge hawk had made it's way into the coop...yes...inside the coop...as I neared...the hawk flew out of the  hen door ... up between the roof netting and off across the field...tragically... the remains of a massacred  hen  lay before me...Rosie, a prized egg layer and pet...I stood there momentarily dumbfounded...soon realizing I needed to find out the well being of my remaining flock... but... afraid of what I might discover...were they slaughtered too? ...thankfully... huddled together  in a corner...traumatized...but safe... six  hens...six ladies with all their feathers and toes were accounted for...

Sometimes life at Dog Trot Farm is a little too close to the Wild Kingdom.....I fear this saga has just begun...hold on girls it's going to be a bumpy ride....  

~MY APRON STRINGS~

As the March wind blows the sun peaks in and out among the clouds... today the temperature nears fifty degrees.. snow is melting...there is a slight but noticeable change to the morning... stepping outdoors...I close my eyes and tilt my face toward the sun... a bit of warmth can be felt...songbirds sing...daylight has lengthened... there is  new found energy all around...winter's grasp is slowly letting go...

also letting go are my apron strings... now, I do realize that the men folk in my family will not be too happy with me...but, you see...winter has been long...very long...and those long snowy winter days put me in a baking mode...but unfortunately for me... I also love to consume what I bake...I come by it honestly... I grew up in a family who love their sweets...some of us can manage this sweet indulgence...while others go amok.. I go amok...so for now...temporarily... there will be no sweets coming from this girl's kitchen...no cookies, no cakes, no brownies, no pies...and when my favorite little one says "granny I've come to steal a cookie"... I'll lovingly hand him an Oreo and leave it at that.~

~SPRING THOUGHTS~

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle...a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream."

~Barbara Winkler~

 Here in New England we remain buried under a sea of white... spring is but a tease and remains firmly out of our grasp...but we dream...we dream of those warm dewy days and starry nights... where the peeper's song serenades us... blooms open...the air fragrant...a lingering scent...

 

until then...I hook tulips...

~JUST ANOTHER DAY~

Just another day in paradise~

~A MEMORY FROM LONG AGO~

Tonight, as I lay warm beneath the covers of my bed.. Neptune (our latest blizzard) is baring down... the wind blows... the snow swirls ...prompting my thoughts to travel back in time..a simpler time...one of a young girl...living on an island....a time when blizzards were a common winter occurrence...there was no weather hype...no mad dash to the grocery store or gas station...living a somewhat isolated island existence...one where the last ferry departed the island at 7pm and would not return till 7 the next morning...  you were prepared...or if by rare chance you were not your neighbor was... with a winter population of perhaps thirty families...the island was a tight knit community... one where neighbors helped neighbors...gratitude came in the way of a baked good...a jar of jam or perhaps a jar of pickles "put up" the previous summer...A blizzard was exciting, weather forecaster's never really knew how much snow we could expect or how hard the wind would gust, but as children, we remained outside constructing snow forts, igloos and snowmen for as long as our parents would allow...boredom was not in our vocabulary... One of my fondest memories as a child is not really a memory at all, but a feeling...with the last ferry long gone...cut off from the outside world...I felt safe... secure..across the water far off in the distance the faint sound of a foghorn...such a calming sound ...a road  crew of three... George, John and Uncle Ronnie... keepers of the night ...plowing roads...keeping us safe as we slept...I can still recall the sound of the old plow truck as it rumbled up the hill  outside my bedroom window...a window which most winter nights  frosted over with the most delightful icy patterns...It was a different time... a simpler time...but one which I will hold in my heart forever...

~WARMTH~

As winter's frigid temperature chill the bones...

a glance out my kitchen window warmed my soul...As we prepare for yet another blizzard here in New England...I know spring will arrive...later rather than sooner, but it will arrive..

~HOW QUIET IT IS~

Hello...girls...I'm coming...soon...very soon...I promise...

 The temperature is at zero...snow is falling...again...the house is quiet...much to quiet...Travis is spending the day with his "Mimi"...I am spending the day in bed...not by choice mind you...the virus I caught two weeks ago (yes, I had a flu shot) has now manifested itself into pneumonia...cough...cough...my main goal for the day is to bring the girls their warm oatmeal and blueberries...it is tough being a hen in winter...stuck in a coop with a bunch of catty females...almost as difficult as it is for me to be stuck in bed....Okay...I made it...a few hours late but I'm sure the girls won't hold it against me...tomorrow is another day...one that is without snow in the forecast...I hope~

 

~SUNDAY STILLS~

Happy February!