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Evie's American Family - Farm Adventure - Day 8

10/30/2016

Day 8 of Evie's Farm Visit.
Still raining and no end of the deluge in sight (at least while young Evie is here) but, as the 5am alarm (VERY unwelcome) sounded in our still dark as night bedroom, something wasn't quite normal. Greg was hurting. Back hurt (again)......not good. A quiet word with our wonderful ranch resident Erin and a conspiratorial discussion with young Evie evolved a plan which would solve any problems or discussion with Greg who was "fine"..where or/and when have I heard that before ? Evie and I resolutely headed out to the sheep barn where we rounded up any black jelly beans we could find ( and there were plenty !! ) Still smiling and wielding a threatening pitch fork, my young ranch apprentice and I wandered into the cow barn. Seriously....mucking out cow poo sets a whole new bunch of challenges to the "professional" horse poo picker. Cow poo doesn't lend itself to an easy clear up. Greg, please feel better tomorrow. While Evie and I were discovering exactly why we choose to spend our morning cleaning horse stalls, sorting out politics, religion and global problems, Erin quietly and efficiently mucked out all the horse stalls. This evening, Erin cancelled her own plans to help out at the barn. I want Erin to know how much she is appreciated ( thank you Erin).... we (Evie, Erin and I) want Greg to know how much we need him to feel better And I would ask, should Greg not feel better tomorrow, PLEASE cows and sheep DON'T poo as much ! Take care of each other, appreciate each other and pray that the election is over soon !! M xxx

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Evie's American Family - Farm Experience - Day 7

10/29/2016

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Day Seven of American Family experience.....
Moon, the big black ex racehorse wasn't over impressed with her "out of retirement" experience. She was less than impressed with her bridle being fitted and a hefty kick reminded us that the older, rescued black mare still has a lifetime of past experiences...or mare"ish" attitude that she has to address when her girth is tightened. Thankfully, she seemed to relish her quiet amble through the forest on a carpet of red, gold and copper leaves. As the golden glow of sunset in the West cast shadows over the giant cedars and the leafy Maples, with local dogs barking and an Autumnal breeze blowing, Evie and Moon clip clopped through the Autumn foliage. From the Ranch pond, to the barn gates...under Greg's watchful eye, Evie eased Moon into a steady trot and the old black mare, ears pricked responded. It is difficult to say just who enjoyed the ride more...maybe Moon enjoyed just "being special" and Evie enjoyed her "special" experience. Either way.....it was a lovely walk with a very special old black mare and my lovely young family member. Days to remember, experiences to share. Take care, keep safe, M

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Evie's American Family - Farm Adventure - Day 5

10/27/2016

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Day 5 of Evie's Farm Adventure......
The Pacific North West is renowned for unfavorably downcast skies, heavy grey clouds and consistent rain. For the past week, Mother Nature has been particularly unkind to those of us who have chosen to live in the shadow of the Olympic Mountain Range and are susceptible to the weather systems originating in the Pacific Ocean. Apparently the recent deluges whilst not quite requiring us to build an Ark have been described as "historic quantities". This "historical" soggy event has sadly coincided with the visit of young Evie, a family member from England who has spent the past six days dodging raindrops and trudging through puddles. Thankfully, our English fortitude has kept a smile on her face and as the days pass, despite the inclement weather, Evie has been busy creating memories that we hope will, in the years to come bring a smile to her face....as these photos will to ours...enjoy. Take care, keep safe and dry, M xx

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Evie's American Family - Farm Adventure - Day 3

10/24/2016

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Day 3..Evie's Farm adventure ! For a city girl from England....I reckon young Evie is making a pretty good Farm girl ! Wasp colonies... apple squeezing in the rain...washing young Hunter's butt and grooming a 19.1 hand Shire horse. Loving up gentle old Mare Mariah and chatting up old man Cooper. Finale of a rainy Seattle day was an amazing double rainbow. Loving having you here Evie. Love Maureen and Greg xxx

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Evie's American Family - Farm Adventure - Day 2

10/24/2016

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The title says it all. Day 3 will have more to say... Love us XX

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Natures Life Lesson

10/15/2016

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The sodden boughs of the giant cedar trees swayed in the winds driven by storms which have origins far away in the Pacific Ocean. The branches of the red gold and bronze Maple trees shed their leaves like multi colored (coloured for my English readers) confetti into the deepening puddles and running rivulets that were once our farm road. Cooper the ageing bay gelding turned his tail into the wind, Chelsey, the old grey mare had clearly found a muddy puddle (or three) to blend into and Moon and Mariah both elderly matriarchs stood motionless in the gusty wind and torrential rain. The run off from the recently tranquil farm pond is a white water gush through the culvert in the pasture and flocks of squawking crows take shelter from the storm in the dense foliage of the cedar copses.
There was a time when I felt that it was important to have every hair in place...when smudged mascara and an imperfect appearance weren't tolerable, there was a time that I clocked into an office for a day working in a clean, temperature controlled environment. There was a time that I felt that I had a job that might make a difference. Today, as I wandered unsteadily through the sodden barnyard, hair blowing in the wind and boots squelching in the mud, I smiled and clutched Hunter, the young Jersey calf's bottle a little tighter. It doesn't really matter if my hair is out of place, it doesn't matter at all if my makeup is smudged. It doesn't matter if I have a 16 hour day and I don't have a lunch break and I don't get a pay check (cheque)......I love what I do, I love who I do it with and right now, as yet another BIG storm is bearing down on the Pacific North West, I know that we are a great team and whatever Nature has in store for us tomorrow, we will meet it together. Take care friends on the Peninsula, whatever happens we know we support each other through the good and the bad. I guess my message in this diary entry is ....I believe that I have found what is really important in life. Take care, keep safe, M

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The Feeling Of Autumn

10/7/2016

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There is a gentle rain falling from a dreary grey sky. The serene surface of the farm pond is barely disturbed, an occasional red or gold leaf tumbles to the ground from the towering Maples and the sweeping branches of the giant cedar trees are motionless as dusk settles over a peaceful, tranquil farm. In the horse barn, big black thoroughbred Moon characteristically tosses her head and, from the safety of her stall keeps an anxious eye on her equine neighbors (neighbours). Golden Palomino Charm, in an adjoining stall is busily concentrating on consuming his rapidly disappearing hay ration and Tiger and Shy the barn cats stealthily hunt cautious rodents foolish enough to twitch a whisker. In the cow barn, Bella, our beautiful Jersey cow keeps a motherly eye on young black steer Kobe and in the calf shed, with raid drops pitter pattering on the tin roof, little Hunter the calf is doubtless curled up digesting the six pints he effortlessly and enthusiastically inhaled for supper.
Meanwhile, as the Pacific Northwest seasons change and the blue cloudless skies turn to an Autumnal grey, as the burnt Summer pastures begin to green up and the trickling creeks begin to flow....in Florida and the south Eastern counties of the USA, right now, the "storm of the century" is affecting the lives of millions of people..people just like us , people living in the path of a hurricane. Our thoughts are with you, stay safe and God bless. Take care, M

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Evie's American Family - Farm Adventure - Day 8

Evie's American Family - Farm Experience - Day 7

Evie's American Family - Farm Adventure - Day 5

Evie's American Family - Farm Adventure - Day 3

Evie's American Family - Farm Adventure - Day 2

Natures Life Lesson

The Feeling Of Autumn

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