MY WORLD

"Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest."~Robert Montgonery~
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." ~Jane Austen~

GOODBYE SUMMER

Goodbye summer....I will miss you....those lazy days....of quiet beaches....

filled with warm salty breezes....

pounding surf.... the comfort of my blue beach chair....

kicking off flip flops....

and feeling the warm sand between my toes....

goodbye summer.... you will be missed....till we meet once again....

PASSPORT INTO HISTORY

It's a howling and it's a blowing.... the rain drops they are a falling ....the girls are not happy....no outdoor play today....and with the added bonus of being stuck inside the coop with Don Juan... certainly not their idea of how to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.... Yesterday was more of the same for them.... I pulled out this passport....a passport into historical New England.... beaks went out of joint....another case of a long day in the coop....If you enjoy New England history....including visiting some of the oldest homes and gardens in New England...from Maine to Rhode Island this passport is ideal. For $55.00 dollars...two adults...can enjoy what Historical New England has to offer for one year....also you can revisit any of the listed homes multiple times... Saturday found DH and myself here at the Sarah Orne Jewett home located in South Berwick Maine. Jewett was an American author and short story writer. You may be familiar with two of her most popular works "The Country of Pointed Firs" and "A Country Doctor," the latter being based on her doctor father and his many house calls which Sarah often accompanied him on. This Georgian style home was built in 1776 and over looks the town's central square. The home is filled with many of the Jewett's personal belongings and Sarah's bedroom is found exactly how she left it. Her writing pen can be found located in a cup adhered to the bedroom wall... close at hand for scribbling down those late night ideas... her bifocals hanging off a mirror....and her initials which Sarah etched in a bedroom window pane. Sarah enjoyed flowers and especially her flower gardens...

"Late in the evening, when the room had grown too hot and tiresome with it's flaring light and noise of voices, I stole out alone into the darkness of the summer's night, down the long garden-walk I slowly went; A little wind was stirring in the trees; I only saw the whitest of flowers and I was sorry that the earlier hours of that fair evening had been so ill spent, Because, I said, I am content with these Dear friends of mine who only speak to me with their delicious fragrance, and who tell to me their gracious welcome silently...

The leaves that touch my hand with dew are wet; I find the tall white lilies I love well
I linger as I pass the Mignonette, and what surprise could dearer be than this;

To find my sweet rose waiting with a kiss..."

Flowers In The Dark....~Sarah Orne Jewett~

TURF TO SURF

Today was one of those days.... if you listened very closely.... you could hear the corn growing...honestly....corn stalks snap as their root's grow deep inside the earth....and golden tassels head toward the sun.... most of the perennials here at Dog Trot Farm have begun to fade and die away....however....the exception being the trusty Rudbeckia....my thought is....when in doubt plant Rudbeckia....

Cone flowers....

and Bee Balm....have lost their zesty appeal....

Gladys....enjoying the quiet of the day....

while Iris works on her beauty rest....

I headed to the rocky coast....where the air is fragrant with the sweet scent of sea salt.... colorful beach roses dot the scenery....

the cry of a gull....

along with the sound of the pounding surf....

and in the distance.... the sight of the majestic Nubble Light....from "turf to surf" Maine is a most wonderful place... Tonight....all cozy....in the safety of our homes.... we wait and watch for Irene...stay safe dear friends....Goodnight from Dog Trot Farm....

~FRIDAY~

Two visits to the veterinary in one day is not Winslow Homer's idea of enjoyment... however...an adjustment was warranted in regards to his insulin dosage... along with an additional antibiotic.. and then we were sprung and out of there...back to the safety of Dog Trot Farm....home to Winslow's favorite chicken treats....and the little brown chipmunk who now wonders why Winslow Homer no longer puts him in his place....
home is where flowers bloom....and birds sing.... the sun shines....and the air is thick with humidity....a warm summer breeze blows...

the quiet of the day is deafening....and then.... low and behold there it was...not the familiar sound of the usual neighborhood lawn mower....but the sound of generators....preparations all through the neighborhood were being made...and on top of one's list is making sure one's generator is in tip top shape....Irene beware.... we New Englanders are prepared...

now...as I have previously mentioned my vegetable gardens were a huge disappointment....no zucchini...tomatoes....or summer squash...no peppers....beets...or carrots....however I did manage to grow two lovely heads of dill....

a lovely Cinderella pumpkin....

and one cantaloupe...that's it...that's the extent of my vegetable garden....The peeps.... Loretta and her sister's are alive and well and thriving....they have now been integrated into the existing flock of girls and are adjusting quite nicely...Don Juan, their mighty protector....loves his girl's....oh how he loves his girl's.... and if you asked them...I'm sure they would say he loves them a little to much....

but my he is a manly man....Have a great weekend everyone....if Irene is heading your way please take the proper precautions and stay safe!!