It’s all relative

   My trek up to the barn and coop were “crunchy” this morning.. best way to describe it.   We got the snow that changed to freezing rain yesterday and the result is about five inches of snow with a hard coating of ice. The good news is my legs are getting a good workout with every lift and step I take back and forth.  Some winters in New England are wishy washy with barely any snow and a whole lot of grey days, and some have seen three to four feet of the white stuff at a time.  This winter is a steady stream of cold, snow, ice, thaw, repeat.

  My blog friend Cheyenne in Canada is experiencing her typical winter… MINUS 43 degrees in the wee hours. She went for a walk yesterday and she could not see over the snow drifts to the fields beyond.  Like walking in a tunnel.  She sent me this pic… a little winter humor… and she said -not quite- what she’s got there right now, but she has seen this kind of snow. 

I guess it’s all relative.
 My remedy last night  to chase the winter blues… a little red.

Unrelated…
Can someone tell me why the current location for the winter Olympics was chosen in the first place?  Did they draw straws? Was there a gun to a head involved?  Oh, I know, they -won the bid- Still, hard to fathom any logical conclusions when choosing the location.
Let’s recap…. .Before it even began, gay ban and bashing, literally! Stray dog poisoning, by the hundreds! 
 Lower income residents removed from their housing, which is now demolished to make room for fancy hotel site for athletes, who are welcome even if you are gay.  Really!
What did they do with all those misplaced people?  What WILL they do with the new seaside resort fantasy land they’ve created, once the games are over?
Afraid for your safety? We feel so good about it we’ve got two Navy ships on the coast, just in case! 
Let’s not ignore the current toothpaste terror – the US warned airlines with direct flights serving Russia to be aware of the possibility that  explosive material could be concealed in toothpaste or cosmetic tubes. A US Rep said he feels reasonably sure you will be safe, but he’s not going.  That’s actually what he said.
The U.S. ski and snowboarding team has hired a private security firm. As have just about all other athletes participating. Some have received death and kidnapping threats. 
Some of these things are not new to the Olympic arena…but ALL of these things together?  Do not make for a pretty picture.  Even after all their hard work and desire to attend the games,I don’t think I could, in good conscience, send one of mine over there.
-Just sayin.

I love when that happens!

  I just got in from the barn and coop chores.. it’s actually raining/snowing ICE right now.  Pelts your face as you walk in it, no kidding.  If you’re local, don’t do any driving that you don’t really  have to.  Hard to believe that yesterday was beautiful.

  Anyway… You might remember in recent weeks I found an awesome vintage 1940’s ” Mobo Bronco” metal horse, made in England, … in an antiques warehouse.  The price was steep, $330.   I have a thing for vintage horse toys and would LOVE one of these little ride-on ponies to display in This Old House.  I thought the price was high, though, and decided to do some research.   The truth is, the value for such a horse in his particular color (he was black) was right on the mark, and in some parts of the country if you find one of these ponies, they go for even more money.   I found a few of them for a lower price on ebay, but the shipping to get it here would be another $50. more or less.  Still too much money to feel good about it.

 Then…I walked into this Good Will and Antiques shop just about five miles from here… looking for a little shelf for something else…

 and right inside the front door…
…….do you see it?….. 
I may have done a little happy dance right then and there.

His price was $200. Still steep. But.. I knew from my previous research
that that is as good as it gets with these ponies.
And hey.. he was RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD a piece… I mean
it was meant to be, right?

I did make an offer.. the fellow refused it.
No wiggle room whatsoever.

I went to the President of our Corporation to inquire
 about a possible frivolous purchase
and the possible consequences of such frivolity. 

Much to my surprise, the Prez  OK’d the purchase,
 Happy Valentines Day to me!
and my little metal horse is now happily retired
at the hearth of This Old House.
Now this little pony is older than I. 
He’s got some rust in the hind quarters
but he is in overall good health considering his age
and I just love the soft expression on his face.

He’s still got his original parts, even the red vinyl reins!
If a toddler sat on him right now, he’d go right back to work. 
Frasier had to make sure we weren’t bringing another dog in the house. 
He needs a name, don’t you think?
Suggestions, please. 

Jack’s back

I shared with you last week Jacks story… the mangy pit/american bull dog mix found on the streets of Hartford. Two weeks into his adoption, he is awesome.  He loves his new siblings and especially his new family. “P” adopted against the prejudiced opinions of some of her family and friends… who have all come to love this big, inquisitive teddy bear of a dog already.

Jack’s lesson for today… don’t judge a book by it’s cover, 
or someone elses prejudice. 
-Just sayin.

Letter to “Mommy”

First, about last night. 
WORST.. SUPERBOWL…
in the history of EVER.
I would not want to be Peyton Manning today. 
WOW, that was awful stuff. I feel bad for him especially.
The commercials weren’t even funny. 
ANYWAY…
I forgot to share with you an awesome find from our Saturday beach walk.
As we sat on a big piece of driftwood admiring the serenity in front of us…
Mike picked up a rock that appeared to have writing on it..

All I could make out were the words “Mommy” at the top and

“being” near the bottom.  Some of the message was written on the side of the rock as well.
Mike said – “take it home and put it in your seaside treasure garden”. 
It didn’t feel right. This may be a message a child left for his/her mother
who may have loved that spot, or the ocean in general.

We left it on the piece of driftwood where one can hope it will reach it’s intended.

Coastal living

 We finally found the perfect affordable seaside cottage!  Taxes are nothing to speak of, maintenance is a piece of cake.. or driftwood… no high insurance rates, right on the beach!

Our cottage is your cottage… feel free to stop in any time, the door is always open!

Seriously, the weather on the coast yesterday was absolutely gorgeous. No breeze, water smooth as glass and a fine haze from the warming water and air that made the horizon blend with the sea in a way that made it almost impossible to separate with the eye.  We took a long walk and soaked it all in….

 Two seals sunning themselves on the rocks….

 

 

The best thing you can do for yourself that doesn’t cost a penny is getting out
in the fresh air and taking a walk.  It doesn’t have to be a competition or a strict schedule
and distance. Just get out there and do it as often as you can.
It does a body.. and soul… good.

Ugly

Are you familiar with  the blog by Stephanie Nielsen, a woman horribly burned in a flying accident about six-seven years ago?  Her blog HERE  .   I don’t remember where I first heard her story, but I began reading her blog as she chronicled her struggle to recover from a near fatal accident that burned over 80 percent of her body. At the time she was the young mother of four children.  I was amazed at her courage and determination to get back to some semblance of a normal life, the family she cherished.

And now I’ll admit because I want to be honest before I accuse… that I stopped reading it other than a catch up now and then because in my opinion her blog became more of  a Mormon pulpit, an advertisement for the people and companies who undoubtedly send her lovely things for all her support of their product, and … every single family event is photographed by a professional photographer. For me, reading Nienie was no longer about admiring and cheering on  a journey being hard won by a determined woman against significant odds.  Laced in with the happy family occasions that we all loved to see was all the commercial and Mormon peddling that became too preachy for me.

I did what is appropriate to do when you start feeling differently about something like this… I just stopped reading it so often, although I check in now and then because I do still find her story amazing, her courage inspiring, and I wish her family the best,  always happy to hear of their triumph over a horrible incident that has no doubt changed their lives forever.

What really surprised me recently was… I stumbled across a blog that is set up solely to -hate- on Stephanie Neilsen. Thankfully she doesn’t get much attention.   But..there is a mommy bloggers feed with 700 something comments all aimed at Nienie -hate-.  This feed is out there for anyone to read.. including Stephanie and even more horribly, her children.   The ugly comments range from calling her snarky to sophomoric to selfish and there’s an awful lot of what can only be referred to as  jealous rage over the things she has been gifted because of her accident and incredible story.

It’s downright ugly and far worse than anything she could be putting on her blog –  HER BLOG – which is a chronicle of what she wants to talk about, a chronicle of her family’s journey.  HER JOURNEY. To snipe at someone in such a public fashion, the masses gathering to do so!… just because you don’t like her personality or what she chooses to believe in or the things she is gifted because of it…well, Jeez, have you held an honest mirror up to yourself lately?… is what I want to say.   This particular person, no matter WHAT she has gained financially since her accident… is horribly disfigured and suffers pain every single day.  Not one of these mean spirited people  would trade places with her ….. ever.

There are times when I am so uplifted by the generosity of the human spirit… and times when I cry at how low it can go.

– Just sayin.  

Going Commando

   Recently a dear friend in animal rescue joked on FB about being so behind in laundry she had to borrow a pair of her sons  underwear on that particular morning.  I’m sure he’s scarred for life….lol…. and of course there ensued what you’ve probably already guessed.. a hilarious back and forth among commenters about the virtues of underwear… or not wearing any –  a/k/a  “Going Commando”. 

A hilarious take on this can be seen here.. one of my favorite moments in the old sitcom, “Friends”.
 

  I happen to be one of those people who really can’t imagine going out of the house without underwear.  You might laugh at this, but I don’t think there has ever been a time when I did NOT have underwear on unless in the shower, the tub, having s*x or wearing a bathing suit.   I’m not pointing any judgemental fingers at those who prefer to go Commando… I’m just sayin…it doesn’t work for me.

  My grandmother lived on the Florida panhandle for a period of time.  During one particular visit,  we were in the company of a lovely neighbor, a  southern lady of about 90 years.  Virginia had a velvety southern drawl so thick, my grandmother could hardly understand it.  She  also had a lovely beach bungalow filled with southern charm, and she walked briskly around the house in floral summer dresses with the ease of someone much younger.  I have no idea how we got on the subject… but out of her mouth with exuberance came words I will never forget.  “It’s good to walk around without the hindrance of underwear.  You have to let your parts breathe!”. 

 I nearly spit out my sweet tea.

Getting it out of the house

 As I sit here typing, the snow flurries float past my windows and shortly I shall be pulling up the bootstraps and putting on the layers to trudge up the hill to the barn.  While I adore my horses and chickens, these are the days when I say… “why am I doing this, again?”   *sigh*

 I got the rest of WINTER out of my house.  I don’t need to see it INSIDE as well as outside.  This here is the stretch of New England Grey days that could drag a spirit down if you let it be so.  I bring out the hearts right about now every year.  

 
 My Christmas Cactus is a little confused… but I like the result.

…and who doesn’t love crocus in bloom when snow still rests on the lawn. 
(thank you Raven)
Last years Hydrangea dried beautifully… all I did was snip the blooms in early fall before they
withered, and stuck the stems in these vessels… They’ve held up very well. 
My winter mantle and side board table are now something a little more cheery, 
a reminder of the gardens that will bloom again. 
Bailey’s favorite spot – winter sun on the hearth…

 Amazing, how well they dry and hold up. 

I love the old plow horse shoes we find now and then on the farm..
some are buried in the old stone walls, some were used as fence rail holders.
If I were sew-handy I would make a skirt to attach under this side table. 
Any recommendations? 
Maybe I can tack a curtain along the underneath?  Hmmm…
Many dog day afternoons lately, too cold to stay out for very long,
too lazy to do the bundling up required to go for those nice long walks.

Off to the barn and coop – 
It’s a new day, all! – you know the drill…
SALLY in Florida.. had the correct ending to my  post yesterday..
It’s a Beautiful Thing!
She’ll be getting a few fun gifts in the mail shortly. 

Jacks Story continues..

  Thanks all for yesterday’s SOS question and answers.  Now I know what you are talking about, and Mary… it’s not me, it’s you. (your browser, maybe?).

 Anyway… this below from “P’… on the progress of her adopted Pit from the streets of Hartford…
If you didn’t see the beginning of Jacks story the other day on my post…click  HERE.

Jack finally got his physical yesterday. Nails
clipped (God in Heaven, they looked like elbow macaroni), heartworm
tested, fecal sample, “before” pix for his history and many compliments
on how well he was “out back” when they clipped his nails and tried to
shed some of the mangy spot on his head. The tech, Gabbie, walked him
back into the exam room beaming. “Was he OK?” I asked. “He was awesome! I
LOVE this dog!” and she proceeded to thank me for seeing past his
exterior to the lovebug inside. It was a nice moment. 🙂  It cracked me
up as when I arrived at XXXX, despite his sexy new coat, he was
an obvious hot mess and there were three gals behind the desk lined up
like crows on a laundry line looking at him then me then him again. “I
just adopted him from Hartford. Do you REALLY think I’d let my own dog
get to this state?” I said through an incredulous smile. (That just
sounded like a line in a book, didn’t it?) Anywho, he has a severe case
(no surprise there) of demondex mange with a secondary diagnosis of
yeast dermatitis.  According to Dr. XXXX, it’s not the Demodex that
really smells but the yeast dermatitis which leads me to think there’s a
lot of underdiagnosed yeast situations out there based on how most say
how bad Demodex smells.  The treatment for the yeast is really just
special semi-weekly baths along with the Cephaloxin and Ivermectin for
the Demodex. We’re looking at 2-3 months which means he should be
sitting pretty by the time I bring him to “I” s lacrosse games and
horrify everyone with my “pit bull” on the sidelines. 😉  

I
have to tell you, this dog is GOOD. Every day I am more impressed with
him. He has not chewed ONE thing including the $25 puzzle toy I bought
him and several Greenies that I offered him. Until we got to know him
and he know us (four cats and two dogs), we planned on crating him
(which he now has decided is no fun so requires quite a bit of
coaxing/pulling and shoving to get him in there), but now he is on a
line (which he has never chewed). He has an ortho bed dead center in the
middle of the house where he can see everyone and they have to walk
past him to go to the bathroom, watch TV, drink from the water bowl
(that would be the dogs and cats, folks, not me) or go upstairs.  I plan
to work on his off-leash skills in the house this weekend. He barks if
he has to do his business (not ONE accident yet) but other than that he
sleeps deeply (snores too) and watches the world go by from his cloud on
the floor.  He sits and takes treats nicely, gets along with the
cats/kittens and Bear (the mini-Aussie) has about 9/10ths accepted him.
He is a tiny bit of a humper (Kitten’s cat bed will never be the same)
but neutering will have to wait a few months until he is healthy.  Shots
will happen gradually beginning next month.

And guess
what? People are accepting him. My mother-in-law who was nervous at
first (per my son anyway) seems to like him (minus the dinosaur nails
which are much improved after yesterday’s manicure), Ian adores him
(even if he decidely smells a bit) and my mother, after some
conversation, will continue to visit our home despite my brother’s
intimations that she might not. 😉

So all things considered, Jack is doing well. And “I”  likes to call him Handsome Jack.

OK, my faithful long time readers…. Who can guess what my inserted line would be on the bottom right here…..Whoever says it first is getting a little gift from me in the mail.  🙂




SOS

Dear Heritage Hall (Mary)  .. I just received this comment from you but couldn’t reply because your e-mail is blocked.  I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time reading my blog. I can  honestly tell you I have no idea what you are talking about.  I do not have advertisements on my blog because I also find them annoying. When I look at my posts I do not see any highlighted words that would have ads pop up, so I don’t know what you are referring to.   If this is happening with all my readers, can you please tell me what you are experiencing?.. as it sounds very annoying. 

This is what Mary had to say:…

As much as I love your blog, each time I hit a highlighted word, I am
inundated with obscure and unsolicited ads….popping up all over while I
endeavor to read, or
I lose the website when I try to
exit….I don’t know if you have
any control over these solicitations, but it is discouraging to try to follow your blog and I will take leave for awhile…too distracting.
Still love you and all you do…
Mary 

Thanks, all – your input is appreciated.