Ginger

Ginger 10x8 Portrait Sold

Another Christmas has come and gone as I write this blog. I hope yours was as enjoyable as ours.

This year we went to a friends house for Christmas dinner and had a grand time. In total there were 11 people there which included 4 young people with very healthy appetites and there was still turkey left over.

The really funny thing is, it was one of Connors turkeys being served at the feast and when the initial invitation was issued I thanked the Lord because I have the twin to in in my own freezer and did not relish having to cook it for only 4 people.

It is not the cooking I really object to, its the multitude of cookbooks I have to scour to find new and innovative ways to eat the same turkey over the next week!

Davids sisters are coming this week with their families and then I will cook the "big bird" , send everyone home with a goody bag and then only have to eat turkey for 4 days instead of the usual 7!

Here's hoping you have similar difficulties during your holiday season!

The above painting is a commission of a dog that belongs to a former employer of mine. It has been many years since we moved from the area she lives in so when I got the call to paint Ginger was both surprised and pleased to hear she was still alive. This grand old gal used to make me smile every morning not only for her pleasant personality but for her ability to lead a double life.

Ginger, who is adored by her owner Bruce, loved another fellow as well. Each morning, regular as clock work at 6:45am a whistle would be heard from the road and up would go Gingers ears. She never moved until she heard the cry of "Sparky. Come girl." And with a glance at Bruce , as if seeking approval, out the barn door she would race to go for her morning walk with the neighbor.

Every morning as we were reaching the end of milking Ginger aka Sparky would trot back in the barn followed sprightly by her walking companion. He called her Sparky. Bruce called her Ginger.

It had been a long while since I had seen Ginger (that's what I called her) and as I painted her I remembered that little quirk of hers and smiled. Then I realized, we all have that same ability to be recognized as something other than we are.

I am called Crystal, Mom, Kiss, Sweetie and a few others I'll not mention and pretend never happened! So here's hoping you're surrounded by people who call you many different names but still love you for who you are.

Have a Happy New Year!

Snow Baby

Snow Baby 8x10 oil Sold

What a great day!

I just received my marks and I am a VERY happy camper right now. I guess my poor brain did not have as much rust on it as previous thought!

I am lucky enough to have passed everything and was able to keep my average well above 80%.

My kids teased me that I did not have a 90% average. I reminded them to be kind, their day was coming and I would expect the same from them. Instant silence!

To say this past semester was difficult would be a massive understatement. It was like shoveling s*#t up hill on a rainy day most of the time. Unfortunately that leads to stress and makes this Domestic Goddess a cranky Deity. So here it is in print for everyone to see,

Thank you to all my friends and family .

You did not shoot me and hide the body, you helped me focus and not only pass but succeed where I did not think I could.

You were all right. Next time I will listen better!

Today's painting is one I just finished and I think it rather apropos to the present situation. Just like the cow standing in the cold, surrounded by snow and bad pasture, there is nothing wrong with looking for greener pastures. For me, calculus is definitely in that brown area and I am out for some new munchies!

Decembers Flowers

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Just a quick post to show something of note. I know it is not a painting but there are several in the works and are coming soon!

As I walked out to do the chores I looked at the ground and what did I see but FLOWERS! The dandelion was the first to catch my eye and then my ever curious mind decided to search the flower gardens and WOW, VIOLETS!!!

As I write this missive, we are being hit with a monsoon like rain storm. We are only single digit days away from Christmas and not a flake in sight. I am not complaining. I hate shovelling the white stuff but I would appreciate it getting cold enough to freeze the ground. I tire of trudging through the slop to feed the animals. Rubber boots in December is an odd twist of fashion even for the farm yard.

One certainly thinks about the Polar bears at a time like this. Makes me wonder if the only white stuff they will see this year will be on the side of the new Coke can!

Eagle Nebula

The Eagle Nebula 12 x 6 Oil

So I am deep in the trenches, trying hard to make my late model brain remember the difference between differential equations, statistical inference and resonance. It is rather like shoveling the good stuff up a hill, on a rainy day!

I am in pretty good stead in Chemistry , surprisingly I already have a pass. The goal of course is to surpass expectations. I am not sure my poor brain can handle the strain. Add the flu on top of that and you have a recipe for some entertaining exam answers.

I find it amazing the attitudes of some of my fellow students. Some think that hard work will generate positive results. They are correct while the latter seem to perceive their role in the educational process as voluntary and unworthy of their attentions.

These people are what are commonly referred to as Christmas Grads. I have had the pleasure of having a few of these potential seasonal wonders in my lovingly coined "Group" projects.

It is always said there is no "I" in team, well there sure as heck isn't an "US" in it either! Whoever thought group projects were a good idea should be captured, strung up and beat to death with a sharp spiky instrument. Even worse are those joyful group projects where one is assigned group members. I grew out of this sort of experience about 27 years ago!!!!

I talked to several friends who are also mature students and they had similar experiences and as much as I do NOT enjoy studying for final exams the mark I receive will be completely and totally of my creation. No fluctuations caused by "seasonal" blips if I actually retain the multitude of pages within my text books.

I must say I do enjoy putting on the pressure. For all those ner'do'wells surrounding me in the classroom who put forth little effort and expect great marks in return, enter the term bonus projects.

The painting shown today is my Chemistry term bonus project. Thank the Lord for teachers who encourage a little extra on the side and allow you to show your talents while explaining its relevance to the subject at hand. I got full marks. The dingbat who misspelled chlorine on their crumpled blue bristol board did not.

Did you know that the Eagle Nebula is really just a collection of dust, atoms and gas emissions that are the precursor to the formation of galaxies? Even cooler, the original image of the Eagle Nebula taken with the Hubble Telescope required three different shots all superimposed upon one another to create the beauty of that Nebula. If you have the chance you should google it. It really is interesting and it will shock you to learn that galaxies such as our own began with insignificant specks of dust.

Well, the flu pills have kicked in. My headache is gone, it is time to tackle calculus!

It's been a long couple of months. I feel kind of like the critter above! Yes my hair is unkempt, I am pretty sure I forgot to brush my teeth and my neural networking capabilities ranks a big fat "0" on any sort of intelligence scale.

Going back to school has been akin to hitting a brick wall with all the finesse of a rocket. I am pretty sure I know how the bug who hit the windshield felt. You know the one that survives impact at 120km/hr? I looked like that leaving my Chem midterm last week! I passed but the class average was 43% . You don't need to be a fortune teller to know that one (or more) of my fellow students will experience the joy of being a Christmas Grad. this year!

They say animals such as cats have the ability to sense turmoil and stress in the people around them and some even say that their presence helps calm down individuals.

I am worried.

Cloudy, our feral cat turned house cat (during the winter months only..she is selective about it!) , who has successfully avoided me for several years (the feeling is mutual) has suddenly decided to become a lap ornament and even as I type now uses her tiny little claws to perforate...I mean knead me. The effect is anything but soothing.

Why would this beast who has shunned all forms of affection for four years suddenly decide that I am in need of some feline lovin'?

I admit her purring is rather nice but the needle like holes she is tattooing my arms and torso with could stop anytime now. The blood will be hard to wash from my clothes. I am pretty sure I'll get an infection from Lord knows what her little pussy cat toes have been treading in. Ughhh, not a nice visual!

Is it possible that she senses the stress that integrals and resonance and inference have created in my poor crumpled brain?

Or maybe she is getting in one last "see ya wouldn't wanna be ya!" jab in hopes that my spot in the bed will become her next snoozing spot?

Cats are kinda devious that way . I wouldn't put it past her.

Well little Puss will be disappointed because I plan on passing calculus and chemistry and statistics and whatever glorious form of higher education the college flings my way. I am pretty sure that once exams finally finish I will be holding down the bed for many hours as countless lost evenings are recovered in a haze of hopefully pleasant filled non mathematical dreams.

With my luck the cat will come back.

She'll sit on the floor beside my bed purring in a thunderous manner just out of pillow range and keep me from achieving that blissful state of unconsciousness called sleep.

I hear it is good for you. I might try it one of these days.

Just as soon as exams are over...and the cat learns to hate me again!

Julie 14x11 oil Portrait Commission

Remembrance day has come and gone.

I thought about how fleetingly we "celebrate" this day as I put my poppies away for yet another year.

This years Remembrance Day was dark and wet as a massive fall storm soaked our veterans with 90 mm+ of rain. One older veteran was interviewed stating that he thought the event should have been held outside so everyone could get a taste of what the soldiers endured day after day, year after year.

He sounded bitter, even if he had earned the right to voice his emotion, I felt his statement was harsh and misdirected. I watched the other people in attendance who laid wreaths in honour of family members long since past and was proud of the number of young people present. As Great Great Grandchildren laid memorials I realized that the youth of our Nation are keenly aware of what awaits them if Peace can not be achieved.

Awareness I believe is the first step in finding solutions.

This statement does little to help those who are currently serving our country but the awareness that we have soldiers throughout the world protecting those great great grandchildren calms my fears.

For the record, I would have stood in the rain to hear the ceremonies but I was pleased to be part of the standing room only crowd that filled the Church. There was no applause or raucous cheering to drive home the point that we support our troops but there were tears shed as the crowd stood in silence to remember those who served, are serving and will be serving.

God Bless those who serve.

Frankie

Guess Who?

Mummy

Spiderman

I know this is a few days late for Halloween but I couldn't resist.

Actually I am delaying the resumtion of homework. The mountianous chain I had is now just a single mountian and I have a good start on Stats, the calculations done for Chemistry and and really good idea for GIS. Calculus mercifully is not even on the radar today!

You want to know the sad thing? I carved literly hundreds of pumpkins while at the corn maze but my own pumpkins remain untouched, standing decoratively on my front step beside my kids "extreme" carvings.

After a few hours of mountian climbing I may just carve my pumpkins for kicks...even if I am fashionably late for the main event!!

Julie

Julie 14x11 Oil portrait Commission

I hope you have all survived another Halloween. We were able to fend off the hoards of trick or treaters that converged on our home. All three of them left with their knapsacks full. The young seem to be able to process the goodies better than I can and so I was glad to avert another hip enlarging event!

Todays painting is one of a duet. The second one will come later.

These paintings are the commission I mentioned several weeks ago about memorializing a lost friend. Julie, this lovely paint mare lived a long and happy life surrounded by many people and so the need for two paintings. I am not sure who ended up with which painting but I am told that everyone who saw them loved them.

I wish I could say the same for calculus. My mind has made that change in state from solid matter to liquid. I am pretty sure every time I shake my head in confusion I am losing IQ points as any and all neurons escape my ear canals. My poor mind is just hoping to survive this wondrous experience with enough skills to qualify to make french fries at the local Burger Joint.

They say what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Wow, I never thought I would live to see that adage played out in real life much less my own.

Here's hoping I have Herculean strength ....and I still look like a girl at the end of it all!

More Pumpkin Creations

Jolly Roger
Spider and Bird in a cage

Kitten Cat

Holy Moley, two posts in one week! What has the world come to? I am pretty sure there is a special place for people like me........

School!

I am turning into a teenager, I am delaying studying for calculus. I used to love calculus. Not so much anymore. This year it kinda feels like I am wearing hip waders slogging around in mud up to my neck. (Take a moment, you'll get it!)

I got my statistics and Chemistry exams back already, nothing like receiving THAT bit of joy on a Monday Morning. While I was extremely pleased with stats, chemistry had me feeling a bit like a bug hitting a windshield. Even though my average was considerably higher than the class average (which makes interest rates seem really high!!) I was still uggghed out by the mark.

Hopefully Calc won't have me considering my choice of returning to school....ooooppps to late for that eureka moment.

It is rather funny being in class with a room full of considerably younger folks. Me, I am old ( in their eyes) and I do not have the benefit of parents or student loan to comfort me through the education process so when I sit in a class and I do not understand something I ASK a question. What a novel concept!

One young lady asked me if I was scared of a certain prof. I almost giggled out loud and told her I am older than that prof and I paid good money for this course so I want to understand it. Regurgitating it during an exam may be another issue I have to work out but you better believe that I am not going to let an educator off because I am too shy to pose a question to them. I paid good money, I want a good education. Ask and ye shall recieve (comprehension not included!).

I guess as a mature student you have a greater appreciation for what your education can do for you and what doors it could open should you take ahold of the opportunity and turn the knob. At least that is what I am hoping for.

Recent news has Nova Scotia front and center as a new multibillion dollar ship building contract has been awarded here. I have several mature friends in school now who are seriously considering quitting. One is a welder and wow, I can't say I blame him but I still remember one of the reasons I came back to school, I don't have that 20 something body that recovers quickly from injury. I have decided to use other body parts , namely my brain, to move on.

Although after Chemistry I am not sure how many more windshields it can hit and still graduate!!!

I have been told by Dave to put down the Calculus book and post a blog. In my new world of higher education time means nothing when trying to fathom the difference between integers and anti derivatives. It is a good job I am typing as I can not even write these words out anymore without suffering some sort of traumatic spasm!

I have been working on the weekends at the Masstown Market Corn Maze. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and truth be told it is a great way to relive stress. Rather funny when you consider that they give me a sharp instrument to help me calm down but I am a little special that way!! LOL

On Friday when I went in to work the evenings Spooky Maze Trudy and Holly commanded I sit and start carving! They even had almost a dozen pumpkins primed for me (aka gutted!) So between my co workers and hubby you get to see my latest venture into creative outlets.

Don't worry, the pumpkins don't go to waste. On Sunday nights we take them down to the market where they promptly receive their own price tag and I am told they sell quite well!!!

Maybe I should carve my answers for my next Calculus assignment in a pumpkin...at least I would get marks for making it pretty!!!

Turkey Fight

It has been a while since I posted. My life has been a wondrous example of trying new things and fighting with yourself as to whether or not I have made the right choice. I am a creature who does not mind change as long as it is not a waste of my time. Not because I feel that I have better things to do but because I believe you only get one chance at life and I would hate to think I missed out on something glorious in exchange for dreadful memories and lost opportunities.

Yes I am a control freak who wants everything to be right...not perfect..right. I want all my outcomes to have happy endings. I will put 110% into everything I do but you'd better reciprocate!

Now that you've decided I have finally fallen off the rocker and am now rolling around the floor in search of a one way ticket to a nicely padded room listen to my latest adventure.

I have gone back to school.

Not evening classes or a few interesting courses to fill my dwindling spare time, but full time school/college/hall of enlightenment/hell. I have yet to choose the correct terminology.

I am enrolled in the Environmental Science Degree program at the NSAC. I sit in class morning to night (and on Tuesday and Thursday NIGHT) with a room full of students. Most of them have not even entered their 2nd decade of life and I push the limits of my aging rust covered brain to keep up.

I have to admit there are some phenomenal young people in my classes. I am nice to them...they may be responsible for my care when I become old and infirm!

All joking aside, it has been a rocky transition. Some of it has been really rough. I constantly second guess myself and wonder if the effort is worth the reward. I watch my class mates and try and draw strength from them in their more relaxed approach to life. Whether it is time or age ( maybe both ) that has made me unable to just accept that I can not know it all (calculus and Statistics shattered that one...and really who NEEDS to understand those???) but I try to just let it flow a bit more easily. Old habits die hard and perhaps I can not change my nature. It is like there is a competition with myself that can not rest unless I can intimately understand every nuance of the class.

It also makes me the single largest consumer of migraine medicine in the nation. I envy my younger classmates ability to leave their assignments and reports til the night before. I am a nervous wreck from the moment I receive the challenge to the nanosecond I drop it in the professors hands.

So much like the turkeys above, I feel very much like my practical side is warring with my intellectual side that thirsts for knowledge. Who is going to win? Right now the Big Brain is pounding the practical house mouse. I am running on minimum sleep and if I drank coffee and energy drinks I would be spouting fire from my ears. Instead I slowly putter about fueled by water and sunflower seeds. Great diet for a Starling, not so great for a Domestic Goddess!

It is pretty bad when my daughter tells me to go to bed and her best friend tells me "you look really tired ". Maybe it is time to listen to the younger generation and hit the pillows. I think I will do that, after I read a few more pages of my Chem text...........

Annas 4H Woodworking Project

It has been a while since my last post but in reality it feels like only a few hours have gone by!

We all survived the Exhibition and the subsequent Sheep Sale and are now knee deep in "back to school " drama!

The Ex was a flurry of activity that had me moving about like some zombie...but better dressed! The kids were running about like the wind dropping by to deposit ribbons and exchange species of beast to exhibit before a new judge.

I have to give kudos to my poultry kids as they exhibited class and good showmanship. The showmanship classes did not go according to plan but rather than run screaming and crying about their lack of red ribbons, they took it in stride and left the ring with their heads held high and their dignity intact. They did recover some of their luster when out of 6 kids in my club, 5 of them made top 6 in the judging category including top Junior Judge. Well done Ladies and gentlemen.

My own kids did very well. Annas' ram lamb Benny made it to Pro Show as did Muffin ( handled by a friend) and Muffins Mom, Eve, won Grand Champion Fleece at this years Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition. Even better was the prize...Blue Face Leicester rovings to spin with. It feels like silk and as Connor so famously quipped,

"Wow, that is fantastic...you could wear underwear made from that!"

I'll keep that in mind Connor!

One big surprise was Anna winning the Grand Champion Woodworking competitor. During the ceremonies when all the clubs were gathered and awards were passed out the guys waited to find out who won the Drill set. It was coveted by many a male member. So imagine every ones surprise when Anna's name was called and she bounded up in all her girly glory , blond hair swinging to claim her brand new Black and Decker Drill set! In her defence, she is very good at this competition and as the above photo attests, quite capable with carpentry tools.

The Butterfly was originally my idea as a lawn ornament and Anna needed a other project (like I need another hole in the head!) so she quickly stole my idea and ran with it. The result is this huge butterfly that is put together using only friction and no nails or glue. Some assembly is required!

I gotta go. The kids are returning from the bus stop and I am sure the first day of classes will wield some new tales.

All in a flap

Alastair- Japanese Bantam Rooster

Alastair- Japanese Bantam Rooster

McDuff - Dutch Bantam Rooster

I know I said I wouldn't be posting but I had a few nanoseconds of time prior to indulging in a bit of desperately needed sleep!

Tonight the rabbit, sheep,crafts, woodworking, photography and poultry projects went into the show. We decided to leave the horse home. Only because she couldn't fit in the truck or the Sunfire no matter how hard I tried. It was also too far to walk or else I would have repeated the Achievement day fiasco as my blisters have finally healed! LOL

Much like the birds above I felt rather like them in the frantic race to actually get every animal into the show barns and then get out before anyone asked me to do anything else! A torrential down pouring of rain from the heavens had us stranded in the barn watching as ducks floated down the roadway in a merry game of "Isn't this a great time to be alive?"

I beg to differ. I don't like to be wet and as soon as it was over we made a bee line for the truck only to be brought up short again by another unleashing from the heavens. My only thought was "Please Lord, let this be the deluge you had planned for tomorrow." As I work outside. This is a career plan that needs some modification!

Anyways, for all my kids in poultry this year...GOOD LUCK and remember to smile. :)

The rest of you can follow the same advice. ;)

Under the Maple - Dorset flock

Belle- English Collie

The Zillig Dorset Ewe Flock

Dorset Ram

Another Dorset Ram

As promised I have new photos of my latest adventure into the fabulous world of sheep.This time I was at Marg Zilligs in Scotch Village looking at her Dorset sheep flock.

The neat thing about Marg is that she uses AI and is a full service facility. She can raise lambs, butcher and make use of their hides. There is no wastage on this farm.

Her mother, who has since passed on, used to prepare in excess of 100 lamb skins per year! That is alot of work. Trust me, I am learning as I am attempting to process my own lamb skins from this year. Not a job for the faint of heart.

Marg took me into the fields to look at her flock and as sheep are prone to be they quickly vacated the area I was in! I can tell you the exact amount of male/females in this flock as I spent alot of time looking at their backsides!

As we trudged in the heat they wisely took to the biggest tree in the pasture and had they known that they were posing for a fantastic shot I am sure they would have left that area as well. Sometimes you work with what you've got and by the end of the day Marg took me into the Ram Paddock where the boys were more than willing to display their assets for us females.

Considering I rent rams to cover my ewes I am always amazed at how large these fellows are. They make my daughters weanling Clun look pretty diminutive in comparison!

Marg uses genetics from the UK as well as Australia so it was nice to see a well balanced flock of sheep.

Not limiting her interest to just sheep, she has acquired a new puppy who is an English Collie. Belle is a very cute little critter who if left to her own devices will steal your sneakers and look cute doing it. Marg tells me that this breed was used mainly by the English settlers and that their dogs are a more open and upright sort of herder. Instead of the low to the ground approach we have all become accustomed to with the Border Collies this English sheep dog employs the regal "Please move" approach as opposed to the "I might eat you approach" the Borders seem to use. I look forward to seeing her when she is mature .

This will probably be the last you see of my posts for a while as we are preparing the kids for the NSPE where they will be exhibiting their sheep, turkey, chicken, rabbit, horse and lifeskills projects. Even as I write this I am tired! Also, I will be entering a few of my fleeces in the Provincial Wool and Fibre Competition so I will keep you all up to date on how that works out.

Enjoy the Summer!

Feeder Lamb -Photo

The Flock -photo

Rideau Arcott Ewe & lamb -photo

Rideau Arcott x Texel Lamb - Photo

Rideau Arcott Ewe - photo

What a gorgeous day it was yesterday. The sun was shining the temperature was perfect and only a slight breeze to ruffle the laundry.

BUT the best part was I was alone!!!!! Dave took the kids camping, an event I abhor but they adore so with the plausible excuse of

"I have to stay home to feed the animals" away they went.

After finishing the mountains of laundry to excessively loud Old Blues tunes I proceeded to putter about unfettered about the property without the constant buzz of "Mom, Can you ( insert duty here)?"

About mid afternoon with perfect lighting I decided to visit a neighbor who happens to have a flock of Rideau Arcott and Texel sheep. He runs about 250 ewes and has the most unbelievable vistas. If you have never been to the maritimes, we have gorgeous scenery. Stunning look offs and breathtaking landscapes are in abundance.

What we lack is large open spaces, open water excluded...sheep do poorly there!

So the ability to walk among 250 ewes + lambs on a large open pasture was way more fun than any one woman should have. I didn't always get the shots I wanted as the sheep were very wary of my presence and although I have a great zoom lens it was a challenge to get the camera focused on the subject before they moved. After a while I just sat down in the pasture and once the draft horses decided I was not going to spend the day scratching their backs the sheep relaxed and some nice shots were caught.

Today I am going to a Dorset Farm so be prepared for more sheep photos!!

Top to bottom-

Grey Puss 3x5 oil portrait
Little Puss 3x5 Oil Portrait
Black Puss 3x5 Oil Portrait

Guess what? I do remember how to paint! I know some of you are beginning to wander if I have traded my brushes for the camera but really, how could anyone hold this great weather against me?!?!

Today's painting (Black Puss) in the last in a trio of felines that I did for a woman who wanted to memorialize her friends who have passed on. I think it was a great idea as the oil medium is a great way to preserve those memories.

Often times I will receive old tattered photos that have become faded with time and the ability to paint these images in a more permanent manner suits me as well as the recipient. There is something about glorifying life in art that pleases me. It is like we are honouring that portion of our lives that we do not want to fade in our minds.

Right now I have 2 canvas' of a horse on my easel that a friend of mine lost. I do not normally get to do two paintings of one subject so I am having fun letting my mind choose which colours suit that faithful steed. Eventually I will finish and show you. I promise.

As for right now..I am off to photograph some sheep at a neighboring farm!

I Need Sleep - Last Resort Farm Alpacas

Four on the Floor - Alpacas

Going for Home!- Alpacas

Flying High - Alpacas

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. Lots of Rain. All my feed buckets were 1/2 way full of water and all my sheep, now walking soggy sponges were determined to drench me with their water logged wool. Thank goodness they are shorn so it only takes seconds to become sodden as opposed to milliseconds!

So in remembrance of the fine weather we Nova Scotians experienced yesterday I am posting my galloping Alpacas.

They are not the most graceful of creatures while scooting about at full speed but I guarantee that you can not spend a moment without smiling when in the company of one. Or in this case 20+! I personally had a grand time.

Did you know that there is an etiquette to greeting an Alpaca? I had heard that they are quite capable of spitting at rude people and wanting to avoid the possibility of becoming covered in Alpacas snot I decided to follow Vickie's advice and drop my head down and allow Whoopi (the heap female) to greet me. A slight nuzzling of my hair and then later my hat, was all that was required to ensure I could stroll through their herd unfettered.

David on the other hand had an entirely different experience with a male Alpaca (get your mind out of the gutter! ;) ) and had to keep both hands on his ball cap as a young male decided the "House of Blues " ball cap would be a tasty addition to his diet!

Anna's experience with any sort of forage eating critter and her long blond hair usually ends up poorly so she stood behind Vickie for most of the visit. Connor was ignored by all the Alpacas and that seemed agreeable to everyone involved! LOL

The alpacas were very enjoyable to watch as they bounded about and dropped to the ground in a flash to roll energetically on the grass. The wonderful thing about Alpacas ( and there are a few!) is that they all use a community toilet. I am not talking about a "port a potty" but rather they all do their business in one spot! It was great to know that I could crouch down on the ground without fear of becoming covered in some sort of poo. It was a welcome surprise considering the minefield of "fertilizer" I have in my pastures!

Have a great day or in the case of my fellow Nova Scotians, stay dry and suffer in silence! Cheerio.

The Queen - Photo

Hello! -Photo

I have decided in my next life I want to be an Alpaca.

Today my family and I took a trip out to Malagash to visit some friends at the Last Resort Farm. Nick and Vickie Mirabile have quite a selection on Alpacas, Shetland Sheep and Icelandic Sheep. They graciously took us on a tour of their place and even though it was a "feel like 32 degree day" they let the Alpacas outside. I have some great photos of them bounding around the place.

I also have the above photos which really had me humming the tune "Don't Worry, be Happy"!

The Alpacas did not have a care in the world and lay stretched out in the sunshine and they made me jealous! So when we left we promptly went to Blue Sea Beach to laze about doing nothing...like the Alpacas.

Unfortunately the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up and we decided to leave BUT the sentiment was there!!

Don't worry, be happy!

Fog rolls into Fullerton Farm

Muffin - 3/4 Blue face Leicester ewe lamb

Benny - Pure Clun Forest Ram Lamb & Garnet -Blue Face Leicester x Rideau Arcott ram lamb

My Girls

Today was a wondrous blessing. Our home and surrounding landscape was encased in a thick shroud of fog. While many would curl deeper beneath their covers I was cruising around my pastures looking for interesting pictures.

I love taking photos in the fog. I would love it better if my sheep did not have an illness called "Nuisance Gene". This is an ailment that plagues any farmer who treats his animals well, provides TLC and the occasional back rub. I am glad there was a thick pea soup fog for if my neighbors saw me jumping up and down attempting to scare my "unscareable" sheep they would have had a good laugh at my expense. Any passerby would have surely called the nearest mental ward to have me carted off for some "evaluation".

Come to think of it I need not worry, the fellows from the funny farm would have to come get me and considering how my sheep feel any human with hands should be rubbing their backs I am pretty certain I could make a get away! Remember they have twice as many legs as us and are quite insistent that all available hands must be put to work here at Fullerton Farm.

Here's hoping your days are a bit foggy!!

Things I learned from my kids

Horse - photo

I am a big supporter of the 4H program. It is a youth organization that focus' on young people and leadership as well as learning. I have been a leader of light horse, photography, poultry and turkey projects and it gives me a great deal of pleasure to watch the young people I deal with mature.

Quite often I am the one who gets to learn a lesson as opposed to giving it.

Recently our local club had its achievement day. A day that allows the members a chance to show off their skills and complete their projects. The night before the leaders gathered to have a meeting and choose worthy members for awards. This can be a very difficult thing to do as not all members are known to all the leaders.

A request was made to offer names for awards. I made a few suggestions and watched as one leader in particular proceeded to promote their own children for awards. I was more than a little irritated as I felt this was a tactless thing to do especially when this individual proceeded to degrade other young members. I left the meeting extremely disgusted by the evenings outcome.

The interesting thing that happened was the response the children had the next day. When the child of the aforementioned leader won, many other members shrugged their shoulders and said,

"Of course he won. His mother runs the club."

The award meant nothing to the members. They seemed to already know what had occurred without being told and as a result dismissed it as an unreliable measure of ones achievement. I was surprised at their willingness to accept the result and decided if it did not bother them why should I be concerned.

At the end of the evening my daughter who had placed 1st in all her livestock classes but one (where she received a 2nd) decided not to proceed into the Grand champion showman class. As a former showman myself I thought she would relish being able to show off her skills. Once again I was pleasantly surprised when she told me of her reason for not competing.

"I already won everything. There was no point."

I learned there was no need to decimate the competition. My eleven year old daughter handled her self with more skill and class than some parents I know.

It was a lesson well worth learning.

Little Puss -Oil Commission

This is part two of a three part set of adorable little pussy cats. The last part of this trio just needs whiskers and a few well placed highlights. If I ever find the time I just might get it done.

Between the job, the sheep, chickens , kids and family needs my studio is well neglected. I am usually really good at managing my time but my job is really physical and by the time I get home and finish up my regular chores I find myself snoring in front of the bath room mirror with a toothbrush in my mouth and a dollop of drool hanging from my chin!

Here's hoping the weekend offers a respite!

Flowers at the NSAC Alumni & Rock Gardens

Well the sun has finally arrived and for the first time this year it finally feels like we will have a summer here in Atlantic Canada. After a dismal spring filled with storm clouds threatening our every move and rain that soaked our very being we are starting to dry out and the mold that grew on me is finally beginning to leave (Joke!!!).

I personally do not know how ducks survive this sort of weather and I bet if a census was done you'd find that their cheery attitudes about letting things roll off their backs would have been a fallacy this past spring!

During a recent sunny lunch break I toured our gardens here at the College and captured some stunning photos of the flowers as they bloomed in profusion. As you can see even they seemed to glow in the warm sunshine.

Now that we have some solar rays I know I glow too!

Deep Thoughts

Bird in Hand - Photo by Connor Fullerton

A few nights ago we left the garage doors open and as the sun set and darkness fell I went about closing doors and shutting off lights. In the garage however there was a thumping against the lights and I first thought it was several big moths even though it was early in the season for them. Upon closer inspection I saw with amazement three young Hummingbirds as they struggled to orientate themselves. Their internal sensors must have been off as they continued to hover near the lights. I thought turning off the lights would encourage them to leave the building but unfortunately all that happened was they flew full tilt in to the walls. I feared they would kill themselves in their efforts to escape.

By this time the kids and David had arrived and now it became apparent that the little birds were about to seriously hurt them selves as their frantic movements had them propelling their fragile bodies against everything in the room.

Butterfly nets were employed to capture the first little bird and he flew quickly from my hands into the night.

The other two were caught quite quickly and as I held them in my hands so Connor could fetch the camera I was amazed at these juvenile birds. Their weight was so minuscule that my callused hands could not even register their mass. If I were to close my eyes the only way I would know that I held so precious a life form in my palm was the rapid fluttering of its heart. When I opened my hands outside the two small birds just sat there. Maybe they were just amazed that such a large body could hold them without causing pain.

Connor captured this little fellow just as he took off.

It was a truly amazing moment for me as I thought about the experience for the next couple of days in between club events and kids graduation ceremonies. I considered how fragile life is and how the tiniest motion on any one persons part can have lasting impacts on an individual.

This past week my daughter had her final night as a Girl Guide. She was now old enough to go into the Pathfinders group and she sat on the fence as to whether or not she would make the change. Her age was kind of an issue as she could technically go in either group but all her friends were a year behind her. The fear of a change weighed heavy in her mind and she was noticeably considering spending another year in Guides. It would not have been a bad thing. The leaders of her troupe are phenomenal people who are so wonderfully open and supportive that I could understand Anna's trepidation.

The leader of the Pathfinders group asked me what Anna plan was and as we discussed it I knew it would have to be Annas' decision.

I thought about the night and the Hummingbirds lately and I was surprised to realize that as humans all we really want is acceptance. We want to feel safe and welcome in all our endeavors and while as a species we can and often do engage in combat regardless of age we still strive to part of something positive. Even soldiers will form tight knit groups who support each other in times of strife. The same is true for the rest of us.

How many times have we decided to try a new job, schooling or join a new club and walked in on our first day full of fear and anxious thoughts? Your time at such a place is usually determined by one thing, a single phrase or feeling. Consider it for a moment. A kind word will have you lowering your defenses and accepting a smile from a total stranger and controls your attitude towards your future involvement.

How many times have we all withdrawn from an event, job or relationship because there was no kindness or compassion shown? Yes, you can survive in an apathetic environment. You can even continue to function in a toxic environment but will you thrive and grow? No.

As Anna's ceremony continued and the time came around where the Girl Guides accepted the challenge to become a Pathfinder the simple words,

"Anna , are you ready to become a Pathfinder?"

had Anna smiling and walking forward into her new pursuit. She wasn't leaving behind a strife filled experience but welcoming a new experience with new people.

And she did it with a smile because she was welcomed with a smile.

For those of you who may scoff at what I have just written how about trying your own experiment? When walking down the street/hall/mall look a stranger in the eye and say "hi". It is not as scary as you might think. It actually will make you feel a bit happier. A co worker of mine who is from China one day asked me "do you know that person?" after I said Good Morning to another woman in the hall way. When I said no she smiled and said

"You Canadians are so nice." but my actions had two people smiling now. It was kind of infectious.

So just like the little Hummingbirds in my hand, who I could not feel their mass I had am impact on them. My callused hands could have crushed them, I had the ability but choose not too. Like showing kindness to a stranger or welcoming a child the action on my part was a very tiny one but it had huge repercussions. The opening of my hand to allow a bird to fly away unscathed is the same as opening your heart and sharing compassion.

So to every teacher, volunteer or kind person out there who wonders if their actions are worthwhile the answer is yes. While you may not see the immediate results of your efforts you allow another to progress at their rate and some day that child/person you taught or the bird you let free will grow into an adult who will treat others the way they were taught, with kindness and gentleness.