Wrensong Farm

I AM the WINNER!!

2012-01-18T11:13:00.001-08:00

On the hunt.....what's this? Prey is located.....

Building speed for the surprise!

Zeroing in on the target.....

I'm going to find the prey before you!!

Referee is in place......

AH! Here it is!!

It's mine and you can't have it.....
Awww 'cmon you know I am the pack leader and the prey is mine!!
No! No! NO!!!
Well, I didn't really want it anyway there is better prey to be found....:)
HA! I AM the winner!!!!

A Frosty Morn......

2011-11-19T17:08:00.000-08:00

It was snowing last night when I went to bed but when I woke the snow had melted. As I headed down the hill to feed, I was greeted by a frosty morning....

The Japanese Maples by the house were adorned with a glittering edge....

Even the sheep had a rime to their fleeces.....

After I fed I hurried back up to the house, promising myself I would return to take more pics once the day had warmed up a bit....

I can't sneak up on anyone to get pics...."someone" usually gives it away that I'm on my way down to the barn.....and it's usually these two.....

Around 2pm I headed back down, the sun had cleared the frost and I was able to take pics of some of my recent family additions.....

This ewe I named Aunt Bea...she is the matriarch of the small flock, and the only one that is unsure of humans. She will carefully take some grain from your hand but is ready to flee at any second. She is the one responsible for the plethora of bruises that cover me from head to toe when I do feet trimming.....

This is Maisie, she is the youngest....not sure where I came up with her name, but one day it was there and it stuck. :)

Here is Poppy, followed by her "sister" Baby. I got these two girls from the same person and they sure did a nice job of raising these girls.....

I love the blaze on Baby's face.....

The ram I got from KRK (Karen Kenagy) in OR. For some reason Opie has stuck for a name for him...he's kind of a doofus...the only unsettling thing about naming him that is him breeding Aunt Bea :O!I decided to try llamas again...I DO like them, I just really wanted ones that tolerated if not like being handled. Noel is a retiree (like what I hope to be someday soon....) she was a showgirl and raised some nice babies, now she gets to just be spoiled and watch for varmints. She loves butt skritches! :)

For a companion she has a youngster, Stella. Stella is not too sure about humans, but she is getting more comfortable every day (especially with Noels guidance)....The latest additions are two doe Nigerians from Anna at Camanna in OR. Fancy has one leg of her championship and has produced some nice babies. She is bred to Proctor Hill TO GoDaddy, who has some great Sugar Creek bloodlines (Showtunes!). I am crossing my fingers for two doelings as Anna gets a doeling back. The doeling is a well bred beauty in her own right, she is out of Camanna CS Sweet Harmony, who has only been shown twice and took Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. Daddy is Dill's D Lucky Image , who also has some wonderful bloodlines.....

Fancy is a REALLY sweet girl, and she has been a milker, I'm hoping she can teach me to be comfortable milking my girls....

I have been trying to come up with a name for this little doeling....I'd like to incorporate either the sires or dams name. She is such a little charmer I'm thinking Lucky Charm, call name Charm...what do you think?Gypsy (Honey Goat Gypsy) was busy eating maple leaves so I thought I should take her pic.....
Finally done feeding and putting everyone away for the evening....I headed back up the hill to the house. I glanced up on the hill to see some "wolves" showing me how they kill their prey.....:)
Be VERY AFRAID!!!!

A fall day before the rains......

2011-11-12T09:51:00.000-08:00

Went out with the camera hoping to capture a few fall pics before the rains and winds took all the color away.....

One of our Japanese Maples.....

Another Maple by the pond.....

A couple of Katsura trees....and there seems to be a reoccurring turkey in the pics :)

Ashley (aka Fiona/Fifi) and Opal being friendly......

Two of the youngsters Be Bop a Lula (Lula) and Trillium.....

The Katahdin girls....Poppy, Maisy, Aunt Bea and Baby. It appears that Degerli has something of interest to say....
And one last shot of our kitty, Snooka.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Three Bells Weekend

2011-11-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

I've actually spent a few weekends over at the 3 Bells this summer....thought it was about time to post a few pics. I only had a little point and shoot camera with me, but tried to get some good shots of the place.
Alice the Bouvier looking towards the pig acreage.....

My friend, Tara, with Cisco (aka Little Man) and Pippen in the background.

Tara runs this ranch pretty much by herself. It's a wonderful place, where the animals are treated with dignity and respect...even the ones that will eventually end up on the dinner table. Tara is all about health, organic feed, nothing GMO.

Her pigs are even free range on acreage and get produce out of a garden she grew strictly for feeding her pigs. Izzy the matriarch is a Tamworth pig, a heritage breed known as the "bacon pig".

She raises beef (her bull is a Wagyu (Kobe beef) and I can vouch for enjoying some excellent meat from her herd), rabbit and chicken as well as vegetables and herbs. If you want to know what you're eating is actually good for you and the animal lived a healthy and happy life, please consider purchasing your meat from my friend. She also produces a wonderful horse calendar every year and has a fun blog to read. Her website is: http://www.3bellsranch.com/

We decided to do a short ride up behind her place, beautiful views of the valley and river.

Grouchy Max waiting to ride out. Max was over at Tara's for manners/fat camp. :)

Kylie always gets a good workout over there.....:)

The following are a couple pics of some of Tara's herd of horses/mules.....

One of the best places to fuel up on the way over and back is in Omak. At one of the Native American run pumps/stores they have these great sculptures out in front.

I look forward to returning to 3 Bells...and will hopefully take my good camera with me to get some more shots to share.

The pitter patter of little feet...er... hooves.......

2011-06-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

All the goatie girls have had their babies. It was an even 3 boys and 3 girls! I haven't even begun to take pics (I keep forgetting my camera up at the house) and I still had a hard time narrowing it down to the ones I wanted to post...:)

First up was the last to kid.....Daisy, with her twins, a buckling and a doeling...

I just love how they chose to hang around a horse poop pile....lovely background :)

The one before her was Ashley, aka Fiona, Fifi...and her single buckling......

Then Violet and her twins, a buckling and a doeling.....
This was when he was just a couple days old and his ears weren't standing up yet!
They are now :) And here's his sister....she was the one starring in the previous post....

And the one to start them all off was Roca and her single doeling.......
And a couple of new additions that weren't born here....

Herron Hill Maraschino, a mini Mancha, who is the friendliest little goat...

and Poppy Patch HB Trillium...
oh, and in case any of you are interested, all the bucklings will be sold and 1 to 2 of the doelings. They will all be registered and disbudded. :)

Some times you meet the most unfriendly neighbors!

2011-06-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

Violet's doeling ventures into the world with the innocence of youth....:)

"Wow! This is great! Out in the big world....not having to stay in that pen any longer!!"

"Hey! Who are you? Are you my friend? What are you? I'm a goat........"

"You're aweful quiet....don't you ever say anything? I have LOTS to say......."

"Don't you move? You're sure funny looking! I'm cute, everyone tells me so! "

"Why are you looking at me that way? don't you want to be my friend? We can play!"

"YIKES! Wow! You're not nice AT ALL!! "

"I'm OUTTA HERE!!"

"You're mean! See if I ever want to be YOUR friend again! Mom!!!!"

What's that? spring is here?!

2011-04-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Rumor has it....spring is here. With all the cold and rain it's been hard to believe. Every now and then I see a sign though, a trillum here, a new brood of chicks there. AND for a bonus we had a beautiful sunny day that actually got over 60 degrees yesterday. :) as always, click to 'bigify'

We let our two hens that go broody raise a batch of babies every year. It's a tough life for little chicks being raised outside but it makes for some tough, smart chickens....at least the ones that make it. They have to deal with all kinds of predators from barn cats to coyotes. This mama is really good at watching out for her babies and usually at least half make it to adulthood. As always there seems to be one baby that is my fav. The little brown, Americauna looking one is my favorite of this bunch...I'm hoping he/she makes it.

Don't you just love those fluffy butts? :)

Happy spring everyone!!

Snowy Saturday......

2011-02-26T12:18:00.000-08:00

We've been having a small stretch of snowy days....and while we have nowhere near the amount that much of the US is under...it's still enough to change the scenery.

My waterfowl and their pet turkette don't appear too happy about the whole idea...

though at least they have a small section of the pond that is not frozen...

Donald.....with Huey, Dewey and Louise (yes, one of the runner ducks is a girl). :)

The barnyard bunch were making the best of it. The goaties and Max say "as long as there's hay were happy."

The guardian dogs don't seem to have much of an opinion about the whole thing...other than wishing I wouldn't try to take their picture.

Couple of close-ups of Degerli and Suti with their dusting of snow....

Haven't seen much of the kitties...other than a pretty miserable looking Hooch...wondering what the heck we were all out doing in the snow.
The rest of the pack loves the snow, and other than my camera seizing up in the cold, and my lack of being able to catch many action shots of Kylie, I think you can tell how much they are enjoying themselves....:)

Just a Dog?

2011-02-24T08:33:00.000-08:00

Silent Sunday......

2011-02-20T15:17:00.001-08:00

The bad, the ugly and the good......

2011-01-23T08:49:00.000-08:00

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

A Place of Burros....

2010-12-30T11:00:00.001-08:00

If you love donkeys (like I do) and US History (and especially Rt. 66) you'll enjoy this post. These pics are actually from last Spring when Guerdon and I made our trip to Arizona.

If you ever get the opportunity to visit the old mining town of Oatman (this was my 2nd visit, my first was with my mom), to me, it's worth the trip out of the way of wherever you're going. :)

It is along an old stretch of Route 66, narrow and windy, desolate and a definite taste of what traveling it back in the days was like.

There are a lot of old mines scattered about, some are even still functioning.

The miners, in the 1800's, were the ones responsible for bringing the donkeys to this area. When their mines ran dry, or didn't produce, they just turned their donkeys loose to fend for themselves.

Donkeys, being the frugal beings they are, had no problem with this arrangement.

As we wound our way along, out of the desolate, we spied a couple of true feral donkeys. These boys were shy of people, yet curious enough to stand and let me take a couple of pics from the car before they headed back out among the rocks. They looked, healthy and fit and knew their territory well.

I say "true" feral donkeys because when you drive into the town of Oatman you see the other choice some of the donkeys have made. To once again, be close to mankind.

A little history about Oatman....Oatman was named in honor of Olive Oatman (posthumously), a young Illinois girl who was kidnapped by Yavapai and forced to work as a slave, she was then traded to Mojave Indians who adopted her as a daughter and had her face tattooed in the custom of the tribe. She was released in 1855 near the current site of the town.
Oatman was served by a narrow gauge rail line between 1903 and 1905 that ran 17 miles to the Colorado River near Needles, California.

Oatman really started it's life over 100 years ago as a mining tent camp. In 1915, two miners struck a $10 million gold find, and within a year, the towns' population grew to more than 3,500.

But both the population and mining booms were short-lived. In 1921, there was a fire that burned many of Oatman's smaller buildings and in 1924, the main mining company, United Eastern Mines, quit it's operation.

The Oatman Hotel, built in 1902, is the oldest two-story adobe structure in Mojave County and has housed many miners, movie stars, politicians and others.

The town was the location for several movies including How The West Was Won, Foxfire and Edge of Eternity.

By 1941, the remainder of the town's gold mining operations were ordered shut down by the US Government as part of the country's war effort since metals other than gold were needed.

Oatman then managed to survive by catering to travelers along old U.S. Route 66. Even that advantage was short-lived as the town was completely bypassed in 1953 when a new route (Interstate 40)between Kingman and Needles was built.

By the 1960's Oatman all but died.

To this day, tourists are the only thing that keeps Oatman alive and one of the main draws (at least to me) :) is the burros and the history of old Route 66. It is a popular destination for many motorcycle clubs.

It's a pretty easy life for the donkeys that have chosen to make Oatman their home. The few locals that choose to make Oatman their full time home take care of these donkeys like family. They are fed and doctored when need be.

There are carrots and pellets the tourists can buy to feed the donkeys and many don't have the lean look of their feral brothers. The donkeys come into town every morning and head back into the desert at night. The locals even put stickers on the babies faces to warn tourists not to feed the carrots to the youngsters as they have been known to choke on pieces of carrot.

They wander in and out of traffic, get a bite to eat, a scratch or a hug from a tourist, even stand about and watch the daily gunfights.
I admit I even had to stop an pose with a little burro I wished I could have taken home with me...
a little ear skritch......I really enjoyed my time spent in Oatman, and hope to someday return there again to visit with those wonderful Oatman residents.

The goats of Pele

2010-12-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

Finally finding time to return to blogging.....thought I would start with a post on the wild (feral) goats of Maui. We were there the end of Oct till Nov 13th this year.

I decided to take a drive by myself when we were staying in Kihei. I headed south to La Perouse Bay and drove through the lava fields there. Other than going up Haleakala I sometimes forget the volcanic origin of the islands. There amongst the lava was some feral goats that were kind enough to let me take a few pics of them.

I couldn't help but notice how well they blended in with lava rock. I'd like to believe it's a perfect design in the evolution of these goats, as they are legal to hunt.

I'm sure Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, dance and volcanoes would be pleased to consider these goats her own.

Yeo Valley Advert - Official Video

2010-10-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

The race for the prize....

2010-09-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

The "prize" varies from day to day, today it's a blue rubber bone. (Try to overlook the lawn that is way past due for mowing!). Kylie and Harley have a way of convincing each other that THEY have the best toy, and whomever is the most convincing manages to get the other to drop whatever toy they have and then the game of keep-away is on!

The referee..........

And the winner of "this" round....Kylie!

This is THE best toy in the world! ('cause "I" have it!)- Kylie

Silent Sunday-the Kiger boys

2010-09-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

A Visitor and a new fella.....

2010-09-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

We have a visitor here at Wrensong......Meet Annabelle, a Dexter cow, that is soon to be a resident at Three Bells Ranch.She used to be part of a petting zoo, so is used to people....

And all kinds of animals....

She's got such an easy going temperament you have to love her :)

Next I'd like to introduce Shaman.Shaman is the sweetest little buckling. He comes from Beth'El Acres and is a Pholia Farms breeding (Pholia Farm KM Copperfield x Pholia Farm RA Freya). Freya now lives at Beth'el Acres and I'd like to thank Patti for letting Shaman become part of the Wrensong family.

The problem with a friendly goat is it gets hard to get a good photo, they're always wanting to be in your lap.....Orville wasn't too pleased when I separated him from the does so he could become Shamans buddy...he is adjusting though ....It's pretty bad when you have to resort to taking pics from the other side of the gate.....
I tried to get some good shots to show how nicely this boy is put together, this is the best I could do......

I'm sure there will be many more to follow.

Here is a shot of the girls over flirting with the "new man".....

The End....:)

Stehekin Trip 2010

2010-09-04T15:18:00.001-07:00

Stehekin...."the way through" , the Indians named it that because it was one of the few travel routes through the formidable barrier of the North Cascades. They traveled to trade between tribes east of the mountains and tribes on the Puget Sound coast and beyond.

You can't drive to Stehekin there are no roads to get there. You get there either by foot, hoofstock, float plane or boat. This was the 2nd trip for me, something like the 16th for my friend, Tara, and the first for my other friends, Ellen and Lacey.

It is 18 miles in by horseback/foot leaving from Bridge Creek trailhead on Rainy Pass. The trail is beautiful, rugged and sometimes a bit treacherous with narrow rocky paths etched into the side of mountains.

We left at 9 in the morning with the intention of making it to Stehekin Valley Ranch for dinner. I started out leading on my new horse, Max. Max, is a 7 year old Kiger mustang gelding who has had previous mountain experience. Ellen was riding the only experienced horse/mule on this route, Ganny (Gandolf), who is part of Tara's herd. Lacey was riding Stormy. Stormy is a Tennessee Walker mare and the mother of the two mules on the trip, Bert and Ernie (Ernestine) that Tara was riding (Bert) and packing (Ernie).

After a while Max started slowing down so Stormy took the lead and kept up a ground covering pace. We encountered all kinds of footing, water, mud, log bridges high over rivers, slippery rock and all the horses/mules did exceptionally well. There was a bit of hesitation on the mule-lettes and Stormy's part but with a bit of encouragement from Ganny the Wise, they decided it wasn't too much to be concerned about.

At this point I have to apologize for my pics. In 20/20 hindsight I never should have taken a fairly new camera, with a brand new lens that I was totally unfamiliar with. I should have taken a point and shoot and I would have had lots of great photos to share. At least I can still share a few pics to give the feeling of the trip.

Ellen in front on Ganny followed by Lacey on Stormy.

Lunch stop
Switchbacks going down to river.....

We encountered a few hikers, one with a dog and backpack that gave the mule kids some serious pause. Even Stormy wasn't too sure about these grotesquely misshapen humans and their dog. It took a bit of work on Tara's and Lacey's parts to get Stormy, Bert and Ernie convinced it was ok to walk by and turn your back on these "creatures".

On the Stehekin side of the mountains we encountered a sow bear and her cub on the trail. We patiently waited while she grazed and finally ambled up the mountainside away from the trail and our attentive horses/mules. Ellen/Ganny, Lacey/Stormy, me/Max

As we got closer to Stehekin, on a narrow, rocky trail we had to turn around go back out quite a ways and find a spot to get off the trail because we met another group of horse riders and they outnumbered us (rule of who has to turn around.....) It was difficult to make ourselves go back as we were definitely ready to get off our horses/mules!

We did make it in for dinner that night. One thing that is great about the Stehekin Valley Ranch is all your meals are included with your lodging (tent cabin or cabin with "indoor" plumbing). Meals including wonderful baked goods from the Stehekin Valley Bakery. They make the most delicious fresh fruit/nut pies and breads. They have a regular menu and a special of the night. The night we arrived it was BBQ ribs/chicken, Sat night was prime rib and Sunday was baked chicken.

After we unloaded our gear, settled the horses/mules in their pole corrals with some hay we headed to the main lodge for dinner and to chat with Sandy who took the boat up from Chelan to spend the weekend with us. Sandy is an old teaching friend of Tara's (old in that they have known each other for a long time) :)

We spent the next two days resting our weary bodies and eating to nourish ourselves to get ready for the ride out on Monday. Sunday another friend, Erika, took the boat in from Chelan. She planned to hike out with us back to Rainy Pass.

It was great having two days to enjoy the area of Stehekin. The Stehekin River is so pristine, we could look down from the bridge and see fish like we were looking through glass. Almost made me wish I had brought along a fishing pole.

Lacey and Ellen enjoying the sun on the riverbank.

We took the bus into Stehekin town "proper" and waited for Erika to arrive while admiring the lake and taking a tour of the interpretive center.

Looking towards Stehekin Valley Ranch from Lake Chelan.

Ellen and Lacey enjoying the Lake.

Heading out on Monday morning, now with the addition of Erika on foot, we pass Coon Lake on the way out of the Stehekin Valley.

Ellen/Ganny, Lacey/Stormy, me/Max
Tara on Bert with Ernie being the perfect pack mule.
Erika Riding along a wide part of the Pacific Crest TrailThe weather started to turn nasty on us and we had to ride in intermittent rain storms, it was cold enough that it was snowing on the higher elevation above us. We were pretty soaked by the time we made the trailhead.

Erika was still about 1/2 hour+ behind us and Tara decided to ride back in and accompany Erika to the trail head. All of the horses/mules were tired and pretty much done in, Tara took the two that had a few ounces of energy left in them, Ganny and Stormy, and headed back down the trail.

As Ellen, Lacey and I sat in my truck with the heat going full blast we started really worrying about both Erika and Tara. We were just about to the point of going to where we could get phone reception and we saw the mule kids looking hard across the road and start to bray. We were VERY relieved to see them coming into the parking lot.

Loading everyone up, Ellen, Lacey and Erika headed for home while Tara and I headed back to the Mazama Ranch House to spend the evening with the horses/mules. It was definitely a great adventure with great friends!

Max waiting to be unsaddled at the end of the ride.

Wrensong East....

2010-08-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

Some of you already know of our latest purchase, and wanted to see pics. Some don't know yet that we have plans to move (hopefully in the near future).

Guerdon and I bought 10 FLAT acres approx 7 miles East of where we live right now. It is bare land so it will be a definite work in progress. This is the gate going into the "estates" where our property is:

It is fenced, with post and pole but other than that it is nothing but 10 acres of Scotch Broom, an invasive weed. There is a beautiful view of the mountains going into Stevens Pass, but unfortunately when I was taking these pics it was cloudy at the peaks. We hope to face our living room and back deck towards that view.....

First step will be to eradicate the Scotch Broom. I had a Snohomish Conservation District certified Farm Planner, Bobbi Lindemulder, come out to discuss the property. She is going to help me with a farm plan. After the Scotch Broom is taken care of they will fly over and take a pic to get a good idea of the "lay of the land".

I'll try and include each step we do on the property, maybe it will be helpful to others developing acreage. I want it to be a sustainable farm and we are hoping to get mostly if not completely off the grid. We're looking into solar, and geothermal for heating and power etc. Also, hope to put in a russian type fireplace. We will probably be living in the barn for awhile as that will be the first thing that goes up.
More shots of the property:
Looking north, there is an enormous barn and riding arena on the property north of ours, beyond that is a home and then the river.

This next shot is our only close neighbor, they are across the street from our place and have lots of nice horses. :) There is a great trailhead just down the street, you can ride forever (well, almost) I hear you can ride all the way over to E. WA and I'm sure you can pick up the Pacific Coast Trail along the way somewhere.

Here is a sustainable farming course that Bobbi told me about that I hope to get signed up for:

Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching

For more information please visit www.cultivatingsuccess.org

or call/email Sarita Schaffer 206-914-7948 sschaffer@wsu.edu

Course Dates/Times for Fall 2010 Wednesday Evenings, 6-9 pm, Sept 8 – Nov 24

Cost $250 per person or farm couple/family

Location Classes will be held at the WSU NW Research and Extension Center on Memorial Hwy (SR 536) in Mount Vernon. Field trips may include farms in Snohomish, Skagit and/or Whatcom County.

Course Format

Classes consist of presentations and activities led by local farmers, WSU graduate student Researchers and local agricultural professionals. Participants will meet as a class once a week on Wednesday evenings. Two farm field trip days are included, scheduled on weekends. Instruction is bilingual (English with simultaneous Spanish translation & occasionally Spanish with simultaneous English translation)

Course Objectives

1) to gain knowledge of the practical aspects of sustainable small acreage production systems for a wide variety of enterprises

2) practice assessing the feasibility of developing a small acreage farming enterprise, including how to: evaluate personal and family goals, evaluate land and personal resources, develop a farm plan, and research marketing, regulations, and community resources.

3) experience the challenges and opportunities faced by small acreage farmers, preparing them for farming and/or technical, advisory, and agricultural educational positions.

Sample Course Modules*

*Weekly course modules vary slightly from year to year, depending on participant interest and guest speaker/farmer availability. The following overview from last year is intended to provide a general idea of the topics covered. Modules are not necessarily presented in the order below.

Module 1: Starting with Whole Farm Sustainability in Mind

· Understanding “sustainability” and “whole farm” concepts

· Applications of sustainability and whole farm concepts on the farm

Module 2: Successful Whole Farm Planning

· Applying the “Whole Farm” concepts to develop a farm plan

· Whole farm planning tools

· Assessing personal (and family) interests, skills, and values

· Developing your whole farm goals

Module 3: Evaluating Your Whole Farm Resources

· Introduction to the whole farm plan layout

· Resource inventory and assessment

· Mapping the farm property

Module 4: Direct Marketing Strategies

· Exploring methods to market direct to consumers

Module 5: Enterprise Assessment

· Enterprise ideas for small acreage farms/ranches

· Production requirements and feasibility of enterprise

Module 6: Evaluating your Market

· Consumer and market trends

· Researching the market and customer base

Module 7: Sustainable Crop Production

· Implementing farming practices that promote sustainability

· Growing organic

Module 8: Ecological Soil Management

· Soil characteristics important to plant growth

· Building healthy Soils

· Soil testing

Module 9: Integrated Pest and Weed Management

· Basics of Integrated Pest Mangement

· Ecological weed management

Module 10: Sustainable Livestock/Poultry Systems*

· Sustainable animal production

· Grazing management on small acreages

Module 11: Facilities and Equipment

· Selecting Appropriate Equipment

· Irrigation Systems for small acreage farming

· Meeting the building and fencing requirements

· Renewable Energy Resources on the Farm

Module 12: Assessing the Potential for Profit

· The basics of farm economics

· Enterprise budgets as decision making tools

Module 13: Enhancing Success of Your Whole Farm Plan

· Tools for tracking success

· Assessing Sustainability

· Proactively addressing legal liability issues

As we go along I welcome any suggestions and helpful hints people can offer! This will be where we retire to and live out our lives so I would like to make it as smoothly functioning as possible.

I'm a sucker....what can I say.....

2010-07-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

For a sweet, drooly face :) (click to bigify)

A friend of mine who does dog rescue, as well as training, texted me about whether I would be interested in fostering a ASD/Kangal cross pup, neutered, up to date on his shots that had been pulled from a local humane society...."Sure!" says I, what is the harm in that....

Not even two days later I was thinking of my guardian dogs as a team, the Degerli and Suti show! Watch out mountain lions and coyotes you may have met your match!
They make the rounds together, walking the fence line and practicing skills in dealing with predators.....
Yes that is a leaf that Degerli has in her mouth....:)
Degerli and Dulcie seem to have a special connection which makes it hard to face the fact that Dulcie will be going to a new home soon. We have the sweet itch under control, but now she has allergies to the molds/pollens/etc. that we have here on the west side of the Cascades, that will keep her from being ridden as I had hoped. Not to mention it making it hard for her to breathe without medicinal help. :(

Heading back to the barn...
For a little cooling off which Suti has down to a science.....

Random Goat Shots....

2010-07-04T18:52:00.001-07:00

Including the usual suspects, Violet, Daisy, Roca & Opal, and introducing Ashley aka Fiona aka FiFi and her wethered brother, Orville Wright aka Reddenbaucher (yes there is a story behind those names to be divulged on a later date) :)

The End

The 102nd Use of a Mud Room Utility Sink.....

2010-06-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

Raising baby California quail :) Lophortyx Californicus

Here is a great link on all kinds of info on these great little quail (I have been a fan since a child in the California desert) http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Quail/lifehistory This is a website that I have bookmarked because it has all kind of information on any bird I want to know about....and I love their "cool facts" .

Frankenstein's Family

2010-06-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

Frankenstein

Frankenstein's Wife

Frankenstein's kid

Frankenstein's dog (Frankenweenie)

Frankenstein's cat*

* Coopurrrrr managed to impale himself on a 7 inch long by 1/4 inch wide branch and break it off underneath his skin....$825 and lots of stitches later....he's almost good as new......

Good Morning!

2010-06-20T07:43:00.001-07:00

Zazu says...."it's STILL way too early for ME to get out of bed!

And now, straight from the goat's mouth.......

2010-06-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Violet, and I now live at Wrensong Farm. Two doelings, Daisy and Roca, made the journey from Elfin Acres in Creswell (which is south of Eugene, OR) to Wrensong last weekend in some dog crates in the back of a truck. It wasn't fun at all, it was a long drive and was raining the whole way. At least we were able to stay pretty dry because as most of you probably know we goats do NOT like the rain.

I am a big girl, a first freshener, and a princess...so I guess I'll make the introductions.....over there....the buckskin girl is Roca, and the spotted girl is Daisy....

They're not sisters but they are good friends.....

And over there, is little Opal. She just recently joined our herd from Schoonover Farms.

We have a good size paddock that we have to stay in for now.......
Because someone else that came to live with us is an Anatolian guardian dog, name Degerli (pronounced DARE lee) which means most valuable....well I'm here to tell you she is not near as valuable as say....a peanut..or some raisins (at least as far as I am concerned!).
Anyway, Degerli is only 9 months old so she can't be trusted with us right now, so she has the whole rest of the pastures to wander while we are stuck in this paddock.....

See you next time.....Violet

Special thanks to Marybeth Bullington of Elfin Acres Nigerians and Shady Oaks Shetlands, Donna Schoonover of Schoonover Farm .

Toto....I don't think we are in Kansas anymore.......

2010-06-10T18:19:00.000-07:00

Last Friday a funnel cloud appeared in Wrensong's home town of Monroe. Unusual for WA state, and pretty harmless....but looked pretty impressive....

I am the Cheeto Bandito......

2010-05-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

I felt that this Raven need a post all his own.

While traveling through the Petrified Forest at one of the stops we encountered this raven. He was obviously used to humans and how to finagle a treat or two from them.

I squatted and talked to him and told him how it wasn't healthy for him to eat junk food, but he just wouldn't listen. So I said ok, but just a few, and asked Guerdon to hand me some cheetos. (unfortunately one of my junk food weaknesses).

He gratefully gobbled them down and I climbed into the car. Off we drove to the next overlook.

When we returned to the car there stood a raven. Could it be? The same raven? or were they all "trained" that way?

We decided that it was indeed the same raven, because when we drove off we saw him overhead flying over the car. Next stop there he was.

After that we drove too far and too fast for him to catch up. But from that point forward every time we see a raven in a parking lot we joke about how he followed us there from the Petrified Forest. :)

We just flew in from Vegas and boy are our wings tired!

2010-05-21T06:18:00.001-07:00

Introducing the latest members of the Wrensong family.....Zazu and Buzz, two lineolated (also know as Barred Parakeet, Bolborhynchus lineola) parakeet boys. Zazu is the cobalt blue and Buzz is the normal green.

I had been wanting to have a parrot type bird again and was researching all the different breeds. When I read about Linnies I realized that I had found the perfect bird! They are small and quiet, other than an occasional jungle yell (which I have yet to hear) and can learn to talk. So far all I've heard are these cute little whistles and buzzing noises that I could sit and listen to for hours (like I need another excuse to be in the computer room.....):P

Once I decided on type I started looking for the perfect breeder, someone who handraised the babies and fed a proper diet and had their birds best interest at heart. I had originally e-mailed Bonny of Winddys Wings and she put me in touch with Sharron in Kingman Arizona. I was put on her mailing list for when she had some new babies hatch and when they did I sent her a deposit. I had originally thought I would just get one but then decided he would be a lot happier with a companion during the day when I was at work, so decided on two boys.

Zazu and Buzz left for the long flight to Seattle (by way of Houston) on Thursday. Guerdon and I drove down to Seatac airport and the Continental Cargo building. They arrived in the most fantastically put together crate for travel! They had sunscreen mesh over all the windows and door, a perch mounted inside and all the fruits, vegtables and grains they couldn't possible consume in a couple of days. The drive home seemed to take forever (possibly because of the horrible traffic) and they were SO quiet, other than a little buzz here and there.

When I put them in their new cage they set right off to exploring. Linnies are more of a climber and though they will fly they prefer to stay on their feet. Zazu surprised me by coming right over for some loving which I didn't hesitate to give. Buzz is a bit more stand-offish but he still like some attention.

If you have been looking for a pet bird, I can't recommend this little bird more highly. Please read up on them at: www.linniesociety.org , www.lineolatedparakeet.net , www.linniesworld.com and join some linnie lists like the one on Yahoo... Linnie lovers. :) If you still think this is the bird for you, I can't recommend Sharron more highly! www.desertrainbowaviary.com (not to mention all the cute Linnie pics!!)

I bought a nice large cage that I could load with toys and a playpen for these boys to be on when I was out in the family room. Here's a pic of the playpen:

Looks like fun, huh? :)

Just a glimpse....

2010-05-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

Our next stop was Canyon de Chelly. An interesting name for a Navajo and ancient pueblo people.... The name Chelly (or Chelley) is a Spanish borrowing of the Navajo word Tséyiʼ, which means "canyon" (literally "inside the rock" < tsé "rock" + -tsé "inside of, within"). The Spanish pronunciation of de Chelly was adapted into English, apparently through modelling after a French-like spelling pronunciation and is now pronounced d SHAY.

Some interesting information about Canyon de Chelly: Canyon de Chelly National Monument was authorized in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover in large measure to preserve the important archeological resources that span more than 4,000 years of human occupation. The monument encompasses approximately 84,000 acres of lands located entirely on the Navajo Nation with roughly 40 families residing within the park boundaries.

I had originally planned on taking a Navajo tour into the canyon on horseback and by jeep. Unfortunately when we got there we were told the Canyon was flooding and there were not allowing any trips in. I tried to be cheerful about it and telling myself that "oh well, it just means I need to take another trip back", but it was still very disappointing that mother nature chose to keep me out of the canyon.

We made the best of it and toured all along the upper rim. I was still able to get some beautiful shots but it still left me craving more.

The following are shots of Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto, the beautiful rock, canyons and the mysterious cliff dwellings.

If you look carefully in the following photo you will see pictographs of deer and other animals in the canyon wall (this is taken from the other side of the canyon and I don't exactly have the most powerful lens :)) click to bigify....
I typically don't take pics of hogans, not considered proper without the owners consent...but I figured this one wasn't occupied.

One of the locations we visited was Massacre Cave Overlook. It received it name from the following event......On a snowy day early in January of 1805, one of the Navajo villages suffered a surprise attack by Spanish Lieutenant Antonio Narbona and his military expedition deep in Canyon Del Muerto. Most of the men were away hunting in the Lukachukai Mountains. When the old men and women spotted the raiding party, they fled in the snow and took refuge in what is now known as Massacre Cave, high up in the 1000 ft canyon wall and inaccessible from above. The Spaniards located them from the rim and there are still marks on the walls of the cave left by ricocheting rifle bullets. Some of the Spaniards made the hard climb up from below. In one of the hand to hand battles which followed, a brave Navajo woman pushed a Spanish soldier backwards off the ledge and fell with him to their death on the rocks below. The Navajo because of this call this site The Place Where Two Fell Off.

Spider Rock was the last stop on the South Rim drive and one of the views I had looked forward to the most.
The Navajo believe that the tallest of the two spires that rise 800 feet over the floor of the canyon is home to Spider Woman. Spider woman is an extremely important deity to the Navajo people. Here is her story:

"Spider Woman possessed supernatural power at the time of creation, when Dine (Navajo) emerged from the third world into this fourth world.

At that time, monsters roamed the land and killed many people. Since Spider Woman loved the people, she gave power for Monster- Slayer and Child-Born-of-Water to search for the Sun-God who was their father. When they found him, Sun-God showed them how to destroy all the monsters on land and in the water.

Because she preserved their people, Dine (Navajo) established Spider Woman among their most important and honoured Deities.

She chose the top of Spider Rock for her home. It was Spider Woman who taught Dine (Navajo) ancestors of long ago the art of weaving upon a loom. She told them, "My husband, Spider Man, constructed the weaving loom making the cross poles of sky and earth cords to support the structure; the warp sticks of sun rays, lengthwise to cross the woof; the healds of rock crystal and sheet lightning, to maintain original condition of fibres. For the batten, he chose a sun halo to seal joints, and for the comb he chose a white shell to clean strands in a combing manner." Through many generations, the Dine (Navajo) have always been accomplished weavers.

From their elders, Dine (Navajo) children heard warnings that if they did not behave themselves, Spider Woman would let down her web- ladder and carry them up to her home and devour them!

The children also heard that the top of Spider Rock was white from the sun-bleached bones of Dine (Navajo) children who did not behave themselves!" -from Native American Lore

As we left Spider Rock night was beginning to fall and I took a couple of last minute shots on the trail back to the car.....

The next morning we hit the last two overlooks that we had missed before heading to Winslow for our next nights stay. It always amazes me how life can find a foothold in what would seem to be an impossible place....

A cholla cactus along the trail.....

This next pic is of a wonderful Navajo young man, Pat Tsosie. He, his wife, their baby and her family were all at one of the overlooks. Up until then we had managed to not spend any money and just admire all the handiwork we'd seen on our trip.....I'm not sure if Guerdon or I gave in first but we returned to our car with a pot and four pictograph and petroglyphs done on sandstone from the canyon. :) We were told the story behind each of the designs and how it affected the Navajo people. We learned that the money that he and his wife made from their artwork bought the gas that got them back and forth to college. Their family spent the summers at their home in the floor of the canyon and winters up above. The conversation with Pat and Guerdon started when Pat noticed Guerdon's sunglasses..."Hey, are those Oakleys?" Guerdon told him yes, and Pat said his wife had bought him a pair for Christmas and he loved them. He brought Guerdon over to his truck so he could show them to him and they talked for awhile on the benefits of a good pair of sunglasses. Before we left Pat asked if I would take a picture of him and mail him a copy, my pleasure. :)

Walk in beauty......

2010-05-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

From a Navajo ceremony:

In the house made of dawn,

In the house made of evening twilight,

In the house made of dark cloud and rain

In beauty I walk.

With beauty before and behind me,

With beauty below and above,

With beauty all around me, I walk

I have always wanted to visit Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly since I was a young child....it only took me until I was 51 years old to get here. I had always admired the Navajo, who call themselves Dine'e "the people". They have a simple view of life and to me it is the best. Appreciate what you have and what is around you, do no wrong, treat others well and it keeps life in the balance. Each day their morning prayers are said toward the east before the sun rises. They express gratitude for their good life, for their livestock, for their land, and the wonders that they live among. This brings Hozhóó (harmony).

I love the Navajo creation story and share it with you now, if you haven't read or heard it before:
Navajo Creation Story

Only the Creator knows where the beginning is. The Creator had a thought that created Light in the East. Then the thought went South to create Water, West to create Air, and North to create Pollen from emptiness. This Pollen became Earth.

Light, air, water, and earth is contained in everything within nature; all of the natural world is interconnected and equal.

All of these elements mixed together, and the first thing created were the Holy People. These Holy People were given the job and responsibility of teaching what is right and wrong. Holy people were given the original laws, then they created the earth and human beings.

The Creator with the help of the Holy People created the Natural World. They created humans, birds, and all of the Natural World was put in Hozjo (BALANCE). This Hozjo (harmony, balance, and peace) is dependent on interconnectedness. All of the Natural World depends on another. The Navajo say they are glued together with respect, and together they work in harmony. To the Navajo this present world is the fifth.

The place of emergence into this level was Xajiinai, a hole in the La Plata mountains of SW Colorado. The Holy People have the power to hurt or help, and centuries ago taught the Dineh how to live in harmony with Mother Earth, Father Sky and the other elements: man, animals, plants, insects.The Dineh believe that when the ceremonies cease the world will cease.

When we left the Grand Canyon we drove through dry, desolate areas where the Navajo called home. They would have a stick built house or mobile home (with the door always facing east) and many had a tradition Hogan not far away. As we approached Monument Valley we started to see signs of the sandstone formations. I started getting excited and when I glimpsed the Mittens it was "the Mittens! the Mittens! Look there are the Mittens!" like I was that young child again. We checked into The View Hotel, owned and run by the Navajo. This is the only hotel actually in the park. It is beautifully built where it blends into the surrounding sandstone. View from our room:Inside the View, I didn't want to use a flash and the colors didn't quite turn out right, but they have beautiful rugs, and artwork everywhere.

We drove the 17 mile dirt road thru the park just before dusk. I don't think I closed my mouth once I was in such awe. They had some bilagaana (white man) names for some of the sandstone monoliths like the camel butte, and the elephant butte, and others more traditional like the Yei Bi Chei. Some of the viewpoints were named Artist's point (though there really didn't seem to be one better view than another to me) and John Ford's Point for his movies filmed there. I tried really hard to pick just my favorite pics from all that I took and was only able to narrow it down to the following. Every second the lighting would change and it would make me stop and take more pics. No view ever looked exactly the same. I'm going to end this blog post with all the views that I wanted to share. Enjoy.

An Arizona adventure.....

2010-05-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a week long trip along northern Az. I had designed our itinerary to visit some places that I had always wanted to see since a child, along with places I'd been that I wanted to share with Guerdon. (Click to "bigify" as always) :)

We flew into Las Vegas, rented a car, and immediately headed out as we had a fairly long drive to the South rim of the Grand Canyon. I have been to the south rim a few times, the last one being the most bittersweet as it was the last trip my Mother and I took before the Alzheimer's started to consume her. We actually didn't "see" the Grand Canyon that time as it was fogged in and snowing. Mom and I joked about it and it wasn't too disappointing as we had both seen it before....we really felt bad, however, for the people that had traveled from all over the globe to catch a glimpse of the magnificent canyon.

I decided to splurge and stay at the El Tovar 20 feet from the rim of the canyon.

A little history on this historic hotel:
The Santa Fe Railroad commissioned the construction of El Tovar in 1902. Charles Whittesey, a Chicago architect, designed the structure as a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian villa. It officially opened its doors in January, 1905, as the luxury hotel at the Grand Canyon for the Santa Fe Railway. The El Tovar was originally financed by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, at a cost of $250,000, and was managed by Fred Harvey and his Harvey Girls

We checked in and explored around the beautiful lodge. Wood logs from OR were used in building this lodge and it had a great covered porch with rocking chairs that I probably could have sat in and rocked away a good part of my life. :) We had a drink in their lounge which also had outside seating where we could gaze over the canyon.I decided to try a Prickly Pear margarita and though it was a bit sweet it was refreshing.

It was here that I got my first sighting of the immense Condors that call the canyon home.

I found the info on the history of the condor so fascinating I am copy/pasting what I found on the National Park Services website. Here is what they say:

" In Pleistocene times, condors ranged from Canada to Mexico, across the southern United States to Florida, and north on the east coast to New York. During that period, condors were a common resident at the Grand Canyon. A dramatic range reduction occurred about 10,000 years ago, coinciding with the late Pleistocene extinction of large mammals such as mastodons, giant ground sloths, camels, and sabre tooth cats that condors fed on.

By the time Europeans arrived in western North America, condors had retreated to a stronghold along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to Baja California. The birds managed to maintain a strong population until shooting, egg collecting, poisoning by cyanide traps set for coyotes, power line collisions, general habitat degradation, and especially lead poisoning began to take a heavy toll. Lead poisoning from ingesting fragments of lead ammunition in the carcasses and gut piles they feed on remains the greatest threat to California condors today

From the 1880s to 1924, there were scattered reports of condors in Arizona. But by the late 1930s, no condors remained outside of California and by 1982, the total population had dwindled to just 22 birds. Extinction loomed

What's Being Done to Save the Condor?

As a result of the continued downward spiral of the condor population, one of the longest wildlife recovery efforts ever attempted began. The California condor was placed on the federal endangered species list in 1967. Critical habitat was identified and mortality factors were studied.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a captive breeding program in 1983, teaming with the Los Angeles Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. (Additional breeding facilities were added later at The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho and at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon.) But in the wild, condor numbers continued to decline until by 1985 only nine wild birds remained

A controversial decision was made to bring all remaining condors into captivity, and the last wild bird was captured on April 19, 1987. All hope for recovery was now placed on the captive breeding program and the task was formidable.

Condors aren't capable of reproducing until they are about six years old and once a pair mate, only a single egg will normally be produced every year or two. Because of these factors, recruitment into the population is very low. To offset this, captive breeding techniques were developed in which eggs are removed as they are laid, usually causing the captive condors to lay a second and sometimes a third egg.

The extra eggs are incubated and the chicks are raised by caretakers using a hand puppet shaped like a condor head. The puppet prevents the young condors from imprinting on people, a phenomenon in which a bird will identify more with humans than its own species. Some condor chicks are also allowed to be raised by their parent birds. As a result, the captive condor population increased dramatically from 27 birds in 1987 to the 150 or so that are currently being held

Best of all, captive bred condors were being released back into the wild in California beginning in January 1992. Today, more than 80 condors fly free in the state of California, from the Ventana wilderness and Pinnacles National Monument down to the Sespe Condor Refuge and Los Padres National Forest north of Los Angeles.

In December of 1996, six young captive-bred condors were released into the wild in Arizona by The Peregrine Fund from a site in the Vermilion Cliffs, 30 miles north of Grand Canyon National Park. For the first time since 1924, condors were flying free in Arizona skies. Subsequent releases have occurred every year since then.

In October of 1992, three condors were released into the wild on the Baja peninsula of Mexico. It was the first flight of California condors there since 1937.

The world total of California condors today is over 320, more than half of which are in the wild. Although still endangered and facing ongoing challenges such as lead poisoning, they’ve come a long way since numbering just 22 in 1982

California Condors Have Adapted Well to This Area

Currently over 70 condors soar over northern Arizona and southern Utah. Many of them frequent Grand Canyon, especially during the summer. They come from all four captive breeding locations. But more importantly, a number of them come from wild nest caves in and around the Grand Canyon.

The first California condor chick to fledge in the wild anywhere since 1982 was seen leaving its nest cave deep in the Grand Canyon on November 5, 2003. Unfortunately this youngster died in March of 2005, apparently of starvation. But his parents have bred successfully in the same nest cave twice since then. In fact, as of this writing in April of 2009, there are a total of eight wild-bred condors flying free in Arizona and Utah. There are also five active nest caves in the Grand Canyon and the Vermilion Cliffs right now."

Unfortunately I was unable to get any pics of them....mostly because all I could do was stare up in awe at them. Here is a pic that Ann Torrance took at the Grand Canyon.
We had dinner at the El Tovar, a house salad (Baby Organic Greens, Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, topped with Goat Cheese and Grilled Red Onion, served with a Toasted Piñon Vinaigrette) for a starter, followed by a lovely ribeye steak with a pesto sauce, potatoes and broccoli. No room for dessert! In the morning we had breakfast there as well and I tried their pancake trio, blue corn, buckwheat and buttermilk pancakes with a pinenut honey butter drizzled with Prickly Pear syrup. Delicious!

Another interesting bit of history right across the El Tovar was the Hopi House. Hopi House was designed by Mary Jane Colter, a woman who was a standout as an architect. She designed 21 projects for Fred Harvey. She really is one of my hero's, going where most women feared to tread. She also decorated El Tovar and designed the Watchtower.

Here are a few pics heading out of the canyon, and on our way to the Desert View Watchtower...

Guerdon clowning around....:)
Approaching the Desert View Watchtower....

The Desert View Watchtower...

Just a piece of cool looking wood....:P
Climbing up into the Watchtower there are paintings by Fred Kabotie, murals done in 1932.....

The view from the top of the Watchtower...
More of the paintings and pictographs done by Hopi artist, Fred Kabotie
From here we continue on to our next destination, Monument Valley.....

Riddle's Song

2010-04-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

i wanted to share a video I found very inspirational and made me feel good to watch. Once again I hope to start posting more often and I may have a big surprise shortly. Please enjoy Riddle's Song :)

I Feel GOOD!

2010-01-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

Sheba, my Akbash, is getting up there in years (at least for an Akbash), she's 8 and not prone to outbursts of happiness anyway. She has always been mostly stoic and takes her guardian position seriously. Yesterday, however, she got a wild hair and I was able to catch it with my camera and thought I would share. :) Notice all the fluff from the latest "de-fluffed" bed which I am convinced they use them more as large toys, than something to sleep on. spread about the lawn.

Whew! That outburst should last for another year or two.......

I just wanted to thank everyone at this time for their thoughts and condolences on the loss of my Mom. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciated it. My blogging friends are the best!

I Love You Mom

2010-01-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

My Mom passed away Sunday evening. While I am deeply saddened I am also relieved she is finally free of her traitorous body. The last time I saw her I read recognition in her eyes, something I had not seen in over a year. She tried desperately to communicate with me, and all she was capable of doing was raising her shaking hand and shedding some tears.

My Mom is responsible for my start in my animal filled life. We always had dogs, cats and birds in our home. She made every effort for me to be able to ride the horses that I dreamed of having in my life and tolerated the various lizards, snakes and amphibians that I insisted live in my bedroom.

I will try to only look back on all the wonderful trips we took together after I became an adult, to her place of birth and beginning life around the Boston area, as we explored Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and ventured to unknown territory in Nova Scotia. I even surprised her and showed up in the Florida Keys while she was traveling by herself and we finished her trip together. We found wonderful places off the beaten path on Vancouver Island and the small islands off that coast. We explored Oahu and Texas, when she lived there, adventures too numerous to mention.

And finally to the Southwest, where I got an awakening of what her life was to become.

It was still an enjoyable trip, the most memorable point was going on a tour of the Hopi mesas. There was a wizened old Hopi woman, wrinkled and brown by the sun and time, sitting in front of her home that had no power or the luxuries that we have become accustomed to. This woman spied my mother and held out her hand. Mom walked over and took it and they had a private, special moment. The woman did not want to let go of my Mom's hand and my Mom found it extremely difficult to pull her hand away. "She said she wanted me to stay with her and keep her company" Mom said.

Loneliness is a harsh companion, and I feel the last couple of years that Mom was trapped in her Dementia ridden body she felt it was her constant companion.

One of my favorite poems, that I send to friends that are grieving, whether over family, friends or even our animal families is "Do Not Weep" by Mary Elizabeth Frye. I would like to end this post with it now......

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I do not die.

Rest in peace Mom, I love you.

Whirlwind Tour to E. WA and 3 Bells Ranch

2009-12-29T15:35:00.000-08:00

Sun Dog taken near Spokane by J. Young

As I have 11 days off for the holidays I decided to go visit a friend of mine that I just don't get to visit with enough. Tara is her name, we met during training for horseback Search and Rescue.

She bought 75 acres in Oroville, an old orchard that she is working to turn into a organic sustainable ranch for herself and her animals. I was anxious to see all that she had done.

I left with clear weather and the pass was an easy drive with bare/wet roads. Stevens Pass is a beautiful area with mountains that are reminiscent of Europe. I will some day get around to doing a blog post on them....I promise. Once on the eastern side of the mountains I drove through lovely orchard lands, mostly apple, pear, peaches, and cherries. Followed along the Columbia River, and then eventually the Okanogan river. I really enjoy seeing all the horses and cattle in their winter woolies, and made note of the apple cider stands, planning on stopping at one on the way home.

Arrived at Tara's and she was making a squash pie. I met her Mother, Drue, who was visiting from Rhode Island and with who I can definitely see the resemblance (sorry Drue :)). After Tara put the pie in the oven we walked around meeting all her animals while she fed, seeing all the irrigation and fencing that she had installed over this last year. The house that came with the land was not much to begin with and she had turned it into a comfortable home. I was really impressed with all that had been done in such a short amount of time.

And then the gates of Hades opened........

When we returned to the house to check on the pie Tara had a phone call. I could tell from her voice that it was not good news. Her close friend, Betsy, had been traveling with her friend, Margaret to her cabin in Winthrop for a week of skiing and frivolity when they hit a patch of black ice and rolled Betsy's Toyota 4 Runner two and a 1/4 times. They were taken to the hospital in Brewster and needed to be picked up.

I need to mention here that Betsy and Margaret are the most amazing women you'll ever meet. They are good friends....not sure of ages, but 70+ , and they are more active than most 20 year olds. They not only maintain their own homes, Betsy's in Mercer Island, Margaret's in Issaquah, and Betsy has her "vacation" home in Winthrop that she also maintains....they manage to travel all over the US, Europe, Australia....AND they hike, downhill and cross country ski. Betsy even comes over to Tara's to put on a "Betsy's Boot Camp" to work on everything there and Tara swears she would not have gotten near the work done in as short of time without Betsy cracking the whip. To be honest with you I've been more than a little scared to show up over there when Boot Camp is in full swing.

So Tara and I, donned our previously forgotten Search and Rescue persona, loaded Kylie and a cat carrier (they were traveling with a Golden Retriever and a cat and we weren't sure if we had to pick them up too) into my Subaru and drove the 70+ miles to Brewster and the hospital. Amazingly Betsy wasn't injured at all, Margaret had a head laceration and some bruising. They were extremely lucky.

After springing them from the hospital, we went to where there vehicle had been towed to retrieve some suitcases. I must say the Toyota is a sturdy vehicle....for what it went through it looked pretty good. Betsy and Margaret went into the back seat with the empty cat carrier between them (turned out a good Samaritan had taken the dog and cat to their home to care for until Betsy and Margaret were able to pick them up) We placed the suitcases next to Kylie behind the back seat and she immediately went to work cleaning the food that had found it's way to the outside of the suitcases during the rollover.

Kylie was good with this arrangement until the suitcases fell over on top of her. At that point she felt the people in the backseat had worn out their welcome in HER normal travel location and proceeded to wrap herself around poor Margaret's neck. We stopped and untangled the dog and woman and Betsy had to hold onto Kylies collar and tell her nice things to keep her halfway in the back and draped over the seat the rest of the way.

Next day we had a lovely breakfast of homemade coffee cake, bacon and some eggs which had been frozen out in the barn that Betsy managed to revive. Then the planning began. It was decided that Betsy and Margaret needed a rental car, Tara insisted if they insisted on having a rental car it needed to be a 4 x 4. Most of the small towns had rental cars....but no 4 x 4s. The closest one was in Wenatchee.

Tara was more than willing to take them to Wenatchee but the "sensible" thing was for me to take them as it was "on my way" home.

As I had planned on this being a photo safari of sorts, I ran around quickly snapping some pics (which I later found I had left my camera on macro.....though they didn't turn out too bad) before loading up the Subaru once again. Molly, Tara's Jack Russell mix girl, felt she needed to pack herself in as well and we removed her a total of 4 times I think before I was able to make my escape without an extra dog in tow.I think what I love most about the above pics is the reflection of Tara in the window....laughing at her Mollycule's escapades. (That is a piece of Kylie's frozen dinner in Molly's mouth that she is trying to abscond with).

The "gals" before we left on Tara's front porch.....from L to R: Tara, Betsy, Margaret, & Drue.

Back on the road, it was decided that Betsy would stay at the tow yard and organize what she could salvage out of the 4 Runner. Margaret would continue on with me to Wenatchee, another 65+ miles from Brewster. It was now snowing and the driving was getting a bit more treacherous.

When we dropped Betsy off at the tow yard I went back to take a pic of their rig.
There was another 4 Runner in what I think was a bit worse condition parked right next to theirs. It had just been brought in, having flipped over a guard rail and rolled. Occupants at hospital.

Margaret and I continued on. Understandably Margaret was a bit uptight about being on the road (she was the one driving Betsy's 4 Runner at the time of the accident) but she cramped my style a bit when I couldn't drive in my normal slightly faster mode of travel. The bonus of this drive, though, was I got to see (but unfortunately didn't get to take pics of) some amazing sun dogs.

Finally made Wenatchee, a nice Tahoe was waiting for Margaret, and after I made sure that she was going to have a vehicle to leave in, I moved their luggage over to the Tahoe and then I skedaddled back to my Forester. Putting the seats down and moving Kylies travel rug to it's behind the front seats position a swear I heard the biggest sigh out of Kylie as she settled in. With a sigh probably close to the same size as Kylie's I headed the 107+ miles back to our home (sweet home).

At the very least, after this adventure, if I am reincarnated I think I have elevated myself above the worm I thought I might return as.....possibly something as good as something that can walk around on four legs? I can only hope.

Below are some of the pics I took before I left:

The view from Tara's living room
Tara's MOOs, Bruiser, Kobe and Kobe White Face

The pic above really needs a caption....don't you think?

Her bunny area.....which I christened Polygamy Flats (there is ONE happy boy bunny in there)
and some wittle baby bunnies.....

Her piggie pals, Izzy the Tamsworth pig (whom I told her that she SHOULD have named Tammy.....after all she IS a "Tams"worth pig AND has red hair!!) and Daisy, a pot-bellied pig she got to keep Izzy company.Tara has been training Izzy to do things like heel, and turn right and left....which I told her she needs to change to "go bye" and "away to me"......."that'll do pig" :) (with a big nod to the movie Babe) Izzy also needs to eat in a special pen by herself because Daisy.... well....makes a pig of herself and eats all the food. Izzy has learned to go in and out and fortunately Daisy hasn't caught on yet.

This pic reminds me for some reason of a runway model with her poodle......(maybe with a bit of a Russian flair?)
Some of Tara's herd..... she has 3 Fox Trotters, Ganny (Gandolf), Sierra (the mare that packed me into Stehekin), and Stormy, Stormy's two mule offspring, Bert and Ernestine, Ellie her elder mule, Quincy, a Tennessee Walker that was going to be put down for bad feet that she rescued and rehabbed, and Pippin the pony. Tara does a wonderful calendar every year of her horses, check it out: Horse As Horse 2010 calendar.

Tara and Stormy
The "usual" pictures I get of her herd.....something fascinating about a camera....
Stormy
Bert (I think)
Sierra
Bert and Ernestine
Stormy
and last but not least, Pippen
Looking forward to a bit of a longer visit next time.......:)

Silent Sunday

2009-12-06T09:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, so maybe not so silent in the beginning.....I am missing my blogging and blogging friends, and have decided I need to set aside some time each week to indulge myself. :)

I recently went down to OR to visit my Mom who is in an Alzheimer ward in Eugene and my sister who lives on the coast in Florence with my "sig other", Guerdon. It was one of the best visits I've had with my Mother, even though she hasn't recognized me in years and has stopped talking, I think we made contact. She just kept staring into my eyes and teared up two different times. I really got the impression she recognized me, and Guerdon agreed. It was heart rending in that I think she really wanted to say something.

We stayed on the coast again in Yachats (pron. YAH HOTS) at the Adobe (dog friendly) and witnessed a beautiful stormy sea. The following are a few shots of some of my favs.... in a very random order, the lighting changed so often it was hard to pick the ones I like the most. ok NOW I'll be silent....

A Fine Fall Day

2009-11-01T07:29:00.000-08:00

Gallo has found a new home with a flock of girls to call his own. He leaves today. I decided to get a couple last pics of him and the ram lambs I still have for sale, as well as some of Dulcie now that she doesn't have to wear her "bug armor".

I have to say that the lighting that clouds bring makes for some gorgeous colors, and the crispness in the air makes for some perky animals. :)

The Serama trio were out looking for some tasty morsels, they get real excited when I turn over any pans that have been sitting there for awhile....I kind of feel bad for the earthworms though....

The ducks, being Call Ducks, follow me around and loudly insist on me feeding them. Trying to explain that I was only out to take pictures didn't seem to console them much.....

Anytime the ducks mention food, the peacocks show up.......
FOOD? Did someone mention food???Dulcie, being the more camera shy, was the loser in this race.....:)

Once the hay is down, everyone is all business....
One last pic of Gallo.....
"HEY LADY! knock it off with the camera already!!!"

Two of my four Shetland ram lambs remaining still looking for a home.....

I'll finish this post with some shots of Dulcie enjoying the morning......

Can't see the forest for the trees......

2009-10-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how many times I am surprised by new things....you'd think after almost 51 years....

It took a rockhounding foray down the road from where I live to discover some hidden beauty practically right next door. This is literally less than 10 miles from my house. I have lived at this house for over 13 years and had no idea!

My friends and I were looking for quartz crystals, fossils and jasper nuggets. Found a little bit of everything but what we found was something more precious than all of the finds put together!

On the road to the places we looked for the rocks are two bridges that go over creeks that feed into the Skykomish river. They run through lava tubes and over lava rock.

Through time and erosion the water has created some beautiful scenes. Following are some of the pics I took, I hope you enjoy them. :)

Wild cat seen at Wrensong.....

2009-09-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

"There was a rumor of a wild cat seen at Wrensong.....but then I saw it with my own eyes!"

"We couldn't believe it! It was even welcomed onto the farm by our two legged staff!"

Meet Snooka, a 17 month old kitten adopted off of Craigslist. (I know, I know, I SHOULDN'T look at Craigslist.....it's not quite a habit....more of an addiction).
I wish I could give all the unwanted animals from fish to horses a home....they deserve so much more from humans. :( Snooka's pleading picture just got under my skin and I had to bring him home.

Kylie and Snooka seem to have hit it off....it's quite a lot for one young kitten meeting so many animals.

Snooka has quite the forward, outgoing personality though, and I imagine he'll worm his way into all the hearts of everything he meets. :)

A welcome sojourn to OR....

2009-09-05T16:40:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all my concerned friends with my decision on re-homing all my sheep. I have really missed the blogging community and once again hope to visit daily. It is in the best interest of all involved (myself AND my sheep) that I continued on with my decision.

Recently Kylie and I went to deliver Duncan, my wonderful Shetland ram, to a wonderful lady that was to transport him to his new home. It was a fairly long drive down to Walton, which is east of Eugene, OR. I had originally planned on making it a day trip, but with all the stress in my life recently I decided to head on to the coast and stay overnight.

As we hit the coast the sun was shining, but we could see the fog was rolling in quickly. I snapped a few quick shots and then figured I had better find lodging as my headlights on my truck are not working (one of the many "issues" lately).

I stopped at The Adobe as I knew they had dog-friendly rooms. Summer, however, is a bad time to show up to the OR coast without reservations. When I inquired I was told there was "no room at the inn" but as I started to turn away, the receptionist said "Wait! We just had a cancellation!" It must have been meant to be!:)

Kylie and I checked into our room, opened the sliding door which led to a deck. The room faced the ocean and I must say the sound and smell of the ocean helped me to get the best sleep I have had in many months. Kylie and I explored and walked along the beach before retiring and then again in the morning before we left. I would not hesitate to stay there again, it was very pleasant. It amazed me...this whole wing was nothing but dogs and their owners and yet I only heard a bark once or twice during my whole stay.

The following day we headed up the coast. The following pics were taken from Kylie's and my stroll along one of the many lovely OR beaches....where even in the summer you can have your privacy. The first group is of Kylie enjoying herself, followed by some things that caught my eye. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy looking at them and reliving the moment, the experience gave me back some serenity.....

Shetland, Jacob sheep and llama for sale

2009-08-28T18:32:00.001-07:00

As most of you know I am having a dispersal sale of all my sheep due to continued mountain lion predation. I have found excellent homes for all my ewes except one Jacob ewe (most are going home to where I originally purchased them from), and Duncan, my Shetland ram is moving to Arizona! I still have 5 exceptional ram lambs, 4 out of Duncan. All are respectful (probably inherited from Duncan):) and are a pleasure to be around.

Following are his progeny:

Ram lamb, moorit out of Stonehaven Valeria, known as Valentine. Valentine has a gorgeous lighter moorit fleece, more golden. I don't know if this ram lamb will stay as dark as he is now but he does have a lovely fleece.

Next is a fawn katmoget ram lamb out of Stonehaven Ilse (musket). This boy has stood out from day one. He has quite the presence about him and a gorgeous, soft, thick fleece.

This little ram lamb is a grey katmoget, he is out of Boulderneigh Bella (grey flecket katmollet)and also has a gorgeous, soft fleece.

Last of Duncan's boys is out of WSR Rechel (grey flecket) with a lovely soft shorter fleece. This boys fleece is also on the shorter side but very soft. His horns are OK...may get even better. He is a grey katmoget.

The last ram lamb I have available is a gorgeous flecket gulmoget. Aries is a real looker, and would have lots to offer as a flock ram. He's out of Shady Oaks Chantel (Grey mirkface with bioget markings that also carries yuglet) and Underhill Jet, a black gulmoget with a phenomenal horn set.

I also have a nice pair of registered 4 horn yearling Jacobs. The ram is a chocolate lilac and the ewe is black and white. Ewe is friendly, ram is respectful. Very nice fleeces on both.

Also for sale is Gallo, my guard llama gelding. He has been a guardian llama for sheep for quite awhile...I purchased him from Kenleigh Jacobs, where he was a guardian for years for her ewes. He loved to be with his girls and really misses them. He is not fond of other llamas or the ram lambs (though he hangs out with them). Gallo is a shy boy, but once you get him he stands still and will cooperate nicely to get sheared, his feet trimmed, wormed, etc. He is constantly humming especially when he is asking you a question.....like what are you doing with my ewe. :) He really is a great llama and if he didn't seem so lost without his ewe flock I would keep him.

If you have any questions, want fleece samples, prices or more pics please e-mail me and let me know. gone2thedawgs@gmail.com I can also possibly deliver to other areas of WA, OR, ID, No. Cal. (anywhere I can get to and back in a weekend).

Pool Party!! Emu Style....:)

2009-08-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

I think everyone has heard at least one Pacific Northwesterner complaining about our record temperatures....they have been pretty intense. It was 109 at the house here one day, and when you add all our humidity on top of that it makes it pretty uncomfortable. To show just how hot it was check this out:
Even the emus who typically don't seem to mind the warmer temps decided a little pool party was in order.

I think the following pics shows just how much a pool party can be enjoyed by a pair of emus .

Thankfully the temps have returned to the cooler side, though I'm sure the emus are hoping for another heat wave and are looking forward to the next pool party.

Of red skied sunsets and red eared sliders......

2009-07-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

The latest goings on at Wrensong are the addition of 5 red eared slider turtles to the pond (plenty of polliwogs and baby goldfish to eat). I swear the bullfrogs in the pond are at least as big as the smaller sliders, though the guy I bought them from just laughed when I mentioned worrying about the bullfrogs eating them. He said they would probably choke....well, good luck little ones!

Our weather has been extremely hot and dry (at least for MY neck of the woods) in the high 80s to low 90s and their is rumors that it will reach triple digits by the end of the week. While I'm not a big fan of temps over 80 it has made for some beautiful sunsets..... Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!