My neighbor, Trilby, called while I was on my way down Hwy. 61 with the news that there had been a "chicken incident!" Seconds later the call was dropped. (naturally) My mind wandered to a couple years back when I lost nearly my entire flock to a rogue neighborhood dog. Finally I see "bars" on my phone and return the call. It seems my 15 Silver Laced Wyandottes showed up in her yard and her large eleven month old Shelti pup went crazy. He was chasing the chickens around and around their cabin with lots of squawking heard from the terrified chickens who are accustomed to chicken-friendly dogs. Tribly was happily surprised when the "Wonder Dog Lady" came to the rescue, charging into the chaotic scene, drawing her dog off into the woods so the chickens could escape. She said Lady was not at all aggressive with her dog, just persistent. WOW! But that's not all! The following Wednesday when Trilby was heading back to the cities there was another "incident." She was all packed up and bringing her pup to the car, but he had other ideas. He took off through the woods for our place with Triby in hot pursuit. I bet he's thinking these chickens are lots of fun to chase and might even taste good! Trilby arrives to see Wonder Dog Lady charging and driving her dog off the property. She came to the Library to tell me this and was quite impressed with Lady and in a bit of a dilemma as to how to handle her dog. I wonder how many times Lady's chicken rescue episodes have gone unrecognized?
This is my favorite time of fall when the reds, golds and greens are everywhere! This photo was taken at our maple stand where we tap trees in the spring. This past spring we bottled about 3 gallons of syrup. Each gallon represents about 32 gallons of sap. I'll have pictures of the 2012 harvest.
With fall here, if I don't have the "barn" filled with the winter's supply of hay, I get nervous. The barn has been unfinished for, well, I forget how many years, but it's been a while. Dave is covering openings that I determined last winter, really were a problem.
Last year's hay, pallets and plastic to move. A week to let things air and dry out before loading up the space with new hay. In fact, at this moment I have two teenage boys out there filling this space with 230 bales of fabulous hay from Lahti Farms. Shawn Lahti delivered the hay this morning, driving from Toivola, Minnesota, which is northwest of Duluth. The family has been farming and delivering hay and straw since 1931.
I've had an unfinished cinch hanging on my closet door for one and a half years and I finally finished it! I joined a class to learn how to make it but we ran out of time before the final mohair was in place. My friend Vicki helped with reviewing the process to finish the piece. She makes and sells beautiful mohair cinches and girths. Check it out on fb Traditional Mohair Cinches.
