DAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY - OHHHHHHHHHHH !

Today is our oldest dog's Birthday.  We like to sing Harry Belafonte's Bananna Boat song to her. She as well as the rest of the dogs get a real kick out of it.

It is hard to believe Deigh is eleven . She is still peppy and full of energy. She still is wanting and willing to work livestock, though I keep what she does on the easy side so she is not too worn out in the evening.  For the most part she is accepting her Retirement from Sheepdog Trials and a lighter work load with grace and style .

She has been a good dog. Not an easy type of dog to handle but a good one none the less. She challenged me and made me a better handler. Gave me a placement in the Open class the first time I ran her at that level. Was a shoulder to cry on and soft fur to bury my face in when my Swift lost her battle with Cancer. She was patient with me after . I could not work her for many months as it was just too painful. Swift, she and I were a constant team and with Swift gone I could not make myself train Deigh for sheepdog trials without shedding tears and it made me miss my Swift even more. So she and I took a break. I feel bad in many ways as she was at the prime of her sheepdog trial career. I am sure she understood.

She gave me two beautiful daughters that I am currently running in trails

So with each day I have with Deigh, I cherish . She has an aggressive form of Cancer that will show up later than sooner I hope.

In December I had a tumor removed, it came back Cancerous. Even though there was clear margin, the type is very aggressive.  It is not a question of  " if " but more of  " when "  will it come back.

So we just pray that we can have as much time as we can with her, and in the end I know Deigh has had a wonderful life here with us. She has given us more than we could ever give back to her. I feel very lucky to have had such a good dog at the post with me and on the farm. We should all be so lucky.

white out

Guess what ?? It's snowing here. Yesterday we had the start of something they are now tagging as a Blizzarcain or something stupid. It is snow in winter with wind...last I checked that is what a Blizzard is...a winter form of a hurricain. Do we REALLY need a spiffy new name ???

I spent a good part of the day  yesterday thinking I could get ahead and plowed the eight or so inches that had fallen just before dark so today it would not be such a task to remove. Mother Nature had other ideas and the wind blew hard from the north west all night. All the preventive work was a waste of time yesterday. Drifts waist deep and average snow about knee to mid thigh high.. The driveway looked as though I had done nothing to it the day before. 

I went out to ask our resident animals for a comment or two on the weather

The chicken's said to just take the clucking eggs and to cluck off .

They warned me to leave their door closed or I would be clucking sorry. I did as I was asked.

I quietly collected the eggs and thanked them. I think I heard some off color comment as I was closing the hatch to the coop but I can't be sure.

I tried to get comment from the other animals but was told to keep my distance

or they were just not available for comment

So what else was I to do but grab the few who I knew would find something positive to all this snow.

as I have said before, life is always good when your a Border Collie !

I have heard talk that there is global warming...

More snow ! Yesterday it had snowed most of the day but just around 3:00 or so it really picked up and was snowing about an inch an hour. Woke this morning to around 7 inches give or take of snow.  I really am starting to wonder if I may be color blind ? It really was beautiful even though I am ready for the next season. It was the kind of snow that sticks to everything and inspired the likes of Norman Rockwell .

Took the dogs out early for a romp in the snow. They sure do love cold weather.

I made it down to Nola's on Monday and rode Diamond finally.

I met a woman named Cheryl who has a Halflinger in for

training. She is a really nice lady. Everyone down at that little stable is very nice . Nola was working a few of her horses in for training and hopped on Diamond for me. She was not wanting to bend into corners and while we were riding together I expressed my frustration for not having enough leg to MAKE her do it. Nola offered to get on her and I was glad she had time. Diamond is a smart little mare . Not in a bad way but she knows I just don't have my leg yet. After Nola worked her a bit I hopped back on to walk her out. Nola and I were chatting and the next thing I know, Diamond dropped to the ground to roll ! I never saw it coming. I am glad I am still  quick enough to have hopped off before my leg got trapped under her. Nola said she blinked her eye and the next thing she saw was me standing on the ground next to Diamond. Anyway it was pretty funny. Silly mare.

Tuesday had the contractor over and he started ripping out the ceiling in the kitchen and put in the new high hat lights. It will look so much better when he finishes. Not great, but better : )

Spent several hours with our little John Deere tractor today moving snow off my parents and our driveway. I was pleasantly surprised that little tractor moved all that wet, heavy snow without tire chains .

My ewes that I have bred are looking mighty round! Another weather system is due Thursday night into Friday. Expected total inches are about 15 from this next strom.You can bet with a nice big storm and drop in barometric pressure I may have a few lambs to deal with.  Anyway that is about it. 

Oh , I would also like you to meet our snow shepherd who is keeping an eye on the flock for us.

winding down

Not much to report.  Have not been doing much. No real excuse, but I did hurt my back a few days ago and it was just getting better from when I stepped in that stupid ground hog hole. Flint had to go out around three or so in the morning a few nights ago.  I must have been half asleep and slipped on ice and pulled something in my groin / hip area. I feel old !

The sun was finally out all day today. It was wonderful. I missed it. It has really been a week or more since I have seen it. The wind was still blowing steady around 15 + MPH most of the day so it made it a little raw. While it showed 40 F , it really felt closer to 30 F with the darn wind. Still it felt good to have the warmth of the sun on my face.

Yesterday afternoon we finally went to town and saw Avatar. Oh my God it was fantastic! I really was so sucked into this movie that the 2 hour and 45 minute run time flew by. If you have not yet seen it please do before it leaves the theater. I am sure it will still be good when it comes out on DVD but the 3D was something else!

I have been busy cleaning tack. Paul brought up the rest of my stuff  ( I think all of it's here but I have collected quite a bit of equipment over the years ) from our other home last week and I can't believe how thirsty my poor leather was ! My 30 year old saddle looks new as well as the several bridles I cleaned. It has been a LONG time, so silly me taking the bridles apart to clean and condition and then...hmmm... now to put back together ! I did manage but it was touch and go there for a bit.

I'll get down to Nola's and ride Diamond this week. With my back hurting and having the contractor over with the door issue it just had not worked out. I feel okay and will try for tomorrow. Contractor back Tuesday to remove the ugly drop ceiling in the Kitchen and sheetrock replacement with a new ceiling fan and recessed lights instead of the two old fluorescent office type fixtures up there now. It's not much but it will help liven up the kitchen area. The door has made a huge change as well, letting in more light. Still too tight for my liking  but I'll admit it is not an Anderson product. You get what you pay for I suppose.

Got pups worked today. Tried the two acre field and Flint was not letting me walk to him and collect him. Choosing to flank around to balance.Back to the control pen for a few minutes. I then went back out to the larger field and he gave me %75 cooperation. A few times he flanked around before I got to him . I don't like this, but he is trying and we did have sucess with him letting me walk to him take him off and resend more times than not. It's a start.. It will get worked out.

Rush was great. Can't say anything bad. Maybe still a bit fast but I like that about her.
I have found she is a good retriever. After her work session I played a little fetch with her and she was loving it. Got the stick, brought it right to me and was having some fun. I did not think she or Flint was at all interested. Seems I was wrong. I think maybe Spirit and Dream are too much for her to contend with. I know many frown on such "games" with sheepdogs. I have never had a problem with it and well, I LIKE IT.

That's about it . Going out to do chores, Paul is all ready out there. Better get going !

What the Cluck ???

I really thought just a short time ago that I felt Spring in the air. I think that was the last day I had actually witnessed that glowing yellow ball in the sky. Each morning that I open the little door to let the chickens out , I swear I hear them saying " What the cluck ?? Are you kidding ! More clucking snow ?  And what the cluck is up with this cold weather ?? "

I really am at a loss for words. I just don't know what to tell them.

 There really has not been much going on. I am in the winter slump I usually fall into just about this time of year. There has been a lot of this going on as of late

I think it has gotten to just about all of us. Though the younger animals have been providing some amusement

My leg is healing and feels better. If you remember I had stepped down in a ground hog hole a few weeks back. It really hurt for quite a while and the brusing was ugly. It looks not so bad right now . I tweaked my back when I stepped in that hole but it is feeling better too. 

I gave the ewes close to lambing their CD & T booster today . I'll finish the rest of the flock with Paul over the weekend. The flock is not really due for Vaccination 'till May or so, and it was so much easier with his help. Spirit drew the lucky straw today and got the job. She is so much like her mother Deigh in her attitude and style. She has become so very good at close tight work. It is interesting to me because as a pup and young dog she had such a short fuse and hard grip. 

Not much else to report. Had pups out yesterday and was happy with them . I am really enjoying getting them going. Holding back from the temptation of working them every day has been hard . I have managed, maybe because the weather is so crappy. I just don't want to overwork a growing body and have lameness issues with a four or five year old dog down the road. Plus I want them to be keen and fresh to work at this tender age. I want them to hold this dear as a finished dog, so they will have a good willing attitude down the road .

shades of gray

So here we are again , another bleak overcast gray day. Snow showers on and off all day . Wind howling. I know, it's winter. But I am quite ready for a change.

While walking the dogs today I did notice one of our old grandfather Maples had plump buds forming. A very good sign. The lack of color is getting old though. White ground, dull dormant gray leafless trees, overcast sky with any given shade of pale to dark gray.

Even  the creek , one of my favorite places to visit on the property offers not much other than more shades of gray. Praise to the Hemlock grove that flanks the one side of the creek. A smattering of green against shades of gray. There is bleak beauty in this landscape . Raw and clean . I appreiciate it as much as the beauty of warmer weather and what it brings. It is a time to take stock of what you have , regroup and plan for what you want . Slow down , enjoy what is around you .

There is beauty even in shades of gray .Tonight if all we see are shades of gray ,tomorrow is another day

It's Valentines Day !

Today is the day we spend with the one we love. Sharing the special bond that brought us together in the first place. Candy , kisses , flowers . 

Paul and I spent part of the day  " celebrating " by worming sheep together. "Oh how romantic" I know your all thinking. Well, to be honest it was great to have him do the sheep wrangling along with Brackens help. All I had to do was shoot the wormer in the mouth of the captured sheep. Bracken pushed them to the back of the barn, Paul grabbed them and marked them and I gave them the wormer. I'll get to the CD&T sometime this week. We are just about a month away from lambing. I have 14 ewes bred this year. Eight hair sheep bred to a nice black Katahdin ram and six wool sheep bred to one of our Border Cheviot Rams.

It has been unusually cold the past few days. Well maybe not so much cold as windy. It just cuts through you. Woke to a light dusting of snow this morning and the frost thick on the kitchen window. It is really is pretty to me. I took this picture of it last week when it was on the window and the sun was shining to show the patten of the ice.

Making two yummy lobster tails and steaks for dinner tonight. Looking forward to the feast. Not much else going on.

at the eigth pole

I'm not sure, but I think I felt it today. I really do. Even though it was cold out there, the sun on my face felt warmer than it has for months. I think we have hit the eigth pole and we are heading down the stretch to Spring. When we cross the wire is anyones guess.

Last night ,there was a message from the contractor on my answering machine. He said the he had talked to someone at where the door is made and that it is supposed to be a tight fit.
Um, well this is a wee bit more than tight. I don't think I should have to pull a door open and closed . I took a trip up to Home Depot and opened and closed every patio door they had on display. Nope, sorry ....they all slid better that the door at my house. The rub for me is I avoided the big name warehouse store. Wanted to support the little guy. Gave my business to them. Had I purchased this door at Home Depot I could have brought it back. No questions other than do I have proof of purchase. So here I am , a contractor who tells me this is how the door is supposed to be, a business who tells me the contractor installed it wrong and I feel like I am the one holding the bag of crap !  I guess all I can add is " to be continued..."

Got the pups out today. I went back to the control pen with both. Up to now I have not asked much from them. I really was just evaluating what I had in raw state. Adding little extras here and there but always working off the dogs themselves and what I see that they bring to the equation naturally.  Flint MUST stop and allow me to collect him. So this was what I worked on at the end of his last session and on completely today. He was fairly reliable in the round pen, though I could see the added pressure of my insistance brought out a few blow in grips. Not a big deal. I just backed off and allowed him to do what came natural with balance . He is figuring it out, and I like that he is working hard to figure out what and why .
Rush was brought in too and had the same lesson even though she has been pretty good out in the open about me collecting her. I see her just a bit more sensitive to me than Flint. Nothing major , but just a slightly different reaction to my applying pressure to her. She also had a few  blow in grips . Nothing that really bothered me and backing off and letting her work naturally was all she needed. She was also trying very hard for me. I like that about both of them.
The snow made it a chore to keep in position for what I was working on. It really is soft under your feet and I was slipping and sliding as I tried to keep up with the motion.  I also had Rush walk straight into the sheep. She had been jazzed out in the open field and was getting too fast and too close. In the pen she had no choice but to come in with control and purpose. I thought she handled herself well. She really has a " make my day " look to her eye when asked to come on .

Took all the dogs out for a romp session. Lots of fun . Both pups were running full out in the open field today and hit a deep drift. They were so busy looking at and rating each other they never saw it coming. I laughed so loud I heard my own echo !

 That's about it. Waiting for Paul to get here. Should be here soon. Going out to do the evening chores. I'll leave you with a few sunset shots taken here. We get some great ones I think because we are up on a hill.