My New Puppy!

Amazin' Gracie this week at 10 wks old

Gracie last week at 9 wks old.

I can already see changes in my little darling in just one week. She is everything I could ever want in a pup. Her full name is Alta-Tollhaus Amazing Grace - at least that is how I hope she will be registered by the breeder. More Gracie pix and cute stories soon!

Whoever said that money can't buy happiness never bought a puppy!

Greenhouse Gardening

All the geraniums are huge and blossoming their hearts out. This geranium is one of my favorites. It is hot pink or fuschia with a flourescent orange in the center of each blossom. The greenhouse is attached to the house so I can delight in their beauty day or night. Today the temperature in the greenhouse was 94 degrees F!

Heirloom curly spearmint and Kentucky Colonel spearmint are flourishing in the warmth of the greenhouse. I add the leaves to salads for a great taste. After a long winter, just about anything that's green goes into delicious salads which I could eat for every meal.

"Earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wishing everyone love and lots of laughter today.

Friends Part 2

"No fault " Luke exploring the frog nursery. Dogs are different than people. They can actually exist without any faults at all!

"If you are looking for a friend who has no faults,

you will have no friends."

Hasidic folk saying

I cherish all the unique things that make us different from each other, knowing that it is just these differences that define us as individuals. It makes for much more interesting relationships, I think. Wishing you all love and the joy to celebrate differences.

Friends

Noble Vida is a perfect friend

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become really great." - Mark Twain

Wishing you all love and great friends to inspire and appreciate your own special greatness.

A Two Hour Spring Break

Vida multi-tasking at the swimming hole. The water is deep

and the current is fast after the snow melt and a heavy rain.

He never tires of retrieving - the bigger the sticks, the better

For me, Spring has officially arrived when the red maple buds come out

Chevy takes her turn in the water. Chevy and Vida are both excellent swimmers.

They barely make a ripple as they paddle in the fast moving water.

Vida smiles for the camera while perching on a stump. He can always make me smile!

I swear that when he sees me with my camera, he strikes a pose intentionally.

"The sun - my almighty physician." - Thomas Jefferson

No matter how busy I am, if a warm, sunny afternoon presents itself ( rare so far this Spring) I will grab a few doggies, my camera and off we go to see what we can enjoy and discover on the farm. Mini-vacations like this are great for the soul as well as the body. Wishing you all love and a sunny day, and, of course, the time to enjoy it.

Farewell, Miami

I happened to take this photo of Miami the day before she died. Her bright eyes sparkled with love and intelligence as we enjoyed what would turn out out to be her last walkabout on the farm.

This has been a sad week for me because my dear Miami died. Miami had a special gift that she was born with of being able to calm any dog she ever met. She ably assisted me countless times in rehabbing innumerable aggressive/fearful dogs for their owners. I always knew I could count on her to step up when asked and to instinctively do the exact correct behavior for the situation. So, we worked together as a team while the years went quickly by, until, this week, her good heart finally just wore out. "Mi ami " means my love in Spanish and she certainly was that to me and a whole lot more. Rest easy, my dear sweet girl, and, if such things are heavenly possible, please put your impeccable gentle spirit into my next shepherd puppy.

Spring Fling

A favorite game for my darling Chevy is playing keepaway with her ball

My funny boy Jack seldom gets the ball from Chevy so here he is literally jumping for joy

Chevy combines the keepaway ball game with a refreshing splash in the pond

"All animals except man know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it." - Samuel Butler

Ah, the lessons that our furry friends can teach us. Wishing you all love and the gift of play and laughter.

Whimsical Universe

"The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper."

- Eden Phillpotts

This may look like a Christmas decoration but it's not. It is an elegant model of an imaginary universe. There is one golden sun but many moons, some planets and many kinds of stars. They all move and glitter and sparkle and catch the morning light and move it around the room. The universe is in front of the window where my computer sits so I can enjoy it's beauty whenever I look up from the monitor.

I never knew how spectacular outer space looked until I began subscribing to a podcast of the photos taken by the Spitzer telescope. Outer space is not dark with a few bright lights. Rather, it is a mind-boggling rainbow of colors and shapes that leaves me speechless and in awe. The Spitzer telescope rocks! Check it out!

Wishing you all love and a beautiful universe.

March Walkabout

Vida playing prairie dog

Elemental landscape

Miami exploring the frog and peeper nursery

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day,

a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic

waiting somewhere behind the morning."

J. B. Priestley

Not much color in the landscape yet but I totally appreciated the bright warming sun, especially how it sparkled on the water. The blue skies and big, white cumulus clouds were a lovely sight to behold. Happy days like this inspire me to breathe deeper, walk further and climb higher. Wishing you all inspiration, and, especially, love.

The Einstein Way of Life

A garden miracle

A fuzzy miracle

"There are only two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle. The

other is as though everything is a miracle."

Albert Einstein

The world is filled with wonders. What's in your life today? My prayer: that we all receive the gift of clear vision so that we may see and cherish our own miracles. Peace and love to you all.

The Value of a Friend

"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives." - Euripides

Three loyal friends? Priceless! Our friends are such a treasure and a valuable resource in so many ways. Let a friend know just how much they are appreciated today. Sometimes the smallest gesture has the biggest and most lasting impact. Love and hugs to you all!

Forgiveness

"When a emotional injury takes place, the body begins a process as natural as the healing of a physical wound. Let the process begin. Trust that nature will do the healing. Know that the pain will pass and, when it passes, you will be stronger, happier, more sensitive and aware."

- M. Colgrove, H. Bloomfield & P. McWilliams

Wishing everyone clear thinking, happy thoughts, and, most of all, love.

How To Train Your Human in One Kind Lesson - as revealed by Zen Master Vida

Vida, Zen Master demonstrating "The all good things come to the dog who waits" yoga pose

This ancient and closely guarded secret is simple to learn but takes practice to master .

First, find a spot in the room where your human can see you in their line of sight. Not too close, though. You just want them to become gradually aware of your presence. Lie down, place head on one paw and direct your steady, unwavering, non-blinking gaze upon your human. Do not fall asleep or get too comfortable. The words "long-suffering" are key here. Don't be discouraged if they just quickly glance your way and return their attention to that big bright square they spent hours sitting in front of while moving their fingers back and forth over a small board.

Keep your position. You have the power! Soon, as though drawn by an irresistable force, your human will rise from their chair and walk toward you. Don't move! Wait until they crouch in front of you and look deeply into your all-knowing, wise and patient eyes.

You did it! They are now putty in your paws! Your newly aware human is ready to fulfil your heart's desire now. Do you want to go for a walk? A treat? Play tug? It's your choice - go for it!

As always, Namaste,

Vida, the Zen Master Dog of Patience

Looking Up

"The sky is the daily bread of the eyes." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

No matter where our feet land, we can always look upward to a beautiful view. Wishing you all blue skies and bright, sunny days. God bless.

A Bouquet For the Soul

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul."

- Luther Burbank

These are my three favorite colors of geraniums growing and blossoming right now in my greenhouse. Aren't they beautiful? They make my heart sing! I hope that everyone finds something to make your own hearts sing today.

Easter Eggs Not!

"Every thought that is welcomed and recorded is a nest egg, by the side of which more will be laid. " - Henry David Thoreau

These beautiful multi-colored and delicately shaded eggs are 100 per cent natural, exactly as they came from the chickens who laid them. Aren't they gorgeous? I got them from my art teacher who raises her chickens with lots of love and room to roam on her lovely country property. Later this year I will be visiting her home as part of a special art class outing. I hope I can photograph and learn the different breeds of the chickens who make these incredible edible eggs.

High Times at Camp Swampy

The mammoth gator Vida explodes in sudden fury from his watery lair and attempts to capture an unsuspecting deer at water's edge. Oh, too bad, the pesky photographer scared the deer away. GRRRRR!!!

While returning from a successful hunt with her prey clamped securely in her powerful jaws, Chevy becomes aware that some kind of large and menacing swamp creature is now stalking her. YIKES!!!!
Determined to keep her hard won meal at all costs, Chevy shifts into high gear and leaves the swamp creature in her wake. WHEW!!! That was a close call.

Textural Beauty

Sometimes beauty can be found in the most unlikely of places, like an old abandoned silo or a scrap of rusty metal. What beautiful things do you see around you?

"Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old."

- Franz Kafka

Benefits of Being Organized

I am not an organized person by nature or inclination but I recognize the benefits of order and accessibility. This photo is of my hand tools and is a shining example of sublime organization at it's best. The bright colored yellow background and the strong magnetic holders make it easy to find any tool within seconds and to replace them just as quickly when done with them. Just looking at this wall of tools somehow calms me and makes me want to start a project! I am dedicating this year to expanding the beauty of organization into all areas of my life, bit by bit. Please wish me luck because it won't be easy!

"There is but one secret to success - never give up!"

- Ben Nighthorse Campbell

The Power of a Word

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." Cicero

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless." - Mother Teresa

"Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible,, and achieves the impossible." - Anonymous

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." Henry David Thoreau

"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love." - Sophocles

These are closeup photos of garden plaques that I made in pottery class. I plan to embellish them with beads, wire and other artifacts and hang them outdoors.

I enjoy scattering these one word plaques all over the farm because it is a nice way to take a mini-break and pause to consider their meaning to me whenever I happen to come upon one. I love the power of positive words - written, spoken, or dreamed - they shape our thoughts , feelings and actions and affect those around us.

Wishing you all especially good words and great thoughts today!

Love Comes In All Sizes

"Whoever said money can't buy love never bought a puppy." - unknown

This is Buddy. He is a young chihuahua rescue that I am caring for for a few weeks while his owners travel. He has completely won my heart. There is something so special about a tiny dog - I guess they are like little babies because they bring out the maternal instinct big - time.

Proportionately speaking, the chihuahua has a bigger brain than any other breed of dog. Although he may look like a wind up toy, he is very intelligent and quick to learn. He is sitting on my lap right now as I am writing these words. I am used to my big guys laying at my feet when I'm on my computer so this is a pleasant novelty for me. I think all small dogs like to be cuddled and carried and Buddy is no exception. If he was my dog, I would change his name to Moon-Doggie - don't know why but it sounds right when I say it . Isn't he just a cutie - patootie?!

Clay Art

The photo above represents a small part of what I created in my 8 week pottery class which ended this week. After being away from ceramics for ten years, I found a class nearby that fit my work schedule and enrolled. There are 2 teachers, both of whom are gifted potters , who each possess excellent teaching skills, my fellow students were interesting and motivated people and the facilities were well-equipped and spacious. All this together created a wonderful creative dynamic that combined aspects of both art and science. The next class starts in mid-April and I definitely plan to enroll.

Simple meals like tea and cereal take on a gourmet flavor when eaten from vessels that I've created myself. Finding something you like and doing it for the sheer fun of it is a treat that I highly recommend to everyone. Happy creating!

1.9 Inches of Rainfall Overnight

The gentle, babbling brook about 3 weeks ago as seen from the bridge

"The Big Muddy"

The same view from the bridge today after the overnight rain

It is amazing to me that just 2 inches of rain has caused to creek to overflow its banks and increase the depth by over four feet. None of the dogs wanted to swim in it today, thank goodness! The current is so strong today that it could carry them away. I think the dogs are so smart that they sense the danger.

Natural Beauty

A praying mantis egg case contains 100 to 200 eggs

Reflections in the newly thawed pond

The first gentle spring rain of the year

A symbiotic relationship between tree and lichen

"To see the world in a grain of sand, and to see heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hands, and eternity in an hour." - William Blake

Winter Pinks and Greens

A primrose blossoms in the greenhouse

Spearmint tastes so delicious - it's one of my favorite herbs

Winter parsley looks so delicate, almost ferny in it's growth

The contrast of vivid pink and rich green is striking in this favorite geranium

This gorgeous geranium grew so much that I can barely get past it to the other plants but I love the chartreuse and red leaves so much that I can't bear to trim it. In the spring, I may take some cuttings from it to start more plants for hanging baskets outdoors.

Last October I brought some geraniums, spearmint, parsley, and rosemary plants indoors to my small attached greenhouse from the gardens to, hopefully, stay alive until this May. Well, they have never stopped growing and blossoming and providing constant joy to my senses and lots of delicious herbs for the kitchen. This fall I plan on trying some hanging baskets of small cherry type tomatoes and some greenhouse cucumbers and some lettuces since my first modest experiment has turned out so well.