My biggest dog

We are in the process of putting up a new section of fence in the front of the house. In the mean time, Moo Man is having fun being a lawn mower. He's pretty harmless at this age-he's 29 now. And he loves nothing more then to be underfoot-very much like the real dogs of the house. He even attempted to follow me in the house later in the day. Amazingly he gets along great with most of the dogs and can be left loose most of the afternoon, though always supervised.

Side effect of this new front yard visitor is the size of my pooper scooper has greatly increased and Fred is on a diet, again. Moo likes to share his pellets with the dogs by tipping over the feed pan.

Later gators...

C

Eye of the Storm - Part 2

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563616817VsLmaS?vhost=good-times

David got some of his camera's film developed yesterday. Most of these are photos of the damage on the southern and eastern edges of Hazelton. The first couple showing the horses and buggies are from the eastern side where our friend Neil lives. Goes to show you the strength of the community up there and how they jump to it to get their neighbor back on their feet. The roof was back on by mid afternoon and the barn was almost done by the time the sun went down.

More as the film rolls in!

Later gators....
C

Eye of the storm

It's been a busy spring around here. I actually love the fact that I no longer "have" to go to the shows. Both boys are finished and nothing in the wings ready to go. Performance is on hold until I can get a few pieces of equipment repaired. Moose is about ready to head into the obedience ring, Eddie needs to finish his RN, Clairee needs to work a little more on her broad jump(ie, a repair / make piece of equipment) and Lace is on the verge of getting her CD. So no pressure to go therefore, stay home and work.

We have fencing! Pictures tomorrow, but the gate is up, the fence is up, well all but one small part. Few things to work out on the pasture gates so a certain dog doesn't squeeze through. Garden is tilled-much larger then last year. Planting on Thursday-I can't wait to get all those seeds in the ground. Need to order more mulch, limestone to set and time to puppy proof the outside so we don't have escapees like last time.

Yesterday we finally got the trailer hitch fixed. After a quick trip up to Central City for the Fireman's Breakfast-ummm, off to Hazelton we went. Over Sunday afternoon and night, North Eastern and North Central Iowa has hit by a Supercell thunderstorm. Humidity was unreal at home so we were keeping our ear to the weather radio for the latest developments. Unfortunately our good friends up in the Amish community in Hazelton took a direct hit along with the small town of Parkersburg(most of the 1200 residents no longer have homes), New Hartford, Dunkerton, FairBanks, and Aurora. Currently rated as an EF3 tornado, it ran along and between Cty 57 and Hwy 20, starting at Parkersburg. The devastation is enormous and the scars will be there for years to come.

We packed up Phoenix(Meredith's pony) along with tools and first aid supplies, planning for the worst. Since there are no phones up in the rural community, we had no idea what we would encounter. Luckily Neil's place was untouched but after dropping Phoenix off, left in the charge of his four small kids, we headed down the road to find Neil. On the 'Fairbanks' side of the road(another post for that one) we came upon 50-75 Amish scampering all over a farm. Fixing fence, putting new plywood on the roof of the house, getting ready for shingles and in general picking up the pieces. The farm house had lost it's roof, damage to the barn, sheds and most of the property. I darn well betcha, that by the time the sun went down on Monday, it was back in order though. David's got a good story about finding Neil - ask him about the Where's Neil game sometime. But upon finding Neil, we all hopped in the truck and we got a first hand tour of the destruction that was left by the tornado. Photos should be posted tomorrow. Oh my.

Farms are leveled, trailers wrapped around the telephone poles, that is where there were poles left. The debris was unreal and the path was so easy to follow. Scary, grounding, unreal the wrath of God upon us. It is truly amazing what God will do.

Our hopes and prayers are with those who are rebuilding and searching. Scars will be hard to hide but I know that those communities will come back stronger then ever. More on this when I get the pictures back....

later gators...
C

Ag Day

I was a lucky kid. I grew up knowing where my hamburger came from, the ice cream in the freezer and the amount of hard work that it took to get it from the field to the plate. But a lot of kids had no idea, many still don't, where their dinner came from. Asked that question and many will say-the grocery store.

As a former FFA member, it was always a fun day each spring to get the horses, cows, pigs and tractors cleaned up and travel to schools in our district for a project called Food for America. As it grew, it got moved to a static location in town where more kids could get the opportunity to experience things that I take for granted. County livestock producers groups as well as the Farm Bureau started attending and educating those attending on the field to plate process.

I am happy to be an alumni of the FFA as well as an FFA mom now. The Food for America project has grown into a nationally recognized program that is the model for the national how-to manual and now has moved to a larger location at the Linn County Fair grounds in Central City, IA. Over 1400 school age kids-preschool to middle elementary from all of Linn County and surrounding areas attend the Ag in the Park Day. Sheep shearing demos, cows to milk, combines to climb on and yes, this year they got to see dog agility and learn about what roll dogs play in getting their happy meal in the box.

One of the kids working on setting up this event asked if Alec would do a demo with the dogs. Alec had already committed to working with the sheep, so I figured, what the heck, I can take a day off work. We already had planned on taking the ducks up-good way to hand tame the wiggly little things. Pip, Peep, Commander Cody and Sarah were well behaved and the ducklings were tired after a day of being petted. So I trouped up with Clairee, Lace, Moose and Fred on Friday. Arranged the agility equipment in the beef arena and waited to see what would happen. WOW-it was a blast. All the dogs did some sort of demo-Lace did jumps, Clairee did the teeter, Moose did the dog walk and Fred, well Fred had a hard time keeping his focus off the sheep ;0) We talked about what roll the dogs play in helping out livestock farmers, the types of dogs that we have that work. Then we did our agility demo. And of course everyone wants to pet the dogs, so what better chance to talk about dog safety! By the second group of kids, Moose had it down pat. Mom does her speel about how to meet a strange dog, the do's and don'ts of introducing yourself to a dog then we walk over, lay down and get belly rubs-he was in heaven. So all day long we rotated out groups of kids, did demos and lost my voice. Alisa was great and came up with Ana and DB, gatorade and bannanas. Set for the day.

After all was said and done, 1000 plus kids. Dogs were, no pun intended here, dog tired at the end of the day. All were on their best behavior and can't ask for a better representative of any of the breeds. Love kid friend dogs and ones that demonstrate the results of proper training and socializing. It is amzing to me still how this group of 4 different high school kids-Linn Mar, Alburnett, Central City and North Linn, get it all coordinated, run it smoothly and manage to give many of these kids a once in a lifetime experience--in one day! Makes me proud to play a small part.

I should have some pictures to post this week-Moose was a ham for the camera as usual, Clairee and Lace were perfect little collies and Fred, again, had all sights set on helping shear sheep-silly boy.

Later gators....
C

Brrrrr

Goodness, the sun is out, it's so bright you need sunglasses, then I realize it's freezing! Sharp wind from the north is putting a little chill in the air this weekend. So much for the t-shirt and shorts I started out with this morning. Back inside for jeans, sweatshirt and find my jacket. BRRRRR.

I am cold blooded, in the sense of not liking any sort of cold weather. My office mate Jeff and I are great paired together. He's the same way, so during the winter I have the space heater on under the desk, door closed and we get lots of visitors because they want to warm up, not really do any business. My perfect temperature is about 75 degrees, maybe a slight southernly breeze-slight. I also hate lots of wind. Messes with the contacts, my ears and allergies too much. Humiditiy, cool with that. Prefer it dry though. Easier to breath that way. So today when it's a predicted 72-75, I was in heaven, till I realized that I crawled out of bed to a little nip in the air. Yuck.

David got home yesterday and we went plant shopping. Oh my was I in heaven. Most of my pots are not filled, the pansies and violas are on the front border, the big pots are filled and moved to sunny locations. One more bed to weed and mulch. Some plants didn't make it the the spring, in particular hostas. Seems a few little puppies had their way with them late in the season and they just couldn't store up enough for spring. Now on the hunt for more hostas. Also looking for some nice climbing roses for the fence, then poppies for Meredith's garden, a new pink rose in the rose bed, dig up and find a new home(not sure where but maybe the ditch) for a busy little red rose that I got gifted with. Most plants I love but not the ones that totally don't do what you are told they will do. Picked up some hanging baskets for the post where Meredith will replant her morning glories again. Otherwise, that's about it. Mulch has been placed, need a little more. AND finally, the first mowing of the lawn for the year. What an undertaking for the day.

Still stuff to do. Two decks will be installed on the house this summer, the path will be limestoned, peonies will get their beds fixed and then the rest of the fence to put up before the Corgi Picnic in July.

Kids are having fun too. Seems I now have an aquatic park by the barn. New fishing net made the trip to the creek easier. Kids brought back lots of lepoard frog tadpoles. A few minnows, another sun fish, and lots and lots of crawfish. Oh forgot the bullheads. Goodness, what an undertaking that one is. See what else they get and hope I can keep Fred, Eddie and Moose out of it.

Well, I need to go find some gloves and warm my hands up before we head into town for a few last minute things.

Later gators....
C

the show scene

It's been a busy spring around here for lots of reasons. Too much snow leads to too much mud. Then too much rain, again too much mud. David's been traveling, alot, too much for me. Alec's been here and there and everywhere. Me-well, had to stay home a lot and man the fort, though I have had a few weekends out and about showing and the vacation to KY for the BIG dog show.

This last weekend at the show, we had the good, the bad, the ugly and the what in the world are they thinking?

The good: Meredith finished her first dog! Eddie, aka Blue Bear, aka Edweirdo, aka Knock It Off, is now a champion. That girl beamed and it was a pleasure to see her smile so big in the ring. Usually she's so serious, that you have to tell her to smile. They then got a 4th place in her open junior class. Good weekend. Can't forget Kim's awesome grilling. Good conversation, good dogs and a good dinner. Can't ask for more then that. Though Moose made himself too much at home at Kim and Kathy's. I can't take that dog anywhere anymore.

The what were they thinking?: That's what everyone said about Russ or should I say his other personality Rosario. Talk about a wound up puppy. This boy was all over the place and told everyone just how hyper he was and and and and......My arm hurt after the show from trying to hold him still and keep his focus for more then a split second. Told the judge he needed a ten mile hike this morning and didn't get it. She giggled at me. We discussed at length later on about Russ-good discussion and she'll be seeing us in a while to show to again.

The bad and the ugly: They go hand in hand this weekend. First the bad weather-cold, wet and just plan ugly. Dogs couldn't get in a run, came in after a quick do their duty, and looked slightly damp and frizzy. Good thing I had the dryer with me.

At each and every show, there is a wide gamut of people and dogs, all with varying purposes. Enjoyment is one, competition is another or stupidity too. Some days I fit into the last category and will openly admit it. Take Des Moines in February--stupid, stupid, stupid. Lots of dogs are out there showing as "specials". Those are dogs that already have their championships and are now competing for points based on the number of dogs they beat in BOB, Groups and Best In Show. The total number of dogs they beat will add up to give them a ranking. Along with these specials, are a unique group of people we call handlers. The other group are the owner-breeder-handlers or owner-handlers. Those people out there showing their own dogs. Let's talk professional handlers for a moment.

Granted everyone has to make a living. Some people do it with honesty, some people do it with integrity and then there are those low lives or just plain idiots without a clue. Handlers can fit all or just a few of those rolls. Most of us assume(I hate that word) that professional handlers, mean just that. Tell you what, there are a few then there are those that want the win at an cost. The problem is that many of our judges, knowing the big bucks that these handlers get paid for the win, will reward a less then stellar dog. The reason-so that those handlers will show their high paid mutts to them again, assuring that the judge will get continued good assignments. It's a sorry side to the world of dog shows. We call it face judging or a judge who looks at the north end of the lead. Every sport or profession has something similar.

Now let's back track to- what were they thinking- and combine that with the bad and ugly. Lot's of us will look at a less then stellar special and wonder what in the world the judge saw in that dog, knowing full well he wasn't rewarding the dog but the handler. So lots of so-so dogs representing our breeds are out there showing, and the admiring public gets a perception that isn't quite right. But then you have the other handlers, those that will take on any dog in the name of money. I do a little handling myself. I learned the trade from a great handler who is also an honest handler. He is very willing to tell an excited owner that his or her dog just isn't made for the ring or don't waste your money on showing or paying me. I like that. Honesty, hum. Anyway, I'm upfront with a client about their dog-qualities I like, don't like and why the dog might not do well. They make the decision on showing their dog. What I don't get is the handler without a clue. Comes along as an owner handler then decides, hum to make a little money on the side or pay for my weekends, I need to show some dogs for others. Great idea, but when you can't even admit how crappy your own dogs are, what kind of handler and representative for an owner do you make? When you say you handle dogs and everything has an excuse why it doesn't win-usually the judge, not their lack of handling skills, the poor quality of the dog they are showing or the inability to bring in the ring a well trained reasonably in shape and well groomed dog?

I watched this weekend as one person after another, labeling themselves a handler, walked in to the ring totally oblivious to the ugly, poorly groomed, untrained and uncivilized dog on their lead. Then promoting themselves to others as a professional. What has this sport come to? Ugh, I swear it's so painful to watch, but yet amusing. They think so much of themselves, you can see the gloat on their faces, the puffed up chest. Kind of look like a prairie chicken doing their mating dance.

And why do I do this show thing every chance I get? Maybe it is the competition, but I think it's more fun doing the people watching. Maybe I should change careers and go into sociology? Studying human nature is so fun ;)

Later gators....
C

there are days and then there are.....

really bad days. I swear if it wasn't the impending doom of more rain, it's that everything either falls apart, gets wrecked or eaten. Yesterday was one of those days.

Let's start with falling apart. Both big trucks need mufflers. Mine only needs the tail pipe reweleded but knowing how it works, they will tell me that I need a whole new exhaust when I go in. David managed to rip off his entire exhaust and crush the muffler in one of those glorious pot holes on our even more glorious gravel roads. Drove past the spot the other day and it looked like a lane for a mud run. I swear, there are now reasons for living in town-solid roads. Note I didn't say smooth-pot holes are pot holes. I just like to have the road not move underneath me. What else has fallen apart? Fence-nope, just Click getting bored and jumping back and forth over the 4 ft fence. Yes, back and forth-remember this is Click the wonder collie.

Wrecked-yes once again, Alec is without a car. Small collision last night pretty much totalled his little cavalier. Called Dad and said, time for a new one and of course then I got to hear about his near accident yesterday. He spent the better part of his day with a fellow driver who had a car cross the median and go under his trailer. Prayers for the family as the young man was killed in the accident. Those are always the scariest as you have no control. As for Alec, bummer that he's not got a vehicle right now, but hoping we can find him something in the next couple of weeks. No one was hurt, only minor damage on the other vehicle that he rear ended. We think the breaks gave on the little purple car.

Now for the dinner options. Would you like pepper on that DVD remote? Moose was doing so good loose during the day and unfortunately it didn't last. All buttons are accounted for on the remote, which of course was the one up on the top of the dresser-he left the universal remote alone that was in the bed-go figure. My question is, first how he managed to get that remote, second how does he manage to create so many small and even pieces out of it. Only Moose. Usually that's a Turner trick, which is why Turner is crated during the day. He's eaten two of them already and attempted a third. Besides the usual items eaten in the house during the week, mostly stuffed toys and crate mats, I'm keeping a very close eye on the cat and making sure she leaves the ducklings alone. Now that would be a complete disaster.

The sunnier side of things are that today's David's birthday, happy forty something Love! Tomorrow is the time honored tradition of mint julieps, big colorful hats and horse racing. Yes it's Derby Day!!! Everything stops in our house during the afternoon. Tape in the vcr to record what might be history in the making(I have ten years worth of history on tape). And wishing I could get David to make a bet on the race. Between Meredith and David, we haven't lost a race in about 6 or 7 years. David, for as long as I have known him, has always been able to pick the top three horses. Fun afternoon and some year, we will actually go and watch it in person.

Later gators....
C

I finally did it

Broke down yesterday as I was running errands. Broke down that is, and bought plants. Believe me, that is one of my big weaknesses. So after the kennel club meeting-thank you Scot for a short and sweet meeting, I unloaded just a few items at home. Columbine are one of my favorite things, so I have four new unusual varities for the front bed. Then two of David's favorites-delphinium- a nice dark blue and a new variety of Jacob's Ladder-this one is a pale pink with a hint of a very pale indigo. Can't wait to plant them this weekend.

I also day dream as I drive. About as dangerous as other's talking on their cell phones. I passed magnolias in full bloom along Mt Vernon Road. Wish we didn't have so much wind at our place and I would have one. But I did decide what to do in the daylily bed out front-besides add more daylillies, a nice speciman flowering tree. If I can find a Sargent Crab, that's what I really want, it will go there. Might do a redbud-Texas Pink variety or Forest Pansy. Then it's move the barn cupula, transplant the boxwood, find some quaking aspen for a corner and last but not least, the big purchase for plants this year is a nice caliper Bur Oak for an area near the barn.

Forgot about the flowering hedge for along the back yard fence-lilacs, ninebarks, dogwoods, a few viburnums, burning bush(I know it doesn't really flower but need fall color), maybe a buckthorn or two for some height.

Pots to plant-need pansies, David loves salvia and dusty miller, then it's geraniums, no petunias(allergic to those) and what ever else strikes my fancy-oh snapdragons are a must. Cleome, cosmos and such for the beds by the barn.

Did I mention we haven't gone up to Seed Savers yet??

Roses-none to replace this year but I am going to plant a couple hardy climbers by the gate to the back yard. Might even get a magnolia for that area ;0)

Oh goodness, have I gone over board yet? Planting parts of the garden this weekend too.


HELP!!!

Later gaters...
C