tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278658250107789852024-03-13T17:18:05.101-04:00Trees Life in Too Much Detailtree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.comBlogger427125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-90816200967355115732024-02-13T18:32:00.000-05:002024-02-13T18:32:21.305-05:00Forest Sunset<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IJ_r40Zd6FTV8yc4O9PND3qbSdKkgzYdNTvnEBQe0DLIOxRJRvOC_EatPNigR-bni6ZJQraXwCFN1ysBo-NB6BwPFFPbGlmu3l6ICHzI9GyXJG1B8GMxltS1ue8Y39_HXhErASaWbg99IAsNeEihLXwVU5sRb74IPcxJXKwCMfQuxDvCTMN4-RgWV_0/s3168/Forest%20sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="3168" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IJ_r40Zd6FTV8yc4O9PND3qbSdKkgzYdNTvnEBQe0DLIOxRJRvOC_EatPNigR-bni6ZJQraXwCFN1ysBo-NB6BwPFFPbGlmu3l6ICHzI9GyXJG1B8GMxltS1ue8Y39_HXhErASaWbg99IAsNeEihLXwVU5sRb74IPcxJXKwCMfQuxDvCTMN4-RgWV_0/s320/Forest%20sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-24649401996218729402024-02-09T07:50:00.001-05:002024-02-09T07:50:39.260-05:00Do you remember?<p> I used to have an amazing memory. I could recall conversations word for word. I recently started listening to the radio again, and I amaze myself with the amount of lyrics I know without making any attempt to learn them.</p><p>Now I am in my 60's, my brain is full of information. Since I have suffered several concussions, smoke and used to drink, probably some of that gray matter is no longer functioning.</p><p>I can't begin to imagine how much information is in President Biden's brain after a lifetime in politics. When I look back at my life, I have certain marks that I count off to figure what year something happened.I know that my mother died very close to when my daughter was born (2001 that's an easy number to recall) but I have to really think about if she died in 01, 02 or even 00. </p><p>Once I got my boys' birthday years scrambled and the reaction from the oldest was enough to make sure I was right before I ever opened my mouth about THAT again.</p><p>The latest headline today about Biden saying one country's president's name when speaking about a different country doesn't tell me that he is incompetent. It tells me that Mexico is on his mind (the president whom he named in error).</p><p>On the other hand, the way I read Art 14 is that Trump should not be on the ballot, and that Congress may with 2/3 majority over ride that. Not that it is up to Congress to remove him. </p><p>But, despite not great primary results, I think Biden would be in trouble if Haley was the Republican nominee. I think Trump supporters would vote for her in the end, and that she would appeal to women an minorities more so than Biden.</p><p>I think it is sad that so many support Trump. His many crimes and behavior should embarrass Americans. After his four years, the country has seen an increase in violence, racism, and, in general, hate for anyone not white bread. I think his actions contributed to what is happening in Ukraine (he worshiped at the feet of Putin) AND Gaza-making Jerusalem the Capitol of Israel. </p><p>He continually tried to provoke China during the COVID epidemic. And thought injecting bleach might treat COVID. I mean, seriously. Yet the news is all a fire because Biden had difficulty recalling years that a specific event occurred?</p><p>Big deal. <br /></p><p><br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-18069655247286353462023-11-07T09:13:00.001-05:002023-11-07T09:13:30.406-05:00Religion vs State<p> I am not anti semetic. Apparently I don't even know how to spell it, according to the red squiggly line under the word.</p><p>I grew up in a very Jewish suburban neighborhood. There were three synagogues within walking distance, and most of my friends were Jewish. I didn't understand religious differences until one year, I think it was 6th grade, I sent out Christmas cards to all my friends. I don't think they had bible quotes, just generic Merry Christmas.</p><p>One of my friends was Orthodox Jew. They follow stricter rules. Her parents were very very upset about the card and thought I was trying to convert their daughter. Luckily for me I was still invited to slumber parties, and even her bas mitvah, where I was blown away by her standing in front of a LOT of people and singing in Hebrew. </p><p>As an older adult, I don't find the need to differentiate people based on religion. As long as people are kind and honest, to each their own.</p><p>I am horrified by the current situation in the Middle East. Because Israel is considered the "Jewish State" any criticism of its politics can and is viewed as anti semitism. </p><p>I don't know how the raid, kidnapping, and murder of Israelis happened, and in fact a very large percentage of Israeli citizens are demonstrating for answers, and even the resignation of the Prime Minister. Are they anti-semetic?</p><p>Now Gaza is on complete lockdown, and Israel is bombing the crap out of it. Kind of like shooting fish in a barrel. No or little aid, whole blocks being reduced to rubble. The death and devastation is sickening. Israel claims Hamas is using civilians as shields, but Israel is not allowing any of them to leave. </p><p>It is absolute genocide. The latest news is that Israel plans to establish a permanent presence in Gaza-presumably once they raze enough land to house their permanent presence.</p><p>I am not anti semetic, once again, I repeat. I beg the Jewish residents of Israel to continue protesting and I know that a large majority of them are just as horrified as I am. </p><p>I support Jews, as well as Palestinians. I cannot condone the atrocities that are occurring in Gaza. </p><p>9/11 comes up-I think in the long run the only thing that made America safer was stricter rules for airline travel and training of pilots. </p><p>Some of you may be aware of the recent tragedy here in Maine regarding a mass shooting in Lewiston. One in a list of many across the country. Once again, the only thing that will make us safer is to create stricter rules for gun ownership. This should not frighten responsible gun owners. </p><p>One thing I have noticed is the shooting seems to have brought the loonies out in droves. Maine has seen several new threats from individuals wanting to jump on the mass shooting bandwagon. The only smile cracked at the press conference announcing the discovery of the shooter's body was when it was announced that there would be no delay in the start of deer hunting season for Maine residents the next day. (smiles, nods and chuckles)</p><p>I thought it was tasteless, and thought out of respect for the victims, perhaps Maine deserved a day without guns. The opposite happened. I heard at least twenty gunshots through the day on that Saturday, 25 years here and never heard anything like it. Some of those twenty was someone apparently just banging off a few. I wondered if it was not someone from out of state feeling frustrated because the locals got first crack at the deer herd, or maybe just some random nut job declaring his right to own and shoot as much as he wanted.</p><p>Thankfully the neighborhood has quieted down in the meantime, with just one or two shots heard throughout the day. But those images coming out of Gaza!! Oh, they make me physically ill! My support and love goes out to the Jewish community, but I will not condone the actions of Israel in their pursuit of genocide and the slaughter of innocents. Shame! </p><p><br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-84787707667553872822023-09-18T08:23:00.002-04:002023-09-18T08:23:38.232-04:00Marsh <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5e0n3Ho52saSuxffdt3sEhZk8LcXnqUFxKk3iB6W8yGQoq-Gjgj15-lZFokCl5mQ038upMYu3TGBnPaxzHEYhz-2waUFzZJIDhPm6FTh1TpwqulQU0DKlxyB_BNUdtZ_ZlfKxxniUB2RX-HPHW0MZzOm0OCOnr4Bt8kZu5YkAnCOVun4DdtSk5CfB9s/s3168/marsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5e0n3Ho52saSuxffdt3sEhZk8LcXnqUFxKk3iB6W8yGQoq-Gjgj15-lZFokCl5mQ038upMYu3TGBnPaxzHEYhz-2waUFzZJIDhPm6FTh1TpwqulQU0DKlxyB_BNUdtZ_ZlfKxxniUB2RX-HPHW0MZzOm0OCOnr4Bt8kZu5YkAnCOVun4DdtSk5CfB9s/s320/marsh.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-76744103151136446932023-09-03T07:44:00.000-04:002023-09-03T07:44:09.920-04:00Plums!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITTU7F6xwz6GOxh6T4B0wrby4gjKQTGALIWmbmneS-N47Kdm0nLbLQGNm8_r99xUM5fVhcv_pSD13uCVK9dYsI4R7MtFulf1Ojtz8ztPX9UvM2sk2Co0G6iyELHnKxflXhdJocKe3luUp0aVXdt14MYCSVU2EX3AJ26yQTs42Xq_zpnTeGO7teNKnAKA/s3168/plums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITTU7F6xwz6GOxh6T4B0wrby4gjKQTGALIWmbmneS-N47Kdm0nLbLQGNm8_r99xUM5fVhcv_pSD13uCVK9dYsI4R7MtFulf1Ojtz8ztPX9UvM2sk2Co0G6iyELHnKxflXhdJocKe3luUp0aVXdt14MYCSVU2EX3AJ26yQTs42Xq_zpnTeGO7teNKnAKA/s320/plums.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /> Twenty-five years ago I bought a self pollinating plum and a grape vine from Fedco.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>Both have been moved at least once.The grape finally yielded a bunch of grapes two or three years ago (none since) and finally, the plum produced 13 plums despite a wicked late freeze in May that actually fried emerging oak leaves.</p><p><br /></p><p>More than half of the plums were severely cracked, but as I bit into a nice one, fully expecting a deluge of sour and bitter, I was blown away by the best plum I have ever tasted. </p><p>Yesterday was a good day. I started off replaying a video of three does browsing under the power line along the driveway caught on the security cam. Then I scared off a pair of brown ducks from the cove on my morning stroll. That was immediately followed by spotting a huge bullfrog hanging out in the pool by "my spot", just his head above the water, but the rest of his body easily seen through the clear water.</p><p>Then I harvested my plums. A little while later I saw a luna moth caterpillar on my car and relocated it. Then a local channel was playing a marathon of a show I have been watching which consumed the rest of the day and evening.</p><p>I could have capped off the evening by going to a Brett Dennan performance, but I started trying to remember the last time I drove after dark and it started turning into years...As I snuggled down on the couch at 8pm, the start of showtime, I was glad that I opted to stay in. </p><p>My idea of enjoying a musical performance is not sitting rigidly in a seat-once I was actually asked to scooch down in my seat-(at a Dan Fogelberg concert I went to years ago with my sister)</p><p>Same sister was asked to "sit down" at an Eric Clapton concert which we attended. (she replied, "It's Eric Clapton, I am NOT sitting down!")<br /></p><p>Anyhow, it was a good day yesterday. Hopefully it is a sign this will be a good month after a string of depressing ones.<br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-12524946570374451082023-06-01T16:36:00.003-04:002023-06-01T16:36:28.644-04:00Welcome June<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iUFPnzmKsqiAZC4175oQSlF2YnFrMlp5-WUyrZR4m-sJvZL4MCWk8DmsVxGWoJBGY3evqvXjkS1jSGG3omlv13KeDBpmrOAy1ZUmP7em4YCgaAhcGcwfPZXsFGRlHTROoAs9mOfx0hLqqQQJ1KJtcLgr46waqtU1kkyHjDbJUHXf9yxc_SsHxNle/s3168/June23%20Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iUFPnzmKsqiAZC4175oQSlF2YnFrMlp5-WUyrZR4m-sJvZL4MCWk8DmsVxGWoJBGY3evqvXjkS1jSGG3omlv13KeDBpmrOAy1ZUmP7em4YCgaAhcGcwfPZXsFGRlHTROoAs9mOfx0hLqqQQJ1KJtcLgr46waqtU1kkyHjDbJUHXf9yxc_SsHxNle/s320/June23%20Garden.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-90455009872924800982023-04-29T13:42:00.001-04:002023-04-29T13:42:05.093-04:00Amaryllis<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1jDuHghi20wrFFshZRP_-XQXaru1clZRiifMqP5VgEU_n01g2FeKMBYLYcZjp391b8Rgyk2tEetkrBmEaiQru6f0QbFJJFwGboQXckimEKbuvvNUM7jSusmh7ceoPq6ffY6pEtm154ORXGTKS8TjsVJ9trNN60xDY3mCULHWNBv81Afm8A1ty0vE/s3168/Amaryllis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1jDuHghi20wrFFshZRP_-XQXaru1clZRiifMqP5VgEU_n01g2FeKMBYLYcZjp391b8Rgyk2tEetkrBmEaiQru6f0QbFJJFwGboQXckimEKbuvvNUM7jSusmh7ceoPq6ffY6pEtm154ORXGTKS8TjsVJ9trNN60xDY3mCULHWNBv81Afm8A1ty0vE/s320/Amaryllis.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-43659339869739397712022-10-02T08:51:00.002-04:002022-10-02T08:51:33.311-04:00My Spot<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzUfLDxCTwfeuH8_31Ub_2POobvtVZcGUOMt1SV4UEvKLXAoIM7aXo4c3OxKCoTu8qSjk42HohzVrFLZ7YdSMTWZCAkuSMOz1NWxa6coN6smo7c5CYQnG9sQSjRQPDv67PuRuu8Ry2sZmnJ2aGb-1UEvvetvYcj1zzyqhy9iQe7coGZrMG6w8Azh4/s3168/reflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="3168" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzUfLDxCTwfeuH8_31Ub_2POobvtVZcGUOMt1SV4UEvKLXAoIM7aXo4c3OxKCoTu8qSjk42HohzVrFLZ7YdSMTWZCAkuSMOz1NWxa6coN6smo7c5CYQnG9sQSjRQPDv67PuRuu8Ry2sZmnJ2aGb-1UEvvetvYcj1zzyqhy9iQe7coGZrMG6w8Azh4/s320/reflections.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-26210305634155902122022-09-09T07:53:00.001-04:002022-09-09T08:16:45.252-04:00Really the End of an Era<p> If I had foreseen the death of QE2 I never would have titled my previous post as end of an era. Much of the World will face change and adjustment with her passing.</p><p>I had thought Charles was going to pass on the King hood when all the drama went down with Diana and Camilla. Not sure when that changed, I suppose when the drama moved on to Harry and Meghan..</p><p>I am under the impression that Charles is strong on the environment-a subject dear to my own heart-so perhaps this will be my only grumble about the ascension.</p><p>Although if I recall, the break up happened because he preferred to spend time with Camilla blasting birds out of the sky, a passion not shared by Diana.<br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-85478734988827689882022-09-07T09:16:00.004-04:002022-09-07T09:16:30.832-04:00End of an Era<p> After 17 years of taking care of goats twice daily, beloved pets Obi and Moonie have crossed the rainbow bridge. Moonie, a 17 year old moonspotted Nigerian/Pygmy cross wether, died Sept 4th. Obi, an Angora/Alpine cross 16 year old wether, died Sept 6th. I wonder how long it will take before I stop looking for them out the back window.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EtWKaED-kJEEEJKn6-Y_D7g53PPaiXgjJTGLfGTynCsS_85ZvYPwqurySfNvYiep-LG4yqVMbtoSH_mQTHa8mjghtQUWo1Us0ZbENHP9lWisWOVEuvHpyJ_c0ETT45k9YsiN3eXxTbUd4GGxymhB1XICgmipGLSEgwcsHT7G25kLELjrU-SiK2sG/s3168/obi%20amd%20moo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="3168" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EtWKaED-kJEEEJKn6-Y_D7g53PPaiXgjJTGLfGTynCsS_85ZvYPwqurySfNvYiep-LG4yqVMbtoSH_mQTHa8mjghtQUWo1Us0ZbENHP9lWisWOVEuvHpyJ_c0ETT45k9YsiN3eXxTbUd4GGxymhB1XICgmipGLSEgwcsHT7G25kLELjrU-SiK2sG/s320/obi%20amd%20moo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-12470857375674212032022-07-11T20:56:00.004-04:002022-07-11T20:56:55.827-04:00Rewilding<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizn-MIcHlqWpN6QIEhiX64hjLxjA5ZNxbrC3pZJIlNzRufGKcMwL9iaaWbpP8phDbs_LKpb0wYBkyqZc24Cw5fMajCxks9vG4CDNmn-5WGkk7z8ePK9klqeYXmgnvhZ8sECSDI4XwzGeA2z-w0GPsCG01eWORRgD-ujBKx0KuiEE2yK2FsYnQkae_X/s3168/garden%20July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizn-MIcHlqWpN6QIEhiX64hjLxjA5ZNxbrC3pZJIlNzRufGKcMwL9iaaWbpP8phDbs_LKpb0wYBkyqZc24Cw5fMajCxks9vG4CDNmn-5WGkk7z8ePK9klqeYXmgnvhZ8sECSDI4XwzGeA2z-w0GPsCG01eWORRgD-ujBKx0KuiEE2yK2FsYnQkae_X/s320/garden%20July.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /> I love gardening. I wanted to talk about rewilding, which is a pretty good description of how I have been managing my 4 acres plus marsh and stream frontage.<p></p><p>I work with what I have, what does well; I usually let volunteers go. I have had different things come on a bit too much; one year I had tons of Queen Anne's lace-I simply snipped the flowerheads as they matured and then threw them along the road frontage. </p><p>The road frontage gets periodically razed and ditched by the town, and sprayed and whacked by CMP, and then brush hogged by the town. In order to maintain some sort of vegetated buffer between the dirt road and stream, if I have extra seed heads I toss them down there. This year I actually planted a bunch of fern in the ditch, because I had to rip it out of one of the gardens and hate to kill plants that are doing well.</p><p>Then I let the lambsquarters go. This one is easy to weed out as seedlings, and can be eaten fresh or sauteed, but I never seem to get around to eating it. I still have a couple plants here and there this year, because I do like to have it but not SO much of it.</p><p>One year I had plantain take over the lawn. This was bad because it is slow to grow in the spring and the Firebird had the lawn a mudfield with his soccer ball. The geese took care of it in the lawn, that and one or two summers pulling the seed stalks. Ditto with heal all.Today I saw some of the blue flowers mixed in with the now in bloom white clover-a must in an "intergrated" wild lawn, but not the WHOLE lawn in the case of heal all.<br /></p><p>I do have some flowers and vegetables out there. Tomoatoes, Italian pole beans, Nasturium, sunflowers, bee balm, yarrow, daisys, iris, tulips, on and on..</p><p>But it takes a lot of hand weeding, learning what you really won't tolerate (weedy amaranth was a nightmare once it got ahead of me, and I rip every one I see now.) <br /></p><p>I lost the battle with the jewel weed, the entire far side of the drive is jewelweed, and also down over the bank. I was actually thinking of buying a weed whacker to knock it back this summer. I am loathe to do it, because it offers excellent cover for the small songbirds, and the bumblebees like it when it is in bloom.<br /></p><p>But luckily for me, the deer, who has discovered my garden of delights is no longer scented with dog, likes jewelweed. Sadly, it also LOVES hosta, and they look like bare celery stalks at the moment. It denuded the raspberries and blackberries, comes back every few days and razes the red potatoes(!) loves jeruselum artichoke, and tall phlox. And evening primrose, which was going to be the strong volunteer in the garden this year, but the deer really like it. They actually just basically top what they eat-except for the big blue hosta, where they took every leaf. The first time through it left ONE leaf-it made sure to get it a couple nights later.<br /></p><p>I hung a stinky t-shirt on a stick by the poles beans this afternoon hoping to deter it. But since it was weaving through the clotheslines out back this winter, I don't think much is going to stop it. I need to find a motion activated dog barking device. </p><p>I can't really be mad at the deer. I mean <i>such variety</i>! Like a kid in a free candy shop.<br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-87780204885023615732022-06-23T15:09:00.004-04:002022-06-23T15:09:54.684-04:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMXiy-8ueSwNhI1QY74rJcePB2Ggpm4RqBh_Ej7sRj9AvtJ4ZeO4ukDGLF3LCvTi4Ksd3L0P7hihArpiSgQgGQMbZAqjBcUYnImXEp_lGTUILmzxYSVtayJt5FF-0tkngRkDLuyjnCJN9856bHGHLuKuFSBo0OdyW92Qoi3Ksh8XJQ_lPy7Z7XIp5/s3168/summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="3168" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMXiy-8ueSwNhI1QY74rJcePB2Ggpm4RqBh_Ej7sRj9AvtJ4ZeO4ukDGLF3LCvTi4Ksd3L0P7hihArpiSgQgGQMbZAqjBcUYnImXEp_lGTUILmzxYSVtayJt5FF-0tkngRkDLuyjnCJN9856bHGHLuKuFSBo0OdyW92Qoi3Ksh8XJQ_lPy7Z7XIp5/s320/summer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-15026083489149357352022-05-15T14:09:00.000-04:002022-05-15T14:09:19.685-04:00Leaf<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">This morning I was putting out hay for Moonie and Obi, and a scrap of folded faded newspaper fell out of the flake of hay.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Curious, I picked it up and examined it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I read:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">"...another leaf</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">....,one far away</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">....with gentle mist:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">....with amethyst."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Drops of moisture were falling, the leaves on the bare trees springing to bright green life, a full "blood Moon" eclipse in what was then exactly twelve hours.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In awe, I copy the wording and then carefully tape the scrap into a journal with the description, fantasizing about the origin and author.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Well versed poets would have known it instantly, just a few words typed into my favorite search engine immediately yielded. "October" by Robert Frost. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Not only was it a half day to the eclipse, it was a half a year away from the original poem.</span></p><div class="c-feature-hd">
<h1 class="c-hdgSans c-hdgSans_2 c-mix-hdgSans_inline">
October
</h1>
</div>
<div class="c-feature-sub c-feature-sub_vast">
<div>
<span class="c-txt c-txt_attribution">
By <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/robert-frost">Robert Frost</a>
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">O hushed October morning mild,<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Should waste them all.<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">The crows above the forest call;<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Tomorrow they may form and go.<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">O hushed October morning mild,<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Begin the hours of this day slow.<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Make the day seem to us less brief.<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Hearts not averse to being beguiled,<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Beguile us in the way you know.<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Release one leaf at break of day;<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">At noon release another leaf;<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">One from our trees, one far away.<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Retard the sun with gentle mist;<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Enchant the land with amethyst.<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Slow, slow!<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,<br /></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—</div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">For the grapes’ sake along the wall. </div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;"><a href="goog_1449404216"><br /></a></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;"><a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53084/october-56d23212a5b72">https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53084/october-56d23212a5b72</a><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-18759124665092184812022-04-22T21:01:00.001-04:002022-04-22T21:01:52.644-04:00Another hungry visitor<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4TY4fnS3qRtX-bss5GMMEPM6_XEvTxJkRyhe93c2x6HAZiSjfpXaRAf8XmJM2SE2Ean7W_a3vYe7L750-Erz3aplG-WgM3M5PlVKKH_im9SFC1upbxelDqhdVFmWiKTHU-DMclCF7r3IpwLc9xJNxZr7OSjtgbatvc3Gl-JOXPRx9h-DviGDW950/s3168/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4TY4fnS3qRtX-bss5GMMEPM6_XEvTxJkRyhe93c2x6HAZiSjfpXaRAf8XmJM2SE2Ean7W_a3vYe7L750-Erz3aplG-WgM3M5PlVKKH_im9SFC1upbxelDqhdVFmWiKTHU-DMclCF7r3IpwLc9xJNxZr7OSjtgbatvc3Gl-JOXPRx9h-DviGDW950/s320/turkey.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>Spring Turkey hunting season is coming up he better stick close. He hung around all day and even just circled around when Pluto the gander took offense and charged him. <br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-78441082359805316102022-04-19T20:14:00.000-04:002022-04-19T20:14:49.381-04:00Life<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-WK9czJ3YQLQZhKl6fyIRr6tFygLCDjtOoBVn6uU6xaJ-AgUJkYWqP773yPSQlukfbsJ4nPcKXrH8AiJyEOWnaERatl6u_6UH2UZMf1TqttT5KZf-IxYnJbAq5VX7yiliTHHqdZcV38j2dYu5BC4Arszxke1_4DVaqcJQjIopVA9p4dfxiJSpqfX/s3168/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="3168" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-WK9czJ3YQLQZhKl6fyIRr6tFygLCDjtOoBVn6uU6xaJ-AgUJkYWqP773yPSQlukfbsJ4nPcKXrH8AiJyEOWnaERatl6u_6UH2UZMf1TqttT5KZf-IxYnJbAq5VX7yiliTHHqdZcV38j2dYu5BC4Arszxke1_4DVaqcJQjIopVA9p4dfxiJSpqfX/s320/sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-89166543911392143132022-04-17T06:34:00.000-04:002022-04-17T06:34:00.546-04:00Easter Sunrise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWb4ne3deTnnvte0O36BseppDBLmrBVAUu1S2WstCSIK8gyHZ0TlYBFx0piv7n0_eVzGe_ijkuj4dqmVG11cJ79bM3e0kJpl7-TD0knCtDvfM_XhoKLzwq-LoSEe_bX7PAgl2p0mmvxBTcf0AySXjt_hr3ahGkhvAFLlJ5t8GFey9a30_cRr-9_y8/s3168/Easter%20sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWb4ne3deTnnvte0O36BseppDBLmrBVAUu1S2WstCSIK8gyHZ0TlYBFx0piv7n0_eVzGe_ijkuj4dqmVG11cJ79bM3e0kJpl7-TD0knCtDvfM_XhoKLzwq-LoSEe_bX7PAgl2p0mmvxBTcf0AySXjt_hr3ahGkhvAFLlJ5t8GFey9a30_cRr-9_y8/s320/Easter%20sunrise.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-36096375123563270972022-04-13T11:39:00.000-04:002022-04-13T11:39:20.452-04:00Love Always<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R5txudRKRuix77EfRDe3SECcKqpbGusKeoK9WjU-ecE2Q0QYS8NSNvi6y4JjsM7h4xs3y2vIPHMgpE6OkMETOZjewbYtBZdsim4nPPRS_zdrvADNoYhZ3I8nueLPd-LhGBR8EhIBzIkr2muiM9WFq4z8rgpI7CSVmPzHRT3-SC50Gojs8n6S0z-6/s3168/chickadee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R5txudRKRuix77EfRDe3SECcKqpbGusKeoK9WjU-ecE2Q0QYS8NSNvi6y4JjsM7h4xs3y2vIPHMgpE6OkMETOZjewbYtBZdsim4nPPRS_zdrvADNoYhZ3I8nueLPd-LhGBR8EhIBzIkr2muiM9WFq4z8rgpI7CSVmPzHRT3-SC50Gojs8n6S0z-6/s320/chickadee.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-76620839626663889532022-03-30T04:30:00.000-04:002022-03-30T04:30:02.690-04:00Will Smith<p><span style="font-size: large;"> To any readers who aren't aware, at this year's Oscar ceremony, Chris Rock was on stage and made a shout out to Jada P Smith, Will's wife, and said he couldn't wait for GI Jane 2. This was in reference to her shaved hair, which was due to a medical condition rather than a fashion statement.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Will got up, sauntered on stage, and slap punched Chris Rock in the face, returned to his seat, and shouted profanities in follow up.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There has been a lot of public discussion about the incident. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My question is, where was security?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If they were unable to stop Smith mounting the stage, surely after he slapped Rock, security should have approached him and escorted him out of the room. Yes, it would have made a scene even more dramatic, the show must go on, blah blah, but in my opinion the Oscar organizers are to blame for not removing Smith immediately and getting him psychiatric help. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Psychiatric help, you say? Yes, in one evening, Smith expresses violent anger, then cries uncontrollably when accepting his award, and then is shown ecstatic at an after party. Three emotional extremes in a short period of time. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I don't like award ceremonies. Smith has proven his worth as an actor many times over the years. I own a copy of "I am Legend". There is one point in the movie I get too scared and can't watch it anymore. I tried to watch it within the last year, thinking I could tough it out, and nope, enter that part of the movie and I had to turn it off. LOL. Now if that's not good acting, I don't know what is. He doesn't need a group of people to acknowledge it. The rest don't need the disappointment of not winning. All the movies, all the actors , and a handful of people rule who gets an honor? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But, I don't like games either. I am not only a poor winner I am a poor loser. I feel sad if I win and sad if I lose. Don't we have enough emotions to deal with on a day to day basis without willingly piling them on? I have seen people go into mourning because "their" team lost. I have seen them happier than when their children were born if "their" team won. WTH? People are nuts.</span><br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-83150948908347869852022-03-28T08:43:00.001-04:002022-03-28T08:43:05.367-04:00Ban trapping in NWR's<p> I support banning of ALL trapping, but did you know trapping is allowed in National Wildlife refuges?</p><p>Here is a link where you can add your name to those who support a trapping ban in NWR's.</p><p>https://www.bornfreeusa.org/campaigns/trapping/trappingexposed/<br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-33287885041379007412022-03-24T08:31:00.006-04:002022-03-24T08:31:54.948-04:00Goats<p> Obi on the left is 15. Moonie (Moonshadow) on the right is 16.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjHxPXvAiGX6Ei0iMra48F2Z7CnI9ud6NmA6W8xUt3Kp1CNS529pvYrzw1DtLh7gYNEMwBMPoQEb-UOsgX-_XTHWgIPVu_Kty8XMP6IK5oIzqV-C3C-RWKn7jMF68Vext8mMcjDs7r4dDaqpwAEZPoQxkiulJGFfLRj6N0Ui7AmMM3-BKC1e-dT6J/s3168/obi%20amd%20moo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="3168" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjHxPXvAiGX6Ei0iMra48F2Z7CnI9ud6NmA6W8xUt3Kp1CNS529pvYrzw1DtLh7gYNEMwBMPoQEb-UOsgX-_XTHWgIPVu_Kty8XMP6IK5oIzqV-C3C-RWKn7jMF68Vext8mMcjDs7r4dDaqpwAEZPoQxkiulJGFfLRj6N0Ui7AmMM3-BKC1e-dT6J/s320/obi%20amd%20moo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I bought these boys as babies at a livestock auction. They most likely would have ended up as meat. I have taken care of them twice a day since then. Well, sometimes I would get the kids to do night chores. </p><p>If I care this much about animals, you can imagine the grief I am feeling over the situation in the eastern part of the planet. IMO every democratic country in the world should have placed troops along the border at the first hint of buildup, and said, "Bring it on, bitch"</p><p><br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-55197016876810323842022-03-21T22:59:00.001-04:002022-03-21T22:59:11.931-04:00Moose on the Loose<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9tzLe4W0Tp5bBnfAm4K0DbIoEtoNVj9QK2-0Mk5XUuf_2ZiV5LUIdWZ_Gm0k62CliFTDNT9xt84OXYGoUTk-Lx-2DY1DsyJTr7tVy3mdFai03OhSPE9aToBUTfjJe9x8-GX6nsbxyonGCNEQRwZjQ6Dvfmrgk_m__Yn2cUIzJ4a3BeAEB5XO1UbWY=s3168" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9tzLe4W0Tp5bBnfAm4K0DbIoEtoNVj9QK2-0Mk5XUuf_2ZiV5LUIdWZ_Gm0k62CliFTDNT9xt84OXYGoUTk-Lx-2DY1DsyJTr7tVy3mdFai03OhSPE9aToBUTfjJe9x8-GX6nsbxyonGCNEQRwZjQ6Dvfmrgk_m__Yn2cUIzJ4a3BeAEB5XO1UbWY=w200-h400" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-23885982378131116812022-03-05T05:57:00.005-05:002022-03-05T06:01:25.368-05:00Got any more corn?<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig7r1xjyAHThKQelu698ntjoQyjC65nzFPdWXTAM-kMdAHX8vNbOY2GWxrbgCEUc3J-a1h99N1z-JVXH_1AaQLezwzr141hguorsw7-IbYiYA1kGdxaNT7zOKEZkrFy3wxuNLclyew_B_6UAas6GQ6OZNixwutJdziLTI72bZOil7jO1mY41Rcs4SJ=s3168" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig7r1xjyAHThKQelu698ntjoQyjC65nzFPdWXTAM-kMdAHX8vNbOY2GWxrbgCEUc3J-a1h99N1z-JVXH_1AaQLezwzr141hguorsw7-IbYiYA1kGdxaNT7zOKEZkrFy3wxuNLclyew_B_6UAas6GQ6OZNixwutJdziLTI72bZOil7jO1mY41Rcs4SJ=s320" width="160" /></a></div><br />tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-14981980052979385702021-10-24T18:30:00.002-04:002021-10-24T18:30:20.817-04:00I'm still pissing tem off<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Well, hey faithful readers!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I want to apologize for not posting here more frequently, but I wanted to let ya'll know that I haven't shut up yet.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I was formerly wirting a column for a weekly rag, but I stopped because I was really rattling some cages and my real name was attached. Haha</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well that's the short version.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then I have been submitting testimony on proposed legislation regarding environmental issues but primarily issues concerning Fish and Wildlife.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That hasn't won me many fans either. The NRA lobbyist whacked me on the way by with their briefcase at one meeting. At another meeting a member shared an anecdote about getting a journalist out in the middle of nowhere in a canoe and having an "accident".<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Not to be deterred, I regularly comment on the outdoor column on the online version of a Maine daily-and have accrued my share of haters over there too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I am ashamed of Maine's policies regarding Wildlife. I am angry about Lee Kantar's "Adaptive Moose hunt" which plans to remove 500 cows from one WMD in Western Maine to see if less moose means less ticks. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have been ridiculed when I have pointed out the decline in Canada jay populations-which rely on old growth softwood (in Maine? no more!) They have been docuemted as consumers of winter ticks on moose.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">no, because you see, the hunting lobbyists made sure that Maine DIFW changed their direction to "hunting as the preferred method of wildlife management."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well dears, my mantra is the more the merrier. INCREASE biodiversity. Let trees grow! Let populations balance themselves as much as possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oh they were mad at me the other day. I needed to "get a life" I needed to "drink warm milk so I could sleep through without worrying about coyote hounders"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Since that comment was in response to a post at 7:20 am I was really confused.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One day I might utilize this space to try and document all the residents I can claim on mine, granted I rank very high on "high value plant and animal habitiat" and try and expand it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Let's start with trees tonight:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Red Oak, Beech, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Elm, Poplar, Eastern Hemlock, Eastern White Pine, Yellow birch, White Birch, Ash, Balsam Fir. Those are the big boys.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I leave any blowdowns, the hodgepdge of hangups are utilized by everything as above ground walkways.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I do pick up any hardwood branches and break them up for the woodstove. I compost much. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, Get a Life- Life is too short. Increasing biodiversity for the sake of the planet-and vicsiously verbally lashing those who destroy it, that seems a good enough life for me.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-7204020706743648622021-10-21T14:06:00.001-04:002021-10-21T14:06:55.523-04:00From Maine with Love<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZyZJ8qhovw/YXGsCCcSaxI/AAAAAAAACgc/llv5zMPHgTY2QEfm4hYYTB81J1OJUucswCLcBGAsYHQ/s2508/Maine%2Bwith%2BLove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZyZJ8qhovw/YXGsCCcSaxI/AAAAAAAACgc/llv5zMPHgTY2QEfm4hYYTB81J1OJUucswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Maine%2Bwith%2BLove.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427865825010778985.post-62062274321430003982021-08-08T07:24:00.000-04:002021-08-08T07:24:24.220-04:00FIrst week of August 2021<p><span style="font-size: large;">Summer is flying by. I mark the halfway point when the goldenrod blooms, and I have seen a few feathery golden sprays gracing the roadside.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I whacked my goldenrod back in June. I told myself it was to encourage a bushy shape, but subconsciously it could have been to delay the bloom and my interpretation of how much summer is left.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My beloved lab pit mix, Peko, died. It was at least a month ago and I have been reeling, sad, lonely, lost, bereaved. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We acquired him as an adult, supposedly age 2 although appearing older, in 2008, so he was at least 15 and died just shortly before what we called his "birthday" July 22.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">His decline was gradual over a few years. He stopped showing interest in fetching a tennis ball, his favorite game. He slept upstairs with me every night we owned him until the morning he fell down the stairs a couple years ago. Willow and I had to help him down the next morning, and it was so difficult I decided that he would have to sleep downstairs.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">His pacing and whining that night in his attempt to come to bed with me was too much-I started sleeping downstairs for rest of his life.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That arrangement varied as time went by. I had a twin mattress I laid on the floor each night and we slept there together. Some nights we slept on the couch together, me balanced on the edge since he was a hog when it came to sleeping arrangements. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes he slept with a cat or two on the other couch. Eventually he couldn't get on either couch without help. He needed help getting outside. He went on a special diet to encourage his appetite. He started having incontinent issues which involved handwashing bedding sometimes three or four times a day. It was a tough call, whether to rouse him out of a deep sleep and straddle him out the back door, or hope he would wake up and indicate he needed to go out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">At the end I bought disposable dog wraps, which he HATED. He would not loose control when wearing one. I was home bound for the most part dashing out only briefly for supplies so I didn't arrive home and find him splayed on the floor in a mess.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Many people would have had him euthanized, I suppose. I couldn't do that to him. I have had dogs euthanzied, and I have had them die at home. Peko was a tough cookie. He was my best friend. Even after this much time has passed since I buried him on the hottest day of the year, I can still erupt in uncontollable tears and grief for his passing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I love you Peko, thank you for being part of my life for 13 years. </span><br /></p>tree oceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09324957104646500487noreply@blogger.com0