Category: Stuff I make

Of Weddings and Elections and Goals, oh my…

Two weeks to go until my daughter’s wedding! What??!!!    Seems like yesterday we started thinking about it and man, TIME FLIES.  If you’ve done this before you already know… some of the planning is fun, some of it tedious and some of it downright nerve racking.  All of it is expensive.    I don’t know if this is unusual because I haven’t done this much, but in our case, the grooms family hasn’t really participated in the planning, by their choice.  I’ve certainly reached out and asked if they would like to share ideas or suggestions or input of any kind, but they are just a different and distant sort of folk, for lack of a better way to describe it and wanting to be respectful.  SO… as a result… this entire wedding is pretty much what my daughter and I put together with input from the groom of course. We certainly want him to feel this day is his as well as the brides.

When my daughter said yes to the dress, I  quietly had some reservations.  Elements of the dress were beautiful, and some elements didn’t compliment her. Not surprisingly, she felt the same when the actual dress in her size  arrived and we pondered what to do about it.   When we met with the tailor for the standard alterations, we made a great team, the three of us.  We made some big changes that really brought it together beautifully  thanks to the tailors talents, of course…. and I am so happy for my daughter, she loves it and I love that!   I’ll show you the before and afters, after the wedding.

Regarding the state of the world, of all the upheaval, the greed, the corruption, the absolute evil,  the continued erosion of our environment and culture and government and want for truths and justice and equal rights for all, affordable living for all,  freedom to live as we wish, women’s rights… the list goes on and on and on….. this crazy crazy election season (WTF is the best and easiest way to express it)  and the cult environment I would never have believed possible had I not been witnessing it myself….. it leaves me almost speechless when I try to make sense of it all, and that’s one heck of a statement because I don’t have trouble speaking my mind.   I wouldn’t have believed where we are now was at all possible… I always thought of us as a forwarded moving country, building a stronger, kinder, wiser nation.  Sadly, we’re going backwards in so many ways, and so many people are cheering it on and even hoping for civil war, willfully ignoring the dangers of all of it and also ignoring the lessons of past history.  How it’s lost on these people that they, too, could lose everything that means anything to them should something of this nature break out,  is beyond my comprehension.   We are capable of  better healthcare, an end to homelessness, fair tax laws, fair wage, freedom and equality for all, border control, better education, repaired and stronger  infrastructure, and on and on and on.  But our government can’t get out of it’s own way, our party system has become cult-like, it’s failing us all by not functioning together like two wings on the same bird.  Ultimately, human nature is apparently failing us all.  Except not all of us are guilty of it. But it takes the whole village to want it and to cooperate, and that we do not have.

And that’s all I’ve got to say about that for the time being. You see how that train of thought’s tracks run all over the place.

Goals… I’ve still got the same ones… better health tweaks I sometimes do and sometimes don’t, lose some weight, keep going with the exercise,  find inspiration where I can, do good where I can, live my “dash” as fully as is possible.   Below is the latest painting on my easel, still work to do on it, but I haven’t decided how I want to round it out….. I’ll come back to it as inspiration rises…. This is swan hill overlooking the Connecticut river, a hike I’ve taken a few times, admiring the view.

Till soon,

 

 

 

A tale of three dresses

With my daughter’s wedding just 2 months away, I’ve got a gaggle of three dresses brooding in my closet.   All three I got on sale, online.  Have I ever mentioned how much I hate store shopping and store mirrors in store dressing rooms?  Bleh.   I don’t think I’ll know which of the three I’ll wear until just before that day.  I’ll donate what I don’t wear to a local women’s community closet.   I’d like other opinions on style – give your honest opinion – which would you choose –  A, B, or C.

A.  This one is a beaded affair, with a bow on one shoulder. Not a style I’ve ever worn before, I’m not a girly girl, but it grabbed my attention.  The pic is awful but the best I could find online.

B.

C.

Three very different vibes.  And I am heavier than the models shown, by about 20 pounds, so the fit is a little different, nothing just hangs/drapes as beautifully as these women portray.

If you’re in the market for shoes for a special occasion, shoes you’ll be comfortable in all night long and can actually dance in… naturalizer is a great brand for just such a shoe.  I bought these online and they’re super comfortable and still very pretty…    The Vanessa.

Cold dark winter nights here on the farm inspire me to cook, and a good hearty soup with a fresh baked bread is one of our favorite meals here in this house.  Bread baking intimidates me, I give all of you sourdough starter people a gold star for your adventurous spirit.  As for me, I’ll stick with the super easy to follow New York Times No Knead Bread recipe… pictured below.    I use a specific Le Crueset covered kettle to make it.

As for the soup……  picture doesn’t do the taste justice….. Use an immersion blender once it’s cooked, to make it creamy. You can leave some chunks  whole if preferred.

Creamy Potato Carrot Leek Soup – link HERE 

While recuperating from surgery I have worked on my newest painting a bit… still much to do but it’s a fun journey  –  This is an area I have hiked several times, the view into the valley is the Connecticut River…. I’ll share it again when it’s finished.

Who couldn’t use a good laugh, right?   Saw these shared on Facebook, and laughed right out loud.

Time to put the barn boots on and get out there to feed and turn out the critters.  I hope all is well in your world,  thank you for stopping in –

 

 

Robins in Snow

 

Just now as I’m sitting in my office/studio pondering what to tackle while the granddaughter sleeps… I looked out at the gentle snowfall (always my favorite kind of snow… and the quiet that generally accompanies it)  and witness such a beautiful thing – Robins eating the holly berries on the corner of the  porch.

The barn chores take a little more time in winter, this is where I start to feel my age… the ice chipping, the frozen water bucket hauling, the frozen manure, the winter blanket maneuvering.   All the layers of clothes even.  But… as much as it can be a hassle, I wouldn’t give up the animals for an easier existence nor the  seasons to go live six months of the year somewhere balmier.  I’d probably weight 200 pounds if I did.   The occasional reprieve will do.    I do know many who love that yearly  migration.    I would just miss my family too much, I am a home girl through and through.

Our old boy, Max… 29 and looking fine.

We have some exciting news… our daughter is getting married in April!   We’ve been busy with wedding plans and most of it is fun!  Some of it anxiety inducing!    I hope to lose 15 pounds to fit into the dress I found and bought and love.  Stupid way to plan on the dress for the occasion but I’m going to give it my best shot, because I really do love the dress. And it didn’t come in my current chubby size.

I’ve had a few paintings on the easel this year…. my favorite is called “Organized Chaos”… a scene from our perennial gardens here on the farm….  I like to incorporate a creature into my paintings when appropriate… can you see the bee?

This one done for a friend, who built and runs that sugarhouse for the community  and is in the picture along with his grandson –

Currently on the easel – still a lot to do here, this is just the base layer…

Things I find inspiring…..

A photo taken by Michael Blanchard on Martha’s Vineyard – the island has gotten hammered in recent months with severe storms that have brought an angry sea to wipe out many of the dunes on the beaches….  Michael has been through some very trying times and has beaten and continues to beat back alcohol addiction, helps others now, and has written some inspiring books on the subject, with his photography.

Thankfully the Mr. agreed to a summer getaway to my favorite nearby island in July –  Looking forward to walking this beach again.

This sink showed up in my newsfeed, isn’t it beautiful?  Would make my least favorite chore so much more enjoyable.   Can’t help but wonder though, Wood and water usually = rot eventually.

Have a good weekend and an even better week ahead –  Till soon!

My Sunshine

 

Being a grandmother is something I have looked forward to since my kids grew into adults.  I have missed the baby stage and all those in between.. with the exception of the moody teenager who knows everything everywhere all at once, with attitude.  Our grandson was born six weeks early and spent two weeks in the NICU just to be certain he was strong enough to come home with his parents.  He was and he is thriving, having had his first pediatric check up yesterday with a glowing report.  He is my little sunshine and I am so very proud of the mother my daughter became instantly.   I love that my own mother gets the chance to be a great grandmother, too.

My daugher-in-law is due with  baby girl in May, stay tuned!  She sent me a picture she found of a beautiful easy-to-make spring centerpiece and I absolutely love it.  So easy to throw together, too…. use a clear vase – almost any shape will do… a bunch of carrots with the greens still attached, a handful of tulips… put the carrots in the vase with greens sticking out of the top, place tulips in the center of the greens, and fill with water 🥕 🌹

The above is mine, and below is my neighbor’s 🐇 – love the purple tulips!

With the warmer weather I’m more inclined to get out for walks/hikes and get those recommended 10,000 daily  steps in.   That’s harder than it would seem, but I have been managing to come close and if I take an extended hike/walk I surpass it.  Of course, I’m using my phone health app to monitor and I don’t wear my phone on my person at all times, so it’s possible I’m getting quite a bit more in than what’s recorded.  A recent physical indicated elevated cholesterol, which runs in my family, but a subsequent scan of arteries reveals no disease  and I really really want to stay away from statins so I’m tweaking my diet (plenty of room to improve!) and sticking to a decent exercise routine.  Can you believe I still haven’t lost the 25 pounds I’d like to lose? Oh, it comes off in little bits and then jumps right back up to that yucky number.  I’m not giving up though… for me, it’s what I’m putting in my mouth, not a lack of working out.  Ask me how much I love food though!  It’s my drug of choice and I like to cook and bake for others, which kinda sucks when there’s a weight loss goal to be achieved.

Bob’s Pond  and Hammonasset River Trail with my trail buddy, Kai.  Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, so we took advantage of the inspiration and explored land trust trails.

 

The sight and sound of the roiling river was music to my soul.  As a hearing impaired person, to be able to still hear this force of water is a gift 🙂

I could talk about the horror of the newest school shooting and that hideous fact that death by fire arms is now the leading cause of death for children in this country, but I am so weary and so disgusted by the lack of any action by the powers that be… and for all the wrong reasons… but I’ll leave it here with my mother’s words below…

*Thoughts and Prayers*
Let’s send thoughts and prayers again.
It worked the last time
and the time before that and the one before that.
It did work, it must have
because we haven’t done much of anything else!
Thoughts and prayers because it can’t be guns.
The NRA says it’s not and they would know
and tell us the truth.
They don’t benefit from a flush gun industry.
Do they?
Thoughts and prayers because….
the Second Amendment says that’s all that’s allowed
according to the NRA and many legislators.
Besides guns don’t kill people, people kill people.
People kill children.
People kill children with guns.
We can put flowers outside the schools, the churches,
the synagogues, the mosques, the supermarkets.
That’s allowed,
Along with the thoughts and prayers, of course.
Just not sensible gun laws.
Meaningful legislation is not necessary.
It will upset the NRA, the Gun Lobby, the Insurrectionists,
the White Supremacists.
Limited magazines not necessary, background checks at gun shows
not necessary!
So, here we are, left with thoughts and prayers
And flowers.
Always the flowers and the candles, against the fences.
As for more mass shootings
Well, tomorrow’s another day.
Mourning in America!
I’m not a religious person but I find myself praying for us all .. often.   I hope all is well in your neck of the woods, thank you for  taking the time to stop in here, your comments and thoughts are always appreciated .

 

The State of Things…

 

I don’t even watch the news anymore, rarely skim the headlines, truly shy away from anyone posting political crap on social media, and I used to be one who chirped.. a lot!  I just cannot believe the utter shit show across the entire political system, our governing bodies.    I decided my sanity and well being is more important than absorbing all the toxic noise, misinformation, ignorance.  And we all know in our deepest well of knowledge that we don’t change the heart or mind of another person who will believe what they want to believe, no matter the detriment to themselves or others.  So I stopped trying to do that, too.  And I must admit, I’m not so sure those I trusted are trustworthy enough.

It’s freeing!  I’m spending more time improving the quality of the work I put into my day job, this farm, the critters in my care, my family, myself. I picked up the paint brush again and completed a piece for a friend, and I have a new one on the easel.  It all feels like the right thing to do.

The completed piece –  this tells the beginning story of an immigrant who was born in this house ( no hospitals anywhere near) and raised here until his family moved (legally!) to this country for a better way of life.  They have worked very hard for a long time with two successful businesses now  and just built a beautiful barn and home  here in town.  He wanted this painting made as a reminder of their journey.

New on the easel… when completed it will be a snowy scene of a Vermont covered bridge in a  town we visit often, many good memories and hopefully more to be made.

The weather has been good and bad and iffy and good and bad again. In between raindrops or frigid temps I’ve been walking with Kai again, and recently my son and I have gone on a few short hikes. It feels good to keep going.. and we’ll get more hikes in when weather permits.

This is Deer Lake Reservation, which has just been sold by the Boy Scouts of America after a lengthy campaign by locals and state representatives to save it from development, to Pathfinders, which will keep it as a camp and public recreation area and wildlife refuge.  There are extensive trails, too.. this is a BIG WIN for nature, for campers and the general public who appreciate and recognize the value of open space.  There are many cabins the scouts and other campers used, and they will be kept up by the new owner and used in summer camp programs.

This quartz wedged in a large boulder looks like teeth!

We’ve also been down to the shore for some winter walks…

This next scene is going to be my next painting, on a bigger canvas for the living room if it comes out decent.  I am so grateful for this New England lanscape, diverse and beautiful in all seasons.

Our girls are in the second trimester of their pregnancies now, we are all so exciting for  Jonathan and Mia to arrive.  The eternal worrier in me keeps praying all will go well for both moms to be and their babies, and the dads as well!   Baby showers being planned, I’ve already got a shelf full of childrens books I’ve been collecting for many years ( I’m a big fan).  The baby clothes nowadays are so much more fun than when we were young mothers!  and the baby equipment too.

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods or piece of the plains,  spit of sand on the shore or your stamp on suburbia…  what have you been doing to stay sane in these troubling times?… creativity, better health, new horizons, perhaps travel again?    Covid is running rampant again around these parts, my son and daughter-in-law just got over it.  People are masking up again….just.. ugh.

closing this post with a few pieces I’ve found inspiring or profound…

 

Till soon-

 

We Shall Be Free

 

As these elections come and go I find I am at a loss for words that adequately describe my heartbreak for the state of the world and this country that I love. And as I see politicians who continuously sow seeds of division and hate and people/media/politicans continue to spread false information with the intention to divide and conquer… I don’t know how it’s lost on anyone this very simple but very real truth….. united we stand, divided we will eventually fall.  We are falling.  We need leaders who are focused on bringing us all together regardless of our affiliations, for that is where we become strong…… leaders who believe in democracy at it’s best, leaders who truly care about all of us, not just those who bow to them or line their pockets. We need leaders who care about the earth because we are fucking it up royally and that’s not a bottomless pit, we need leaders who’s egos don’t get in the way of the job they’re supposed to do… for all of us, not just their rally crowds. I don’t like most of my choices for voting, I wish we did better across the whole political spectrum. And I sure as hell don’t have the answer – but I will not lose any more of my precious time fretting over something I have no control over other than my vote. I will continue to try to leave things better than I found them, help those I can, and although I’m not religious, this country and it’s people are gonna need every prayer we’ve got, because all I see is more ugly coming down the pike, and too many people looking the other way to support it for whatever their reasons. Unfathomable, and yet here we are.

I wrote this a week or so ago, just before the most recent elections….. and what I see now  is HOPE.   A LIGHT beaming out over the dysfunction.  I still believe a mix of both Democratic and Republican policy make for a strong Democracy if the two parties can work together for the common good.  There in lies the rub!  There has always been friction,  and some corruption all over the spectrum, but never the divisive vicious manipulating  anything goes and anything is accepted crap  we have seen ushered in with the MAGA mentality.  It’s as if someone threw gas on and lit and aimed a blowtorch at the worst our society has to offer.

…. So.. that light?    This election was not a red wave, as the media predicted.  A ripple at best.  And some of the MAGA crowd vying for power was sent a clear message – we are tired of the hate, of the rage politics, we want function, not dysfunction.

Trying to distance myself from the muck of the political landscape… I’ve been sitting at the easel again and just finished this little painting, which I truly love.  For me it represents simpler times, and a childhood joy I still cherish… those little glass orbs, tiny little worlds in a glass jar on a sunny windowsill. PS: I don’t know why the weird lines appear in this painting’s image here, at least on my computer screen.  It’s not in the uploaded image of the painting.

As I sat up there on election day  in my son’s old bedroom which is now my “art studio” … I had Amazon music playing and my old buddy Garth came up  – how profound is this…. ( yep, I’m still hearing impaired, but I remember my favorites and all their nuances… and I can still hear the base rhythm… so believe it or not, I can still sing – horribly!!)   Garth Brooks is one of my very favorites… and this song ranks up there in my top 10 of all time.

 

We Shall Be Free

This ain’t comin’ from no prophet,
Just an ordinary man.
When I close my eyes,
I see the way this world shall be
When we all walk hand in hand.
When the last child cries for a crust of bread,
When the last man dies for just words that he said,
When there’s shelter over the poorest head,
We shall be free.
When the last thing we notice is the color of the skin,
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within;
When the skies and the oceans are clean again,
Then we shall be free.
We shall be free, we shall be free.
Stand straight, walk proud,
‘Cause we shall be free.
When we’re free to love anyone we choose,
When this world’s big enough for all different views,
When we all can worship from our own kind of pew,
Then we shall be free.
We shall be free, we shall be free
Have a little faith, hold out,
‘Cause we shall be free.
And when money talks for the very last time,
And nobody walks a step behind;
When there’s only one race,
And that’s mankind, then we shall be free.
We shall be free ,we shall be free
Stand straight, (walk proud, )
Have a little faith, (hold out;)
We shall be free.
We shall be free, we shall be free,
(Stand straight, ) stand straight,
(Have a little faith, ) walk proud,
‘Cause we shall be free.

 

Till soon, Friends…

 

FALLing

Man, it’s beautiful out there! New England in her Sunday best – Even in the rain – we’re getting some of that big weather much of the country is getting apparently.   I’ve been walking a lot with my favorite hiking/walking buddy – he’s been so good for this weary soul.

My son and fiance had their engagement photo session here on the farm recently – here are just a few of my favorites…

Their wedding will take place next June along the CT River  in an old factory with gorgeous windows and wood floors, an old fashioned train will bring guests to the venue – stay tuned!

The Mr.  and I took a quick ( like eight hours start to finish) trip to Vermont last weekend and  I got my apple and cider fix  –

Some art projects I’ve been working on…  beaded horse shoes (old mule shoes found here on the property… and a new painting on the easel.  The shoe I “sold” for a donation to a farm animal rescue here in CT called Shut the Door Farm – and the painting might just serve the same purpose once it’s done.  I love making things, but when they actually serve a worthy cause, it’s that much more rewarding.

With this season comes a desire to dig out more recipes, comfort foods, holiday fare, and I love every minute of it except for the cleanup.  Every rose has it’s thorns 🙂  And speaking of roses….

Check out this recipe – made it for company yesterday and it was AWESOME!  and fun to make – not complicated, I promise!

Apple Rose Pastry 

 And here’s another fantastic easy fall recipe…

Creamy Roasted garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

     I hope all is well in your neck of the woods – wishing you all good things in this season of thanks giving. ❤

 

Don’t send your son out for chicks

… because he’ll come back with more than he was supposed to, just like his mama.  And I have no one to blame but myself for that nonsense.

Every year I say – that’s it, this is a pain in the ass, I’m not raising chicks anymore, I’ll just buy a few pullets.

Welp.

Meanwhile over at the EggPlant…

Says Daenerys …… “And what fresh hell do we have over on the porch, KAREN? …. as if we can’t see that telltale amber glow of the heat lamp from over here. ”

I’ve got a yummy St. Patrick’s Day recipe for my Reuben loving friends…

Reuben Dutch Baby

by Diane Morrisey  – Follow her on instagram or facebook for awesome recipes with equally awesome photographs. 

4 large eggs
½ cup milk
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt
4 ounces coarsely grated Swiss cheese, divided
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more
2 tbls unsalted butter
8 ounces thinly sliced pastrami or corn beef, divided
Sauerkraut (for serving)

Preheat oven to 425F and Place a 10″ cast iron skillet in there to heat up.
Whisk eggs, milk and mustard in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisking constantly, gradually add flour, whisking until smooth; season with salt.
Stir in half of cheese and black pepper.

Carefully remove preheated skillet from oven and add butter; swirl skillet to coat.
Drape half of pastrami into skillet (it’s okay if it bends and folds over itself); season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over. Return skillet to oven and bake until Dutch baby is puffed and golden brown, 12–15 minutes.

Remove skillet from oven and heat broiler. Drape remaining pastrami over Dutch baby; top with remaining 2 oz. cheese. Broil until cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

Top with sauerkraut and grainy mustard before serving.

I’ve completed another painting, and I’m amazed at how prolific my painting has been during the pandemic because often I put down the brushes for years and years.   (speaking of pandemic.. my mom and his mom are now fully vaccinated, yay!  I still have anxiety about getting the vaccine but we are registered and hopefully will get appointments to do so soon. But still… ugh. Not a fan with the unknowns, long term affects, blah blah blah.  )

Anyway.. this painting is of Wasque on Chappequidick, Martha’s Vineyard in Autumn… a still-wild beach my husband and I like to visit. You get the feel that it could be 200 years ago when out there, untouched by tourism, at least not very much.

A few funnies and then on with the farm chores of the day…

 

Seriously, though…

Till soon, friends –

Therapy

 

Holy Government Shit Storms, Batman.   I just don’t have appropriate words.  Or rather I’m too disgusted by it all to speak without many, many expletives right now and we just don’t need any more of that, do we.

GOAT THERAPY!   I know I’m repeating a post theme here.. but I just love my goatgirlz…. Star and Bella provide daily entertainment and just plain love in the ways goats show it.  They call to us constantly if we’re out in on the property in range of their view,… so much so that Star actually gets laryngitis on occasion….  and when we enter their pen they’re on us like white on rice.

ART THERAPY!  I’ve been painting more too…. and managed to auction off one of my St. John paintings to benefit the animal rescue I have befriended on St. John – for $650.!  I’m no professional, so that’s a big chunk for one of my little paintings, I was thrilled.  St. John lovers from from all over the country were bidding and can you believe the winning bid, which I determined within hours of starting the process… lives about 10 miles from me?  Just over the river.   What are the odds?

This one just finished… the Nathan Hale House with an early evening sky….

Some funnies for you before closing….  and if you can’t relate on some level, you’re truly special 🙂

I’m not a  ritual-practicing religious person, but I find myself praying for our country’s soul lately.  Please… powers that be.. above all, Good over Evil.

 

Till soon, Friends…. thank you for stopping by – 

 

Love in the Time of COVID-19

In recent years the political and ideological  divide we’ve all been a witness to here in our Country and around the world  has been tremendously disconcerting.  It bubbles over as our governments and our peoples struggle to sort out and best react to the tremendous challenges of fighting a worldwide pandemic. Both economic and health concerns put an additional strain on an already beleaguered civil unrest and it can be hard to find a balance, to look for the good when it feels like the whole world has been shaken like a snow globe and the dust has yet to settle.  Some of us have lost our jobs, our source of income – or it’s been put on hold temporarily.  Others are on the front lines either in hospitals or food service stores, pharmacies, etc trying to protect their own health as well as that of their patients/customers.  Many are isolated from their loved ones, most are not living the life they had just three months ago.  The worst off are dying without family nearby to comfort them and say farewell.

When something as awful as this pandemic grabs us by the proverbial throat, something else happens along with it.  Remember the response we all had to the 9/11  terrorist attacks?   As horrifying as that event was, and I hope we never witness something like it again,  it also brought us together. There were flags everywhere!  People waved, honked, and thanked first responders, healthcare workers, police and firemen – those whose careers and COURAGE! put them on the front lines every day.  We were nicer to our neighbors, didn’t matter what their political affiliation or nationality,  they were us and we were them. We were proud of our flag and it stood for what it should – our pride and love for our Country.  We were Americans, all.   This virus spans the globe, not just our Country.  We’re really and truly all in this together.  Perhaps some good will come of it, a coming together of sorts as we figure out how to wade back into some sort of normal. Those flags are now rainbows drawn on sidewalks,  hearts in windows and on mailboxes,  red ribbons tied around trees. They say – THANK YOU,  WE’RE WITH YOU,  WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.  And indeed, we are, once again.  Let the good things that come out of this pandemic ripple out and the togetherness remain.

In the meantime… I’ve picked up my paint brushes again to see what I can create…..finished this  last night … Little Cinnamon Beach, Peter Bay, St. John…

Made this a few days ago and oh, man.. easy to make, delicious too – give it a go if you like to cook, and maybe even if you don’t!  It’s sooo good…

And… I’ve been playing with goats! Our new little Star and Bella have been a wonderful distraction from the troubles of the world.   Goats are so friendly when raised with kindness. They call out to us when they see us walking up to their little pasture and come running to rub up against us.  If we’re sitting with them, they’ll lie next to us or try to climb up on our shoulders, no kidding! No pun in tended!

      As the world begins to lift the stay at home orders and businesses begin to re-open,  stay safe and be kind. Those with significant health issues will need to be as vigilant as ever.  Anxiety will still be present, the concerns are real and the virus has not gone away. As my friend Sean says at the end of every post… WashYourDamnHands.

Till soon, friends…