eye of an Eagle

Breathtaking Eagle
soars high in the cloudy sky
eyes peering downward
Tis the beginning of Winter
hunting for food to survive

Melvina Germain

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a crazy couple of weeks we have had.

Sandy hit us with some very strong winds and flooding rains. We were out of power for a week.

It was not fun at all. We had done prepping as much as we could but we were caught short in many crucial aspects that would have made riding this storm out a little more comfortable.

We have a gas powered fireplace that would have given us heat during the outage, but sad to say the propane tank was empty and gas delivery was not going to be for another week.

Thankfully the gas company was able to fit us in after six days with out power so we did have one night of relative comfort before regaining full power.

We have a really good generator so that was a Godsend.

We were working on getting a switch system in place that would allow the generator to run our well pump , furnace and a few outlets in the house . But we did not have it in place before Sandy rolled in. Almost , but not quite! Still , we fared a lot better than many on the coast and less inland than us.

My family and friends still living on Long Island were in much worse shape than us. My friends in New Jersey even worse.

 

I was entered in a sheepdog trial the weekend after the storm, but with no power and two elderly parents here I just could not make it to Maryland for a sheepdog trial. Priorities! I had planned on going to Virgina for one this weekend , but bowed out.

Too much to do here and weather is looking too good for us not to keep at the fencing project we hope to finish before old man winter wraps his arms around us for a long bear hug.

 

The week with out power was challenging at best but we had a visitor one day that made us forget for a little while about being cold and dirty .

The eagle that I have in the beginning of this installment.

They really are magnificent birds. We have them here from time to time and I always am drawn to stop whatever I may be doing to take time out and watch them for as long as they visit.

There is something about an American Bald Eagle that just touches me to the core of my being.

 

Other than that things are plugging along.

Dogs are working well.

Selected breeding ewes are in with the Rams.

Coming to grip with winter riding into town is becoming more evident with each passing day.

Now where did I stow my Carhartt's ?????

swift star farm

I put together a little video , sort of a "Year in the Life" of our farm.

" Miss You "

" I've been walking in central park
Singing after dark
People think I'm crazy
I've been stumbling on my feet
Shuffling through the street..."

Today is and will always be a somber day for me. Any of you who are faithful to my blog know why.
This morning started crisp, bright with calm wind and cobalt blue sky as the day began eleven years ago.
I will take time out through out today to remember those who were Innocent bystanders. Helpless to save themselves from a fate I am sure none would ever have dreamed for themselves. I will take time to send thanks to all who stepped up and came forward to help .

Take a few moments out of your day to stop and  think about the many who died that day as well as the many search and rescue dogs and people who have died in the aftermath for their heroic efforts to save or recover in the weeks/ months that followed.

Delaware river adventures

My brother Mike was out for a visit a few weeks back. We crammed quite a bit of activity into three days. One of the days Mike Paul and I kayaked about ten miles of the northern part of the Delaware river. I took a few video's of some of the highlights. One is a few sections that have some rapids. Thought this year the water was low in comparison to last year when we went just after a hurricane. That was a little more of a white knuckle experience with the water more that 15 feet higher than this go and it was white water rafting at it's finest. When we were hitting this section of rapids there was this strange man snorkeling in the rapids. I almost took his head off as he popped up just as I was making my way around a large boulder! You can see him in the video of my brother going through the rapids. We also found a nice spot to pull off and swim. The water was calm here and deep. We sighted eight Bald Eagles this trip on the River. Awesome birds.
We also went swimming and hiking on two separate occasions at Lake Wallenpaupak. Lastly we went to see 38.Special in concert. Still sounded great after 40 years together!

pair of eagles

pit stop on delaware river

Delaware river adventures