Sun!

There is nothing like bright morning sunshine after several soggy days to kick your rear in gear. Let the dog out! Shake the rugs! Vacuum the house! Fill the birdfeeder! Scoop poop off the lawn! Let the sheep out . . . well, all except for Franjean and his breeding group. Okay, that's more than half the sheep; but after keeping everyone in one very wet day, we noticed that Franjean showed marked improvement. Kept everyone in the next day, and this morning I could discern no limp at all! On the vet's recommendation, though, Franjean is staying in at least one more day to give whatever he strained a chance to recover even more.

Today is 15 days after Inky was covered, so I really would like to put her back in with Franjean just to make sure she settles (her history gives me no reason to doubt, but still).I am thinking of putting Butter in as well, both to protect her from the little bully-wether, and, well, because . . . I really do think she and Franjean could produce magic. I know, I know, that means I would have to eat my words and be a hypocrite, as I have argued against breeding ewe lambs. I hate to shock you like this, but it wouldn't be the first time I've been a hypocrite, and as much as I pray to be constantly growing as a person, it probably won't be the last. Sigh. Guess I still have a lot to work on during the second half of my life.

That's it for now at . . .

I see a resemblance....

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes. You find hard work to be the most comforting thing in the world. You like the feeling of accomplishing something. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

How's that for a frothy bit of birthday introspection? :-)

That's it for now from . . .

The boss is home...

...our first fire of the season is making the house cozy, and we are all sated with a fresh batch of Farmgirl Fare's spicy pumpkin muffins (made with pumpkin from our garden and dried cherries from our trees), accompanied by bowls of partially thawed frozen peaches and strawberries mixed together. Yum!

It has been raining since the middle of last night, and we are supposed to be getting our first "winter" storm of the season. Around here that means harder than usual rain and wind - 60 mph on the coast and 40 mph inland is predicted. That could result in power outages if trees or branches come down on power lines, but the power company responds quickly.

Most of our foliage is past its prime, except for this lovely Japanese maple beside our front walk. The ends of the branches have just been set ablaze, and it will take a few days at least for the fire to burn to the center. This not an unusual cultivar; I bought it for the pretty shape created by the bending and grafting of two young tree trunks. One of the trees has long since died, but the trunk of the other still serpentines just above the ground, and the rest of it still pleases.
I hope you are as comfortable and cozy as we are at . . .

Get off the chair, Jackson...

...the boss is coming home!

That's Rick's chair, and he doesn't think our big (60+ lb.), hairy Aussie belongs on the furniture. Since I am the "housekeeper," I tend to agree. But in the absence of someone else to snuggle with, I did invite Jackson to sit with me one night. Although he squirmed alot like he wasn't comfortable, as you can see, he wasn't eager to leave when I got up!

It will be nice to have the boss home; I rattle around and stay up much too late when he's not here. And I need a vet to check out Franjean!

That's it for now at . . .