We are in a heat wave of which we haven't seen for a number of years. Save for last week, we're talking one month's worth of 92+ temperatures, in a mountainous area that usually hovers in the 80's most of the summer besides literally a handful of scattered hot days. And there's no end in [...]
When someone new to the English Shepherd breed contacts us, they usually mention that these dogs sound too good to be true. We felt the same way. After living with ES for many years, we tell people they can believe all the wonderful stories they hear! Here is another story to add the the collective [...]
I want to introduce you to a ranch resident not often seen… this is Chanel, our gorgeous ten year old house cat, also known as Kitty. She is a precious companion, the sweetest cat I’ve ever known, and I’ve known many being an admitted cat person and all. She is so nice to canines of [...]
We have a fruit orchard!!! It’s small at just six trees, but with just the two of us our needs are minimal. It should start to serve us well in two years’ time, with some to share. Perhaps we’ll add a couple more later on. There are two Manchurian crabapples, two Buckeye Gala apples, one [...]
Niamh and her 2013 litter mates are 6 months old now. Not only is she quite a beauty but she is maturing into a very nice dog! Niamh shows toughness with the cattle, gentleness with the sheep and rabbits, especially the new calves and lambs. It's been wonderful to see her play-bow to put [...]
Friday April 25th, Ailagh had her puppies- nine beautiful babes!!! The boys have it in this litter with 6 boys and 3 girls, colors of Black & White, Black & Tan, and Tricolor. Big sister Niamh is absolutely enchanted with the little ones and helping Ailagh when she allows it. Precious! Follow along [...]
The saying goes “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Yes, a picture has great power, but so do words. Picture these: fingers plucking a tree-ripened red apple from its branch, silvery salmon swimming in clear water, a mound of dew sprinkled green pea pods, perfectly marbled raw beef steak, a bowl of dark blueberries. [...]
Caution: graphic photo There we were one fine sunny day, rummaging through stacks of boxes that had been stored under tarps for two years, salvaging what wasn’t ruined by moisture, mice, or pack rats when suddenly, something odd caught our attention. Halfway in-halfway out a hole in a milk crate was a dead pack rat. [...]
1. Spring cleaning is accomplished fast! 2. Everyday tidying up is done in a wink. 3. It’s incredibly efficient to heat in winter. 4. You don’t have to yell in order to talk to someone in another room. 5. You cannot accumulate as much “stuff” because there simply isn’t the space! 6. It helps you [...]
The glorious Mountain Bluebird returned to our mountain home a few weeks ago, and the humble yellow Buttercup popped up soon therafter. Both are the looked-for signs of spring’s arrival. And let me tell you, spring is here in earnest!!! The hillsides have practically exploded with Buttercups! Bluebirds are happily flitting everywhere, along with Red-Breasted [...]
