What I've discovered...is....

I'm not the world's greatest blogger :D I thought it would be reasonably easy, but IT'S NOT! WHY??? For one thing, I tend to get free time for the computer at night after DH has headed for bed BUT, it seems I type too loudly so it bothers his sleep. And then....what should I write about? So, here's what's been happening since my last post.
We've got a new roof on the additions, the fireplace is almost ready to use (good thing...it's getting COLD), and best of all, I'm getting Finland company for Christmas.
Ladybug is growing like a bad weed and I can't wait to catch up with her antics. It's going to be great to spend time with C&K as well. We plan to go skating (hmm, must find my skates), a few trips to the pool (oh no...a bathing suit???) and generally enjoying the festive season.
Zachary, my old miniature schnauzer is defying the odds and has rallied from some serious issues. Since I lost my Jazz in April this year, I'm not ready to face losing another pet..not yet.
I had the pleasure of fostering 2 adolescent border collies for 3 days before they headed to Ontario Border Collie Rescue. They were a joy, but I'd forgotten how energetic teenaged BCs can be!
With all the renovations at home, my gardens suffered from lack of care. Next year, they will be in much better shape since we will have the major building project done.

I'm hoping to get my sheep next spring/summer. I've been waiting until the 'right' time...but I don't think there is a 'right time' so I'm just going to go ahead and find the flock that I want.

Well, that's just a bit of catching up..I think I'll try to set aside a few minutes each day to get to the blog. Let's see if I can start my 2011 new year resolution early :)

the hummingbird

On walking old dogs

Zachary, my minature schnauzer, will be 14 in July. For the past 6 years, he's been on daily heart medication. Since we moved to the farm, Zach generally was walked 3 km each day until the last couple of winters. Now that the weather is getting warmer, Zach has been enjoying his walks again. With Jazz gone, I take Zach on his own (Cricket & Dusty are way too fast for him).
We start out quickly as Zachary thinks he's a puppy again...straining at his harness to get going! Once on the road, he slows..enjoying the new spring smells, snuffling for the mice, marking his spots! It's more of a meander than a real walk. As he slows down, so do I. I get the opportunity to take in what I might have missed with the other dogs...the first trilliums poking up through the ground, the ruffed grouse making its way slowly through the undergrowth, the scent of rain soaked soil, the prickly back end of the porcupine. Life slows down when I walk Zach..I smile as I watch him enjoying this time out - away from the fenced yard and other dogs. I take this time to forget about all that needs to be done at work and at home. There is no choice when you walk an old dog - his pace is your pace. It's a nice way to end the day...

Dad's birthday.....

If my dad were alive, it would be his 92nd birthday. He has been gone for almost 6 years now....funny, sometimes I still hear his voice. :) He was a pushover for the dogs. He had a little pomeranian, Shadow, and I had a BC X, Brandy. My dad would often dog sit for me. I can still hear him saying...I can't eat my breakfast in peace, because those dogs are sitting there looking at me with those sorrowful eyes. yep, he was a pushover. He loved those dogs dearly and they were the most spoiled dogs ever. The dogs died within months of each other...both having lived 16 1/2 years. My dad always said there was no way he wanted another dog BUT...in March that year, I brought Tippy to them. Mom wanted another dog and she got her way. Tippy loved them both equally and in less than one day, she had dad wrapped around her paws...
My dad was a man of few words and I can't ever recall him saying "I love you" but he had his own way of showing it. When I found myself single again at 35 years old, I decided to take a trip to a sunny climate that winter. I asked my dad what he wanted me to bring him (having remembered that as kids we always asked for gifts)His reply was short and sweet - "YOU, and not in a pine box"....yes indeed, my dad loved me for sure - he just had his own way of saying it. :)
So, today, on his 92nd birthday...I say here's to you poppa bear. always loved and always missed.

It's been awhile

Time does seem to fly whether you're having fun or not! The last few months have been consumed by my work. Trying to get two new software programs aligned and working properly is a chore which leaves me little time or energy to think about blogging.

We are making progress on the additions! I actually have 3 walls up on the mudroom and we are now laying out the final design for the living area. The biggest decision is how many windows do we want :)

The last couple of weeks have been trying. I lost my best buddy, Jazz my border collie, to cancer. It was sudden and unexpected. I can't believe he's gone.

It's been 2 weeks today and tomorrow would have been his 11th birthday. I wrote this for him...


Last night you came to visit me
You laid your head upon my knee
You poked my hand the way you knew
Would get an extra scratch for you
I wrapped my arms around your neck
I breathed deep of your doggie scent
My tears rained down upon your head
I softly spoke your name
Your deep brown eyes gazed up at me
“You called and so I came
I know you cry these tears for me
But this I know is true
We have a bond that will not break
I always walk with you
If you whisper, I will hear
And we will walk together
Through snow filled fields and leafy trails
Through sun or stormy weather”
I woke and still I felt you near
My face - Still wet with tears
But in my heart I felt such joy
I feel you near, my handsome boy.


Once things have settled down at work, I hope to blog a bit more.

but for now...that's all there is!

2010....how can that be??

Here it is - 2010, not only a new year but the start of a new decade. Whatever happened to Y2K??
Life around here has slowed to the winter pace that comes with cold and snow. We aren't doing much in the way of construction outside - not until the temperatures warm up. We're supposed to have a January thaw but time will tell. The one thing about not working on renovations is the time it allows for changing my mind about howq it should look (much to DH's dismay!) We had initially decided to put a set of doors between the new 'livingroom' and old. The new livingroom will be the home of our masonry heater and I
Snowshoeing has been good. Jazz and Cricket race through the snow in search of the absolute BEST stick to carry - making sure that they run past us, whacking us in the legs as they go by. :)
The ducks are thriving even in the cold weather. Likely this is due to the insulated Duck Palace that DH constructed for me last summer.
This winter has seen a great increase in the number of wolves and brush wolves in the area. Where there once was a good number of deer, the population has really suffered over the last couple of winters. Last year's heavy snowfall didn't help the population and this year, it is the wolves. Such is the cycle of life however. It wasn't so long ago that the wolf population was almost decimated by mange and hunting deer was like shooting fish in a barrel!
The first of the seed catalogues has arrived. Now that can bring a smile to my face for sure. Nothing like sipping a hot chocolate while the snow swirls about and deciding what new flowers will grace my gardens.I'm quite partial to lilies, especially day lilies which seem to tolerate my lack of attention :) I have been known to move flowers in the heat of the summer - a definite no-no in horticultural circles. But my lilies manage to survive and thrive.
The next catalogue to arrive should be Lee Valley's gardening catalogue....that's good for HOURS of viewing. I have to decide on the 'practical' like good pruners or the not so practical - like the weather vane....decisions, decisions!