We Moved Around A Lot...

when I was very young.  We traveled with Dad as he followed road construction and the money.  Where he was needed we were.  This meant different housing every month or so.  Sometimes amazing houses or apartments, other times not so great.

I remember one house.  I cannot tell the town nor the state but I cannot forget that house.  It was a house where magic lived, where squirrels talked to you and little people swam in the bathtub.

The house was two-storied with an amazing upstairs balcony.  I loved that place.  I could go up and look down and it would seem like miles to the ground.  I think I was about four years old maybe younger.

What I do remember is the way my mind wrapped itself around things and would not let go.

Having few toys didn't matter because Helen my first dog traveled with us. I remember playing with a small inflatable horse.  On the balcony I decided to see if my horse could fly.  It could not but it kinda floated on the wind like a leaf slowly to the ground.  This sent my mind another direction.  If it took that long to get to the ground, I could throw it over and run down to catch it.  What a wonderful new game!!

After about my fourth trip running break neck speeds from the upper balcony and out the front door, my mother came to check.

When called by Mother, Helen and I both sat properly waiting to hear what Mother had to say.  Helen and I  thought we'd done something wrong...again.

Mother asked, "What are you two up to now?  All I hear is running and slamming, running and slamming."  Mother stood with her hands on her hips with her no nonsense expression. Helen and I both knew she wasn't handing out cookies.

I decided to speak up and explain what we were doing.  We were tossing the horse off the balcony and if Helen and I ran really, really fast, we just knew we could catch that horse before it hit the ground. We just had to run faster.  That's what we were doing.  We just had to try harder, that's all.

Toward the end of my explanation Mother's hands left her hips. The mad left her eyes and there was a hint of a smile.  She patted Helen on the head and straightened the bow on my dress.  "Well," she said, "I admire your and Helen's faith and hard work.  Go ahead, just try not to slam the door when you go out." 

As Helen and I bounded up the stairway again with that poor inflatable horse I grinned at Helen and said, "See, I told you we weren't doing anything wrong!"  Helen said nothing but wagged her tail all the way to the balcony.

A Hot Pepper Night

When Ki-Anne and I have a party

we tear the house down!

I took 52 pictures trying to get a good one,

she is that fast.

This is her toy, her shoe.

She knows "your shoe" and "mine".

Forget shoe, whatcha doin' with that ball?

Here's lookin' at you, kid!

It's All About Perspective

Tarantula Alert!

A recent siting caused much excitement At The Farm.  As the cool weather arrives, it is not unusual to see a tarantula  heading for winter cover.

 Curiosity reigned in catdom.  After causing a kitten to jump straight up in fright, the adults decided to assess the danger.

They weren't very concerned.

After a complete inspection,

they allowed it to go on its way

Marcy followed, camera ready

and got this amazing shot of the fangs.

Zander And The Stick Girl

Look what Lil gave me!

Why is she staring at me like that?

Nana, help me throw the stick!

Drop it, Cutter!

Lil finally gets her stick...

only to bring it back to Zander

for Nana to throw again.

Who would've guessed it?

This N That

I have been remiss with my commenting.  No excuses!  Well, I have a list if you want them...laundry, dishes, cooking, work, and a good book.  If you like suspense, murder and love stories all wrapped in one, read The Last Child by John Hart.  It is fantastic!  I have missed reading blogs but John Hart had me wrapped around his finger and would not let me go.

The temps are cooler so that is a relief.  I can tell the difference in the people, every one is feeling happier.  Now, if we just get a few good rains, we will be partying.

I have had some bad days and some good days this week but I must remember the sun shines on all of us.

Castor Bean  Bloom Pod

We have had a good run in the garden.

Life is good At The Farm.

I Am The Bridge Keeper

Halt!  No one may pass.

I beg you, Bridge Keeper, let me pass.

You shall not pass.

Those are my orders.

Please, please, Mr Handsome bridge keeper.

First you, and then the fowl!

The neighborhood will be ruined.

I have failed.

I cannot hold my head up.

I quit!

What Logs Are Good For...

How Deep?

This doesn't seem like much if you are from a snow state, but here, in Arkansas, this is a lot of snow!  The official measurement was twelve inches.

The animals seem to love it.

Orange has to stays in tracks

because it over cat deep.

Things Are Cold

But we are very lucky.  We do not have feet of snow or lots of rain.  The ice has formed on the water garden.  The animals come through to drink and I must remember to break the ice.  They are spoiled to the water garden since I made them a path to the water.

The fires are going and they feel good.

My latest foster dog is doing well.  Here Gentry is looking for the laser light that she chases.  Gen sits and is house trained and leash trained.  We have an application...hoping Gen gets a forever home soon.

My Two Dogs

Collectively, the farm has eight dogs but I have only two that are mine, all mine.  I think Seymour acts like a British Cocker Spaniel instead of an American Cocker.  He is very aristocratic and regal. 

I don't think he is too impressed with his competition.

They will not have to compete for my love and attention.  I have enough for both. 

Welcome home again, Yoda!

Can You Say Adorable?

Can you say "So ugly, he's cute"? This is Mikey, now Yoda, my second foster dog. Yoda did not last long on the adoption rolls. I am applying for him, I hope I meet the qualifications!

Yoda was found abandoned in the middle of nowhere. He is skinny with a skin allergy but otherwise healthy. Ads were placed to see if someone had lost a dog and no one answered. Mikey/Yoda was brought to me today to foster. Doesn't take me long to make up my mind!

He is quietly resting now with his belly full of beef, deer, and dog food, content and quite at home.

This N That

Princess enjoying the green grass in September!
A wonderful dog and an old hag

Andrew working on that birthday present! Why did I get an amp??

The harvest is still good.

Things just keep on growing. We are truly blessed.