Wednesday, September 30, 2009

dogs vs ducks redo

It happened, again. This time Fred, Tuli, Phoebe and Eddie were the culprits. But I might add, I now know how to fix it.

Lace is in the back yard, raising a ruckus. Meredith jumps up to tell her to shut her trap and in a blur-DOGS IN THE DUCK YARD!!!!! Don't mess with the Ms and her ducks! So off we all run. Gate is indeed open, Eddie, God love him, bouncing out to say-hey look, gates open. Tuli has already booked it out knowing full well that with the intensity of the door being ripped open, she had better look innocent. Phoebe got a bath later on-as I yelled at her to "that'll do" and "get out", she ran past with duck poop smeared on her head and neck.

But Fred, oh Fred. He was the last one out. Not a feather out of place in the herd. But it does look like something tried to get a cayuga the night before and it died of it's injuries. I had to call Fred off three times before he really took me seriously. But again, not a feather lost, no slimy ducks and David is forbidden from opening or shutting the gate again.

Yes that's right, David left the gate open this weekend and once again last night. Went in, feed, came out and shut the gate, just forgot to lock it. UGH! He has gotten a good ribbing about it from all sides. The Ms and I agreed, Dad's not to open the gates anymore. Someone else goes out and does chores of opens, shuts and locks the gates for him. This being the same man who would have blown a gasket if one of us had left a horse gate open, just ducks-haha, his head in shame and grins. What is this world coming too?

If it's not one thing, it's another. Now we have to figure out how to get an 18 + hand clydesdale into a trailer with clearance for a quarter horse. How quickly can Forest learn the command "duck" so that we can take him back home???

Later gators....
C

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Update

Good news! Report from Connie is that they took Julie off sedation this morning. She is doing okay, mad that they kept her sedated so long. Good fighting spirit. She should move to a regular room later on in the day or tomorrow, once they get her up and moving more. Dr's can't find any reason for the seizures but are now thinking that in deed it might be the tumor. Connie thinks she will be in the hospital until they do the surgery on the tumor.

She is at the U of I Hospitals and Clinics. Dave is working on getting her a lap top so that she can keep in touch with everyone sooner rather then later.

As for the dogs, Connie and Kim went over and picked up a few of them to take to Davenitch for a vacation. I also know Kathy, who lives up the hill from Dave and Julie, is more then likely helping out as she and Julie have swapped dog sitting chores for years. I'll find out more tonight when I talk to Kathy.

If you want to send a card to Julie, drop me a line and as soon as I have a new room number I will forward it on.

The power of prayer at work!!!

Later gators.....
C

Regardless

Just a short post for a prayer request. A friend in cardigans is ill and needs as many prayers as we can send her way.

Julie was taken to the hospital yesterday with what was orginally thought to be a stroke. Instead it was seizures but they don't have any idea what is causing them, so for now she's sedated and in ICU. Fortunately, the unfortunate up side(if you can call it that), is that upon running tests, they also found a small tumor at the base of her brain. That's not causing the seizures and will be operated on later. Please keep Julie, Dave and their families in your prayers.

I know that there are people who read this blog, pretending you don't. I also know of those people, many have personal agendas against many others.

.....regardless of those agendas, spats, hates, or just plain dislikes, a person in need, is just that, a person. Put yourself in the same situation. What would you prefer? Someone, anyone, anywhere, offering up a simple prayer in your name, for healing and that God's will be done, or rejecting a prayer because you feel too good for that person to be concerned for your well being.
Rejecting a simple offer without a need for something in return. Selfless giving of an unknown person for you.....

...regardless, know that someone is praying for you each and ever day, if you like it or not.

I will post updates as they get forwarded to me and say a simple pray tonight just because you can.

Later gators....
C

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Little concerned

Almost too scary for words, granddaughter following in grandfather's foot steps. I do love how she tucks her front paws in though.

Later gators....
C

Lazy weekend continued

Fred writes , "this is the only way to watch NASCAR!"




Later gators...
C

Mowing the lawn, Foggy Bottom style

I give up, this weekend was all about being lazy. Okay, I did get caught up on laundry-on my 7th load which a lot of it was dog laundry. I did fill the dehydrator twice. But when it came to mowing the lawn I gave up. Cool beverage, comfy lawn chair and just open the gate.....

Thankfully they do ignore the agility equipment for the most part. Torey was trying to figure out how the teeter goes up and down and as David was installing the new door in the duck barn, he kept having to chase away Phoenix and yes, Torey.

Later gators....

C

Holy carp

I think I need a bigger pooper scooper, what do you thing? heehee.....

Later gators....

C

Duck vs Dog(s)

Yeap, it happened. Been three long years and other then the damn turkey committing suicide, nothing out of the ordinary. Let me back track and say that the chicken died the first night outside, lost a hen to a coon last fall but other then that, no worries man.

Until Moose. He is so deep on my shit list that I don't know if he will ever see the light. Then again, I could blame Merlot as she's always an easy one to blame, because she does do a lot of stupid things.

David isn't feel well on Friday night. Filled the bins full of duck food, feed the ducks, came inside. Can you guess what happened next? Yeah, didn't shut the gate tight enough or all together. It will stick and hard to open even when it's not locked, but one good bounce by a dog, run into by a stupid turkey, and it will pop.

About 8:30 or 9, David sticks his head out the front door and then slams it shut, grabs his boots and mutters about ducks loose. Huh? So I walk out and he points out a duck wedged by the front stairs--well away from their pen. Scanning the yard, nope no one else loose. I pick up the unlucky duck with lots of feathers missing, a little limp but no blood at all. One of the white Anconas that's for sale(I can now officially say it's used to being worked by dogs!) Walk to the pen, lots and lots of feathers. Turn and Moose is like-yeap, so there, gottem. Merlot is way back in the yard, kind of an - Uh oh type look. Guilt if you ask me. The ancona is actually fine. Put it back with the flock, David is apologizing about forgetting the gate.

Next morning, duck's still alive and looks good-no worse for the wear. Moose and Merlot are still on the shit list but at least I know that they pluck rather then go for blood.

Yes the joys of stock and dogs. Today the solid fence with the secure gate is starting to go up.

Later gators...
C

Slow it down some

It's the weekend, I tend to over do it just because I have the extra time and find other things to do, that leads to that next thing to do that leads to.... You get the picture. I occasionally run across this show on ION that's called the Weekend Guy. He makes a point of saying that weekends aren't about work, but about things you enjoy. Too true.

So to enjoy this weekend, even with the mist and the dampness(good for my allergies though) we piddled around in the morning and did a few chores-I think to make it feel like the day wasn't totally about bumming and then went into town.

Chores-we all have them. David's was to take the recycling to the dump. We live about 3-4 miles from the county land fill and they have a huge recycling program. Yes I live out in the country, I grew up with a garbage pit and trash burn barrel. Today, we recycle most of our garbage. That means a load to the dump recycling center about once a month. Daily food scraps other then meat are taken to the ducks. Meat scraps, if good, are treats at dinner time for the dogs. Though I could burn, we don't. It's not safe for the environment or ourselves. If we can't recycle, we take it to the dump. I'm also more aware of what I purchase and how the containers can be recycled. For instance, the puppy newspapers from the whelping box, go down to the manure pile and are turned in to lovely compost that is spread on the field in a year or two. Plastic jugs are cleaned out, filled with water and frozen in the freezer in case the power goes out or we need some large ice blocks for a cooler. I check to make sure that I get recycled packaging on most of what I buy. Get glass instead of plastic, reusable bags and heehee, at work we print on both sides of the paper(accounting uses a lot of paper) Just little things we can do.

Anyway, after David went to the dump, I had repotted two of the hibiscus that were over summering outside, done two loads of laundry, cut the old carpet from the dog room into pieces to fit under crates(so the pans don't rattle) gathered up the dog beds that don't fit in my washer and headed to town. First stop-laundromat. Now we have clean big dog beds for the living room and bedroom.

Next-HAGGIS(Hawkeye Area Grand Gaelic Isles Society)!!!! Well their annual festival, All Things Scottish, held at Usher's Ferry. Last year the entire historic town was under water. As we walked around the blue tape high up on the buildings demonstrated the highest level-some points over our heads by 6-8'! WOW. Many of the buildings are able to be restored, but it will be a long time coming. They do have a few done already. All of the buildings are donated then moved to the village. Lots of other events happen there during the year. Check it out at Usher's Ferry/Seminole Valley Park.

We took Eddie and SP along because of course it was also a Celtic Fest. Loads of attention from people and SP decided to channel her demon side and refused to walk on lead-well on the correct side. Instead she chose the wrong side and between my feet. Eddie was not impressed with the grunting men at the hammer throw. Bagpipers or as David teases Meredith-cat pipes. Isn't that what it sounds like sometimes? Someone squeezing a cat? Not on Eddie's top ten lists either. But he did get a lot of attention and photos taken of himself--it's those blue eyes that pull everyone in. Of course SP was just as adorable, when I wasn't trying to hang her so that she didn't walk between my feet.

We came home with tea and shortbread but sigh, a sad good bye also. Our dear friend Patricia Cross is closing her store in Dubuque. We chatted with her for awhile and said it was sad to see her go but with her husband ill and retired now, time to move to FL where family is. The Yorkshire Rose will end it's 30 year legacy on Bluff Street and Cable Car Square next Saturday. We are going up to say one more good bye and see if there's anything that we need or I want that can help us to remember a good friend. A store of unique items, quality British goods and lots of stories.

On the way home, tired puppies in the tahoe, we detoured to one of the last apple orchards in our area. And yes, the Ms got her wish and ran amok in the orchard, basket in hand, picking her own apples. Okay, we do have apple trees at Mom's but this was better. Upon examination of her map, she was able to locate the perfect tree, with her perfect apples in it--Red Delicious. The tree was FULL of red shiny pesticide free apples. At a $1 a pound, no matter what variety, it was a steal and I think the est of 10# per basket was off-she must have crammed at least 15# in there. We'll be drying some of those today in the dehydrator, making some sauce later in the week(I'm going back for more cooking apples) and then how about some apple jelly?

Today, it's laundry, flying a kite-seriously and if the wind dies down some, launching a rocket. Apple slicer needs to be found so that that the dehydrator can be filled and hum, maybe a walk to the creek with a group of fourlegged kids? I'm also thinking a good cup of tea(with milk and sugar of course) some scrumptious biscuits and a good book sitting on the in the sun---supervising David at the continuing adventures of the duck hut.

Enjoy your weekend--it's all you have!

Later gators....
C

Friday, September 25, 2009

Tail of a toad

Thanks for the name suggestions! Still not sure what her real name will end up being, she seemed to turn on the charm last night and became SP again, for about a nano second, then she started barking.

It's raining, love it. Since we had our flooding incident around the annual dog show, God decided to give us a break, for 23 days to be exact. Not a drop of rain. Granted it was nice not to have muddy foot prints all over but then the dust on the gravel roads really got to me. And my tahoe. It turned from a navy blue to a tan suv and I hate tan.

This morning, it's raining. Letting dogs out in shifts, mostly to the front yard as it's not as muddy. The back yard seems to have mud holes, not puddles, holes, and I think I can attribute that to Frankie, Dove, Merlot and hum, the hooligans? They love nothing more then making a mess.

Hooligan 1, Hooligan 2, cohorts in crime Frankie, Dove, Turner, Click, Lace and the three toys go out back. I see blurs of red and brindle as they run to the fence to tell the ducks to quit having so much fun.

Then I hear-bark bark bark bark pause bark bark bark bark.

I will admit, I think I was wrong in my evaluation of Connie. She used to be busy, no time to chat, go go go go go. She's a little more mellow now, I think the duct tape on her ears might have something to do with it.

Bark bark bark bark.

Peak my head out the slider door and Connie is leaning up against the house. SP is pouncing at her, around her, barking at her. Or so I thought.

Alec looks and decides to investigate as Connie is now staring at the ground.

Tag team time-seems they cornered a toad. Connie was sitting in such a way as to block off it's escape route and SP was herding it as best as you can herd a toad. Now this isn't just any toad, it's the size of Alec's hand. Seen his hands lately? They are huge. Alec is now double over laughing. I roll my eyes and tell him to find something to pick it up with(he doesn't usually touch those sort of things-silly farm boy). See toads who wander in to enemy territory usually perish. It's not a quick death either, it's torture. One collie on one leg, one on another and a cardi somewhere in the middle. Toad parts everywhere and frothing dogs.

As he starts to move it, SP has a hissy fit--what are you doing to MY toad???? Safely on the other side of the fence and much to SP's dismay, it's out of harms way. As I left for work, SP was hunting for more, David and Alec will report if she finds any.

Later gators....
C

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Needs a new name

I need help. SP aka Sweet Pea serioiusly needs a new name. She is no longer a cute little sweet runty girl that you go Ahhhhh when you see her. I still go ahhh, but as in ahhh sh** what did she do now?? Her registered name is Sumjammin's I Want You! at FB . Thinking of the Uncle Sam pictures, I thought Sam or Samantha until last night......

High pitched squeals coming from the back yard-open door, yell at SP to leave her sister alone. Next I here the Gremlin go off, which only means that she attempted to piss off the pomeranian and Tango went for a Gizmo personality to that ugly feed after midnight, got wet personality. Few minutes later, unGodly barking from Lace and the most recognizable grumbles of a pissed off collie, open door, yell SP - quit harrassing the collie, I'll let it eat you. More barking---I give up, let her inside so that the others get some peace.

Greased lightening-race through the study, into the dog room to make sure no crumbs are left on the floor. Race out of said room, to gate, under gate, mach 10 through kitchen, dining room, to living room. Kiss up to black dog, steal bone, race around corner, drop bone on someone's feet, continue racing through kitchen. Oh and it gets better......sliding stop in kitchen, plant feet, bark bark bark bark bark at David who is standing at the sink. Give him a hrumpf, shake head, greased lightening under gate, back to dog room.

Then I attempt to catch said demon child. Now greased pig and off she goes. Gate is open so she gets past it, stops, turns, bark bark bark bark bark. I think that was a "so there" comment. I gave up, told Alec to catch the hooligan. Almost didn't but she was able to get in one more-bark bark bark bark before he grabbed her and hefted her up and into her crate in the dog room.

Attitude? Overflowing. She was at Petsmart the other day and acted like an angel other then leading herself through the store. No worries man, life is good and I'm damn cute.

Smarts? I think she stole some from her sister. I was debating on banding ducks one day last week and SP was standing at the gate. So heck, I threw her in with me. There was no sniffy of duck poop, no wondering what they were eating out of this pan or that bucket. Gosh she even ignored the wading pool. No she turned right on them! Grouping, pushing to me, around, fetching and then the cayugas decided to run for the pond and weeds. Right through it, found the missing duck, pushed it to me. Then the duck said enough and deflated flat on the ground. SP took that opportunity to sit on it's head. I think she figured she was holding it down for me?

I've been calling the pair of pups, Thing 1 and Thing 2. Then since the title of Wild Thang is now available(Terra is no longer to be called that, she's now Calm Thing), that might fit. Hooligans is another good description. Many know I referred to this litter as the monsters-no fear, no worries.

So any suggestions for a new name?

Later gators.....
C

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Okay, I lied

Remember all that I was going to get done this weekend? Nope. I feel kind of crappy so motivation to do stuff just wasn't there. But I did get a few things done.

Sexed and banded the ducks. Now there's a bummer. Once again I am over come with too many drakes. 1 lone cayuga hen and the other 6--drakes. Anconas-the lavender and super nice black and white, both drakes. But the chocolates are both hens. The whites-1 is a drake and one is a hen. On the good side, the pekins that we were gifted with-one hen and one drake. With that said--4 cayuga drakes for sale, 1 khaki drake and I think 1 or two ancona drakes.

I did get the garden partially cleaned out. The dogs are in heaven with all the past prime tomatos and a few baseball bat zuchinis that I found hiding. The ducks were even more thankfull for their allotment of zuchs which I chopped up for them. I love using them as garbage disposals. What I did manage to get done was several quarts of salsa and bruchetta mix. Now it's on to the carrots and freezing those.

Backhoe is still on three wheels so no pond or hydrant dug in this weekend. Hope to get it fixed by next weekend. But I did get lots of laundry done-yippee, that's everyone's excitement for a weekend.

Now the biggest news of the weekend---we have another champion!!! Alec traveled with Kim and Bekka to Grey's Summit MO this weekend to show down at Purina. Ella got the points on Friday-way to go Kim! Dovey went on to take the points the rest of the weekend, including a nice 4 pt major on Saturday to finish!!!! That's #4 champion for Margie and #3 for Phantom. This also means, I get to stay home the rest of the fall from the shows as the hooligan SP and her co-hort in crime are not old enough to show yet, may have to wait until after the first of the year for them.

Now I have to go help wash the side of the house, plant the bulbs I got and hum, maybe another load of laundry?

later gators.....
C

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Larry's Proverbs

Sherilyn sent me this email and well, too funny not to share, especially after Kevin Skinner won America's Got Talent last night, gotta love those rednecks!

Larry the Cable Guy's Proverbs

1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Later gators......
C

Sheep revisited

Okie dokie folks, the whole sheep discussion has got to be revisited some. Garrett's got me thinking and oh darn it, I need sheep like a hole in the head!

First off-in order to even start down that road, I seriously need to think of a reason why? I do have the room but it would mean some major rearranging. Next, in order to add a few more mouths to feed I need to down size in other areas. The paycheck can only be stretched so far. Lastly, I need a purpose for them - showing, money off fleece, training dogs. I don't need something else just to make it look like a farm.

So rearranging. Sheep can't go with the elephants. Like Garrett said, I don't think I have ever meet a horse that appreciates woolies. Granted the neighbors have a burro in with the shorthorns and sheep, but that's a totally different beast. The only place available at this time is the front areas of the property, which in turn means David will loose some of his hay and vineyard area. That won't go over at all. It's bad enough that I want to expand the garden next year-yes Dear you heard that right, larger garden.

Downsizing-seriously. One clydesdale is leaving. Well, returning to his real home this weekend. Forest aka Toast has been up here since his eye removal surgery last year. If it wasn't one thing it was another and he had to stay up at our place to heal. He's good to go and now the challenge is to get his ever growing body in the small stock trailer. Torey is looking for a new home also. Nice 10 or so yr old crop out paint gelding. He just needs some road work but is a fun boy to have around. Then there's the dogs-4 cardigans are in need of new homes-1 puppy and 3 adults. Then there's the collies-Turner and Click are looking for loving homes. There are also days that a certain griff or two could find new homes but that's just when we butt heads on appropriate behavior-such as not harrassing the blue dogs. RRRR-hate dogs that come with baggage. Forgot-some of the ducks are available. Few just aren't making the grade for show and breeding next year but are still wonderful breed examples.

Last but not least, other then mowing, what the heck do I need or want sheep for?

Fleeces? Spinning? Yarn? That's just more work then I need to add to the schedule, though I know my mother would be in heaven and I would be up to my armpits in hand made sweaters, scarfs, mittens, etc., that mom knitted for me. Me, knit? Maybe but that means that my cross stitch, sewing and other crafting projects would get set aside. My eyes can only take so much strain.

Showing? Around here there just aren't wool shows. Travel, as Garrett knows, is long distance and I already have to budget that for dog showing. We have many large meat producers in the area-goat and sheep. I don't think there are any of the wool producers left in the area. Back 30 years ago a large family raised that raised wool sheep but 10 kids have all gone different directions and not sure, but I don't think any are still on the farm. Our local 4-H is all about market lambs, not a wool class in sight. When I get into something, it's all or nothing. Like those damn quackers. Started out doing a favor for someone, now, it's heirloom breed preservation and showing.

So what to do, what to do. Needs more thought. I know Doc would just roll her eyes when I tell her that I now have sheep. She has a hard enough time keeping a straight face when I ask for health certificates for the turkey and ducks for state fair. I might have to find an alternative vet for sheep or goats or what ever. Granted Moose and Max would just love me but that would also mean debarking two old gals who run at the mouth when a horse sneezes or a duck shakes it's head.

For now, staying with the status quo. No new additions to the crew, well, woolie, feathered or fin. Barking, maybe, stay tuned.....

Later gators......
C

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Weekend, what weekend?

We are in major project mode at the ole homestead. So many things to try and get done before the winter kicks in and dumps snow, ice and ick on us.

Duck house is almost done. This weekend or next Dad is coming up with the backhoe to dig in electrical and water lines to both the barn and duck house. Then fix the broken tile line in the upper paddock but what’s even more cool is that the duck pond will get dug for real. Once that gets done, we can reset some fencing, put up the solid fence between the ducks and dogs, then get the flooring done in the duck house, walkways/chutes up to the small duck doors so the hooligans can get in and out this winter. Photos as we progress, I promise.

On the duck subject—there are a few available this fall. 2 khaki drakes-2 yrs old, 2 yearling white anconas, 1 yearling ancona drake, 2-3 cayugas(no idea on sex yet). Give me a jingle if you are interested in some fun quackers. All have been handled some, had dogs work them at least once and are healthy. I can vaccinate if needed but we are working on getting an organic certification on the ducks in the near future, so have to be careful what I do with them.

Horses-David’s working on his tack/feed room in the barn and it’s slow progress. Before the wind chill kicks up and the snow flies, we will be cleaning out the barn, moving his work area to a different spot, storing hay and making the barn a little more weather tight.

On the whole storing hay, that’s a small discussion we are having again this year. I had originally planned on getting some sheep or a couple goats when we moved in here. Tried the goat, it died while we were gone on vacation. Plus goats don’t eat grass, they are head level browsers. Only when everything at head level is eaten will they maybe turn their attention to the grass at their feet. I have some great friends with milking goats but I don’t want the work of milking every day. Meat goats-nah, again, boar goats just aren’t my cup of tea. Heehee, though I do hear that Bekka’s dowry includes a few goats from Tammy—good luck Alec!

Due to the problems with intergrating sheep with horses, it’s just another road block to consider. See sheep are funny, they have issues wit CU toxicity so you have to be careful about what livestock you keep them with. Horses and poultry use much higher levels of CU and therefore it’s in their feed, mineral blocks and supplements. That means any woolies would have to go in a paddock/field on the east of the property, kept away from the ducks and and and....

Which, gets me back to the hay issues. That’s David’s small hay field. For the winter that means less hay from our own field and more purchasing good quality hay from Ron. Not a bad deal as he has some great hay ground and the horses do well on his stuff, but at 3-4 dollars a bale, well, ugh. That adds up when you consider the elephants aka Clydesdales eat at least 1-2 bales each day, then the stock horses, then sheep?. Then there’s the additional feed for winter, somewhere to put the woolies-ie another small barn/shed to build. Vet bills, hoof trimming, shearing unless we get “haired” sheep. Garrett help me out here--- do I really want to get into this too?

So back to the projects at hand—no sheep or goats for this year. Dog room is almost complete. Thank you to Bekka and Alec for helping me this last weekend. OCD has its place and Bekka used it to her advantage. Carpet is out and new vinyl flooring is in. Discussion continued as we rolled up the last of the old pad and this weekend I will get the wainscoting for the walls and the industrial rubber trim for the floor. The dogs love the new floor already. It’s a cinch to clean, looks awesome and Connie(the human not the puppy) gets a chocolate bar for suggesting the product we used. I’ll post some pics after we get the walls done this weekend.

Garden is about at its end and I need to get my garlic planted asap. Carrotts to freeze and dehydrate. Salsa to make and see what I have left in lemon cucumbers for pickles. The beans are starting to dry so I have to wait to pick those for shelled beans and next year’s seeds. Oh the herbs-gotta dry those this weekend too. Then it’s till what I can, plant fall/winter crops and figure out what to do for next year.

What else, what else? Oh new kennel run in the garage then it’s out back to the small dog yard to put down gravel along the house. Wood stove will be in by the end of October, new sump pump lines in and I think I might even get around to painting the kitchen and study!
Are you tired yet? I am just thinking about it. Forgot, four dog show weekends coming up too!

Later gators.....
C

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Scary
















Okay, Alec suggested I dig out a few old photos and do some comparisons of SP and Aunt Marg at the same ages. From looking at them I see lots of things I like and dislike. Marg is not as leggy, but SP carries more bone. SP has a nicer longer neck but Marg has a better ear shape/placement. But over all, it's just too scary for words. You be the judge!

Marg on top at 6 mos and SP at 4 mos

Now between 8 and 10 weeks.
Later gators......
C


Monday, September 14, 2009

Pup'ttuide

Okay, first, these are not the best pictures in the world. THEY JUST DON'T STOP. I've never had this much trouble getting photos. 2nd, the lighting sucks and Alec was not straight on when taking them, so will redo for the website, tomorrow.
Love to have other's inputs on these two. Connie is definately a pet and looking for a home where they will do something with her. I just don't think she's a sit on the couch type puppy. SP is the " on the fence" puppy. Just not sure what to make of her right now. Then again, this age is horrible for making decisions on.

First up, Ms Sweet Pea, SP for short or Hey You or Blur or STOP IT! Never a dull moment with her. Constantly snooping and well, I'm not sure what direction to take with her. There's just something that pulls me in, maybe the last photos will tell you why. She's a little leggy, but for the most part, not too bad.
This is Connie. Ignore the ears. Yes that's duct tape. SP kept taking every other type of tape off, though, Frankie isn't helping matters either. I don't brace. Did that once and now Moose has to live with ears that are set up a little too high on his head. The ear on the left(her right) is pretty well up, but the right one(her left) has no intention on staying up at all. I do fear this girl will be living in tape for a time. She's cute, flash, very very smart and a willing puppy to for just about anything.

This is the one the scares me--Aunt Marg and Sweet Pea. It's almost too scary for words. They are marked almost identical except for the white splash on the ear and SP's blaze connects to her rough. The look, the eyes....well, you judge for yourself.


Later gators....
C




Friday, September 11, 2009

Paws for a moment

8 years? Has it been that long? Or has it not been long enough? Today as I walked into work, my thoughts were with Karen out in NY as she took her memorial walk across the bridge this morning. She's a great woman and her walk helps me to remember the events of 8 years ago.



I think the way we have turned from shock to sorrow to making this day a National Day of Service is truly amazing.



Reflect and Remember, seems I have a puppy soon to be registered with that name-very appropriate, very......



Later gators...
C

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Fly By Night

Can I say it more-I love being out in the black hole of Iowa. Yes that's the kind description of where I live. Just out of range of a lot of things but we seem to keep sucking more things in too.

Last night was just plain cool though. As you know the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle have been linked together until yesterday when the shuttle undocked, preparing to come home. Luck had it that our overhead sky was just plain awesome last night and David and Meredith set their chairs out in the yard. Not sure what time it was but we all went out and watched the Space Shuttle fly over, followed by the Space Station. Talk about cool as they just glided silently across the night sky. We found a couple other satellites, found some constellations and just sat in quiet awe at the wonders around us.

http://esa.heavens-above.com/esa/iss_step1.asp?nored=1 This is a link to a website that shows you when the space station will be flying over your house! It's about the coolest thing I've seen for awhile. Hope you get a chance to see it when it's in your neck of the heavens.

Later gators....
C

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

I just love this..

Mom sent this email to me and well, what a way to start off the work week.


This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. Remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing, and cares less, tries to make your life miserable.

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded: " Rome ? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty.....You're crazy to go to Rome . So, how are you getting there?"

"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!" "Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late.

So where are you staying in Rome ?" "We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome 's Tiber River called Teste." "Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks it's gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump."

"We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope." "That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."

A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome . "It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, so they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.

And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were over-booked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"

"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope." "Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican , a Swiss Guard tapped me onthe shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."

"Oh, really! What'd he say?" He said: "Who f***ed up your hair?"


Too true, isn't it?? Good laugh for a short week.

Later gators.....
C

Monday, September 7, 2009

Non labor day

Okay, the only part that was truly in the meaning of Labor Day was the sleeping in part but other wise....

Washed and throughly groomed one rough collie. To which I had just been doing the bare minimum recently and boy was I sorry. 2 hours later Claire is a new dog.

Then it was change a load of laundry, grab another dog. In total, 5 washed, 2 additional combed out and nails done. Blow outs on all of those plus a couple others, then nails on the rest of gang, save 3 who I had tackled last week. Stripped out one rough grif, trimmed that damn flag off the smooth and cleaned up the hair around his ears and feet. Didn't get to Tango--that's tomorrow's project! Did a couple more loads of laundry inbetween, tomatos cooking down to sauce the crock pot and the garage cleaned. Didn't get the new plants in the ground or figure out where to put the bulbs yet.

Next weekend-fix field tile that is bad in the pasture, dig duck pond out, new fencing in duck yard, siding duck building, trench in new water line to barn and also do electric line at that time. Sex ducks and band this years and make sure the drakes all have their bands on. Can carrots and beets, more tomatos for sauce and I think there's still some zucchini to shred and some cucumbers for pickles. Who needs a 9-5 when you have hobbies to keep you busy!


Later gators.....
C

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

And the weiner is.....

Okay, so here's the wrap up on the show. It was a long 5 days for those of us running it and it was fun. We found humor in so many places.

Thursday started off with the 4 letter word that show chairs hate to see on the TV--RAIN! And boy did we have rain. Major flooding in Anamosa, Marion, Cedar Rapids and well most of Eastern Iowa. At the RV park where we headquarter the show, I think it was 5 or 6 inches. It rained all day long. I must thank Big Ten Rentals for pushing to have the tents up on Tuesday though I wasn't ready. Never would have gotten them in on Thursday.

Robin flew in to pick up Sienna and well, I felt so bad that her Iowa experience was through rain drops, puddles and fog. Sienna is now having a blast with Ozzy in Maryland.

I don't think I have ever been so wet. Here's a few photos of what it looked like at home.



Friday rolls around and since I'm not chair of the Tri City club, I get to show on Friday and Saturday. OMG Early in the morning all four days for cardigans, but we made the most of it. Lots and lots of water on Friday, Saturday was more muddy then wet. Dove took another point as did Justin. Ruff Ruff on the other hand is a Diva-notice the capital D. He was of the opinion of no way should he have to wallow through the mud, too good for that. We all had a laugh at his antics in the ring. So on the way back to the RV, Alec and Russ went through all the mud puddles they could find. Yeap, he's kind of gotten over it. Here's a shot of the cardigan entry post showing. Notice the lovely mud prints on Connie's outfit, some of the way cool footware and heck, the smiles. We all had fun.

Kim and I spent part of the day washing blankets at the laundromat. Seems the Double Shot is taking a little more time to break in then usual-fresh water holding tank, all 110 gallons, fell, breaking it's supports. On top of Kim's grooming, crates, dollies and yes the cherry boots. Which lead to the washer/dryer discharge tubing coming apart and a flood of wash water in the main family room of the RV. Alec fixed it on Friday with help from Kathy and Bekka. We love PVC glue!

Saturday is a little crazier as I need to hang around a little more to work on the change over from TCKC's portion to the CRKA portion. Fun Match that night too. So up again way too early and and off to the muddy rings now. Dove comes home with her 2 major! Now only needing 5 singles to finish!! Wee haaa. Ella was reserve. Button was also reserve. After showing it was time to scope out the vendors. I've got a couple nice new leads, some awesome crate mats and a new comb-which is now awol. I am constantly loosing combs at shows. At the match, Ms Sweet Pea was a hoot and we got a standing ovation when she decided to finally gait. She has the best table manners, stacks like a dream. Walks on a lead at home but not in public-gotta work on that. Following the match was a nice night by the fire and early turn in.

Sunday was GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!! What I have to make a huge point of for any of you thinking about helping out with a show is to make sure you have awesome grounds crews. Dear David and his TCKC partner Byron, pulled out stuck cars, spread straw, filled in holes, you name it that did it and deserve that steak and beer dinner each night(that was a suggestion in the box at the end of the show). They always had smiles on their faces and everyone loved them! Thanks Guys!!!!

I got to spend my day escorting judges, talking to people, solving problems and making sure that everyone there was having a great time. For the most part, everyone found the humor in the situation and ran with it. No we didn't have mud fights but had some fun in it.

Unfortunately one of the bad parts of being a show chair is dealing with problems and well, I had to DQ a dog for an attack. Making it even worse, it was my breed. What I can't stress to everyone more is that it's your responsibility as an exhibitor or handler to have your dog prepared mentally as well as phyiscally for the shows. They need to be well behaved, attentive and relaxed. Now I get to preach---behavior that got a dog DQ'd this weekend, is unacceptable to me in any breed, but especially my own. Temperments are something that we should not be wishy washy on. Breeding dogs with bad temperments only begats worse temperments in my book. Take a serious look at what you are doing and be honest and truthful. It's a heartache for me to have a bad tempered dog out in the ring for John Q Public to see. Heck that's why a lot of people say that corgis are ill mannered and nasty, that's what they see because breeders aren't concerned enough about it to make it a real sticking point when they breed.

So Sunday's results--Justin takes another 2 points-this time with Meredith helping show him. Alec is also showing a Bedlington this weekend-that's a story to ask him about. Helping out with bull mastiffs and ridgebacks. Can't seem to make the ring time to get to the frenchie though, he really wanted to show Taffy for Sheryl.


Best in Show on Sunday was Erin and the Alaskan Malamut ---- gorgeous dog. Really nice dog.

After a long day of show chairing, I went and crashed at the RV. Good meal by Kim, nice warm cup of tea and a wonderfully toasty fire. Did I mention it was down right cold at night????

Monday dawns and it was a much smaller show to manage. Sandy and I were laughing and joking most of the day. I must add that our AKC rep this weekend was Dolores and she is a wonderful woman. I loved having her around and she really is a great representation of the AKC. Our Onofrio crew of the weekend was Reggie and his wife Sharon. Again, I LOVE REGGIE!!! He's a hoot and Sharon is one of the nicest people around. Barring 4 herniated disks, she slugged around with the rest of us.

Ella Bella got her first points on Monday!!!! Meredith played hookie and showed Button again and took more points. I guess he's in love with her.
Alec is now showing a breed I have admired for a long time, Tibetan Mastiffs. They are owned by a friend of ours. Jetts is the special and wow, now Alec knows why I have been attracted to them. He wants one now. He's also got a couple bullmastiffs coming out this fall to show. He's going to be a busy boy and I think it's time to look for a larger show bus.

Best in Show on Monday was Jeri and her OES. It was a pleasure to hand her that big ribbon and she well deserved it. There can't be a nicer person out showing her own dogs then Jeri. I wish all winners where like her. I got to hold Winston when she primped him for the photo and then was asked to stand in, even though there was nothing to hold up. Prize was money on Monday.

Clean up was fun and fast. I came home and crashed, dogs were never happier to get home. Now it's tons of laundry. cleaning crates as Eddie blew up or is that out on Monday in the RV and trying to get caught up at work. Would you believe we only have 3 days till Des Moines???

Later gators.....

C