Picking it up where you left it

 I envy all you folks out there who manage to keep yourself on a consistent fitness schedule regardless of how busy your life might be.  I am not one of those people.  It might have something to do with the fact that for about an hour each day I am doing physical work outside with the horses, chickens, etc shoveling manure, lugging water buckets, hay, raking and sweeping the isle. Or it might be my tendency toward procrastination.   I have learned not to beat myself up over the lapses in exercise.  It is what it is… and what it ISN’T is an excuse to  not pick it up again.

 So if you find yourself stopping and going like me… don’t let that STOP you from GOING again.  Pick it up when you can, and maybe even push yourself to do it.  It’s important for our mental and physical health, all of us.  For me, walking the dogs a few miles a day is what I stick with most successfully.  Choose what you like to do and you’ll be more likely to make it a habit. I know I’ll never be a gym rat (not that there’s anything wrong with it) . The  treadmills, stairmasters, elipticals, etc. resemble a hamster wheel to me.  Walking outdoors keeps my mind busy and the view in front of me everchanging.

Yesterday I took Ben and Frasier for a walk in the woods and it sure felt good.  Autumn is not yet here, but the crisp morning air and few scattered changing leaves tell us it’s just around the bend.  I’m looking forward to it.

 
 
 

  

 It’s a new day, all –  pick it up again!
And don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
 
 

Season Finale

 Our last horse show of the season came and went this weekend. Team KMax did very well and has won two awards in their division for the year.  Decisions for next year need to be made. Max will be 19 next Spring and our plan is to retire him to the farm, where he can relax and live the life of a “home” horse instead of the more rigorous role of a “show” horse. That’s all he’s known and he’s good at it, but I always feel they deserve a comfortable retirement after serving so many for so many years.  He’s had atleast five show owners and some of his life as been on the road.

  The question K debates is… should they do another year before Max retires, moving up to the next division?  The next level of competition takes more skill and while Max is awesome, he’s not as awesome (fancy, athletic) as many of those who will be riding in their classes. He’s very fit for his age and it’s important to keep them going to a certain extent, just like us.   So, would it be satisfying to ride just for their own personal goals but not place well, or would it be more frustrating after all?   We always say we’re all about the relationship between horse and rider, but honesty dictates that not placing well can be discouraging regardless. 

 We have time to figure it out.  Right now I am thankful for another successful, safe year for these two.

Team KMax getting their hair done….

 
 
Warm up in the ring before Classes start…

 
 
 
K with boyfriend D after a great ride in Western Pleasure
and a first place win.

 
It’s all good – 

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.