tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68143389954632640942024-03-13T22:03:40.525-07:00Life at Homeland FarmCarmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-66903667325564920412020-01-27T10:22:00.001-08:002020-01-27T10:24:05.333-08:00Happy New year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole Homeland Farm gang</td></tr>
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Happy 2020! I can't believe we are in a new decade, and January is well on it's way to being over. I hope the year brings continued health and happiness to my friends and family. Let's make it a BANNER YEAR!<br />
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I think I will do a last decade photo recap for this blog, as there were some stellar moments captured on film over the last 10 years. Here we go!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffy tending the fire in the backyard Chuppie the pig watching 2014<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuppie was the best pig evah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A certain peke came into our lives...crazy mutt..2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various critters 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of work to do ALWAYS, right Cam?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full summer moon 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall of 2015 brought another new arrival...Amelia!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 months later.."Chubby Chumpkin" is created..2016\</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How much is that donkey in the window?? Summer 16</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turk resting on the porch Fall 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffy moving snow winter 16-17</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aww...Milly holding a baby chick spring 17<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milly riding Meatball fall 17<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tons of snow late winter 17-18<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much better sight! Green grass summer 18<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cant you just smell them?? Spring 19<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Liam and Gabby cemetery work summer 19</td></tr>
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And with that, we conclude the decade photo collection. Will write another blog in a couple weeks, when someone (ahem) turns the ripe old age of 57! How is that possible? Yet..here I am. Have a great day and will write soon...Toodleooooo!! <br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-78100514973325787322019-10-05T17:47:00.000-07:002019-10-05T17:47:01.463-07:00Fryeburg Fair 2019<br />
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Another summer blasted by and here we are in October. Autumn means fair season, and locally, we have the Fryeburg fair. It is a large agricutural based fair, with lots of farm animals, exhibits and a midway for the kids. It is huge event for our small western Maine area, drawing tens of thousands of people every year.<br />
This makes the second year Cam and Cliff have worked there, and they both enjoy it. It is a long 8 days, as they have to report early and stay late. They are provided three hot meals a day, which is good, as it gets pretty cold at this time of year. The wind seems to just blow through the fairgrounds all the time, since it is nestled nicely in the white mountains. Cliff came home fairly frozen last night, and Cam, who works security, wasn't even going to get home until midnight or after. I am sure he was ready to get inside by that time.<br />
They are joined by Nolan this year, who wanted to earn some money, even though it meant missing a few days of school. He got his school work done early, and got permission, so off he went.<br />
Nolan and Cliffy are working on parking and Cam works as security at the pulling ring. Cliff also helps on the wagon, helping people on and off as they get a tractor pulled wagon ride in from the big parking lot. He prefers that job, as he is definitely a social butterfly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nolie is a wild and crazy guy!</td></tr>
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I have been home alone all week, keeping busy with the animals, housework and dialysis. I changed my time for this week, going over for a 1215 appointment, so I can get home before dark. I am now officially an old lady who doesn't like driving after dark. When that happened..I don't know. Kinda snuck up on me. Well, I do know...it was when they came out with those BRIGHT BLUE headlights. I hate the glare, so early D it is!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet taters</td></tr>
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I am about to get ready for my massive turnip, beet and sweet potato marathon. Once Cliffy is done, we have to get on that. I am going to freeze and can the turnip..make pickled beets and cure the sweet potatoes. I have three bags of nice red tomatoes frozen and ready for a rainy day of canning. It has been dry, so I haven't done them yet, but will soon. I love to head into winter with as much food canned, frozen and preserved as possible. Maine has long....long....long...LONG winters.<br />
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Liam and his girlfriend Gabby are here for the weekend. I think they are going over to the fair tomorrow, and we were chatting about the menfolk over there working. Liam said " Don't you think them working at the fair sounds like a song..like set to 'The Piano Man', or something?"<br />
Yes, Yes I do.<br />
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The Traffic Man..sung to the tune of Piano Man by Billy Joel. (ahem..)<br />
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It's 9 am on a Saturday,<br />
Big old crowd, pouring in<br />
There's good ole Cliffy standing at the gate,<br />
Waving the line of cars right in.<br />
<br />
Wave that old flag, Mr Traffic Man,<br />
Wave it like mad everyday<br />
'Cuz we're all in the mood for a hot, fried dough<br />
And it's your job to park us today.<br />
<br />
Now Nolie is standing there in the grass,<br />
Clad in florescent bright yellow,<br />
He is just glad that he is not in class,<br />
Eating that school house lime jello.<br />
<br />
Wave that old flag, Mr Traffic Man,<br />
Wave it like mad everyday<br />
'Cuz we're all in the mood for a hot, fried dough<br />
And it's your turn to park us today.<br />
<br />
And Cameron is standing by the pulling ring,<br />
Manning that slow moving gate,<br />
Proudly wearing his security badge,<br />
Thinks it might get him a date.<br />
<br />
Wave that old flag, Mr Traffic Man,<br />
Wave it like mad everyday<br />
'Cuz we're all in the mood for a hot, fried dough<br />
And it's your job to park us today.<br />
<br />
Cliff says " Carmen, my feet are just killing me,"<br />
As the smile ran away from his face.<br />
"I'm sure that I could be a golf cart driver,<br />
Then I could just chat face to face."<br />
<br />
Wave that old flag, Mr Traffic Man,<br />
Wave it like mad everyday<br />
'Cuz we're all in the mood for a hot, fried dough<br />
And it's your job to park us today.<br />
<br />
The Midway, it sounds like a carnival<br />
And the noise, makes them want to drink beer<br />
They are finally working their last two days,<br />
When they get paychecks, they're all going to cheer.<br />
<br />
Wave that old flag, Mr Traffic Man,<br />
Wave it like mad everyday<br />
'Cuz we're all in the mood for a hot, fried dough<br />
And it's your turn to park us today.<br />
<br />
Ok. My work here is done. Got an apple pie ready to come out of the oven, groceries to go get, and a house that needs cleaning. I think I am headed to the fair tomorrow..Got a hot dough boy calling my name! Over and out from Homeland Farm!<br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-43258393332566543732019-08-13T19:29:00.001-07:002019-08-13T19:29:25.549-07:00The Blessing<br />
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This is a very different blog today, as I share something that happened to me this past Sunday.<br />
It is something I still am trying to wrap my mind around, so please bear with me as I try to find just the right words. It was amazing, moving, wonderful, and awe inspiring all at the same time, and to be honest, I am still in the process of understanding it. Here is my best description, as I recall it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning cleaning and mowing..My grandparents stone in the back corner</td></tr>
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Sunday was a warm, partly sunny day, and drier then it has been, so I decided to mow the lawns. My mother's mower was in the shop, so I decided to start in the family cemetery..Homeland Cemetery, located in the back of our hay field. I rode over on the mower, and started mowing, saying hello to all the relatives that are buried there. As I mowed, I noticed the deer had been munching on the geraniums we had planted on Memorial weekend. Several plants had just stalks sticking up, and it seemed all the others were in desperate need of 'dead heading'..removing all the dead , brown flowers.<br />
As I rode around and around, the little angel on my shoulder said .."Ya know, you need to get off and take care of those flowers", while the little devil on my other shoulder said "Naw, your knees hurt today, just leave them." I finished mowing and pulled up to the first group of stones, parked the tractor, and got off..creaking knees and all.<br />
I hobbled along, pulling off the dead flowers and tossing them over the wall into the woods, chatting away as I went. Then, I had a thought.<br />
" How about a sign today?"I asked out loud. "You know, like...a butterfly landing on my arm, or even on the flowers next to me. That would be cool."<br />
I come from a long line of believers in the afterlife and have personally seen and heard things that can not be explained. Our farm has been in our family for 6 generations and with it comes an almost tangible feeling of being surrounded by family and those gone before, at all times. Signs, as we like to call them, are just a small way for the kin to let us know they are here.<br />
I finished weeding the first graves and made my way down to my grandparents, aunt and uncle's graves. I apologized to them as I had driven over them with my mower, and could almost hear my uncle sputtering. I chatted away, and wished Nanny, my grandmother a Happy Birthday. She would have been 109, three days before and I had been thinking about her often. As I cleaned her grave, and pulled off the dead flowers, I just tried to imagine it has been 25 years since she had passed away. It seems like it was yesterday, and we all still miss her daily. To know my grandmother was to love her. She was warm, naturally funny, kind to everyone and everything. I truly never heard her say a mean thing about anyone, and loved just being with her. We went on many adventures together..antique shopping, to the fair, taking long rides to different farm stands where she would send me in with a list and say.."If you see something you want, get it and use my money." She was a wonderful person, and it was a huge loss to the family when she passed away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nanny and I</td></tr>
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I said my goodbyes to everyone, climbed back up and off I went to mow at my house. I hadn't seen a butterfly, but figured the day was young. I mowed my three front lawns, and then started to mow along the woods.<br />
I was tooling along at a pretty good clip, when one of those flying grasshoppers flew up and straight at me. Now, he was initially probably 20 feet away, but I was headed straight for him, and he was flying straight for me. I yelled " AHHHHHHH....." and envisioned him yelling "AHHHHHHH",<br />
as we continued on our collision course. He was headed straight toward my open, "AHH" yelling mouth, when at the last second, I threw my head back and he landed right under my chin!<br />
"AHHHHH" changed to "ARRRGGGGGG" as I slapped at my neck and scraped that little beastie off, flinging him to the side of the lawn. I laughed and said (to no one in particular).." If that was the sign, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for."<br />
I finished mowing the woods area, rode my tractor into the apple orchard, and picked a couple nice looking apples. I drove back to the house and hollered to Cliffy. He came out and we both ate our apples, me still sitting on the tractor, him sitting on the step. I told him I was just going to go out and check the raised beds, and would mow the lane and be done. I had already been mowing about 6 hours, so figured I would wrap it up.<br />
I rode out back to the garden area and checked over the plants. The sweet potatoes are growing great, again thinking how Nanny used to always buy those special for me. I love the yellow sweet potatoes much more then the orange yams, and you can't find them often but when she saw them, she would always get them for me. She spoiled all us grandchildren, and loved doing it.<br />
I headed out of the garden area, and turned right to go toward the house. As I headed down the lane, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of white. I didn't pay much attention, just kept on mowing back to the house. I turned again, and headed back down the lane and when I got to the end of the garden, I turned back again toward the house. I saw a flash of white again and this time, I looked to see where it was coming from. I kept on mowing, but squinted to see across the field. I could see a bright white light, but was almost back to the house.<br />
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For some reason, I thought.."Go get your phone,"so I drove over to the house and cruised around the back, looking inside to see where Cliff was. I hollered for him to grab my phone, and then drove over to wait for him at the back door. He brought it out and I headed back down the lane, pretty sure whatever it was was bound to be gone. I got back to the garden spot, and there it was..a bright light across the field.<br />
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So, I pulled a right and started bumping my way cross country, through the hay field toward the cemetery over in the far corner. The whole way across I was looking and squinting, speculating as to what I was seeing. The closer I got, the brighter white the light shone. I thought..Hmm...is it the sun reflecting off that old flag pole down behind the fence? Is it the white sign by our Scottish Cousin's grave ? Is it beyond the cemetery or inside? I stopped several times to take photos on the way across the field, watching as the light got bigger and brighter.<br />
I finally cleared the edge of the field, and drove closer to the cemetery, looking on in absolute amazement as the brilliant, white light got bigger and brighter. I drove to the edge of the cemetery, and it was huge, and the most BRILLIANT, PURE WHITE LIGHT I had ever seen.<br />
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Suddenly, two points of white light shot from the top and the bottom. I stopped and filmed it, amazed and not even sure what I was seeing, or where it was even coming from. I sat there for only a few seconds, I think..just watching as it blazed pure white in front of my eyes..and suddenly the two points of light pulsated..with the top showing just a bit of color.<br />
I said out loud as I filmed " Isn't this the craziest thing you've ever seen?" And it truly was. It was so bright and white it hurt my eyes. What did I do next? Well, despite the frequent warnings about not going toward the light..I went toward the light. I remembered thinking..am I going to go in it? Through it? By it?<br />
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I drove onward into the cemetery, and there it was..my grandparent's gravestone, shining with a brilliance that you do not see on earth. Suddenly, I was up in front of it...and there it sat..just as I had seen it earlier that day..grey from 30 years of sitting in our field, lichen growing on it. At this point, I am not even sure what I was thinking, but I snapped a photo of the stone..grey and humble and unremarkable. On a whim, I blew a kiss toward the stone, and said " Thanks for that!", and turned the tractor to go.<br />
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The white light was amazing and impossible and wonderful..but what I saw next was even more "not of this world." I blew the kiss, and then turned the tractor in a tight circle and as I passed their stone again..I suddenly stopped the tractor.<br />
I was looking at their stone...but it was now...GLORIOUS. I could see the stone clearly, but it was no longer grey and humble. It was shimmering copper and gold in color, with the lettering all deep black and bold in that blended burnished, amazing color. Unlike the white light that shone beyond the edges of the stone, the copper and gold color stayed within the edges, but surrounding the entire stone was a reddish/pink haze.<br />
I do not know what I was seeing in the shining, changing copper and gold stone, but I heard myself ask out loud.." Am I dying?" I am currently sitting here typing, so the answer was no, but I am convinced I was seeing something beyond Homeland Cemetery, beyond Maine, beyond this world.<br />
I remember thinking I wanted to take a picture of that spectacular color, and thought I did. However, when I checked my photos later, there were no photos of that technicolor gravestone. I do not know if I took the photos, and they didn't come out, or if I didn't take them at all. Nor do I remember leaving the cemetery, but just found 4 photos as I drove the tractor back across the field, brilliant white light shining again behind me.<br />
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Skeptics will say it was the sun hitting the stone just right, but we have all lived here, worked here, farmed here for the 30 years the stone has been there in that same position, and there has never EVER been ANY kind of light radiating from that cemetery or any of the stones. I do not know why I saw what I did, except for the simple fact perhaps that I asked for a sign..a simple sign that they might possibly still be with us, even though we can not see them. What I got was a miracle..a blessing, and I am forever grateful and honored. See you again someday, Nanny.<br />
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I will post the video on my face book page tomorrow..It is AMAZING!!<br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-68438633566121927262019-07-14T17:24:00.002-07:002019-07-14T17:24:59.460-07:00A Day in the Life at Homeland Farm, Part two<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUMMER BEAUTY</td></tr>
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(Computers, man....Grrr)<br />
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4PM...A drive around the farm checking out the pretty stuff...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pole Beans!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acres of clover!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look Vance! The Tiger lillies are in bloom again..."</td></tr>
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4 PM....Pea shelling time! Supper is cooking, and smelling good!</div>
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430...Cocktails on the glider!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couple of tired farmers<br /><br /><br />5 PM...SUPPER TIME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken and Dumplings, fresh peas and cukes, homemade biscuits and strawberry jam! YUM<br /><br />TIME TO WRAP IT UP FROM HOMELAND FARM! hOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT WEEKEND! SEE YOU SOON!</td></tr>
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-31677671466248205222019-07-14T17:07:00.001-07:002019-07-14T17:25:15.047-07:00Ahhhh! Glorious Summer time! (or as we say here in Maine..A wicked nice Summah!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good Afternoon from Beautiful Bridgton, Maine! After a terrible, wet and cold and LONG Spring, we are finally enjoying a warm, sunny stretch of summer weather. The flowers are blossoming, butterflies are flitting about and the garden is in. Time to get out and enjoy the season, although we have plenty to do here at Homeland Farm.<br />
Today, I am doing a blog post called A DAY IN THE LIFE AT HOMELAND FARM.<br />
It could easily be called "A day in the life of Carmie and Cliffy," or "Watch Carmie and Cliffy work", but I will go with my original title.<br />
Anddddd Here we GO!<br />
PS..Doing this in two parts since my computer is being a pain!<br />
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A DAY IN THE LIFE AT HOMELAND FARM<br />
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6AM...wake up to the Peke snoring on my head.<br />
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7AM... Coffee and we make plans for the day. The dogs are clearly awaiting instructions.<br />
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9 AM....It is time to start making strawberry jam. Three batches later, we were done!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the careful eye of three ladies that were once captured on film, right at this sink. Aunt Esther, Aunt Fern and Nanny.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Batches later and we have 15 pints! Will be very tasty in January!</td></tr>
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Noon time! Quick lobster roll break...Yum!<br />
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1230 PM...A Hoe-ing we will go! The raised beds are looking great and the other garden is till wet, but coming along slowly. The heat has been helpful with all the plants. I think it will work out!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Good, Farmer Daigle<br />
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200 PM...TIME TO GET MOWING!<br />
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3PM...LOTS AND LOTS of apples on our trees this year. We are going to get a good crop this year, if the varmints behave.</div>
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We have several different varieties of apples, from Macintosh to Granny Smiths. I can't wait...I need to make applesauce!</div>
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-30861092034942354812019-04-10T07:44:00.001-07:002019-04-10T07:48:36.765-07:00"Spring has Sprung..Fooled ya!" says Mother Nature <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the new snow...</td></tr>
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One thing I love about a Maine Spring is that you never know what to expect. For example, Cliffy and I had been watching the snow recede at a fairly quick rate over the last couple weeks. Watching and waiting and smiling. Spring was here and that old ground hog was right...winter was leaving and an early spring was right on our doorstep.<br />
Heck, we even commenced to raking last weekend, it was so nice. Yep, we were out raking in just tee shirts, it was so warm. We got almost half the front lawn done,and we also started on the lawn where the pine trees are located. Then we sat on the glider, and soaked up the warm rays. Ahhh spring..We love ya!<br />
BAM! Ole Mother Nature pulled a fast one. Three days of snow. Wet, heavy spring snow that once again has turned our driveway into a wet bog, and caused accidents for lots of folks who clearly forgot how to drive in the stuff. On the trip to Auburn on Monday, we saw 4 cars off the road, and heard reports of many more. Friendly reminder for one and all....SLUSH is bad, will pull you right off the road in a blink. Slush would always win in a game of rock, paper scissors. ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, SLUSH! SLUSH WINS!<br />
We prepared our seed catalog orders over the weekend, as well as getting the raking underway. Cliffy is making plans for pole beans and Sweet potatoes, carrots and rutabegas. Can't wait as I love planting and picking. Not a huge fan of weeding, but it is a necessary evil. We are expanding a bit this year and hope to put in strawberries as well. Yum...can't wait until I can feature our home grown veggies in a tasty summer supper, followed by rhubarb pie. Come on summer! Be nicer to us then spring has been, okay?<br />
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We are getting wallpaper ordered too for a spruce up this spring. I have to do our living room over, and have started the tedious process of wallpaper removal. Oh, how I hate that job, not that I am a huge fan of demolition either. But, demo we must, as we are going to take down the old living room ceiling and put up a new shiny, flat sheet rock ceiling. The current ceiling has a big bulge where we had an unexpected leak, so before I paint and repaper the room, I guess the ceiling needs to be repaired. Cliffy is gonna LOVE ME!! (in case you were wondering what was dripping off those two capitalized words...it was sarcasm..yep, dripping with sarcasm.) Once it is all done however, its gonna be GREAT!! Nothing says welcome spring, like a new coat of paint and a good cleaning. SO, once the demo is done, I will start my spring cleaning and will get papering and painting. I will take lots of photos so you can see the before and after..its gonna be great!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweetie is no stranger to my "time for a change" mood</td></tr>
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We did a lot of painting outside over the last couple years so there isn't too much work that needs to be done. Well, except the back of the barn. We need to get that vinyl sided and a new door built for insurance purposes. Apparently, the homeowners insurance policy makes you keep everything painted in order to cover you. Kinda odd, if you ask me, but I had planned on it anyway, so it will just light a fire under us to get it done faster.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for new Vinyl<br />
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So, now I have to wrap it up for today. I'm off to work at the 207 Trading Co, as I need to earn money to support my "habit"..redecorating and painting. See you soon, and don't forget to stop by the booth at the 207 that Cam and I both share. You will know which one is ours when you see the sign that says "all sales benefit an autistic young man and his gimpy mom." </td></tr>
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-47094624347015301502019-02-28T09:59:00.000-08:002019-02-28T09:59:12.940-08:00My Uncle was right..It's hell to get old! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't even get me started on the gray hair..</td></tr>
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My Uncle Billy used to lament about getting old. I thought he was being over dramatic or whiny. I thought Geez, how bad can it be?? But, then I hit my 50's!<br />
Everyday I wake up and think WHEW! Made it! Another night of restful sleep...ummm maybe not. It seems my dreams get crazier and more detailed all the time. Sometimes they are scary, and I wake up with my heart racing. Crazy CRAZY I tell you! Snakes..roses..earthquakes..weird houses..some of which I think oh yeah..saw that on Facebook. BUT..most make no sense at all.<br />
I roll over and cuddle next to Cliffy, who I figure probably wants to wake up and hear all about it. Well...maybe in the morning. At least I can cuddle with him until I get the nonsense outta my brain and doze back off. Or not, and I just lay there..changing positions 50 times..leg in..leg out...blankets on, blankets off..window up..window down..electric blanket on, well...you get the picture. A solid 8 hours sleep is clearly a luxury now and I have to get used to that fact.<br />
So..rise and shine I do, ' cuz, I'm nothing if not cheerful. However, the rate of the aforementioned "rising and shining" has dropped dramatically. First, I have to extract my legs from between the warm dog bodies framing my body. Big Doob in the middle, and Molly on the outer edge. So, I have to pull my knees clear up to my chest and roll out to the edge of my bed. Just like that, my morning leg lifts are done. Always glad to get the exercise out of the way!<br /> I plunk my feet on the floor and do my assessment. How do the ankles feel? Knees? I sit there and ponder a few minutes, and I'd like to say I'm deep in meditation or praying or something profound like that. However, it is much more likely that I am stalling until I hear the fire started in the kitchen stove and the coffee perking away. I'm old..not stupid!<br />
You've heard of Custer's last stand?? Well, it is now time for Carmen's first stand. Often, for whatever reason, my first stand of the day is accompanied by my mind singing a line from the old sea chantey "Drunken Sailor". ( Didn't I tell you my mind has been doing it's own thing lately?)<br />
Yep, as I stand up and stretch, that little voice in my brain chimes in with a rousing "WEIGH HEY AND UP SHE RISES, EARLY IN THE MORNING!!" My mind can be so obnoxious, I swear.<br />
So, I stretch, head for the bathroom, clothes in hand. My activity level of the day before has a direct bearing on how fast a trip I make. If I was busy and active, I am like a granny nightgown clad snail, dunked in molasses. Now that's slow. If I am not particularly stiff, I am like a granny clad 100 year old Galapagos tortoise, speeding along. You get the picture..not fast.<br />
I get dressed, wash up, and head out to the kitchen, where Cliffy is having a coffee and patiently awaiting my arrival. We have our daily coffee and write in the diary, while the previous days events are still fresh in our minds, and then we start the days work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n-0decVBZ0/XHgZ8NIfHOI/AAAAAAAABsg/GXMFGAJJwH8Z_gKojyzxAIc1U2396GExgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n-0decVBZ0/XHgZ8NIfHOI/AAAAAAAABsg/GXMFGAJJwH8Z_gKojyzxAIc1U2396GExgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0569.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That wood ain't stacking itself..</td></tr>
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Now, I have always worked hard and actually, I read back in my old diaries at the amount of physical labor I have done and it is no wonder I am dragging. Farm life is very hard work and I never hesitated to do what had to be done.Haying, shoveling manure, spreading it, wood cutting and stacking, fencing, raking, mowing, pruning, gardening etc etc. I was in my element and truly loved it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxHYhV0ZjIs/XHgffeRFY2I/AAAAAAAABtY/Mknd4V-qYVI7pSxHWwv6WG1649gSI8NxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxHYhV0ZjIs/XHgffeRFY2I/AAAAAAAABtY/Mknd4V-qYVI7pSxHWwv6WG1649gSI8NxgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0484.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There I am taking down old fence...oh wait..</td></tr>
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Today, now that I'm...dare I say it..closer to 60 then 50, I still help, but alas, at a much slower pace. Luckily, my two sons and nephew are still around so I can do what I can, and you know..."guide them" thru the more difficult things. I say guide..they say boss..but I do it with affection. We "share" in the work..like for example..<br />
We had an old pellet stove out here in the barn that weighed a bloody ton. I was all for getting it to the dump already, and everyone else likely to be involved seemed to think it was "fine" where it was. One day I commandeered the crew to clean the barn..the crew being Cameron, Liam, Nolan and Cliff. I said "lets get that thing loaded and out of here". They looked at me like I had three heads but at the ages of 14, 18, 26 and 76, they have learned I can be stubborn.<br />
So, Cliff backed his truck up, and the four of them muscled it with lots of "guidance" from me, and got it up into the back of the truck. Then I did my "share" of the job..I grabbed the broom and swept up where it had been. SEE! Many hands make light work..an expression I use often and frankly, I think everyone hates.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There I am cleaning attic..oh wait..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There I am polishing the stove..oh wait...</td></tr>
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I still do all my housecleaning, with spring housecleaning being the big event of the spring. I go through the whole house from attic to cellar, cleaning away all the dirt and cobwebs from the last year. I am looking at a big job this year, as we need a mess of work inside done. Our bedroom needs a serious paint job, and I plan on doing the living room over with a new ceiling, fresh paint, wallpaper, carpet and couch. SO, I better get these knees ready to go. Cliffy and I both worked together and got the apartment all papered and painted and are,amazingly still together, so I say let's do it! He can't wait. He loves papering with me. OK, not so much, but it will be a "good job done", as my Uncle Billy used to say whenever we completed a task.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMwZjKFYftw/XHgaXb3ZwnI/AAAAAAAABss/XfBzVISXFUUjcYBkAea6DUPi6yzBeLvbACEwYBhgL/s1600/FB_IMG_1461508508046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMwZjKFYftw/XHgaXb3ZwnI/AAAAAAAABss/XfBzVISXFUUjcYBkAea6DUPi6yzBeLvbACEwYBhgL/s320/FB_IMG_1461508508046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There I am painting in the bedroom..oh, wait..</td></tr>
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Yep..the old body has slowed me down, but thankfully I am still sharp as a tack in the old mind. (well, other then the sea chantey songs..and well the snake dreams..and the fact I can't get the "shallow" song out of my brain for love nor money.) Yessirreee...sharp. Nothing gets by this old gal..I've got it all going on upstairs for sure. But perhaps you can explain why I went to pay the eye doctor this morning and pulled three dog biscuits out of my pocket, instead of my wallet...<br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-17028796051893962742019-01-27T11:24:00.001-08:002019-01-27T11:24:54.332-08:00What do you think? A potential book? Or just things the author would find amusing... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeland Farm</td></tr>
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<br />
I have kept a diary for 25 years. Yes, for almost half my life, I have kept a diary of the life and times of a crazy, Maine farm gal. I have chronicled the good, bad and ugly, mostly with a sense of humor which managed to help me get through the aforementioned "ugly." Every now and then, I get the urge to go back through and read them again, and let me tell you, they are pretty darn interesting. Oh, and often very amusing. I have read Cliffy a bit here and there, and he seems to think..and I quote..." THERE'S A BOOK IN THERE SOMEWHERE!" Perhaps, or maybe it is just funny to those that know me. SO, I am conducting a poll. Yay, or Nay...a book in this foolishness??<br />
Here are a couple examples of true stories from 1995, written as I wrote it in my dairy.<br />
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February 8, 1995...<br />
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I took some birthday money and went to Waterford to buy two calves. One was a black whitehead and the other was a Jersey/Holstein cross. I wheeled and dealed the old farmer down to a good deal..$150 for both. When he helped me take them out to the station wagon to load them, I slammed the back station wagon door down and bopped him right on the head. Down he went! I felt really bad..He'd lived up on that hill in peace for 80+years, and then I came along. I called the next day to make sure he was ok and his wife said he was. (" Oh! That's what that mark was!")<br />
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October 29, 1995...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young Cameron</td></tr>
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I bought a new calf off Wade, so I loaded Cameron (age 3) into the truck and off we went to Waterford. She is a nice half Angus, half Holstein heifer, and looks as bright as a dollar. We tied her in the back of the truck, and headed home. We pulled in the yard, and I unloaded Cameron. We walked back to lower the tail gate, and...THE CALF WAS GONE!!! Cameron's eyes bugged right out of his head as I yelled "SHIT!! CAMERON! BACK IN THE TRUCK!!!" We tore up the road, and retraced our steps, but no calf. I went back home to call the police, and got a message from my mother that someone had found her on Bridgton Academy hill, and had loaded her into a neighbors trailer. We went right over to get her, and thank god she was fine. She did have a few scrapes here and there on her legs, and I doctored those once I got her home. No more calves tied in truck bodies!<br />
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So, that is a small sample of the daily activity that I lived, wow...almost 20 years ago now. Holy Smoke! Now it is time to vote! Yay..you would be interested in reading more...Nay..ummm not so much! There was lots of good times and unfortunately, lots of not so good, as one would expect. I am always amazed at how much work I did ..every day all day. Working nights..taking care of a toddler..taking care of my grandmother...chores...kids..marriages coming and going...cooking and more cooking! 3 pies PLUS cookies in one day! . Now I understand my current physical shape...I busted my butt..mostly too stubborn to ask for help. I'm sure you all find that hard to believe...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum..Pineapple upside down cake</td></tr>
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Over and Out from all of us here down on the farm! Have a great week!<br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-90901683227581834492019-01-19T16:44:00.001-08:002019-01-19T16:44:46.417-08:00Batten Down the Hatches!! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow fall a few years ago</td></tr>
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THERE'S A STORM A' BREWIN'! Or, so they say. We have been busy today, doing all the usual last minute storm preparations. I did some cooking, making homemade raspberry turnovers and an apple strudel. Cliffy put extra fuel in the tanks, and we hauled some furniture to the booth at the 207 Trading Co. We parked the car inside the barn, and closed up the doors. Good to go!<br />
Then, Cameron and I went to fight the throngs of folks stocking up on booze, milk, toilet paper, and Allens Coffee Brandy. Here in New England, you just can NOT have a good nor'easter without the aforementioned items. And a good, one it is shaping up to be.<br />
So far, this winter has been wicked odd. (said in a deep Maine accent.)(In my mind..)(I'll stop now).We had very early snow and quite a bit of it, back in November. So this year, we had not only a white Christmas, but a white Thanksgiving. Then it has frozen and thawed, icy then bare ground. Not the normal winter season. So, the snow lovers are very excited to see the potential for 2 plus feet of snow. I am not a snow lover, so I could do without a mess of the white stuff, but this is Maine, and I don't have to leave the house tomorrow, so I guess I don't mind. BRING IT ON, MOTHER NATURE!<br />
I will post some photos tomorrow of the big mess..will see how it looks by the morning light!<br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-83437910384224351962018-12-31T15:17:00.000-08:002018-12-31T15:19:07.679-08:00My blog is seasonal...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good New Years Eve to one and all! I have discovered I am apparently a seasonal blogger. Once a quarter is about all I can muster, and I'm not sure why. Not like I have a farm to maintain...a booth to stock at the local 207 Trading Co...a cute granddaughter to pal around with..dialysis to put up with (although the alternative is pretty unappealing..:)...and a whole host of family fun and activities. But seriously...my resolution this new years is MORE BLOGGING. Wish me luck!<br />
So..lets see where we left off. Liam was at basic training, Cliffy and I were headed to Oklahoma, and we were in the throes of summer and all it's hectic fun. I will start from there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love, Love Love Lilacs..(apple pie too, really)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice looking garden going in</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Zuchinni relish..wicked good</td></tr>
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Cliffy had a dandy garden in this year and we did well with lots of greens, broccoli, beans and tomatoes. We had less luck with squash, eggplant, peppers and cukes, although we did have enough to eat. It was a dry year so we were happy to get as much as we did. Plus, we had plenty of tomatoes to can, with a few pounds from my parents next door. Yum...I love opening a can of home stewed tomatoes come a cold day in February. Just like opening a can of summer, I always say.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer in a jar..and the first squash pie of the season</td></tr>
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I made a mess of strawberry jam, raspberry jam, grape jelly and sweet green tomato marmalade, all pretty darn good. Love freshly made jam on one of my hot biscuits, Boy Howdy, them's good eats. (anyone else hear that in their mind said by Sheriff Taylor of Mayberry?? Anyone?? No??? Oh..ok....)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBy2OLruKDk/XCqWxCkyv7I/AAAAAAAABog/11wu6d2MwiYovRqhqWwg8ce9Be_nEGMzACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBy2OLruKDk/XCqWxCkyv7I/AAAAAAAABog/11wu6d2MwiYovRqhqWwg8ce9Be_nEGMzACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0646.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh so good</td></tr>
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Anyway, I digress. Cameron, my oldest son turned 26 this summer, and is always a willing hand should I need one. He helps me manage the booth of goods at the 207 Trading Co. We had a couple storage lockers donated to us this summer, which we were very thankful to get. We also partially cleaned out a local garage, which had lots of cool stuff. We were very blessed, and have a few months worth of things to stock our shelves with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIxKwQwEsvM/XCqYPObkxXI/AAAAAAAABpA/W1-08CW8Sbolx8F370sPRQFdhy_0HxvvwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIxKwQwEsvM/XCqYPObkxXI/AAAAAAAABpA/W1-08CW8Sbolx8F370sPRQFdhy_0HxvvwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0486.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy will do anything to help dear old mom..:)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7AhqL8pbU0/XCqjQQ7lIJI/AAAAAAAABrM/nK0z-SckTtM-MGOSvAIPD7_49iErDQw5QCLcBGAs/s1600/1013171030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7AhqL8pbU0/XCqjQQ7lIJI/AAAAAAAABrM/nK0z-SckTtM-MGOSvAIPD7_49iErDQw5QCLcBGAs/s320/1013171030.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bro giving Chum and friend a ride</td></tr>
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Brogan, Milly and Cass were very busy this summer as well. Lots going on with young folks these days it seems all the time. Bro got in some horse riding while Cass and Cliff managed to do some fishing. Milly was always ready to talk Granny's ear off and help cook, sweep, swing, shovel..whatever is happening, she is ready to participate!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYzsAIeqJtc/XCqYk9yfiqI/AAAAAAAABpI/nldxhFYPfjwcqIsYejrrtyguHpP4cwvFQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYzsAIeqJtc/XCqYk9yfiqI/AAAAAAAABpI/nldxhFYPfjwcqIsYejrrtyguHpP4cwvFQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0334.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeland's youngest pooper scooper!</td></tr>
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Then, Carmie and Cliffy went off on our big adventure! Liam was graduating from Fort Sill, where he completed basic training. We wanted to go, so were trying to scrimp and save for the trip. We bought the plane tickets, but didn't have the cash for the car rental so my brother Zak was nice enough to rent it for us, and all we had to do was pick it up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0jSpyzv8K8/XCqY2iztXrI/AAAAAAAABpQ/xXlOgDUG7OkKJs3OHJt4CGhQLy8ErCdswCLcBGAs/s1600/20180829_174618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0jSpyzv8K8/XCqY2iztXrI/AAAAAAAABpQ/xXlOgDUG7OkKJs3OHJt4CGhQLy8ErCdswCLcBGAs/s320/20180829_174618.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so cool</td></tr>
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So, August 31, off we went into the wild, blue yonder! The plane ride went well, and we managed fine. We got in later then we wanted, since I had hoped to be there before dark, just to make it easier to get our bearings. We caught the shuttle to the car rental place and marched in with our confirmation number in hand.<br />
Mind you, we are "shoe string travelers" having it all planned out and carefully budgeted.<br />
I thought it was all paid for, so when the guy at the counter passed us the paper work and proclaimed.." That will be 475.00", I almost died!! I was like..."WHAT?? WHY???HOW??"<br />
"All you did was reserve it..." the dude exclaimed. Now, before we went, I had called to verify that we were all set on the reservation. I asked them if the car rental place was right at the air port. They said no, it was in a neighboring town. I said.."what? Well that won't work..we have no way to get there." They said" oh ok, we will change the location to the airport rental office". Done.<br />
So, now here we were, and he was saying it was going to be almost 500, which was our entire budget for the 4 day excursion. The unconcerned agent said it was because we had changed the location, and that was why it was more money.<br />
I told the guy we needed to discuss this, and we walked to the benches across the room, and sat down to 'discuss". We decided to pay the cash we had and would call home for cash the next day. So, we went back up to the guy and said..."here is the money."<br />
He looked at it, and said...."we don't accept cash." OMG.<br />
I knew it was time to bust out the big guns.<br />
Gesturing behind me, I said " We have to figure this out, or we are going to be sleeping on those benches back there all night, and you reallllyyyyyy don't want to see me in my granny nightgown..."<br />
Long story short, he made calls...got us a 300 dollar deal, and we were off. Big guns work every time. Pays to travel with flannel....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCCGrvuCuTk/XCqb0y87WWI/AAAAAAAABqo/kyC1cHFAJsgdCUh5GTLGZxLPBAJvfu0EACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCCGrvuCuTk/XCqb0y87WWI/AAAAAAAABqo/kyC1cHFAJsgdCUh5GTLGZxLPBAJvfu0EACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0929.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BIG guns, I tell ya...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj7Hiwft4EU/Wqhc9G7CH-I/AAAAAAAABls/yqicZ8gMSocJmlDu8n4i_QkExqKe9lflACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj7Hiwft4EU/Wqhc9G7CH-I/AAAAAAAABls/yqicZ8gMSocJmlDu8n4i_QkExqKe9lflACPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BIGGGG GUNS!!</td></tr>
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We made it to the hotel at midnight after the dang GPS took us on some scenic, dark as the ace of spades country road. We were exhausted but there safely..WITH A CAR and the shower and bed felt good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvxmILKZBfg/XCqZIovbVdI/AAAAAAAABpc/q2Wef9EEl08tMwdPyiXpjcsDCdlOrJM_wCLcBGAs/s1600/20180830_065355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvxmILKZBfg/XCqZIovbVdI/AAAAAAAABpc/q2Wef9EEl08tMwdPyiXpjcsDCdlOrJM_wCLcBGAs/s320/20180830_065355.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Fort Sill</td></tr>
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The next day dawned bright and sunny, and we had a great time watching as my "little fella" Liam graduated from basic. A very proud moment for us all...glad we were there to see it...and hadn't had to walk there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0twiqXxFpro/XCqZSFJ3nxI/AAAAAAAABpg/iAi4kahgmTU_sxLjNFjWi8Co5ET14R2gwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180830_093550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0twiqXxFpro/XCqZSFJ3nxI/AAAAAAAABpg/iAi4kahgmTU_sxLjNFjWi8Co5ET14R2gwCLcBGAs/s320/20180830_093550.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they come!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktXEMKvowUQ/XCqZa3CQocI/AAAAAAAABpk/gKXVCcUR95IY-cPSMtpkmHg5iOgMDNdOQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180830_094000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktXEMKvowUQ/XCqZa3CQocI/AAAAAAAABpk/gKXVCcUR95IY-cPSMtpkmHg5iOgMDNdOQCEwYBhgL/s320/20180830_094000.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HEY MOM!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Phgu4N19L0k/XCqZ4ibe2aI/AAAAAAAABp0/m-iIhWTPYrkNGyKqPg8P20mYFbTMEb5vQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180830_113229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Phgu4N19L0k/XCqZ4ibe2aI/AAAAAAAABp0/m-iIhWTPYrkNGyKqPg8P20mYFbTMEb5vQCEwYBhgL/s320/20180830_113229.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the grounds of The Museum of the Great Plains</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pawhuska, Ok</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGEkwjH_jSk/XCqanCjKqOI/AAAAAAAABqE/PqIYdEIbK8Yz_9UY7hyq4LU-B6ntgOpbgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180901_160731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGEkwjH_jSk/XCqanCjKqOI/AAAAAAAABqE/PqIYdEIbK8Yz_9UY7hyq4LU-B6ntgOpbgCEwYBhgL/s320/20180901_160731.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowboy Cliffy</td></tr>
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We spent two days traveling around the area with Liam, then he flew home and we went north to Pawhuska, OK, to go visit The Pioneer Woman's store. On the way back to Oklahoma City, Cliffy stopped for a horse back ride, and I sat in the AC. We flew out the next day and were reunited with the pooches, who were so happy to have "mom and dad" back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYkqBgcBXdU/XCqa643EDaI/AAAAAAAABqQ/oe-KvzhTWz4FvVKHyx9_40mFaUoyOqnEACLcBGAs/s1600/20181113_114501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYkqBgcBXdU/XCqa643EDaI/AAAAAAAABqQ/oe-KvzhTWz4FvVKHyx9_40mFaUoyOqnEACLcBGAs/s320/20181113_114501.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't you feel the warmth</td></tr>
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Summer came to an end, and on to fall. We did lots of outside work and wood stacking, getting ready for winter. I mowed the lawn and Nolie, Cam, and Liam raked, and the very next day, it snowed. This was early November, mind you. Winter was off to a roaring start. We had a white Thanksgiving, and kept the snow, despite off and on rain, right through Christmas. It was been weird weather the last few weeks..as warm as 50...as cold as single numbers. No huge storms, just small amounts of occasional snow. January last year was bitter with 30+ below zero, so I am in hopes we don't repeat that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzTGujhOLhQ/XCqbMBxT-TI/AAAAAAAABqY/PEmhhDxZJkIiLoDNU4UB3qSg3kh3yz60QCLcBGAs/s1600/received_2144368445613310.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzTGujhOLhQ/XCqbMBxT-TI/AAAAAAAABqY/PEmhhDxZJkIiLoDNU4UB3qSg3kh3yz60QCLcBGAs/s320/received_2144368445613310.jpeg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutest turkey ever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6KTVp6U654/XCqbXcuTlVI/AAAAAAAABqc/oAC1H_F75j0Stqwm4H0910wjvkkonD6-gCLcBGAs/s1600/20181224_163007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6KTVp6U654/XCqbXcuTlVI/AAAAAAAABqc/oAC1H_F75j0Stqwm4H0910wjvkkonD6-gCLcBGAs/s320/20181224_163007.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful</td></tr>
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Christmas was awesome, with Milly being the bright spot. She loves Santa and was so excited this year. We had lots of fun singing and dancing with the jazzy singing Santa in my dining room. She got lots of fun presents and enjoyed every minute of it. We did too, actually. I love Christmas every year, and it always makes me happy. No BAH HUMBUG here..just lots of fudge, homemade popcorn balls and hectic activity, but I wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
So, now on to 2019. Holy smoke! It seems it was just 2000, and I was having a baby..who is now a Private in the US Army. How and when did that happen? And...there is the crazy fact Cliffy is turning 77 next month, and I'm about to hit 56 in February. When did that happen? As that country song says...100 years goes faster then you think. I wholeheartedly agree. 56?? But then I see the forehead that looks like a road map, and the white(!!!) hair in my eyebrows, to say nothing about the white hair on my head or gulp...on my CHIN! The reality sets in like ...whoa... But, I'm really not one of those folks that sweat the small stuff and therefore I am not worried about it. As my Uncle Bill would say "I'll live 'til I die.." But..not JUST yet... Might have to take another trip sometime this year..but..I will make my own rental car arrangements.<br />
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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT HOMELAND FARM! ONWARD TO 2019!<br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-42506031302900089982018-08-04T09:55:00.002-07:002018-08-04T09:57:14.342-07:00Mid Summer Update from Homeland Farm <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dnsnt2exBzA/W2XUNgSADII/AAAAAAAABmo/UdxkMhGeYI8mj9y1OWWnUAKoABLqIu2TQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dnsnt2exBzA/W2XUNgSADII/AAAAAAAABmo/UdxkMhGeYI8mj9y1OWWnUAKoABLqIu2TQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeland in all its glory</td></tr>
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Holy smoke, here it is August already. It is (finally) a rainy, damp day and I am all alone. That is very rare, and I decided a good time for a blog update. Here we go!<br />
We have been super busy this summer, and honestly, it seems the older we get, the busier we are. I was perusing one of my old diaries the other day and it seemed like every few days Cliffy and I napped. NAPPED!! How did we do that? Where did that spare time come from? Why can't I pull that off now? I think it is probably related to the fact that we were younger, ie faster, back then and were really doing the same amount of work, but just faster at getting it done. Or....we are just busier. Yeah, pretty sure that's what it is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nnFLCwWRtxs/W2XVKXgsZ5I/AAAAAAAABm0/kAUwa6GVnzEs0pWt4qv82q20aK_5F_r3ACLcBGAs/s1600/1123170838b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nnFLCwWRtxs/W2XVKXgsZ5I/AAAAAAAABm0/kAUwa6GVnzEs0pWt4qv82q20aK_5F_r3ACLcBGAs/s320/1123170838b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bnb apartment</td></tr>
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Cliffy and I have been very busy this summer with our new Airbnb adventure. We are trying to see how we like hosting strangers in our newly refurbished apartment in the barn. The people have been very nice, and we have had no trouble with any of them. It is quite a bit of work, especially like last week when we had 4 different parties, all staying one night. that made for A LOT of laundry, cleaning and to do it..stair climbing, as the apartment is on the second floor. By the end of the week, I felt like just telling the last guests that I was just going to be sleeping on the couch, to save myself another trip up and down the stairs. I thought that might spook them a bit, especially when they saw me in my granny nightie. But, overall, it has been an interesting experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4jctG8QMCg/W2XVXJEIv7I/AAAAAAAABnM/Jo2WPLWd_hMOCt04UgMD8somsrlZq4KzACEwYBhgL/s1600/1123171027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4jctG8QMCg/W2XVXJEIv7I/AAAAAAAABnM/Jo2WPLWd_hMOCt04UgMD8somsrlZq4KzACEwYBhgL/s320/1123171027.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kitchenette</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bedroom</td></tr>
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I have started my usual summer preps for the upcoming, undoubtedly long winter. I froze a mess of wax beans, and made strawberry and raspberry jam. I also made pickles, and are making another batch tomorrow. Cliffy put in a garden this year and we are TRYING to keep ahead of the weeds, but you know...all those naps...gets in the way of weeding. All kidding aside, I am going to get out there tomorrow and pluck like mad. We are starting to get cukes and tomatoes, and I think our beans are coming right along too. Squash seems a bit slow, but it is only the first of August and we did get a late start. (too busy napping....)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden..PRE-weeds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooo tasty</td></tr>
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What else...what else? We have had a kid free summer, as my youngest Liam has been off for basic training in Fort Sill, Ok. He has wanted to join the military for years and even though he is still in high school, he wanted to get a jump on it early. He comes back and completes his senior year and then will go to college and get out as an officer. Cliffy and I are going all crazy and heading out to the wild west to see his graduation ceremony. We haven't "left the farm" as he likes to say, in a long time, so we are both looking forward to it. We better have a great month selling stuff at our booth. Another reason we are too busy to nap.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private Opie and his sad girlfriend Gabby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two buddies..Liam and Cousin Nolan</td></tr>
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My brother has a group shop in Bridgton, and we have a booth in it. Keeping it fresh and well stocked and tastefully arranged is a full time job on its own. Thanks to some generous donations of stuff, we have a lot of neat things to fill it with, and plenty more to bring down as what is there sells. Busy, I tell ya, busy.<br />
Then of course, there is my little pal, Chummy. Well, she is of course Milly my grand daughter, but I call her Chummy. Actually, she also refers to herself as Chummy. Kinda cute, that one. She is here almost daily and we have coffee (start 'em young) and cook. She and Granny like to hop on the mower and ride next door to see Gram. She isn't even 3 yet, but is talking like a champ. I think that is a genetic thing..the Yakking gene. It has been passed down thru all the women in this family. She doesn't stop and has much to say. Granny has no time to nap when Chum shows up, for sure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chummy and Minnie..same pose</td></tr>
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We have had lots of birthdays and cookouts this summer. My parents had their 51st anniversary, and we had my cousin Bill's funeral in our family cemetery last weekend. I 'm certainly glad this hard rain wasn't last weekend. It was great reconnecting with cousins, and remembering a great guy. He was a mere 61 when he passed away, way too young. I'm glad he is in our family cemetery in the back corner of our field. Homeland Cemetery is a peaceful, serene resting place, and we all like having all our kinfolk nearby.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole fan damily</td></tr>
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Well, I suppose I better wrap this up and go do some work. It is so quiet today. Cliffy went North to go visit his son and family, Liam is busy lobbing grenades, the dogs are snoring on the couch and bed and the laundry is caught up. So, I guess I will go get an ice tea at Dunkin' and go check out the booth.<br />
I will certainly have blog material when we go on our Western Adventure. Me..in an airport..with Cliffy, film at 11. Going to be FUN! Can't wait!<br />
Over and Out from Homeland Farm!Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-68309707146969426542018-03-13T16:28:00.000-07:002018-03-13T16:28:03.925-07:00Blizzard=BLOG. <br />
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I know, I know. The groans of my fellow New Englanders can be heard echoing the land today, as we get dumped on by the third "Nor'Easter" in less then two weeks. And here I thought we were going to get out of this winter pretty well unscathed..well, minus the weeks and weeks of double digit cold we had back in January,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bare ground..not for long</td></tr>
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But nope. I looked out this morning and said " HA! LOOK CLIFFY BABY! NOT EVEN SNOWING!" It was supposed to have started at midnight-ish, but took its own sweet time getting ramped up. Whoa...did anyone else notice how "Maine Weather Womanish" I just sounded? I bet I could do the weather. Lets see..<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maine-ly SICK of winter moose, complete with matching smile</td></tr>
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Howdy. I'm Carmen Horton, coming to you LIVE from the fields of Homeland Farm. Wicked Crappy outside, and unless you are desperate for toilet paper, milk or Allens coffee brandy, I would NOT recommend going out into this mess.<br />
The storm which I have decided to call "Hesperus", cause she is gonna wreck my driveway and lawn, was slow coming up the coast, and I think got hung up down on the Cape. But By Godfrey, it is cranking like an old Model T now, and dumping the white stuff by the inch.<br />
I hate to say it, but Jeezum Crow...This looks to be a doozy. A couple inches an hour as I measure it on my go buggy, which isn't going too darn far in this mess. I think I better go check my bread. (INSERT COMMERCIAL HERE).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This weather brought to you by HOMELAND LOAF. UGLY, BUT IT TASTES GOOD.</td></tr>
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BACK TO YOU, CARMEN.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks camera man Cliffy</td></tr>
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Now, as I was sayin', it is coming down at a pretty good clip, making the roads slipperier then a greased cats ass. I haven't seen but one plow truck all day out here in the country, but then, it is almost suppah time. Them plow boys gotta eat too.<br />
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Now, What I think is gonna be the kicker in this whole mess, is ole Hesperus isn't likely to give up the ghost any time soon. Nope, I think this particular "Nor'Easter" is gonna be stuck to us like a tick on a dog for the next 24 hours, dumping the white stuff like crazy.<br />
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Be ready for some wicked windy gusts too. Gonna blow out there like Grampa after the Saturday night bean suppah. I think there are going to be some powah outages, and I bet more then one or two, by the time this blows over. So, git those generators ready, but don't fire them up inside, for love nor God nor money! Keep those babies ready but fire them up outside!<br />
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Moral of the story...Be ready for a crap ton of this white mess. Don't drive unless Mother REALLY wants chocolate at the store, and For God's sake..LIFT WITH YOUR KNEES! Now, I'm going inside and mix up a little Allens Coffee brandy and Milk.<br />
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'WHAT'D YA MEAN WE'RE OUTTA MILK??? FIRE UP THE THREE QUARTER TON , CLIFFY!!!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugs? Snow? Toss up, says the horses...</td></tr>
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PS...A word of advice, if you find yourself laughing your butt off at something as simple as passing someone a brownie, and watching them fail to take it from your hands because they are using scissor fingers, you just might have a case of cabin fever. Better make that Allens a DOUBLE!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowing cats and dogs...well, cats anyway<br />Also...that is an egg candler, fyi....;)</td></tr>
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-37747565598760347882018-02-05T08:15:00.000-08:002018-02-05T08:19:35.251-08:00It's my birthday and I'll blog if I want to....Part 2 <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Previous birthday festivities</td></tr>
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Another year gone and here I am at the ripe old age of 55. Wait...55?? How the heck did that happen? I remember when my mother was 40, and I thought that was just plain old. Now, here I am 15 years older then that even, and I realize 55 is just a young whippersnapper. A mere babe. Well, except for all the creaking, groaning and various aches and pains that goes along with having lived a half century.<br />
Cameron and I went to Windham today for various errands, and he reminded me of a couple incidents that happened to me, that while not funny at the moment, are pretty funny now. Interesting how that happens..good thing I have a sense of humor.<br />
One example of one of those weird things that seem to only happen to me, and me alone...The Baconator assault. Ever been hurt eating a burger? I have. The one (and only) time I ate a Baconator from a certain fast food joint that shall go unnamed ( Wendys), I had a sharp piece of bacon actually impale my gum, making me bleed. Who even knew you could make a shank out of a pork product. Prisoners have it all wrong whittling down tooth brushes and razor handles. You can do serious damage to delicate tissue just by poking it with a sharp shard of bacon. I was bleeding so badly, I couldn't even finish my sandwich, not that I didn't give it the old college try. I paid for that weapon of mass destruction, after all. Yuck.<br />
Another example of "it can only happen to Carmen", occurred one day when I was driving to Windham with Brogan, Cam and Cam's friend Isaiah. Due to my kidney issues, I am prone to cramps, sometimes so severe I can't help but yell, writhe and make all sorts of faces and noises while I try and get the spasms to stop. At the time, they are not funny AT ALL. However, this one time, it was pretty funny.<br />
I was driving along, Bro in the passenger seat, listening to Cam and Isaiah chatting away in the backseat. Suddenly, WHAM!! I had a huge spasm in my right hand, which naturally, was the one I was holding the steering wheel with.<br />
"AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" I yelled, as my right thumb was locked into a spasm tightly against my palm. I had no choice but to drive the car into the breakdown lane, yelling "AHHHHHH, AHHHHH" the entire time.<br />
"WHAT??WHAT??" Isaiah yelled, trying to see what calamity had just erupted in the front seat.<br />
"MY THUMB! I CAN'T MOVE MY THUMB!!" I yelled back. I actually had to take my left hand and manually bend my thumb back out of the locked position it was in. We sat there on the side of the road for a few moments, hazard lights blinking, while I regained my composure.<br />
"Whew, okay, let's go, " I said, pulling back out into the road. Darned if we hadn't gone about a quarter of a mile when the same thing happened, my right thumb cramped into a wonky position, our car careening back into the breakdown lane, Isaiah and I both hollering. I think we FINALLY got to Windham, but it was one long trip.<br />
As if kidney disease and it's cramps, asthma and allergies and bad joints weren't enough, I also suffered from sleep apnea. As any number of friends, neighbors, and random strangers that had the dubious honor of catching me dozing in public will attest, I used to snore like a water buffalo with a head cold. It was measurable on the richter scale. It was tragic. Didn't bother me any, but I knew if I wanted to ever co-habitate successfully with anyone, I better try and solve the problem.<br />
So, I went to see my Doctor, who then sent me to see a Doctor, who then sent me to a sleep clinic. After being fully wired up, I went to sleep, I guess. I didn't think I had even nodded off, but I must have, as the next day they had a diagnosis. They announced I did indeed snore, and stopped breathing, thus having a moderate case of sleep apnea. They prescribed a "CPAP" machine, and away I went to try it out.<br />
For those not in the know, a CPAP machine is this little machine with a face mask and long tube that fits over your face and forces the air into your nose, and down into your lungs. It does it with a pretty darn strong stream of air, thus making sure you don't have sleep apnea.<br />
It lasted about three nights. It felt like I had my own personal tornado blowing up my nose. I swear my eyeballs were whistling, there was so much pressure. I gave it a really good try as I was very hopeful it would work, and besides.. My only other option was .....dieting. Apparently dieting will also help eliminate snoring since you will lose the fatty throat, neck, and body tissue that can cause snoring.<br />
The final straw came on about the third or fourth night. I was in the middle of this terrible dream. I was in a life or death struggle with a giant snake. I couldn't tell if it was a Boa or an Anaconda, but we were writhing and rolling and twisting. That snake was doing everything it could to kill me, and I was fighting with all my might to get it off me. I awoke, heart pounding and sweaty, and realized I was choking the life out of my CPAP breathing tube, which was hissing and whistling as I squeezed it and throttled it over my head. I tossed it to the floor, wiped the sweat from my brow and vowed to diet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also in need of dieting..my teddie Peke</td></tr>
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I'm happy to say I no longer snore, as I have managed to lose 50 pounds from my CPAP days. Once I get another dozen or so peeled off, I should be able to get on the transplant list. Then, it is goodbye cramps, dialysis and hello freedom from tubes and needles. Oh..and this summer, yours truly is getting back on a horse. It's only been about 30 plus years. It oughta be interesting, really , really interesting. All I can say is..Film at 11.<br />
PS...I also need to go to a professional photographer and get some decent head shots. In trying to find a fair at best photo of me for this blog..these are a small sample of all I had to work with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1p-BabTbVac/WniA_iVEGfI/AAAAAAAABj0/cG_G5aIwhA8o6Rtv2-OIOQL9VChI5-o4ACLcBGAs/s1600/1114171236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1p-BabTbVac/WniA_iVEGfI/AAAAAAAABj0/cG_G5aIwhA8o6Rtv2-OIOQL9VChI5-o4ACLcBGAs/s320/1114171236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me digging in septic tank</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, impersonating Santa in cemetery<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conditioner, STAT!!</td></tr>
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-71844020287938902122018-01-07T10:56:00.000-08:002018-01-07T14:41:36.502-08:00Not easy being me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy New Year to all 16 of my followers! And all those really bored Russian people that have started reading my blog lately. No, really! I can see the stats of where in the world my blog has been read and it is fascinating. Remember the kid show "Where in the world is Carmen Santiago?" or whatever it was called? I have my own version..."Where in the world is Carmen Horton being laughed at." Pretty sure it is only because I mention the word "flannel", as in "flannel nightgowns" in one of my posts, and God knows the Russian folks can use good flannel. Once they find my blog, they are unable to tear themselves away from the MANY lovely photos I have posted and are stuck there...well, until they have read 16 pages anyway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2msIP5mpeeA/TyWIHo2UCJI/AAAAAAAAAGk/99Objl39ilYcrgQ-6MKvYWnihD_GK2apACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/misc%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2msIP5mpeeA/TyWIHo2UCJI/AAAAAAAAAGk/99Objl39ilYcrgQ-6MKvYWnihD_GK2apACPcBGAYYCw/s320/misc%2B002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you Have too many flannel nightgowns?? NYET!!</td></tr>
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I digress already. Here I am for what has turned into my semi annual blog post. Not sure why I can't just plunk down and type a few words randomly, every few days. I mean, I am busy, that is very true. But ole Ree Drummond, AKA Pioneer Woman blogs several times a week, and she has this gazillion dollar empire she has to manage too. I have a $17.87 empire to manage, and can only seem to blog every six months. I am pretty sure however, I have to manage things that she has pawned off on her hired staff however, freeing up several hours a week to blog from her much newer, can almost do everything itself computer. Let me give you a few examples and you can get a better understanding of why blogging is so tough for CC Horton.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't even get me started on my beauty routine..</td></tr>
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Example number one! Someone has to cook and clean. Ree does lots of cooking, but I am willing to bet most of it is done on her Food Network show. The rest of the time, I bet she has help or just eats all the stuff the rest of the week that she cooked on her show. I have to go to the store on almost a daily basis because I never have the ingredients for ANYTHING I try to make. I could try and make a bowl of crackers and milk for lunch and be out of crackers. Or milk. Or both. Off to the store I go. Time consuming. I always seem to end up at FOOD CITY (Where America shops!), and even though I employ their one and only auto buggy, it takes awhile to get stuff done. Firstly, I have to recover from plunking my butt down on said go buggy, as I call it, because they park it just inside the doors where the carts are. It has been two weeks of record setting cold here in Maine, and while it may not be -25 degrees just inside those sliding doors, it ain't much warmer. My butt goes instantly numb the moment it hits that cold plastic seat, and I have to wait until I can feel my cheeks again before I can safely operate it, or I might slide off, having lost my "gripping " power, due to numbness.<br />
Once I manage to get inside, I try and get what I need quickly and get out. This in itself can be trouble, because I've been known to swing out the end of the aisle kinda wide sometimes, knocking over stuff like ohhh, I don't know...wine displays. Liam was with me the other day when that very thing occurred, and yelled out "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!!", in a strange Irish brogue. I thought I had happened upon an Irish Spring commercial or something, but no. It was just a mortified teenager. We had to set up all the wine bottles that had fallen over, and when I say we, I of course mean Liam. See what I mean..time consuming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gB6vYAl4LY/WlJlI8ORbEI/AAAAAAAABh8/N7537djjudwRM9nR5vVcCHkUibFWQUWQACLcBGAs/s1600/1509891373550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gB6vYAl4LY/WlJlI8ORbEI/AAAAAAAABh8/N7537djjudwRM9nR5vVcCHkUibFWQUWQACLcBGAs/s320/1509891373550.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ummm..I outdid myself with these</td></tr>
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Don't even get me going on cleaning. Holy smoke, no really! We are currently in winter heating mode, which in this old farmhouse means- wood stove, pellet stove, and oil. Smoke, dust, wood pieces, bark and kibble are everywhere. Remember a couple blogs ago where I was cleaning, and painting and reveling in how white and tidy my house was looking after the spring housecleaning marathon? I swear, it's like I haven't done a thing. Dust coats radiators and furniture..hair from mostly refusing to go outside dogs and definitely not going outside cats. Don't get me started on the toddler prints on all my windows. At -20 degrees, no animal or human wants to go outside, and so we all hunker inside, and make messes. I try and stay ahead of it, but yeah..not so much. Spring and housecleaning is coming...I've only got 4 months to try and keep dust bunnies to a minimum, and if you know bunnies, you know how they like to "reproduce". It is amazing I blog at all honestly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYn3XKcv3P0/WlJooi9ko6I/AAAAAAAABiM/Cf1dBMmpvOQT5jAEZ36FsQsBb-0rCG9XACLcBGAs/s1600/1104171807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYn3XKcv3P0/WlJooi9ko6I/AAAAAAAABiM/Cf1dBMmpvOQT5jAEZ36FsQsBb-0rCG9XACLcBGAs/s320/1104171807.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"We're not messy mom, we promise"</td></tr>
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Not that I don't have other things to distract me from blogging besides cooking and cleaning. Said toddler, my granddaughter Milly, is here daily and she and Granny have stuff they have to do. Like, for example..rubbing on hand cream. Daily. If it weren't for all the aforementioned cooking and cleaning, I would have the softest hands going. We also have to "eat eat" as she calls it, where we make her breakfast. More cooking. She likes to take a bath in Granny's kitchen sink, although at over 2 she is now almost too big to fit. We still fold her up and let her soak, spray water, and splash. She keeps Granny very busy, again limiting my blogging capabilities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4idArsIi9A/WlJlYmzDBpI/AAAAAAAABiA/X__v-Wii_3kgcO5KyxAc9y6RukpPMHMAQCLcBGAs/s1600/1511727467985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4idArsIi9A/WlJlYmzDBpI/AAAAAAAABiA/X__v-Wii_3kgcO5KyxAc9y6RukpPMHMAQCLcBGAs/s320/1511727467985.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping Granny wash dishes..sort of</td></tr>
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Once in a great while, I get off the farm for fun, which is great, but blog hindering as well. Milly, her mom and I went to see good old Santa at the Portland Mall a week before Christmas. We did a bit of shopping before going to the mall. Granny needed new britches and Momma wanted stuff from a couple stores near the mall. We drove down in my mother's van, which has a dvd player to keep SOMEONE amused on the hour long trip. Now, I am not really used to her van, which has a lot more 'bells and whistles' then my old ford. All the doors on the van open with buttons on the key chain which can take some getting used to.<br />
We got out at the mall, and I opened the door behind the drivers seat to help Brogan get Milly changed and out of the van for our meeting with Santa. I hit the close button, and heard Bro hollering "STOP! STOP THE DOOR!" I turned back, and watched as the automatic door made quick work of a loaf of bread that had the misfortune of falling into the way of the closing door. Half the loaf was on the outside of the car, the other half disappearing out of sight as the door closed up, pinching the bread in half. I managed to save it by sticking my arm inside the remaining space. Not the BEST way to stop the door, but it worked, and I only had a slight bruise.<br />
We got the bread in, my arm out, Milly out, and got ready to go into the mall. I clicked the 'lock all doors" button, and we went inside. Naturally, we entered the mall the furthest distance possible from where Santa was located, so after what seemed to be an hours march, we finally came to the Winter Wonderland and the jolly fat man himself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seHl3WDNDvE/WlJq5Fc8S4I/AAAAAAAABis/HQzUGY6wKFc_CGng2SPN5CIMIRDCkWlbgCLcBGAs/s1600/1512745406735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seHl3WDNDvE/WlJq5Fc8S4I/AAAAAAAABis/HQzUGY6wKFc_CGng2SPN5CIMIRDCkWlbgCLcBGAs/s320/1512745406735.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telling Santa how much she can't wait to meet him..or not,,</td></tr>
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Santa was set up in an area with several kid friendly displays. Toy trains, coloring stations, a Tv playing 24/7 Christmas shows, a photo booth, and ole Santa himself on a big chair waiting to meet children. To get to all this however, we had to walk across blindingly white, shiny floors. Poor Milly. Apparently, we need to get her out more, well, maybe just out of Granny's less then spotless house, because she was terrified of walking on a floor that shiny. Seriously, would NOT walk on the floor. I admit, it was pretty white and highly polished. Showoffs. Poor little chickie. She had to be carried by Momma or she just froze and whimpered, afraid to step on the floor, which was nothing compared to when she saw Santa.<br />
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Now this kid has been eating, breathing, watching, talking about and dancing with Santa for weeks. She loves him, loves reindeer, snowmen and the whole nine yards. Seeing a REAL SANTA, different story. We managed to get her to high five him, and kind of sit near him, sort of, for .5 seconds before she burst into tears. Good times. Did manage to get one photo where she was only sort of teary, and decided to go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JswjH6X1Xi4/WlJpXWM6jlI/AAAAAAAABiU/shJWSyX6oQIp1C9tXixXxkjz17QsSdQJQCLcBGAs/s1600/1514420086911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="167" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JswjH6X1Xi4/WlJpXWM6jlI/AAAAAAAABiU/shJWSyX6oQIp1C9tXixXxkjz17QsSdQJQCLcBGAs/s1600/1514420086911.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stay away Santa.."</td></tr>
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"BYE SANTA!", Milly yelled happily, as she left the Winter Wonderland, carried by her mother because the floors were just WAY too clean. Next year, I bet she will love him. This year, he was great...from afar. I decided to wait for Brogan at a closer exit, while she and Milly hoofed it back the way we came in to grab the car.<br />
I didn't have too long to wait until they pulled up, Bro laughing and laughing in the driver's seat.<br />
"What?" I asked, as I slide into the seat beside her. Apparently, when she walked out of the mall to get the car, she headed toward the van, and thought "who's car is that? Where is our van?"<br />
She was confused because, the van she was looking at had the tailgate up, like someone was loading or unloading the trunk.<br />
"OH MY GOD!" she yelled, sprinting across parking lot, Milly bouncing in her arms, when she realized, YES it was our van, and YES I had hit the "open tailgate" button, instead of the "lock all doors" button. She ran to the back of the van, hardly daring to look and see if anything at all was left inside. Luckily, EVERYTHING was there, all the bags, my jeans, squished bread loaf, everything. I said I bet any criminal was like.."yeah, that's a bait car, I'm not touching that stuff." Apparently, Milly isn't the only one that needs to get out more. Perhaps I better take my own wheels though. Yep, pretty sure I should.<br />
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Christmas and all it's preparations was a very busy time, and also a "can't even think about blogging" time of year. I think Ree managed it. I don't know how. She also gives away lots of cool stuff on her blog. I think I need to start doing that. I think maybe it would help me blog more often, if I had a lot more blog readers. I think my first offering will be..ohhhh, I don't know...how about a pinched in half loaf of bread? That kind of thing is bound to get me more blog readers, THUS making me want to blog more. Or not.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmkxjEUBfZM/WlJp8vfKAaI/AAAAAAAABic/r5Vr0335mYMCjqhhwV8T1eqaA71ZfgwYACLcBGAs/s1600/1512312413139%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmkxjEUBfZM/WlJp8vfKAaI/AAAAAAAABic/r5Vr0335mYMCjqhhwV8T1eqaA71ZfgwYACLcBGAs/s320/1512312413139%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squeeky Snowman<br />
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I know..A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION! That will do it. Okay, I hereby resolve to write in my blog AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. No, wait..that was last years resolution. I hereby resolve to write in my blog MONTHLY for 2018! Whoa...that's big. Wish me luck Russia!! I'm gonna need it! Now, to go scrub my floors a blinding white..........................................Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-82767475744052689882017-10-21T15:17:00.000-07:002017-10-21T15:17:54.187-07:00Guess who is a Military Mamma? <br />
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Good October 21st to everyone. Yet again, the summer just flew by like a bat outta hell, and they are FAST! I remember my grandmother telling me time goes faster the older you get, and as I am now OLDER, I fully understand what she meant. One month just melted into the next, and BLINK! IT IS OCTOBER!<br />
We were all very busy this past summer, and it seems grand kids, health issues and making home improvements were a big part of it. I guess I will begin with a brief synopsis of the crazy summer had by all here at Homeland Farm.<br />
Spring came and with it, a serious case of " We need to spruce up the place". I was the only one that suffered from the actual disease, but I was very good at spreading it around. (Insert evil grin here.) I worked diligently on my spring cleaning until I got to the kitchen. Then...the real fun began.<br />
Cliff, Liam, Cam and I tore up the old kitchen flooring, and cleaned up all the fine dirt and dust that was underneath it. Then, Cliff and I tore off the old wallpaper, and painted like fiends. He painted the ceiling and I did the trim and doors, wainscotting and windows. Then, he and I put up new wall paper..lots of fun. He loves wall papering with me. Just ask him. (Insert evil grin here.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good looking wallpaper hanger, right there..</td></tr>
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I then decided I thought we also needed to sand all the cupboards. Bad move. Holy smoke...DUST. WAS. EVERYWHERE. I had to wash every thing that was in that kitchen. Every spoon..every spatula...every dish...every cupboard. OMG. Never again. On a good note...the cupboards look good. On a bad note..Cliffy isn't speaking to me. Just kidding. He is nothing if not the most patient person ever.<br />
Then, we moved to the laundry room...more of the same. Paint, paper, cleaning. Serious cleaning. So much better. I don't know why we waited so long to do it over.<br />
I apparently had way too much to drink one night had an epiphany.<br />
"Cliffy!", I said, clearly three sheets to the wind. "Ya know what we should do?? We should remodel the apartment." Did I mention he is patient? We have a small apartment in our barn that we want to set up as an air bnb, but it was in desperate need of remodeling. SO! The next two months, we tore out, cleaned out, painted, painted and painted. We had a carpenter come do the serious stuff, and then it was time to paper. Oh, did I mention I was also commandeering a small crew of painters OUTSIDE, as well. Cam, Liam and Nolan were busy working with me, and by themselves on outside paint jobs. We painted the ice cream building, the out building behind the house and the white board fencing. Plus...we put in a garden, planted flowers, cleaned house etc etc etc. You need to wear sunglasses when you travel down Middle Ridge Rd there is so much white paint. Blinding, and just the way I like it. (Insert evil grin here.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Blinded by the white.."</td></tr>
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It was time to start wallpapering, when Cliffy decided to buck the system, in a big way. He threw down his paint brush one day, and said "A QUADRUPLE BYPASS SOUNDS LIKE MORE FUN THEN THIS!" so, off he went.<br />
He had the surgery the first week of Sept, and it has been a long recovery for him. While the surgery itself went well, the recovery has been tough. He had to have fluid removed from his chest, he has had trouble with fluid collecting everywhere and needed a hospitalization to get that under control, and has had general overall weakness issues. However, I am hoping that he has FINALLY turned a corner, and at this now 7 week mark, he is starting to begin to feel better, and will only improve from here. Yay Cliffy! We love ya!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffy recovering in the hospital</td></tr>
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My grand daughter Milly has been here on a daily basis and is a real farm gal. She loves her animals, being outside and hanging out with "gigi and bampy" as she calls Cliff and I. She is now 2 and very busy, as all 2 year olds are. She helps her "bubba" (mamma) do chores and loves to ride the tractor and on her pony, Meatball.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milly and her pal Meatball...or "Buddy" as she calls him</td></tr>
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My oldest son Cam has been a big help this summer, being at my beck and call and Brogan has been very busy with the animal rescue work, chores, and of course, her mini me..Milly. Liam, my 17 year old, is now in the Army Reserves, as of 1:00 pm today.<br />
He has wanted to join the Army for years, and joined the reserves today, even though he is still a Junior in high school. He was to be sworn in today after his physical and testing, so naturally I wanted to be there.<br />
Cliff, Nolan (Liam's 13 year old cousin) and I went to the Military Enlistment Center to be there when he signed in, but it was more of a challenge then we thought it would be. We were told to walk in the door, and take the elevator to the third floor. We proceeded to get on said elevator and pushed the 3. Nothing. Pushed the 3 again. Nothing. Pushed the 3 about 15 times. Nothing.<br />
I got out the paper with the directions and saw that there was supposed to be a "talk" button that we were supposed to push. Well, we pushed every button we could find. We got in and out of the elevator 5 times. Not a soul in sight, mind you. No signs..no people...no nothing.<br />
"Hello?? HELLOOOOO???" We kept saying to...no one, as we pushed every button we could find. Now, I would like to say it only took us 2-3 minutes to realize we were probably on the WRONG ELEVATOR. But, alas, it was really more like 15. Finally, I said, "There HAS to be a talk button in the lobby or this isn't the right elevator."<br />
We got off and I walked out, leaving my roller buggy behind, with my purse dangling on the handle bars, the door open while I looked for that missing talk button. Cliff was ahead of me, Nolan behind.<br />
Suddenly, I hear Nolan say.." Ahhhh Auntie Carmen..there goes the elevator door..." Crap. I looked over and the door was closed. I thought.." For God's sake elevator...DON"T WORK NOW!"<br />
Nolan hit the up button, and whew. It was still there, my lonely buggy and bag sitting quietly alone in the elevator.<br />
Frustrated, because we were going to be late, I told everyone to follow me, and we went down this long corridor. We were like rats in a maze, trying to find the secret Army Elevator. FINALLY! Around another corner there it was..complete with TALK BUTTON! We pushed the button...and a man's voice said..." WHAT DO YOU WANT?"<br />
Feeling a bit like Dorothy talking to the wizard, I said we wanted to go to the third floor.<br />
"Who are you here for???" came the voice.<br />
"We are here to see Liam Opie swear in." I said, wondering if the flying monkeys were going to be showing up soon.<br />
BING! The elevator opened magically and we got on, and pushed the 3. UP WE WENT!<br />
The door opened...and WHOA! Guys with guns, xray machines, and a full body scanner were there to meet us.<br />
"This is a federal building and we need to scan your possessions, as well as your persons," said the big guy in front. Now I was like..ok, wasn't expecting this, but ok. Cliff and Nolan took off their belts, and cliff went thru fine. I was relieved he wasn't packing heat today..would have been hard to explain about our coyote problem. They didn't have a sense of humor. He had me pass my 4 wheeled go buggy thru the scanner, which of course set off beeps. I tried not to laugh as I watched him pick it up and shake it...flip it over, look under the seat etc. I was thinking..most fun that buggy has ever had. (Insert evil grin here.) Then, I went thru with no problem, collected my go buggy on the other side and sat to wait for Nolan.<br />
I knew this was a serious time, but I had a really hard time keeping a straight face as I imagined what would have happened if that elevator had miraculously worked when my buggy and purse were the only things inside. I could see the doors to the third floor opening up and out rolls just my go buggy and a large dangling bag hanging from handles! KABOOM! The bomb squad would have detonated my purse or shot up "ole Blue" my go buggy. (Insert evil laugh here.)<br />
Anyway..I digress. Cliff and I waited while Nolan had his turn thru the scanner. BEEP BEEP BEEP!! Oh no. Now what?<br />
"Did you empty your pockets like I told you to?" the big guy asked Nolan, who was clearly confused. He assured him that he had, but he scanned him again..BEEP BEEP BEEP!<br />
Turns out, Nolan, who was wearing giant calf high rubber boots, didn't realize that they were STEEL TOE BOOTS. We FINALLY got inside and were shown to the family waiting area.<br />
As it turns out, we didn't need to rush, as it was almost an hour and a half later before LIAM MASON RHEA OPIE was sworn into the UNITED STATES ARMY. We got lots of great photos, and I am happy to say, it was a lot easier getting out of the building then getting in. We stopped for a celebratory lunch, and made our way back home, new Private in tow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private Opie</td></tr>
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Time now for fall work..we have firewood to stack, lawns to rake, and the apartment to finish. Cliff needs to continue his recovery and I need to stay out of elevators. See ya Soon..Over and Out from Homeland Farm.Time to go play Taps outside Liam's door. Gotta get him used to this stuff. (Insert evil laugh here.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nolie and Liam..pals and cousins forever</td></tr>
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-36374081605318930772017-02-04T11:23:00.001-08:002017-02-04T11:25:27.247-08:00It's my birthday and I'll blog if I want to... <br />
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Hello again. This blog is brought to you by an ever older Carmen C. Horton. Anyone else find that the older you get, the older you get? What do I mean? Well, let me explain.<br />
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Generally speaking, I am not one to dwell on wrinkles, gray hair and saggy skin. Oh, and my favorite...chinny whiskers. Generally speaking, that is. I think it is due to the fact that my eye sight is so crappy these days I just can't see all of it as well as I used to.Of course, it helps that my light shades in the bathroom and bedroom are so well covered with a fine layer of dust, I can barely find my clothes to get dressed. Plus, on top of everything, I now have to take my glasses OFF to see anything anyways. What the??</div>
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But then, one day you are glancing into your rear view mirror, or washing a window and catch a glimpse of your image in the clean glass and BAM! Where in GOD'S NAME did that long chinny whisker come from? Or, as is usually my case, where did that BILLY GOAT'S BEARD come from?? BAAAA!!!! Followed closely by.. how long have I been sporting it? And most importantly, how come no one noticed and clued me in?<br />
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My daughter, bless her heart, is always quick to point out and pluck off the offending freakish, follicle dweller. Naturally, it is usually accompanied by a blatttttt...or a meowwww. I don't know...are cat whiskers less offensive then a goat beard? Six of one, half a dozen of another, really. I seem to have much darker face hair then head hair. How odd. Oh don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of long white hair..but as gray as my head hair is now, my face hair has made a concerted effort to maintain a naturally dark brunette. Thanks for that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who has more dark whiskers?? Hard sayin'...</td></tr>
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I was doing some "pruning" the other day while the sunlight was shining in the bathroom just right, giving me enough blinding glare to actually be able to see something. All of a sudden, I thought I was looking at a road map. Seriously. My forehead was WRINKLED..like not one or two frown line wrinkles. It was much more like a New York City subway drawing. Whoa. I pulled this way...yanked that...Try as I might, there was no smoothing it out. When did that happen? Now I am "smiley" person, so the eye wrinkles and crinkles are just "laugh lines", and to me, are not offensive. The twelve or so canyons across my forehead look deep enough to hide wild horses in, and trust me, no one would ever find them. I'm not even going to mention the long troughs running down both sides of my nose, nor do I even want to think about the two grooves running down to my chin, one on either side of my mouth. I know what is to be expected from those, having seen my grandmother and several great aunts blotting their faces as the ice cream they are eating gets caught up in the grooves and makes a milky river that needs constant wiping. Yep, it's coming.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take the subway at 49th street.. get off at 51st street</td></tr>
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You know what else I am amazed at? How is it possible that my muscles have turned into..well..not muscles. I was a rugged farm chick, tossing hay bales and lugging grain with the best of them. Now, I hoist the 20 pound cat litter bag, and think I should qualify for the Olympics.Those strong arm muscles?Apparently gravity got to them because they now dangle on the UNDERSIDE of my arms. My knees are shot, and passing gas has unfortunately become something I excel at. Why? I just don't know. Is it fair? Not to my poor, long suffering family. They are now used to "can you carry this for me?" and "someone grab me the mustard while you are out in fridge". Oh..and the aforementioned gas...well, let's just say having a granddaughter to blame is SO handy, Poor Milly. Too bad she is such a ripe kid. I hope she doesn't grow up too fast. At some point, she will be able to say "GRANNY DID IT, NOT ME!!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Your blaming me for WHAT??"</td></tr>
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So..what is a fifty four year old to do, on the eve of her birthday? Sulk. Nawww...that won't get you anywhere. Party like it's 1999? God no...no hangovers for this old gal. It would take me until my next birthday to recover. I think I will just celebrate those wrinkles, chinny whiskers, gray hair and saggy arms with a glass of bubbly, delicious food and the family. Besides, I am 'this side of the sod', and ready to rock 2017...Let's do this! Oh, and no thanks..no beans for me. </div>
Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-89162036375892252162017-01-10T14:14:00.001-08:002017-01-10T14:15:05.913-08:00Bad Animal Selfies...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am amazed everyday when I see friends on Facebook proudly displaying their selfies. For the most part, everyone always seems to look great. Nice smile, hair combed, no double chin(s).<br />
Not one to be left out of the loop, I too joined the "selfie parade'. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite as successful as some of my friends in taking a great photo of myself. Actually, I wasn't successful at all. My "nice smile" always came off as a lopsided smirk, my hair is really never combed, and those double chins, well, better make it a triple.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quadruple??</td></tr>
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As I was going through my online photo albums in search of a great selfie, I realized I am in good company. Seems the animals here at Homeland Farm also have a real problem with selfies. Let me show you what I mean.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsQ2SugLqXQ/WHVRdxJswFI/AAAAAAAABdw/4jjzqoVE_pQnwTJzq4feFzc4jIdqy-gVQCLcB/s1600/DSCF9128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsQ2SugLqXQ/WHVRdxJswFI/AAAAAAAABdw/4jjzqoVE_pQnwTJzq4feFzc4jIdqy-gVQCLcB/s320/DSCF9128.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Liam trying to model his military uniform..no thanks to Annalee</td></tr>
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Annalee is very much like me, as far as selfies go. I think she is Queen of bad animal selfies.She and I both have a lot to learn.<br />
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Molly decided to give it a go. Almost nailed it Molly. Almost.<br />
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Now to be fair, it isn't just the dogs struggling to take a good selfie. The other animals have had their fair share of issues as well. See the following examples of attempted animal selfies. See what I mean..they try so hard. You have to give them credit for the attempt, at the very least. They are all still cute, if somewhat photographically challenged. Sorry for that last one. Just thought I'd try it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, I don't think that's how it's done Paulie...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rlqq8j_JP4/WHVVVAlk8NI/AAAAAAAABfI/QPmW0yGFhfMttK_d5NUszei_91sQjyGggCEw/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rlqq8j_JP4/WHVVVAlk8NI/AAAAAAAABfI/QPmW0yGFhfMttK_d5NUszei_91sQjyGggCEw/s320/IMG_0520.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fine feathered fowl seem to have the hang of it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close, Donkey, close. <br />
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Not bad, Dinkums, not bad.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah. Not quite the look I was going for. At least you cant see my real mustache..</td></tr>
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-80093203365092919732016-12-29T14:31:00.000-08:002016-12-29T14:32:53.481-08:00Why blogging is SO HARD..by Carmen Horton<br />
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How can blogging be hard, people might wonder.. You just sit down and type out whatever you want to say, right? Well, in theory, that is how it works. But then, real life happens, and you look and whoa! It has been months (and months) since you last wrote on your blog. So, you say I AM GOING TO DO BETTER...And you do...for a month or two. Suddenly, spring has turned to fall..or in my particular case, WINTER, and here you are playing catch up and trying to come up with good excuses as to why you haven't written. Oh...I've got excuses..AND PLENTY OF THEM. Here they are, in no particular order. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milly thinking up excuses for Granny</td></tr>
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My biggest excuse for not having time to write..it MIGHT have to be my little friend Amelia aka Chummy Chumpkin. Last time I wrote she wasn't fond of Granny and her jokes, but now, she has come around to granny's way of thinking. We get to spend time together on most days and have lots of fun. See action shots below.<br />
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What else?? Oh yes. Cooking. This farm doesn't run without food and it is my job to cook us up tasty vittles. Time consuming for sure. That and laundry and it is a miracle I find time to take a shower. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mole-asses cookies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken enchiladas..OLE!</td></tr>
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Next excuse...Would have to be Facebook and having to update my status. I know most people don't care what I'm doing or eating or wearing...BUT! There are those that do..and it is my job to keep the world informed. Oh..and my underwear today are pink..btw. Meant to post that earlier. ANYWHO...I digress.<br />
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Well in keeping with the Facebook status updates..there is my need to post my selfies. I have a never ending supply because frankly...they are just so good. Someone should tell Kim K to drop me a note..I will fill her in on how to take a good selfie. She needs help. Seriously. <br />
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Oh yeah! A major time sucker...animals. I am so busy everyday with these critters it is amazing I get a chance to even take a selfie. Dogs in..dogs out. Molly wants to be fed..Molly wants to be held. Molly wants a belly rub. Spoiled rotten. And makes it impossible to blog. Plus..there are the 4 cats. Of course they think they need food..attention..litterbox changing. Needy little beasts. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly and Annalee..aww cozy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wants to come in..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wants to go out...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wants to come in...</td></tr>
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Plus..hair-do appointments. I mean..I have two a year..sucks up SO much time. Oh..and grocery shopping. Wow. Always running in the store for one or two things. Well..I don't run actually. Well, really I send Cliff...BUT I have to make the lists. Hours and hours I swear. <br />
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Then of course..one must sleep/ Or try to, as is the case here. Dogs pushing on you..dogs snoring..too hot..too cold. Still..I do spend hours trying to do that task. Just don't manage to accomplish it very often. Or very well. However..I give it my best shot and try to be in bed no later then ..7. I know. Sad. But..that is another reason I cant blog. Need beauty sleep. Thank God its working.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no room at the Inn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my teddie peke...</td></tr>
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Well...now you have a better understanding of why it is SO HARD to blog. This is now the point where I swear I will DO BETTER..WRITE OFTEN..BLAH BLAH. See ya in April. :D<br />
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<br />Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-79034418958056776002016-03-13T16:28:00.000-07:002016-03-13T16:28:46.713-07:00Spring has Sprung at Homeland Farm Hello and welcome back! It is only mid march, and we are having an EARLY spring here on the farm. It is certainly very welcome by the humans and animals alike, after last years record breaking snow and cold. We have had a very mild winter, and very little snow this year. I bet we didn't have much more then a foot of snow in our area of Maine total for the entire season. Of course, we might not be done yet, but are getting closer to April. Bring on the sun and warm temps, says I. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year at this time..we had a ton of snow</td></tr>
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The unfortunate part of spring is here early as well, and that of course is MUD SEASON. Oh Lordie, it is bad this year. Mud in the driveway, mud where the lawn used to be, pull off your boot mud in the corral and almost as much in my kitchen and laundry room. Bleck. Comes with the territory when you have a working farm, and lately, we are all working. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that floor...ewwww</td></tr>
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Brogan, Jenny, Cass and Cliff have been building fences, cleaning piles of manure, picking up the winter messes. Cameron, and Liam have been doing odd jobs for the rescue, and also have been helping me with the lawn work. It has been relatively windy this past week, and that has helped with drying things out so we can rake, pick up branches and various trash, hay strings and winter refuse lying about. Actually, I always enjoy spring cleaning...it is usually so dirty, cluttery and dusty that when you are done, you can definitely tell you have been working. My family probably does NOT share the same enthusiasm as I do but, they do admit it looks better when we finish.<br />
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The animals have fared well this winter, and the horses have all begun the annual spring SHEDDING marathon. Everyone that comes in the house is covered with animal hair. Horse, donkey, goat, alpaca (well, they have fiber, not hair) (oh, and don't really shed) (never mind.) I love when I cook a nice meal and when we all sit down to eat, the animal hair is just floating off sleeves and shirts down onto the table. The food. The glasses. Its amazing we don't all sit around and hack up hairballs. Want a supper invite? Might want to wait until shedding season is over..say, June?<br />
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We have had many visits from Baby Amelia. She is just a cutie, and is almost 6 months old already. She is very alert and is very busy checking out her surroundings now. She loves to ride in her bouncey horse, and like the rest of the family, eats like a champ. Growing like a weed for sure. She will be up and moving on her own soon, and then Granny is going to be in DEEP TROUBLE. I will need a motorized GO BUGGY then just to keep up with her. Going to be fun for sure.<br />
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It is a beautiful day, and I have a few outside jobs calling so I will wrap this up with a few photos and in honor of St Patricks day this upcoming week, a limerick.<br />
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"Avon calling! And you'd better BUY!!"</div>
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Jenny and her little friend</div>
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The dogs in the winter position</div>
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And now a Limerick....(ahem)...</div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
There once was a place called Homeland Farm<br />
If you have ever been there, you know it has charm<br />
They greet you at the door with a grin,<br />
but, if you don't watch where you step, they wont let you in<br />
Cause your shoes might be suffering harm...<br />
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<br />Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-92137612425433554132016-02-06T16:58:00.001-08:002016-02-06T16:58:48.756-08:00Carmeo, Carmeo - where for art thou, Carmeo.... Shakespeare would be very angry at the abuse of his famous words."Who is this..Carmeo, of which you write?" Anyway, I'm back, and now it is time to catch everyone up after a 5 month blogging vacation. It was an unintended break, because life kind of... happened, and now here we are 5 whole months later. Let me see...what did you miss??<br />
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We had a beautiful sunrise one morning when Cliffy and I were up early to go to dialysis. Lovely..peaceful...serene. A far cry from most days when chaos reins.</div>
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Anticipating the birth of my first granddaughter, we started to buy baby things, which Muffinhead and Stewbeef quickly took over as their own. As it turns out, the cats enjoy laying in these a lot more then the baby.<br />
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It was a banner year for apples, and by September, we were ready to pick them. So we hired the best apple picker we could afford. He worked hard but we ended up with a lot less apples then we thought we would have. On a good note, he didn't need a ladder..<br />
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It was also a great year for the garden..here is an afternoons worth of canning.</div>
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The end of September arrived and so did Amelia Horton Woodbury, my first granddaughter. Can you say too cute?? Yep...Proud Granny here. She is precious, and we all love her to pieces.<br />
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Fall is upon us, and it is October. Leaves are changing and the horses are starting to grow their winter coats. The garden is done for the year, and the larder is full of tasty veggies I canned for winter. Now to get all the wood split and in the barn and we will be ready for snow and cold temps.<br />
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Apparently I never picked up a camera in November as I have no proof we were even alive. On to December!</div>
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Fat, beautiful Christmas tree..I love Christmas. The smell of balsam fir, the crackling of the fire in the woodstove, the baking in your granny nightgown. Who doesn't enjoy that??</div>
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Of course, some of us enjoy it just a little TOO much. Snowball cookies washed down with coffee...a perfect December breakfast, if you ask me..ESPECIALLY if the coffee is brought in fresh by Juan Valdez himself. </div>
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January arrived with little to no snow. The farm team loves it, as it makes chores a little easier. By now, Miss Amelia, or Milly as she is known just LOVES HER GRANNY!! Finds me terribly amusing..see photo evidence below. </div>
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Yep, I sure crack her up. She LOVES to come here and hang out with Granny. She and I will look back on these one day and laugh...maybe. </div>
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The dogs love me though..and they love Cliffy too. All three were taking a siesta with Cliffy after a hard mornings work. Miss Molly, who is always a fan of her mother, looking fashionable in her fancy hat. </div>
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On to February, and I will end with a few photos of the animals we have now. Brogans rescue is very busy at this time of year, and we have lots of little critters living here this winter. Adorableness below.</div>
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So, now I will wrap this up and leave you with one last photo. </div>
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Punxsutawney Paca did NOT see his shadow this year, so that means an EARLY SPRING and all of us here at Homeland Farm can NOT wait! See ya soon..no REALLY! I promise! </div>
Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-2392498646021044752015-08-09T08:12:00.000-07:002015-08-09T08:14:34.633-07:00The Homeland Farm Alphabet..the REST of the letters Hello and welcome back. I made it successfully to M yesterday with no computer glitches, so I shall soldier on today and finish what I started. Here we go!<br />
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N is for Nuts...Sooo many examples of that! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jr Ewing meets Wyett Earp</td></tr>
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See what I mean...<br />
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O is for Offspring, as in mine...<br />
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P is for pals..they are good friends</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly and Liam<br />
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Cameron wearing a cat<br />
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Cameron and Ryder..not too big to love a belly rub<br />
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Q is quality horses..rescue saves many from a terrible fate<br />
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Cliff and Brogan on Azura and Amira<br />
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Liam on Old Bill, another rescue<br />
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R is for roosters, of which we have many<br />
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Rooster Cogburn<br />
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A rooster a riding..<br />
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Emu the rooster<br />
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S is for snowy scenes...<br />
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Last winter was a doozy!<br />
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Lots of snow!<br />
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Blaahhh<br />
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So much snow...<br />
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T is for Turkey, wild bird that got caught in our fences<br />
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U is for unusual...like chupie<br />
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Mr Peacock<br />
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V is for vegetables...Cliffy is a great gardener..<br />
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W is for water tubs...also knows as goose spa<br />
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ok here we go on the hard one..<br />
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X is for Xtremely large pig!<br />
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Y is for young folks growing up on a farm!<br />
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Liam and baby chickie<br />
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Brogan as a youngster with her calf<br />
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Liam and Nolan in the family plot<br />
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Cameron cuddling with old Duchess<br />
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Z is of course for ZOO, which is what it feels like at times around Homeland Farm!<br />
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Brix the goat stealing food<br />
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Not a happy camper<br />
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Chuppie the pig, feral cat and a chicken..all on my front stoop<br />
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Variety is the spice of life! Also, anyone know why my kitchen chair was laying on lawn? Just curious.....<br />
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So, that is the end of the Homeland Farm alphabet! Stop by again sometime and see what is new back at the ranch!<br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-69084156090913191072015-08-08T05:24:00.000-07:002015-08-08T05:37:53.257-07:00The Homeland Farm AlphabetIn honor of the school supplies display I saw the other day at the store, I thought I would do a Homeland Farm alphabet. Since the alphabet is a tad long, and I always screw up putting on pictures at the end of my blog, I will do this in two installments. Here we go!<br />
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A is for alpaca...Cute and fluffy...and they spit.<br />
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B is for babies, riding in the car<br />
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C is for cats..we have 6 including ferals </div>
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D is for dogs. We have 3 or 4 or 6, if grand dogs are here visiting.<br />
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E is for eggs, from our chickens</div>
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F is for Ferguson, our first pot belly pig rescue<br />
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G is for goats...also known around here as "darn goats are eating my plants"<br />
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H is for Homeland Farm of course!<br />
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..and Horses, lots and lots of horses...<br />
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I is for "There is no I in team"..it takes a team to run this place!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bro hauling sawdust</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liam hauling hay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zak and Nolan fixing the corral</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny and Brogan feeding a newborn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cass helping baby pacas<br />
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J is for JOLLY RED UNIONSUITS!<br />
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K is for kids that aren't afraid to show their patriotism<br />
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L is for Lunatic..'nuff said</div>
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M is for Old MCDAIGLE had a farm...</div>
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and of course, Molly my fat little friend<br />
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That is it for the first half of the Homeland Farm alphabet. I will ponder what I can possibly use for x, y and z and return tomorrow with the rest of the letters! Stay tuned!!</div>
Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-49344541819586258712015-08-06T07:06:00.000-07:002015-08-06T07:07:36.647-07:00August?? Already?? Hello and I know, I know. It has been 3 months since I last wrote a blog. I am a poor excuse for a blogger, I have to say. My heroine blogger, Ree Drummond of "Pioneer Woman" does a great job. She does at least one a day, usually including a few pictures each time. Of course, in my defense, she is making a bajillion dollars doing hers, and has awesome new computers and cameras as well, I am fairly certain.<br />
I on the other hand, have one computer that has been giving me fits lately, and is reluctant to cooperate on most days. I also only have a cracked screen iPhone for photos, and it seems it is always at the other end of the house from where I am when the "action" breaks out. Oh, and not only is the 4 wheeler broken down, which is my main mode of transport OUTSIDE the house, my go buggy is also broken down INSIDE the house. So I am reduced to calculating exactly HOW impressive the photo or blog would be and if it is worth the 29 steps into the living room to type or snap pictures. Obviously, things have been deemed NOT THAT EXCITING, as I haven't typed a blog since April. Well, in an attempt to keep this here blog alive, here is a brief synopsis of the last three months of activities at Homeland Farm...<br />
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On April 26th, I made donuts.<br />
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Yes, indeed. They were yummy, but it was not especially blog worthy. What else happened..let's see....<br />
Oh yes! I found out in May I am about to be a first time granny! Exciting news, so I decided I better get practiced up on my diapering skills. Of course, I have no baby to practice on yet, but I have my willing little pal, Molly the Pekinese. As you can see, I need A LOT more practice! What else is new on the farm..<br />
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Oh, yes ok. In June, Cameron and I were very busy taking down old fence. We worked hard but took down a mess of old barbed wire fence that has probably been up since my great grandfather put it up in the 40's. Barbed wire is hard on critters, (and us humans!) so the last of it went to the dump.<br />
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BYE BYE BARBED WIRE! Oh, and even though it looks like I sat inside truck and just took photos, yours truly did indeed snip plenty of wire herself. Cameron is just much more photogenic then I am.<br />
What else did we do since I last blogged...Oh yes, I planted a lot of beautiful poseys in my window boxes. I love petunias on the porch and in my flower beds. Here are a few pictures..<br />
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Lovely petunias! <br />
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.....And NOT so lovely Petunia...Giant pot belly pig sprawled on my lawn. Sigh.<br />
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On to July! On one sunny July afternoon, I decided to go peel my taters on the front porch swing. I was not alone for long. Dixon the goat came to help, while Molly watched to make sure he wasn't going to harass me. <br />
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Which, he did. He is apparently a big fan of tater peelings. Who knew! On a good note, I didn't have to bother anyone to take my peelings to compost pile. Dixon old boy, your cute, but that wasn't really a blog worthy moment. Or was it....<br />
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Here we are, August and all caught up. I am really going to try and blog more often. It might be more random animal pictures..or maybe a few of Cliffy driving tractor, but I will see if I can't sit my butt down and write more often. I will leave you with this glorious early morning sight from yesterday. I snapped this heart shaped sun and rays of light on our way to dialysis early in the morning. It was amazing and lovely and a sign of good thing to come, I just know it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful foggy, sunny morning</td></tr>
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-21510453591807312272015-04-05T06:48:00.000-07:002015-04-05T06:48:35.312-07:00Mud Season..again... <br />
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It is that time of year again. The season that brings horse owners and farm folk to tears. It is known as .......MUD SEASON. It is a mess out here every year, but oh Lordie...it is a disaster of biblical proportions this year. Ruts, yep. Pools of mucky water, yep. A slippery, slimey mess, yep.<br />
We got it all. So, I did what all "tired of winter, but not loving mud season" Mainers do..I penned a quick song, called MUD SEASON, OH HOW I HATE YOU.<br />
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MUD SEASON, OH HOW I HATE YOU...(ahem)<br />
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Sung to the tune of Amazing Grace.<br />
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Crazy mud,<br />
how sad the sound,<br />
of boots being sucked<br />
right off...<br />
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I once liked spring,<br />
but now, I don't<br />
Was clean, but now<br />
I'm not...<br />
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My house, it suffers<br />
and looks so bad,<br />
from dogs,<br />
just walking through...<br />
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I can't wear socks,<br />
or go barefoot,<br />
It's too muddy,<br />
must wear my shoes...<br />
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If you stop by,<br />
don't stop to stand<br />
or you<br />
may never move...<br />
<br />
All these animals,<br />
are dirty, matted and muddy,<br />
the furry and also<br />
the hooved...<br />
<br />
So, go away<br />
you bad mud season,<br />
and give us all<br />
a break...<br />
<br />
We are ready to clean,<br />
and get jobs done,<br />
but first, we need<br />
to rake...<br />
<br />
And now I see,<br />
it's starting to snow,<br />
well isn't this<br />
just dandy?<br />
<br />
It is Easter day,<br />
no cleaning yet,<br />
Instead, I'll just eat<br />
my candy....:D<br />
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<br />Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6814338995463264094.post-76539099441829547082015-03-25T21:31:00.002-07:002015-03-25T21:34:54.680-07:00Carmen's Country Crooning <br />
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Well, it was probably inevitable. You know, that I would write a country song. I mean, who else is more country then this old farm gal. Of course, it would certainly be much easier to do this if I could play a note on some sort of instrument..piano..guitar...heck, banjo. But alas, all those years of clarinet never paid off for me. All I can do is write it and find someone to set 'er to music. I am pretty sure that this type of thing happens in Nashville all the time, in a land flush with young talent and pretty people. I am just not sure how often it happens in Bridgton, Maine. But get ready folks, because it is about to... HOMELAND FARM<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, life at the farm can get mighty grim,<br />
sometimes with all the chores,<br />
we don't know where to begin<br />
<br />
But, for me and my kin<br />
there caint be no other,<br />
this old farm<br />
is as dear as our mother<br />
<br />
Homeland Farm, you are so fine <br />
Homeland Farm, you smell like pine<br />
Homeland Farm, we are here to stay<br />
Homeland Farm, we need more hay<br />
<br />
Now, this old farm,<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvoXtlKA2ps/VROJTB3d18I/AAAAAAAABLg/QYDG9IsES2s/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvoXtlKA2ps/VROJTB3d18I/AAAAAAAABLg/QYDG9IsES2s/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a> She needs a lot of work,<br />
I'd get out there and help,<br />
but I'm learning how to twerk <br />
<br />
But I send out the chillins,<br />
and the old man too<br />
They work 'til they cain't<br />
then they come on in fer stew<br />
<br />
Homeland Farm, you are so fine<br />
Homeland Farm, you smell like pine<br />
Homeland Farm, we are here to stay<br />
Homeland Farm, we need more hay<br />
<br />
Now, if ya'll stop by, and the fire is lit<br />
pull up a chair, and we'll teach ya how to spit<br />
Have a honk on my jug of Barefoot Bubbly<br />
You'll wanna have some more til your seeing kinda doubly<br />
<br />
Homeland Farm, you are so fine<br />
Homeland Farm, you smell like pine,<br />
Homeland Farm, we are here to stay<br />
Homeland Farm, we still need more hay<br />
<br />
Now, don't be surprised if we look kind of country<br />
Maw in her nightie, and Paw kinda grumpy<br />
the dogs, and the horses and the 'pacas don't care<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3YNjPJnYqY/USqmIg_M1pI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/SaUBesurZhM/s1600/Feb%2B24%2C%2B2013%2B6%3A45%3A23%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3YNjPJnYqY/USqmIg_M1pI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/SaUBesurZhM/s1600/Feb%2B24%2C%2B2013%2B6%3A45%3A23%2BPM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> shoot, Maw don't even comb her hair<br />
<br />
So, if you wanna have some down home fun,<br />
stop on by, and see how it's done<br />
With Maw, and Paw and all the rest,<br />
Homeland Farm will stand the test<br />
<br />
<br />
THE END.<br />
(I'm watching you Tim McGraw..I can see your<br />
wheels turning..you and Faith go look elsewhere<br />
for a new duet...)<br />
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Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332507856069338968noreply@blogger.com1