Spot on Red Hawk , Our Vizsla

~~~This is Cedar Pond's Red Hawk, our Vizsla. We love him.~~~~~~This family owns two of Hawk's progeny. They love their dogs very much. Their dogs believe they are lap dogs. If you visit with this family you will visit with the people and the dogs. The dogs will be in the people's laps. The dogs might even try to gain space and comfort in YOUR lap.~~~

~~~Here are the same two dogs. They are intently watching their owners. Food is not the only reason Vizslas will gaze at you. "These intense hunters need human affection as much as they need food and water." Mary Ludington ' THE NATURE OF DOGS' ~~~

~~~Three of Hawk's children / grandchildren gazing at the object of their affection. The man they live with.~~~

~~~Here Hawk sits with our Labrador Retriever , Willow.~~~

~~~Ahhh, now here is the object of Hawk's affection. My Hubby ! Hawk spends a great deal of his time trying to wrap himself around Hubby. If he cannot wrap himself around Hubby he is trying to wrap himself around me. He will follow me around the house and stand on his hind legs and walk around like that to see just what I am doing in the kitchen. It is a bit unnerving to have a dog looking over my shoulder while I am cooking. ~~~

~~~Hawk pauses in his pursuit of Hubby's shoulders to pose for the camera.~~~ ~"If you own a Vizsla, it lives on top of your head." old Hungarian saying~

~~~" He is your friend, your partner , your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love,his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true , to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." author unknown ~~~Hawk has added so much to our lives. Hawk goes to work with Hubby. Hawk hunts with Hubby. Hawk travels with us...we were very surprised on one of our tours of wineries in the Willamette Valley, that so many people on the wine tours knew Hawk was a Vizsla. Usually people do not know what breed he is. We decided people who toured wineries were definitely more well informed than the average person. ( biased , I know) Hawk is fun, we LOVE him.

~~~"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." Gene Hill ~~~

Me And My Teddy Bear

~~~"Me and my teddy bear, have no worries, have no cares, me and my teddy bear just play and play all day." remembered childhood song, author ?~~~ Miss Marple resting after a particularly rambunctious play time with her friend Baby Bear.~~~~~~ This is Baby Bear. Baby Bear belongs to our oldest son and his daughters. I made Baby Bear and Momma and Daddy Bear as Christmas gifts to our son almost 30 years ago. As you can see, Baby Bear is in need of a little surgery. He was sent to me to repair and send back to our son and his 4 daughters. The daughters love Baby Bear and sleep with him...actually, they compete for the right to sleep with him (hence,his injury) since there are 4 of them and only 1 Baby Bear. ~~~Baby Bear was placed on my workroom table to await surgery and I kept finding him on the floor in various parts of the house. What was going on ? Poor Baby Bear was in NO condition to be playing , he had serious neck injuries! Well. I performed the delicate surgery, Baby Bear was left to recover until returned to the home where he is much loved.~~~

~~~Ahh....so here is Baby Bears' buddy, partner in mischief, party friend...Miss Marple ! MISS MARPLE, bring back Baby Bear ! He needs rest and recovery. Miss Marple, I said bring him back ! Hey, Miss Marple, where are you going with Baby Bear ? ~~~Do you see Baby Bear under the table ? Do you see the white blobs on either side of Baby Bear ? Those are the little bear snatching paws of Miss Marple.~~~ ~~~Look at those Baby Bear crazy eyes Miss Marple has. She is just nuts about little Baby Bear. "In a world where everyone seems to be larger and louder than yourself, it is very comforting to have a small , quiet companion." Peter Gray

~~~Miss Marple takes baby Bear up to her napping place.( The one she uses when not napping on the table ) First they wrestle for awhile. ~~~

~~~OUCH ! Poor Baby Bear. Careful Miss Marple, Baby Bear just had surgery !~~~

~~~Oh no, Miss Marple is ripping off Baby Bear's ribbon. The ribbon is Baby Bear's bandage , applied after surgery. Miss Marple..CAREFUL ! Baby Bear is still recovering. ~~~

~~~Miss Marple does not appear to be too happy with me. I guess it is nap time for Miss Marple and baby Bear.Whatever does she see in Baby Bear ?~~~

~~~"Anyone who has looked a teddy bear in the face will recognize the friendly twinkle in his knowing look." Harold Nadolny ~~~

~~~It is hard to visualize the toys you had 50 years ago-all save bear. He's as clear as if he were sitting on the desk in front of you, and of course, he probably is !"Pam Brown~~~ ~~~A teddy bear is your childhood wrapped up in faded yellow fur, and as such , he commands affection long after he is outgrown." Pam Brown

Spot on Mercy

~~~ I just named a chicken. You know what that means don't you ? If I name a chicken , she is no longer just a chicken. She has a personality and a place here. I should NOT have named her. She should NOT have been allowed to live. No practical livestock keeper should have allowed her to live this long. She should have become chicken soup....oh well. I guess she can stay , her name is 'Mercy'.~~~Mercy was one of 25 chicks to arrive in the mail. She is a Cuckoo Maran, and I ordered this breed specially. She did not appear different when she arrived. After a week or two though, there were 7 chicks that were showing some foot problems. This was a problem. There was no reason my chicks should be in distress. I am the sole caretaker of the chicks I ordered and they did NOT lack proper bedding, food, water, warmth. I was quite diligent about this. I have raised chicks for about 20 years and I know what I am doing. ~~~I ordered the chicks from a producer I have purchased chicks from for years. I have always been happy with the chicks they sent and they stand behind the chicks they sell. I do not believe they sold me bad chicks. What is going on here though ? 7 out of 25 chicks is more than a 1 to 4 ratio of problem chicks. ~~~Anyway, most of the chickens with problems were roosters, and a surplus of roosters is common and easily taken care of. ( they end up in the stew pot ) ~~~There were 2 hens with foot problems. One hen was trampled to death early on in her life because she was unable to get out of the way when the chickens fed. This is common, and had I realized she was unable to get away I would have culled her earlier. ( cull: kill, get rid of ) ~~~Miss Mercy was unable to walk well, but there was something about her that kept me from culling her. She was careful when she went to the feeder. I watched her. She patiently waited til the feeding frenzy was over and the other chickens were resting . Then she would wobble / fall, wobble / fall over to the feeder and waterer. After quenching her thirst and eating til full, she would wobble / fall, wobble / fall back to her resting spot under the nest boxes. ~~~Look at Miss Mercy. It is difficult for her to walk, yet she is so plucky and so able. I just did not have the heart to get rid of her. Shame on me ! ~~~Then, the hens all began laying. And so did Miss Mercy ! She was so careful about her eggs. She laid an egg a day. Apparently it is ONLY her feet that are defective. I just could not do what a real farm woman should do....something about Miss Mercy touches my heart. ~~~Look at her feet. They look like they hurt. She has trouble walking. Yet..she does not seem to hurt or be in distress. ~~~I moved her into a pen with just one rooster. That is it, Miss Mercy and a rooster who is very taken with her. She has chosen a nest, a very small space between an old cage and a wall. I do not know how she wobble / falls, wobble / falls into it without hurting herself or dislodging the eggs...but she does. That touches me too. When I saw the nest I realized she is so careful and considerate about the nest and the eggs she lays. O.K. I will keep her. She is a survivor. She is a keeper. ~~~" Mercy :The act of relieving suffering, or the disposition to relieve it." " pity, or good will ."Funk and Wagnalls dictionary ~~~In this case, the mercy is in not doing what all good farm management advice states by culling undesirable or unproductive livestock. My heart says Miss Mercy is at peace with herself and happy to be alive. She will do just fine.......and look, here are 2 of her eggs ! ( below ) ~~~I had quite a problem this year with foot problems in my chicks and wing problems in my ducklings. I was going to quote a lot of information about nutrition from various poultry books and publications but I will sum up what I believe to be the real problem. Please let me re-state...I have raised chicks and ducklings for years.I purchased them from reputable breeders and suppliers I have used for years. I do not believe they sold me defective poultry. My chicks and ducklings are important to me and they did NOT lack proper bedding, warmth ,water, and provision of food.....however , I have a question or 2 about the quality of feed. ~~~I think the shortage of affordable grains, combined with fuel and production prices affected the quality of the food I bought. It cannot be a coincidence that I had trouble obtaining feed, feed was very expensive, the ducklings and chicks from 2 completely different sources showed physical problems that upon research show the classic text book symptoms of nutritional deficiencies that should NOT have occurred if the usual feed requirements were fulfilled. ~~~When I saw the problems manifested I began adding nutritional supplements to the food / water, and after a few weeks the problems began to disappear. Sometimes it is too late to reverse physical problems of dietary deficiencies, and Miss Mercy will always be handicapped, and always have a place here.

Sisters, the Blossoms of Life

~My sisters conspired to celebrate my birthday. I thought we were meeting at sister Joni's home for lunch. We were, but it was a wonderful lunch together, for me ! Here are 2 of my 3 sisters (below) . Joni ( left ) and Karen. My youngest sister Tricia called from New York to wish me happy birthday. We had a lot of Chinese food, and some leftover for me to take home for dinner ! I love Chinese food and can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is always my choice for birthday celebrations. I think my sisters remember that.

~A beautiful hydrangea bush grows in sister Joni's back yard. It is so BLUE ! I love blue, and my sisters know I love blue. We all try on a blue blossom the size of a dinner plate. " To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." Clara Ortega ~The bush is huge , and it was started from a cutting Joni's neighbor gave her. I was also given a cutting from Joni's neighbor, but my hydrangea is nowhere near this big. I'm jealous!

I am the oldest sister, so I will say for my sisters ," Big sisters are the crab grass of life. " Charles Schulz

~My sisters also try on a blossom. Joni( below) should wear this to work, don't you think ? Joni is a very smart business woman in great demand. She travels all over the nation and has important meetings. I think she should start a new trend in business womens' hats .

" Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do they'll still be there." Amy Li

~~~Sister Karen(below) wears her blossom with flair. She got a cutting of the same bush, and her hydrangea is not this big either. I think she is jealous too ! The blossoms are reminiscent of the hats Aunt Bea on the 'Andy Griffith Show' used to wear. Karen's son is getting married next month. Karen should wear this hydrangea to the wedding, don't you think ? "Sibling relationships- and 80% of Americans have at least one- outlast marriage, survive the death of parents, re surface after quarrels that would sink any friendship. They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust. " Erica Goode

~" Sisters are the blossoms in the garden of life." author unknown

Thank-you sisters, I love you! 

A Chosen Road

"Few can foresee whither their road will lead them, till they come to it's end." J.R.R.Tolkein~~~This is a painting by my Aunt Ruby Crawford. I love this painting and was overjoyed when she gave it to me. I had admired it in her home. It reminds me of her home in the Albany, Oregon area, and is remarkably like much of the area here in Western Washington. The sheep grazing in the pasture , with the road to the barn and onto...where ? The valleys, and mountains beyond. What lies beyond the mountains ? Rivers, towns, more farms ?Maybe the ocean...you see farms in valleys, with mountains AND the ocean bordering them in many parts of western Oregon and Washington. ~~~What road are you following ? What road was a determining factor and path in the life you are living now ? Would you have chosen another path if you could go back to the fork in the road, or are you content with your choice... are you wiser because of the wrong path that led to better choices and decisions? Did you take the rocky and winding path and make it a beautiful journey or exciting adventure you look forward to every day?

~~~This is Maple Creek Joy. The picture is not very good because it is a picture of a picture. Joy was my very first Jacob sheep and she was one of the paths I chose , and believe to have been a wonderful journey and adventure I am still exploring! Joy was the beginning of my flock of Jacob sheep, and that has led to so many other things that have enriched my life . ~~~Joy died last Fall. She lived here on Cedar Pond for 15 years. She died of old age ( I think) She was 17 years old. Joy was always a very shy ewe, and preferred to stay just out of reach, but always interested in the comings and goings around here. I have some of her grandchildren. Joy was my teacher in the ways and differences of Jacob sheep compared to other breeds we had kept. ~~~This is Joy in 1999 with 2 of her triplets. The smallest lamb was a ram lamb I named Abel. Abel is still alive and is magnificent. He is one of the few rams to keep a mild disposition as he got older. That is probably why he still lives !

~~~Thank-you Joy, you were a blessing!~~~

Spot on the 5th Thing You might Not Know....

~~~I was tagged by Shannon of Kenleigh Acres to state 5 things you might not know about me. I do realize as bloggers we really don't and cannot know each other, and many of us have close friends and relatives who sometimes scratch their heads and wonder if they ever did really know us...or maybe wish that after they know us, they could forget us ( me). Thank-you to all you precious people who put up with me kindly. Really, THANK-YOU!~~~

~~~#2 Grandson, 8th grandchild , grasping his father's hand for the first time.~~~

~~~The 5th thing you might not know about me is : when I was about 30 years old I discovered the father who raised me and loved me was not my biological father. I was conceived while Dad was away in Korea, courtesy of the U.S. Army, and Mom was involved with someone else. Now I know this is a common story, but I did not find out until I was approaching middle age. I was also told by my Grandma and father that my mom sought funds for an abortion..but because abortion was not legal, easily available, or free, mom was unable to get the abortion that would have made her life a bit easier, and ended my life. My 3 children and 8 grandchildren, and my husband are very pleased I was not killed before I was born ! I am too. ~~~I bring this up not really because I was tagged, there are a lot of light hearted silly things I could have posted, but lately there has been a lot in the news regarding political opinions about abortion and things in my life that just really cry for some sense. For example, that constantly trotted out and inanely repeated phrase " oh , good, she had an abortion ( to whomever is being referred to) one less unwanted child in the world ." This is said as casually as someone would swat a fly , or brush a crumb off the table. ~~~Unwanted by whom ? Gosh darn it, there are a lot of people who desperately desire a child. Let's not forget , we are talking about a baby, a child ! Just try to talk about disposing of unwanted puppies or kittens ! People in the grand state of Washington make the headline news, and go to jail for disposing of animals the way millions of babies are disposed of! ~~~I am not going to make this a political blog, ...politically I am a conservative libertarian. But just think about it...we have a major political party that has made one of the foundations of their platform the right to kill babies, Not fetuses , or lumps of flesh..babies ! What is wrong with this picture ? One presidential candidate has sought legislation to deny person hood to survivors of abortion..hint, it is not the Republican candidate. I mean really, deny the survivor of abortion, fully functioning and living..the right to be a person !If you want references click on WINDOWS TO MY SOUL in the sidebar and check out her August 18, 2008 post. From there you can check out references, one to a young woman who survived a 3rd term saline abortion. Her actual medical records state "born during saline abortion". Hmmmm, a lump of flesh, not a person, was born and is now a grown-up. A beautiful, talented grown-up that one presidential candidate would deny person hood. { Gianna Jessen http://www.giannajessen.com/ } How did killing babies become a divisive political ideal ? ~~~I believe my Mom was glad she did not abort me. I do not believe I was ever unwanted after I was born. I don't think I am a drag and drain on society, and my 3 children are productive, law abiding, and loving adults with families of their own. And you know what, even if they were sickly, poor, ugly and not so nice...would you, should you, have the right to deprive them of life ?

~~~ #6 granddaughter ( below) ~~~

~~~" If the nearly 1 and 1/2 million babies aborted in America each year could, somehow, vote, chameleon candidates would find fresh reason to be concerned about abortion- whereas now they are unconcerned. " Noel Maxwell ~~~"The great physician , Dr. Henry G. Armitage, Jr., states "Not without comment shall it pass that a state ( so fretful for the preservation of the praying mantis but holding an unborn baby to be of no account)can send a spark of immortality swinging out into limbo and conspire with citizen and physician to turn a fragile , living object of simple innocence and complex wonder into a pathetic pulp and consign it by rude and peremptory passage to the furnace or sewer- unknown, unwanted, and undefended. " He further questions how a woman as " the fertile adornment of our race can be deluded into the notion that she is the mere poetress of unwanted luggage or by blandishment seduced into believing that she has dominion over life not her own." And..."an abortion is never commonplace, for the world holds no heartbreak like to death of innocence. " Noel Maxwell

~~~I have a quiet conversation with our 8th grandchild as we sit by the camp fire.~~~

~~~Here you have 5 things you might not have known about me, and maybe wish you still did not know ...but it is MY blog ! Now I am tagging Lanny from Its the Dirt, Mr. Wooley, Wingmaster Steve, Breezy from 'Shootin' the Breeze, and Daisy, from Smiling With Daisy. ~~~

" For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. " Psalms 139:13, 14

Spot on Birthday !

~~~It's my birthday, I was tagged by Shannon of Kenleigh Acres to share 5 things you might not know about me. I am flattered anyone would be interested , so I will list 5 things you might not know, but first I am showing a picture of one of my favorite things in my life! A lamb, a spotted cute little lamb born here this past spring. The picture of this little guy (who is not little anymore) just makes me smile !~~~~~~FIVE THINGS~~~ I. I hate to eat mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, any food that has potatoes as it's main ingredient. The only exception to my extreme dislike of cooked potatoes is very, very crispy french fries and potato chips. There, I said it....don't hate me for my hatred of potatoes, be happy if you're sitting with me at a restaurant or eatery that serves potatoes with everything , which my life experience shows is the usual case, I will give you my hash browns, baked potato, mashed potato, thickly sliced french fries...and you will not have to give me any of your food in return. I am so very happy to have the dang potatoes off my plate threatening to mix with the food I DO want ! I spent many, many dinner times as a child sitting at the table until bed time because of my refusal to eat something that turned my stomach. All the MORE reason to detest potatoes... 2. I do not like the movie The Wizard of Oz. 3. I do not like the movie Gone With the Wind 4. My left foot is a full 1 1/2 sizes bigger than my right foot. 5. I will post number 5 tonight. O.K. Now that I have probably offended so many people who cannot conceive of a person who dislikes the national staple, and dislikes 2 movies everyone else raves about and watches over and over ....have a wonderful day today ! It's my birthday and I am off to do some things that make me happy. ( perfectly normal and family oriented type things )

~~~Spinning my wool just might be one of those happy things I do!~~~