The Grey Ladies

were just puppies yesterday.

Ki-Anne and Diamond Lil

showing their grey but still hard at work.

Staying Cool

can

be

hard

 work.

 Many

 times

nothing

you

 try

 can

 do

 the

 trick.

 It's just too hot!

How Does An Old Gray Lady Cool Off?

It's been hot.

Walks and runs are really hard

on this pair of stiff gray ladies.

We know where the cool spots are

and still play now and then.

Lil smiled as I waded in.

Stay cool.

Gray Ladies Digging

on a warm spring day

 can be taxing work.

Although extremely exciting

it is very exhausting.

Just ask me...another gray lady digging in the garden with Lil.

We were both very serious about and satisfied with our work.

Diamond Lil

Any stick will do

Lil's search for a stick is border line/Border Collie OCD.

Getting up in years, Lil, a short haired Border Collie is our oldest dog on the farm team.  She's a great stock dog, a snake dog and a stick dog.  She also has a love of food.  She dines after the cats at Marcy's at three AM  then lets the chickens eat what she deems is enough then she lays on the rest of the food until the chickens give up.  Then Lil eats, casually, and in good amounts.  She no longer maintains her girlish figure.  

She never turns down a game of stick.

Throw it!  I got it!

Don't blame us, we throw what she brings if we can.

But there are always helpers...

and those who taunt

All want the stick Lil chooses

 Come on, old lady, I've got  your stick!

 but Lil doesn't play that game.

I know she's thinking, Why in the world did I ever teach them stick?  But like the good teacher she is, Lil patiently waits.  Young ones change games quickly.  Darn pup!

What Makes A Stick Dog Happy?

Word spread quickly...

a storm that left sticks

which one?

the stick stare...which one should I choose?

Lil just laid down with all her sticks

Too many choices!

She decided to forget them 

and

go for a swim.

Rock Hollow

Every place has history
if you listen well
rocks and trees whisper
all have stories to tell

From water falls

to swimming holes

flowers, ferns and moss

beauty feeds the soul

I never walk alone

dogs are always there

I can feel the ancestors

in the land and in the air

From deep hidden spaces

to magnificent falls

the place renews my spirit

places both large and small

For Open Link at dVerse~Poets Pub

and Imaginary Garden With Real Toads

My Calling...

for dVerse~Poets Pub

Many voices
Called me
Ancestors of mine
And others
Asked me to dig
I heard them

Animals called me to heal
I healed then and now
But never got a paper
Training was easy
dogs horses
and chickens

My calling changed
To wife, mother, employee
Through all that
Animals and ancestors
paper and paint
Called...I answered

Diamond Lil, Short-haired Border Collie