Sunday, December 27, 2009
Heard at the dinner table tonight ....
Mary asked "Hey Mom, is anybody in the world allergic to water?"
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Book Review: Hit by a farm
I recently had a birthday, turned 47. I've noticed that a lot of people I've known for a long time seem to be getting old, everyone that is except for me. Hmmmm.
Mamaw and Papa sent me a book titled "Hit by a farm", written by Catherine Friend. I used to devour books in my younger days but rarely read books now. I continue to read a lot just not many books. My son John reads a ton of books now. So, back to the book review.
The book is written by a woman who is an author and loves to read. This woman is one half of a lesbian couple, her partner Melissa works for a soil conservation office and loves animals and the outdoors. Melissa inherits money from her family and announces that she wants to move to the country and start a farm. And so they do.
The author shares many of the trials and tribulations involved in moving to the country and living on a farm and there are many humorous events and adventures. I enjoyed the book very much and can also relate very well to being "Hit by a farm".
Thanks Mamaw and Papa!
Mamaw and Papa sent me a book titled "Hit by a farm", written by Catherine Friend. I used to devour books in my younger days but rarely read books now. I continue to read a lot just not many books. My son John reads a ton of books now. So, back to the book review.
The book is written by a woman who is an author and loves to read. This woman is one half of a lesbian couple, her partner Melissa works for a soil conservation office and loves animals and the outdoors. Melissa inherits money from her family and announces that she wants to move to the country and start a farm. And so they do.
The author shares many of the trials and tribulations involved in moving to the country and living on a farm and there are many humorous events and adventures. I enjoyed the book very much and can also relate very well to being "Hit by a farm".
Thanks Mamaw and Papa!
One year with Morgan
Morgan arrived at our farm one year ago today. He's an excellent guy and has a beautiful gait. Morgan is also a fast sprinter. Spirit came to the farm in August 2008 as a colt and is now slightly bigger than Morgan. We call Morgan and Spirit "the boys", they are both doing well.
We did some fencing work last weekend. The horse pasture is now opened up completely; front pasture, back pasture, spring/pond lane, and connected to the barn. We give the boys a little sweet feed in the evening which they love. The boys have access to the barn 24/7 for shelter and hay but they don't go in there much. According to Debby the boys are "grass snobs", they much prefer to graze in the pasture.
The boys have been feeling very good lately, showing off with lot's of galloping, sprinting, and thundering hooves. It's amazing because sometimes they will do this at night in the dark. Horses must have very good vision. It's a little scary though to be outside in the dark doing chores (not in the pasture) and to hear the approaching sound of galloping horses.
What's also amazing is their balance and stopping ability. I often watch as the boys head towards a fence at breakneck speed on slippery ground and I just know that there is no way that they can possibly stop in time or not fall down and yet somehow they defy physics and never slip or go through the fence.
I recently setup a round pen in the horse pasture, Spirit thinks it's a chew toy.
We did some fencing work last weekend. The horse pasture is now opened up completely; front pasture, back pasture, spring/pond lane, and connected to the barn. We give the boys a little sweet feed in the evening which they love. The boys have access to the barn 24/7 for shelter and hay but they don't go in there much. According to Debby the boys are "grass snobs", they much prefer to graze in the pasture.
The boys have been feeling very good lately, showing off with lot's of galloping, sprinting, and thundering hooves. It's amazing because sometimes they will do this at night in the dark. Horses must have very good vision. It's a little scary though to be outside in the dark doing chores (not in the pasture) and to hear the approaching sound of galloping horses.
What's also amazing is their balance and stopping ability. I often watch as the boys head towards a fence at breakneck speed on slippery ground and I just know that there is no way that they can possibly stop in time or not fall down and yet somehow they defy physics and never slip or go through the fence.
I recently setup a round pen in the horse pasture, Spirit thinks it's a chew toy.
Happy Winter!
Winter officially began yesterday, although the recent weather suggests that winter may have arrived early. The Smoky Mountains received a bunch of snow over the weekend, with 32" recorded on Mount LeConte. Our friends and family in Virginia also received a bunch of snow and will enjoy a white Christmas. Alas however, we received just a dusting of snow at the Rock Dove Farm.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Choose and cut
Yesterday we went to a local choose and cut Christmas Tree farm. We walked through the field and found a white pine tree that we liked. We cut the tree and carried it out of the field. It was cold but they had hot chocolate and a fire going for roasting marshmallows. The kids played with other children while we enjoyed hot chocolate and visited with grown ups while standing around the fire.
Snow picture, hike
Later in the day the snow started to melt. I went on a nice long hike on the property, just me and super Pup. This picture shows an old section of fence, with moss growing on it and a hemlock in the background.
Slippers
This is a picture I took of my slippers last weekend. They are nice and cozy. I got these slippers from Herman's sporting goods in Tysons Corner, Va. About 30 years ago.
Snow
We had a little snow last weekend, only about 2 or 3 inches. The chickens were afraid and did not want to venture out into the snow. The kids had a great time in the snow.
Nutcracker
Last week was very busy. Debby was still recovering from pneumonia but is doing much better. Mary had dance rehearsal practice for several hours every day for a week and then she was in five performances of the Nutcracker. I don't have any good pictures from the theater, however we will be getting a professional video. Mary really enjoys her dance class.
Buckets, Bikes, chores
John and Mary have been riding their bikes a lot lately. John takes care of the chickens and frequently will feed the horses. John figured out that he could take two buckets with sweet feed for the horses on his bike. Buckets are very useful on a farm.
Dance studio madness
Mary performed last week in the Arts in Motion production of the Nutcracker held at the Obrien theater at Roane State Community College. The man in the picture is an actor from the NCIS television show who stopped by a practice and talked to the performers.
Goodbye girls!
The Thews took their mares Nellie and Kia home in mid November. The mares had been sharing Morgan and Spirit's pasture since June. Morgan is watching as his pasture mates leave.
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