The photo is by a dear friend, John Churchman, who is a fantastic photographer, gentleman farmer and a budding videographer! I am not sure if I have shared the videos of his bottle lambs from earlier this spring, gamboling all around the farm - if not, let me know and I will post some links - they are sooooo cute! And I am happy to say they survived thanks to his loving care and are growing fast and playing with their 'cousins'!
John posted this on his facebook page today - his driveways are washed out from the last few days of rain, but here we see that the sun was out for a bit and he caught this shot, it's simply lovely!
Beautiful day here, wildflowers everywhere. More chiming bells (blue) than I've ever seen, white mouse ear chick weed, white sand lilies, indigo clematis, white four petaled hoary cress, and others. What a thrill after two years of drought to see wildflowers again!
We planted four aspens (I'm determined to have aspens despite our 6800 feet elevation; they prefer 8000) as they are my favorite tree. We've probably planted about 35 so far with only a few surviving, and one red maple, which m ay not have much chance.
Ponderosa pines, junipers, dog bane, mahogany bushes grow like weeds, but we're trying for more diversity
Jo, thoughts and good wishes your way for your situation to meet your needs. You are so talented, so intelligent and kind. I'm sure that things will work out for you. Thank you again for this forum.
President Obama's speech was perhaps the best presidential speech Ive ever heard, and the newspapers are treating it like a black hole. When in my lifetime has a President said we must be careful in giving Presidents too much power. We need a check as he talked about who we are, what we are doing, and ending the war on terrorism in the sens of declaring war.
He was brilliant, ethical, philosophical, honest, looking at the future and how we must effect change from a huge military budget to infrastructure and resources for a future. Just amazing.
Went to town yesterday for doc's appt and grocery shopping. Gloriously green out there! Full phlox, honeysuckle, elder, AND the wonderful scarlet flicker of the wild columbine! Finally, too, at last the sycamores are in leaf. The very last, and a good part of my windowscape, so, so glad!
Loud as I drive a country road the committee of old farmers in uproar no longer content to offer advice when to plant, when to cut hay the price of corn the weather now furious at the ground laid bare violated by the downpour into gullies finally holding my head in hand I stop the pickup. Most helpful when unanimous but now arguing over where they went wrong (for all old farmers love the land) these the voices in my head Father, Grandfather neighbors Bob and Enoch and Henry (three Henrys) intolerant of the mistake of forgetting the lesson of the dust bowl .... Ding Darling .... Big Hugh Bennett forgetting Aldo Leopold driving me to quiet all old advice so I can finish my travel for I too, upset by what I see reach for answers deep memories, voices, loves.
I took a photo on Friday afternoon, of the same Old Red Mill that's at the end of the video I posted earlier. You can see my photo at the HEP blog, here: http://www.howardempowered.blogspot.com/
I LOVE Phil's Committee of Old Farmer's. I used to know one just like that!!!
Then there is that Wendell Berry guy! For anyone interested someone has set some of his poetry to music. . 2 disc set given from daughter Dana for Mother's Day. Includes WB reading some of his poetry--- special treat!
Which is my little boy, Which is he? Jean qui pleure ou Jean qui rit?
Jean qui pleure Is mystérieux With sorrows older than 'näg"pur And all of the suns And all of the moons Mirrored in little silver spoons.
Jean qui rit Is my delicate John, The one with the Chinese slippers on, Whose hobby horse In a single bound, Carries me back to native ground.
Which is my little boy, Which is he? Jean qui pleure ou Jean qui rit?
Tennessee Williams ~~ In the Winter of Cities
To compare with the *actual* poem (non remembered): http://books.google.com/books?id=jmV7l5ZYHhAC&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=%22Which+is+my+little+boy,+which+is+he?%22&source=bl&ots=NsCMVzf8C6&sig=yyNtBQGfirNILJl1W04CuqXWEzo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dPmgUb3uKofv0QHLmoCIBg&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Which%20is%20my%20little%20boy%2C%20which%20is%20he%3F%22&f=false
The Bulwer-Lytton people set the bar pretty high, though. Here’s the 2010 winner (which still hasn’t been topped by subsequent entries, in my opinion):
For the first month of Ricardo and Felicity’s affair, they greeted one another at every stolen rendezvous with a kiss – a lengthy, ravenous kiss, Ricardo lapping and sucking at Felicity’s mouth as if she were a giant cage-mounted water bottle and he were the world’s thirstiest gerbil.
And yes, there's snow atop Mt. Mansfield. I heard there's 34" atop Whiteface Mtn on the NY side of Lake Champlain. Haven't heard the Mansfield total yet. Wild.
Wow, the photo of snow in the Adirondacks! Cloudy today, but everything so green. More wildflowers, grape hyacinths, larkspur, mustard. Just lovely.
Still real low energy from sinus infection, but better than it was. It's a shock when your body holds you down. I guess I've been lucky in my life so that's rarely happened. Everything teaches. I say to myself, go slow, go slow and steady.
Well, good night. I just wanted to check in and say I appreciate all the posts.
I want to say, Hail Ozzie always remembered Sweet dispositioned Australian Shepherd, But perhaps that’s too dramatic, Maybe it’s better to be more pragmatic.
I was at Karen and Roger’s home. It was dusk. I forgot that’s when mountain lions roam. I’ll give you a ride home, Roger said. I thanked him and told him I’ll walk instead.
It was turning dark, the road had no light. If there was a mountain lion, I wouldn’t have it in sight, And what if one should come after me? I’d be helpless with nowhere to flee.
I kept on walking, it was only a mile or so. I was really scared as it was getting darker though Continuing on I passed the entrance to Ed’s place. There was Ozzie, I swear, a smile on his face.
He wagged his tail and trotted towards me As if to say, I’m here, no need for worry. I was so relieved, I couldn’t believe the grace Of this dear dog escorting me home to my place.
Oh Ozzie, whatever signal let you know How afraid I was walking home alone. You coming out to greet me that dark night I walked home safely with you, no more fright.
I’ve heard a dog reflects its master’s heart. I’d say that’s true of you, Ozzie, kind and smart. Caring for each other along the way I’d say that’s the quality that kept the mountain lion at bay.
How are things with everyone? All busy, not tired or sick I hope. Just back from Brenda's where I used her wonderful, new walk in shower. Lovely and very safe!!!!
I hope everyone is well and things are okay. We should get some rain tonight.
I've found that we actually have an aspen grove in the making, ten tiny shoots indicating cloning, which is what aspen do. I have dedicated the grove to my friend Joyce who died a few months ago. She loved aspen as her favorite trees, wrote her Ph.D dissertation on aspen, and her last book was was titled, Aspen Dreams.
She lived at about 7000 feet above sea level, and aspens prefer higher altitude. We both had trouble getting our planted aspens to flourish. So, my discovery was exciting, and now it's Joyce's Grove.
Shirlee...Yes, I bring my camera most everywhere. It's one of the ways I truly see the world. Thanks for asking.
Pat...Hurrah for Joyce's grove! Such a lovely and fitting tribute!
Two offshoots of our grey birches started growing, and the year our first granddaughter was born the birches sprouted a new shoot. Then when she got a little sister another new shoot sprouted. :-) So I think of them whenever I'm in the yard and go by the birch cluster. :-)
An e-mail from Puddle wants everyone to know she is OK. Apparently she can read this blog but can't post or respond. Doesn't know why. Hope things --gremlins in the lines or whatever, get fixed soon. Her words and wisdom are missed!!!!
hi all! yes, the PC has died, I did get in a back up but since my laptop is a dif operating system there are some bugs retrieving some of it. Murphy's Law should be about done with me, ya think?!
how are you heaing Shirllee? I hope the pain is gone or will be soon! <3
istener, Monday would be good. let me know what works for you - I can't wait to see you, it has been too long!
Thanks, Jo. Actually I had very good news at the tongu doc today. Not only may I REALLY brush all my teeth just bing careful on the inner bottom not to disturb still a bit tender tissue, but I can also keep a previously scheduled appointment with the dentist to have my teeth cleaned! Still feel a bit tongue tied (hah!) but that will loosen up. Also back to eating a regular diet. Great news.
Call me tomorrow afternoon and we can work out the details. I just didn't want to be in and out of the car on such a hot day. Monday should be more reasonable. Looking forward to it!
Hey all. This is Brenda, Shirlee's daughter. I just wanted to let you know that Shirlee took a tumble in her apartment last night and has a couple of fractures in her pelvic area. No surgical option at this point. Just pain management and physical therapy. She will be in hospital for a couple of days and then in rehab facility for a couple of weeks. She has her ipad with her and I'm sure will be back online soon.
oh Brenda, I am so sorry to hear that! poor thing, it must be so painful. I hope the hospital and rehab are gentle and caring. thank you so much for letting us know!
please send her my love, I will pray for a blessing to bring her ease. xoxoxo
Brenda, I also ecoho Jo's words.Sending good thoughts her way.
So sorry to hear about all the bad weather in the middle of the country. With our climate changinng so much for the worst, I hope that building standards can be raised to stand up to the severe weather.
It finally stopped raining here and it is gloriously sunny. Burt is out on the patio with Mz Little. I'll go in a minute to pluck some white rose petals for her. She loves them. She keeps losing weight and seems to be having a bit of trouble with her balance. She's down to 1 lb, 1.7 oz. We are thinking about taking her back to the clinic, but since she seems to be in good cheer and no pain and continues to be loving and taking all the snuggling she can, I don't think there is much that can be done other than hope her passing is painless. We still need to talk to the clinic about cremation so we can keep her with our kitties.
55 comments:
Howard is first!
Life is good!
Family and friends are even more first than Howard!
The photo is by a dear friend, John Churchman, who is a fantastic photographer, gentleman farmer and a budding videographer! I am not sure if I have shared the videos of his bottle lambs from earlier this spring, gamboling all around the farm - if not, let me know and I will post some links - they are sooooo cute! And I am happy to say they survived thanks to his loving care and are growing fast and playing with their 'cousins'!
John posted this on his facebook page today - his driveways are washed out from the last few days of rain, but here we see that the sun was out for a bit and he caught this shot, it's simply lovely!
Indeed, a lovely photo! Thanks so much for posting. You sound in a bit better spirits. Hoping things are going better for you.
Hi Friends,
Beautiful day here, wildflowers everywhere. More chiming bells (blue) than I've ever seen, white mouse ear chick weed, white sand lilies, indigo clematis, white four petaled hoary cress, and others. What a thrill after two years of drought to see wildflowers again!
We planted four aspens (I'm determined to have aspens despite our 6800 feet elevation; they prefer 8000) as they are my favorite tree. We've probably planted about 35 so far with only a few surviving, and one red maple, which m ay not have much chance.
Ponderosa pines, junipers, dog bane, mahogany bushes grow like weeds, but we're trying for more diversity
Jo, thoughts and good wishes your way for your situation to meet your needs. You are so talented, so intelligent and kind. I'm sure that things will work out for you. Thank you again for this forum.
President Obama's speech was perhaps the best presidential speech Ive ever heard, and the newspapers are treating it like a black hole. When in my lifetime has a President said we must be careful in giving Presidents too much power. We need a check as he talked about who we are, what we are doing, and ending the war on terrorism in the sens of declaring war.
He was brilliant, ethical, philosophical, honest, looking at the future and how we must effect change from a huge military budget to infrastructure and resources for a future. Just amazing.
Corrections, I've instead of Ive, sense instead of sens, and a question mark after the rhetorical question.
Jo, sounding good! So glad!!
Ma kiddle arrives tomorrow (I think) for a two day work weekend, yay!!
Hooray for better days for Jo, more flowers for Pat and Puddle's Kiddle arriving to do good deeds. Helper young'uns are to be cherished!!!!
Went to town yesterday for doc's appt and grocery shopping. Gloriously green out there! Full phlox, honeysuckle, elder, AND the wonderful scarlet flicker of the wild columbine! Finally, too, at last the sycamores are in leaf. The very last, and a good part of my windowscape, so, so glad!
Doc's happy wit' me, so I'll go wit dat.
Phil Specht
Committee of Old Farmers
Loud as I drive a country road
the committee of old farmers in uproar
no longer content to offer advice
when to plant, when to cut hay
the price of corn
the weather
now furious at the ground laid bare
violated by the downpour into gullies
finally holding my head in hand
I stop the pickup.
Most helpful when unanimous
but now arguing over where they went wrong
(for all old farmers love the land)
these the voices in my head
Father, Grandfather
neighbors Bob and Enoch and Henry
(three Henrys) intolerant of the mistake
of forgetting the lesson of the dust bowl
.... Ding Darling .... Big Hugh Bennett
forgetting Aldo Leopold
driving me to quiet all old advice
so I can finish my travel
for I too, upset by what I see
reach for answers deep
memories, voices, loves.
Unlike · · Share · 5 minutes ago
Hi again. I'm glad your medical report is good! Yea.
Lovely poem, beautiful. I feel like I'm there, watching the pickup, hearing Phil's voice, hearing the pain at the land. Thank you for posting.
Good night, friends.
I took a photo on Friday afternoon, of the same Old Red Mill that's at the end of the video I posted earlier. You can see my photo at the HEP blog, here: http://www.howardempowered.blogspot.com/
As you can see, the level has gone down a little, though it's still at flood stage and we still have rain falling. If you missed it, the earlier link is no longer active, but here's an updated link, which includes the video: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20130524/NEWS02/305240020/Pounding-rain-brings-100-year-flood-Jericho-twice-3-years?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|FRONTPAGE
{{{ Phil }}}
Got this from my kiddle at three a.m., lol!
Antonio has returned safely from his high school prom. I have dropped his friend off at his home. Now I can go to sleep. I won't be getting up early.
28º last night, and *now* we have a frost warning! Jeepers. . . .
Praises for safe returns from high school proms!!
I LOVE Phil's Committee of Old Farmer's.
I used to know one just like that!!!
Then there is that Wendell Berry guy! For anyone interested someone has set some of his poetry to music.
. 2 disc set given from daughter Dana for Mother's Day. Includes WB reading some of his poetry--- special treat!
His last high school prom. . . Gosh, how did I get to be this old, lol!? Starts college at the University of Baltimore in September. Phew!
ALWAYS special to hear a poet read his own. I was mesmerized in college listening to Tennessee Williams reading his. Memorized a bunch of it with him.
My Little One
My little one whose tongue is dumb,
whose fingers cannot hold to things,
who is so mercilessly young,
he leaps upon the instant things,
I hold him not. Indeed, who could?
He runs into the burning wood.
Follow, follow if you can!
He will come out grown a man
and not remember whom he kissed,
who caught him by the slender wrist
and bound him by a tender yoke
which, understanding not, he broke.
-- Tennessee Williams
Which is my little boy,
Which is he?
Jean qui pleure ou
Jean qui rit?
Jean qui pleure
Is mystérieux
With sorrows older than 'näg"pur
And all of the suns
And all of the moons
Mirrored in little silver spoons.
Jean qui rit
Is my delicate John,
The one with the Chinese slippers on,
Whose hobby horse
In a single bound,
Carries me back to native ground.
Which is my little boy,
Which is he?
Jean qui pleure ou
Jean qui rit?
Tennessee Williams
~~ In the Winter of Cities
To compare with the *actual* poem (non remembered): http://books.google.com/books?id=jmV7l5ZYHhAC&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=%22Which+is+my+little+boy,+which+is+he?%22&source=bl&ots=NsCMVzf8C6&sig=yyNtBQGfirNILJl1W04CuqXWEzo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dPmgUb3uKofv0QHLmoCIBg&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Which%20is%20my%20little%20boy%2C%20which%20is%20he%3F%22&f=false
Thanks for the link to TW, Puddle.
I simply had to share this with you all - she's priceless, LOL!
http://video.staged.com/preacher/getting_old__mary_maxwell
The Bulwer-Lytton people set the bar pretty high, though. Here’s the 2010 winner (which still hasn’t been topped by subsequent entries, in my opinion):
For the first month of Ricardo and Felicity’s affair, they greeted one another at every stolen rendezvous with a kiss – a lengthy, ravenous kiss, Ricardo lapping and sucking at Felicity’s mouth as if she were a giant cage-mounted water bottle and he were the world’s thirstiest gerbil.
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/05/25/bad-writing-good-books-open-thread/#comments
Wow, Puddle that is some smooching!
Listener--just looked at you photos--a big bunch of water there! Do you do a lot of photography?
Wow, Puddle that is some smooching!
Listener--just looked at you photos--a big bunch of water there! Do you do a lot of photography?
Oops--sorry for the double post--
SUN came out around 7pm! Laaaaaaa!!!
We went out and just stood in it!
And yes, there's snow atop Mt. Mansfield. I heard there's 34" atop Whiteface Mtn on the NY side of Lake Champlain. Haven't heard the Mansfield total yet. Wild.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=654551721225789&set=a.155353064478993.32626.147822285232071&type=1&ref=nf
(Whiteface, four hours ago.)
Hi Friends,
Wow, the photo of snow in the Adirondacks! Cloudy today, but everything so green. More wildflowers, grape hyacinths, larkspur, mustard. Just lovely.
Still real low energy from sinus infection, but better than it was. It's a shock when your body holds you down. I guess I've been lucky in my life so that's rarely happened. Everything teaches. I say to myself, go slow, go slow and steady.
Well, good night. I just wanted to check in and say I appreciate all the posts.
Mount Mansfield got 13.2" which apparently is the most it's had this late in May.
So 30+" atop Whiteface is impressive. I'm glad we didn't get that much over here. It's all going to melt this week, and we have nowhere to put it...!
FAITH
I want to write about faith,
. about the way the moon rises
. . over cold snow, night after night,
faithful even in its fading from fullness,
. slowly becoming that last curving and impossible
. . sliver of light before the final darkness.
But I have no faith myself
. I do not give it the smallest entry.
Let this then, my small poem,
. like a new moon, slender and barely open,
. . be the first prayer that opens me to faith.
-- David Whyte
from Where Many Rivers Meet
©2007 Many Rivers Press
Listen: http://www.davidwhyte.com/audio/Faith.mp3
More here: http://www.davidwhyte.com/english.html
BTW, the David Whyte "listen" link is to the poet himself reading.
He reads like no one else. Wonderful.
Thanks, Listener -- that is beautiful. Seems a there is a whole group of poetry lovers on this blog!
Hi Friends,
About poetry, this for fun:
A Tribute to Ozzie
I want to say, Hail Ozzie always remembered
Sweet dispositioned Australian Shepherd,
But perhaps that’s too dramatic,
Maybe it’s better to be more pragmatic.
I was at Karen and Roger’s home.
It was dusk. I forgot that’s when mountain lions roam.
I’ll give you a ride home, Roger said.
I thanked him and told him I’ll walk instead.
It was turning dark, the road had no light.
If there was a mountain lion, I wouldn’t have it in sight,
And what if one should come after me?
I’d be helpless with nowhere to flee.
I kept on walking, it was only a mile or so.
I was really scared as it was getting darker though
Continuing on I passed the entrance to Ed’s place.
There was Ozzie, I swear, a smile on his face.
He wagged his tail and trotted towards me
As if to say, I’m here, no need for worry.
I was so relieved, I couldn’t believe the grace
Of this dear dog escorting me home to my place.
Oh Ozzie, whatever signal let you know
How afraid I was walking home alone.
You coming out to greet me that dark night
I walked home safely with you, no more fright.
I’ve heard a dog reflects its master’s heart.
I’d say that’s true of you, Ozzie, kind and smart.
Caring for each other along the way
I’d say that’s the quality that kept the mountain lion at bay.
How are things with everyone? All busy, not tired or sick I hope. Just back from Brenda's where I used her wonderful, new walk in shower. Lovely and very safe!!!!
Hi Friends, beautiful day here.
I hope everyone is well and things are okay. We should get some rain tonight.
I've found that we actually have an aspen grove in the making, ten tiny shoots indicating cloning, which is what aspen do. I have dedicated the grove to my friend Joyce who died a few months ago. She loved aspen as her favorite trees, wrote her Ph.D dissertation on aspen, and her last book was was titled, Aspen Dreams.
She lived at about 7000 feet above sea level, and aspens prefer higher altitude. We both had trouble getting our planted aspens to flourish. So, my discovery was exciting, and now it's Joyce's Grove.
Well, take care.
What a wonderful thing to do in honor of your friend, Pat.
Shirlee...Yes, I bring my camera most everywhere. It's one of the ways I truly see the world. Thanks for asking.
Pat...Hurrah for Joyce's grove! Such a lovely and fitting tribute!
Two offshoots of our grey birches started growing, and the year our first granddaughter was born the birches sprouted a new shoot. Then when she got a little sister another new shoot sprouted. :-) So I think of them whenever I'm in the yard and go by the birch cluster. :-)
Jo, I'll find out tomorrow whether getting together on Friday of this week works. If so, we'd best go someplace air conditioned! Ha!
OK, OK--now I am getting worried! This is the third day with no post from her.Does anyone else have any news. Hoping it is "only" A bad phone line.
An e-mail from Puddle wants everyone to know she is OK.
Apparently she can read this blog but can't post or respond.
Doesn't know why. Hope things --gremlins in the lines or whatever, get fixed soon. Her words and wisdom are missed!!!!
Jo, how would Monday work for you?
So glad to hear that puddle is basically okay. I sure hope her gremlins vamoose swiftly! Sheesh!!
hi all! yes, the PC has died, I did get in a back up but since my laptop is a dif operating system there are some bugs retrieving some of it. Murphy's Law should be about done with me, ya think?!
how are you heaing Shirllee? I hope the pain is gone or will be soon! <3
istener, Monday would be good. let me know what works for you - I can't wait to see you, it has been too long!
Thanks, Jo. Actually I had very good news at the tongu doc today. Not only may I REALLY brush all my teeth just bing careful on the inner bottom not to disturb still a bit tender tissue, but I can also keep a previously scheduled appointment with the dentist to have my teeth cleaned!
Still feel a bit tongue tied (hah!) but that will loosen up.
Also back to eating a regular diet. Great news.
so happy to hear that Shirlee!
Great Jo! We're ON for Monday! :-)
Call me tomorrow afternoon and we can work out the details. I just didn't want to be in and out of the car on such a hot day. Monday should be more reasonable. Looking forward to it!
Shirlee, that's wonderful news!! Hurrah!!
Puddle still having no luck blog in here. Stay well all!
Sure hope we get some sun here sometime soon...
Hey all. This is Brenda, Shirlee's daughter. I just wanted to let you know that Shirlee took a tumble in her apartment last night and has a couple of fractures in her pelvic area. No surgical option at this point. Just pain management and physical therapy. She will be in hospital for a couple of days and then in rehab facility for a couple of weeks. She has her ipad with her and I'm sure will be back online soon.
I'll stop in to keep you updated
Brenda
oh Brenda, I am so sorry to hear that! poor thing, it must be so painful. I hope the hospital and rehab are gentle and caring. thank you so much for letting us know!
please send her my love, I will pray for a blessing to bring her ease. xoxoxo
Hi Friends,
Brenda, I'm so sorry to hear that. I echo Jo's words. Things can always be worse, and it sounds like healing and rehabilitation will be coming.
Jo, thank you for your beautiful card. I treasure it.
We've been camping, came home a day early because it was windy and cold, and we're still dealing with sinus infections.
Terrible weather on the news for Oklahoma. Scary with several vortex tornadoes, again, thoughts their way.
You are all treasured.
Brenda, I also ecoho Jo's words.Sending good thoughts her way.
So sorry to hear about all the bad weather in the middle of the country. With our climate changinng so much for the worst, I hope that building standards can be raised to stand up to the severe weather.
It finally stopped raining here and it is gloriously sunny. Burt is out on the patio with Mz Little. I'll go in a minute to pluck some white rose petals for her. She loves them. She keeps losing weight and seems to be having a bit of trouble with her balance. She's down to 1 lb, 1.7 oz. We are thinking about taking her back to the clinic, but since she seems to be in good cheer and no pain and continues to be loving and taking all the snuggling she can, I don't think there is much that can be done other than hope her passing is painless. We still need to talk to the clinic about cremation so we can keep her with our kitties.
Love and hugs to everyone.
*Another* awful hot day. Jeepers, the worst winter evah to be followed by the worst summer evah?
Hey! It posted!
Shirlee, thinking of you, and Jo, and Barb and everyone as we work our way through our lives and challenges.
What a relief to be back! Hope it holds. . . .
New thread for da munth of Joon!!
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