Category: Uncategorized

Homeward Bound

 Some of you, my long time blog friends, are aware of the dog rescue groups I have volunteered for for several years.. Dog Days Adoption Events and Red Dog Project.  See labels on side for more on that.   My experience with Dog Days and Red Dog has been wonderful. There is no better feeling than coming together with a large group of like minded people to accomplish something that benefits so many.. in this case dogs languishing in kill shelters across the country.  The stats are horrible – according to the ASPCA, approximately 3-4 million cats and  dogs are euthanized each year, unable to find adopters before their “time is up”.   There are rescue groups trying to change that by holding adoption events to assist the rescues that pull the dogs from shelters and give them a better chance at finding a home. Dog Days and Red Dog  are doing wonderful things – they’ve accomplished tremendous success and a large volunteer base as a result.

 A small group of this band of volunteers recognized the need for more of these events. There are too many wonderful dogs still dying.   The formula works as long as strict guidelines like quarantining, rehab where needed, full health and temperament evaluations are performed.   The rescues are grateful for being given the venue to have their dogs seen by the public at an adoption event, giving them a much better chance of finding their forever home as opposed to sitting in a shelter cage hoping someone will come along.   Most often their financial resources are next to none and so they don’t have the tools to promote their dogs in the best possible light.  We volunteers can give them that opportunity… and so we are determined.

 If you are on FB, won’t you please visit our page  and “like” us.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/HomewardBoundCT?fref=ts

 Our first adoption event will be held in November here in CT  – updates on the dogs we’re saving and will be up for adoption will appear regularly.  It will not have all the bells and whistles of the Dog Days events, but the end result will be the same… dogs surviving and thriving in their new forever homes. 

  Thank you –   

Sunny Disposition

   If I ask you what comes to your mind first when you think of a cheerful flower, I bet many of you will say the Sunflower.  My mom and a group she is affiliated with would agree.. and this year they gave out sunflower seeds to anyone in town who would like to grow them. The idea was to spread sunshiney cheer throughout the town and come together at the end of the season to award prizes in several catagories ranging from largest flower to best arrangement, single flower, photography, etc. The celebraton took place on Saturday and right now there are sunflowers growing at the circle, the gas station, the elementary school, Parmelee Farm, This Old House.. the retirement community up the road.. and many resident gardens as well.  

 It’s a beautiful thing..this spreading of sunshine, don’t you think?  I’m hoping next year participation doubles.  These lovely folks shared a recipe the first selectwoman  created just for this occasion.  It is delicious and unique!  

 
 
  One of the few that actually came up in my garden this year…
 

It comes to this….

   Since the coyote drama I have not let my girls free roam and they dearly miss it. Whenever I walk over they crowd the coopyard door thinking I’m surely going to let them out THIS time…. 

   So  after weeks of this pathetic behavior I decided to bring a beach chair out there and for about a half hour on most days I let them out to dig and scratch and flutter and flap and run and jump for joy.. because that’s what they do after being cooped up for so long.   You always wondered where that expression came from, didn’t ya.    If a coyote wanders near I’ll beat him with my bare hands, I’m so mad at the losses he’s already inflicted.

 
The hens and bunnies have gotten used to each other
and now appear to be on friendly terms. Cloud and Harley are
also only allowed out in their “yard” while I’m sitting there
or cleaning the coop and hutch.
 
Below, Harley and Cloud with Luna and Lily.
 

 
This group below are my girls from the chick clutch I raised this spring.
They have just begun laying.

 

 I’m off to a sunflower festival to paint faces with sunflowers.
It’s so darn humid here, you know those skies that look like they could
sprout a tornado or hurricane?…. that I think the face paints
are going to slide right off the little faces.
 
We’ll see…. Have a good weekend all –
 


Good Family and Good Food

 Two necessary ingredients for a nourished life. 

 We spent some time with family and friends this labor day weekend along with some seriously good food.   A dear neighbor gave me this recipe 20 years ago and it’s still a hit with my crowd, so I made it to bring along to a family picnic.

I also found it online so I don’t have to type it out!

Pillsbury Antipasto Squares.. recipe HERE.   Easy to make, a crowd pleaser for sure.

 
 
 
The Vineyard Crew, remember them? 
 

 
 I’d post more of the family here, but one of the chief indians did not like
their pictures, so you’ll have to settle for just us.
  
 
 
It’s a new day all – make it a good one!
 
 
 

On growing Old – gracefully.

    Most of us hope we achieve – truly  old – someday.  Of course the -being old- isn’t easy, but it’s a privilege  not everyone gets to enjoy.  As for my own thoughts on the subject… I hope I am lucky enough to live long,  to have family and friends to continue to love,  that I don’t carry the burdens of too much sorrow, and I am healthy and sound of mind enough to take care of myself until I just find myself -passed-.

   My grandmother lived independently until she was 85.  What a gracious woman she was, and so generous to those she loved. Her warm presence is still missed  many years later.  She put herself together every single day, hair up, nice clothing and jewelry that matched.  Never stopped cooking for a crowd.   On her last morning, she was in the midst of putting herself together, sat down in a chair in her room, and that was that.   We should all be so lucky.

   As I am getting older I observe others in the generations ahead of me now reaching that old age. There is a big difference in the quality of the lives of those who lived their younger days in a self-absorbed cloud.  Those who shared their lives with others in a generous way, who found nurturing friendships and family relationships to be just as rewarding as nurturing themselves… tend to have more to look forward to each day in their last years of life.  The Golden Years are more golden, enriched by those ties that bind, the friendships and family that were cared for and nourished.  Those relationships remain and they sustain.

   I know from experience it’s a sad thing to witness an old person’s existence after they’ve  lived a full life…. but one that was geared around their needs and wants only.  It seems to me their world becomes so very very small in the end because they did not nurture relationships with others in a way that would render  willingness or want for reciprocation. No real relationships were forged, earned, nurtured, so they don’t exist when they are most important.    Being selfish works while you’re still young and capable.  But what does it look like when you’re old and need  some assistance?  Pretty lonely.

  My advice is not professional, nor am I awesome with all my relationships.  I’ll share with you what I learn as I grow, regardless –  I think it’s important to keep yourself open to the ones you love. Don’t let old baggage hold you back from living fully and including others in the things that are your life.  Care about others, lend a hand when you can… think about things beyond your own existence and your own needs, no matter how frazzled you are with your own troubles, how wrapped up you are in your own triumphs. 

   From what I can see…. It matters.   You reap what you sow.

 

MV scalloped potatoes and Macs Oreo Truffles

  Last year when we were on the Vineyard and had dinner at our favorite waterfront restaurant,  the Atlantic  – they served the most delectable scalloped potatoes.  I asked if the Chef would mind giving me the secret to the divine combination of cheeses in his recipe.  The waitress returned to our table and said just this…. Gruyere, smoked Gouda and heavy cream.

Aha!… so with just that information when I returned home I tried it for myself.  WOW is this a delicious scalloped potato recipe.. goes with so many meals.  We ordered it again this year and it was still just as good.

MV Atlantic Au Gratin Potatoes

  So here’s what I do… it’s not a precise recipe, you’ll have to wing it some, but if you’ve made scalloped potatoes before, you’ll do just fine.

  Slice your peeled  potatoes (six to eight)  really thin (I use yukon gold or Idaho baking potatoes) Slice a big sweet yellow onion really thin too.  Butter the bottom of a baking dish and preheat oven to 375. 

In a saucepan heat and stir the following ingredients until cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth:  fresh grated Gruyere cheese,   grated Smoked Gouda cheese, approx.  2 cups of heavy cream, about a 2 cups of chicken broth.. a little butter.   Salt and pepper to taste.  I use lots of cheese to make the sauce rich and creamy.

 Put first layer of potatoes slices in bottom of baking dish.. then add a layer of sliced onion.. pour about 1/3 of the cheese sauce over that layer.  Then placed next layers of potatoes and onion.. pour 1/3 of cheese sauce over that.  Then place last layer of potatoes  and pour remaining cheese sauce over the top.  Place in oven and bake until golden brown on top and potatoes are soft throughout.  (insert fork to test).  Approximately 50 minutes.  But keep an eye on it, temps and oven performance vary.

Now for the oreo truffles… my son’s girlfriend, who is just a delight and I’m going to embarrass her right here by saying that, makes these awesome Oreo Truffles… they are super easy to make and super delicious too.   Recipe HERE.

A modern day ghost story

   Y’all  know by now that I do not consider myself a religious person,  and  then I always add that I am a spiritual person.   And I  also  inserted  a little southern slang right there, did it hit you? My cousin, who was born on Staten Island, like me, and just a few years back moved down south… has begun the southern speak.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that!… but it takes some adjusting for those of us from New Yawk who still pahk the cah by the watuh.

  Actually I stopped pahking the cah  by the watuh a long time ago, because I got tired of sounding like a thug.

    But I’m getting away from the story….   So,  I consider myself a spiritual person and what does that mean exactly?  For me it means I believe in doing right by others, being kind, having compassion, knowing that I don’t know exactly why and how we are all here today as we are.  The science makes sense to me, and yet there is the essence of what make people PEOPLE, and I can’t deny that the mystery intrigues me and the idea that there is something left of us after our bodies have failed makes some sense to me too.   Heaven?   I don’t know… would be awesome, though, wouldn’t it. 

  Every now and then a little something happens that makes me think.  Last week there was a sad passing of an old friend of ours.  I spoke of Louie HERE.   Louie was 79 years young, had just come in from picking watermelons and having loaded them into his truck… walked over to the side of his garden, sat down probably not feeling well….  and passed away.   Just like that.   He seemed fit and healthy enough to have lasted another 10-15 years at least, so it took us all by surprise.

   Mike and I went to visit with his wife and children the night after his passing, before all the proceedings.  We talked of his love for his garden, his tenacity and temper, shared tears with his wife, son and daughter who loved him dearly. We walked out into his beloved garden, still lush with tomatoes heavy on the vine.  Louie would have been out there picking them if he were still among us.  Sad to see all the hard work he had just put into it, and the thought that he wouldn’t be around to harvest the fruits of his labor, not this time.

  When it came time to leave, Mike and I hopped in the truck and started to pull away from Louies house and garden.   I got a text from my daughter telling me of Robin Williams death.  I responded with an  OMG – but when I looked down at my phone again it said   MING  instead.     

  Stupid auto correct text typo, right? 

  Except that was Louies famous word,  so frequent that it became a joke among us over the years when referring to him or his antics.   I’m not sure what it means in Italian.. maybe something really obnoxious.  But for Louie it was the word he used when he was aggravated, frustrated or surprised.. it was his OMG. 

 (after posting this I looked it up. What Louie was saying is actually spelled  a little differently if you’re being grammatically correct-  Mingya – is Italian slang. It is used for just about anything, but the literal meaning referrs to men’s genetalia.   Substitute for “Holy Shit!” “Damn!” “Come on!” ) To you and I, hearing Louie say it, it would sound just like MING.

   Message from the beyond on an Iphone from Louie?  I don’t know… has anyone heard from Steve Jobs lately?….  but I do know he would have been just as surprised as we were to find himself – passed-.  I’m thinking that’s exactly what he would say.

 

Rabbit Rabbit

  So a few weeks ago we brought Cloud and Harley home to the farm.  There is a lot to know about bunnies, even though they look like the simplest and cuddliest of creatures.  Harley is cuddly, Cloud would prefer not to be picked up , thank you very much.  That’s actually typical rabbit behavior.. they can be very friendly, but most prefer not to be held. 

  I have been pimping the hutch a bit… it sits right next to the chicken coop and thanks to my son it also has it’s own fenced play yard. The chickens don’t quite know what to make of the bunnies yet, and as they get a little older I might let them mingle.

  The bunnies, who are lop velveteen crosses, love to get out and make mad dashes around their yard, leaping for joy and nibbling at every.single.thing.  That includes the wire fencing meant to hold them in.  I’ve placed big and small rocks around their yard and they love jumping on them, sunning themselves, cleaning themselves too.  Rabbits clean themselves just as you see a cat do it…adorable when they pull their ears down between their paws and wash their faces too.   They are very curious.. inspecting and nibbling at everything in their reach.  I placed two pots with honeysuckle vines in them, hoping they will crawl up the coop walls and create more shade next summer.  They attrack hummingbirds too.  

   There are many lists on the internet regarding what is toxic to chickens and rabbits.  The list is incredibly long and I don’t know that I trust it because all these plants are wild, as are birds and rabbits. According to “the lists”…There are few things I can place with the rabbits unless I want to put a spruce or fir in those pots.   On some lists, honeysuckle is safe, on others, their berries aren’t great for the bunnies.  I’ve decided I can move the pots if I see any signs of tummy trouble.  We have rabbits in the fields and plenty of honeysuckle too.. I’m thinking it can’t be all that bad.

 
 

 
 
 


 

As you can see in the picture below.. bunnies poop A LOT!   I use pine shavings in their “rooms”.. and hay in one section of the outdoor wire “rooms”.   That is one day’s worth of bunny poop that you see in the picture below…which I clean daily.  Unsanitary conditions can make them very sick,  especially amonia if you have your rabbit living indoors where they don’t escape the fumes.

 
 
 
Right now while the rabbit yard has no actual cover, I only let the rabbits out
when I’m there to watch over them. Hawks circle often, and we’ve got coyote issues
again.

 
Sadly, my chickens are currently not free roaming and are a bit bored in their coop.
We’ve had two more casualties – Hermoine and Jenny were taken by a mangy
coyote a few days ago while I was in the house and the chickens were
out free ranging.  Broke my heart to see the feathers.  Took an hour to find
the other chickens, who were all hiding in shrubs in various places.
 
 

Luna and Lily were among the survivors and I hope that’s the end of
the coyote massacres, but it does present the dilemna of not letting
the girls free range, which is really the healthiest option minus the dangers.


 
Farm life isn’t all sunshine and light…
sometimes it’s coyote crap too.  🙁
 


The Shell Seeker

   I’ve always been a shell seeker – spending more time looking down at the ground than up at the beautiful scenery whenever I’m at waters edge.  I keep telling myself to LOOK UP! ..but my attention is inevitably drawn back  down to the pebbles, shells and infrequent seaglass washed in with the tides.

  While on the Vineyard, Mike and I took early morning walks down and around Edgartown light and beach, almost empty except for dog walkers at the beginning of each day.  I waded into the water and looked down in search of pretty shells – my favorite part of the day, honestly.

 
 
 

  I notcied the shells had such pretty color patterns when in the water but when dried you almost couldn’t detect their unique designs.   When we returned home I went to a Michaels Crafts store and bought a display frame on sale.. and some clear spray varnish as well as crazy glue …

 
 

 
 

 

 When I look at this display hanging in the hallway I am reminded of those peaceful mornings, the water smooth as glass,  the guy and I just being quiet, taking it all in, relaxing.  Rare, that. 

Weary

 Lately I try not to take in too much of the news,  the images that flash before my eyes on the computer screen, the hysteria we call news coverage on the TV set (FOX, you are a disgrace) … nor do  I engage as robustly in conversations about anything relating to current events in our world.    – ok, that last line is gonna take some work, still.

I used to think that was irresponsible, the turning away.

But…my soul is weary.  I feel it to my very core.  There is still the need and want to do something significant that can right the ships, heal the wounded, change the negative behaviors, erase the prejudice, stop the abuses.  At 49 I have not yet found a way to do so significantly, and without the ignorance of my youth I now know the limitations, feel the hopelessness that develops with time and experience.  Like a wet wool blanket.. the realization that I am a drop of water with so little control or power  in an ocean of turmoil.. on so many fronts!.. my soul is smothered with that cold, heavy truth.   Sometimes it feels as if I am traveling with a constant undertow of frustration for things I can’t fix. 

  Last night I walked with my daughter and two of our dogs down a little country lane to the docks where we took in the scene – a serene cove dotted with little cottages, boats bobbing in the water, gulls overhead, the setting sun splaying it’s golden rays over all of it and us –  I breathed deep and stepped in the water, letting the salty air cleanse.. and heal… accept..and let go.

 
 
   I’m not giving up on the idea of helping where I can, and having the big mouth that I do, I doubt I will shut up all together when I feel I need to say something, do something –  but from here on out I am going to try like hell to leave the baggage at the door.  I don’t have to argue every single cause or injustice just because the opportunity presents itself.  Sometimes it’s OK to just let stupid people be stupid. 
 
    None of us knows how much longer we’ve got on this earth, which is in all it’s frailties and dangers, still a wonderful place to be.  This drop of water is going to do the best she can to sail through the changing oceans tides with the best of intentions and hopefully a little less stress.  

  This morning as I type this I’m listening to one of my favorite songs – brings tears to my eyes damn-near every time I hear it… One of my favorites by Stevie Nicks, and now in my middle middle age, it’s my anthem. – Landslide –

Lyrics below

I took my love and took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Till the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I’ve been afraid of changing
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older too

Well, I’ve been afraid of changing
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older too
Oh, I’m getting older too

I take my love, take it down
I climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Will the landslide bring you down
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Will the landslide bring you down, oh, oh
The landslide bring you down

It’s a new day, all –  I hope you’re able to get out there and make the best of it.  Thank you, as always, for stopping by This Old House 2 now and again and being a part of my conversations.