The best part of country living....

.....it's the almost daily sighting of wonderful wildlife.

Here is a pic of the turkey family off the front porch. We have watched the little ones grow all summer -- quite amazing. We see them every morning and Lu loves it.. she counts the turkeys and laughs when they stretch their wings and is in awe when they zip for cover. But we want to keep them safe. It has been a long time since we have had wildlife stake home in the property - years ago we had a family of foxes... then for a few years we had many close encounters with skunks (I still have an emergency can of tomato juice in the cupboard), coyotes, deer, tons of raccoons... but by far the turkeys have been the most gentle and inspiring to watch. I hope they come back next year with a whole new pack of poults to raise!

Gone Sailing

Finally... summer is here. After a number of false starts this season.... the warmer weather has arrived and it looks like it is going to stay!
So because we have put up with rain and more rain and cooler temperatures.... our sailing season also got off to a slow start. We are now making up for lost time! After spending our vacation, afloat, in July... we have also spent pretty well every weekend on board. This weekend will be no different. But I had to promise the husband that I would not overpack as I usually do. But I think it is because he just doesn't get it.

When the husband boards our sailboat.. he goes from a suit wearing guy to a crusty old, sea worn sailor.... he keeps some clothes on board -- which really need to be washed .. and those are the clothes he will wear all weekend. Fashion be damned! Men are lucky I say!!

Meanwhile... if I go to the beach with Lu.. I need the bathing suit (eww) and a cover up to walk over with; I need an evening outfit in case we decide to go for dinner one night; I need some cooler clothes because it does get a little chilly on the lake once the sun goes down; I need my pjs, I need my 'walk-to-the-farmers-market-for-coffee" outfit; I need some actual under sail outfits; and maybe an extra outfit... just in case!

Ok.. I know that sounds like a lot for one weekend... but I would rather be well prepared for anything and anyone (who knows who we may run into -- or invite aboard for drinks). So I have to be prepared. Or else I could just borrow those crusty shorts that the husband has stored under the v-berth .. or then again.. maybe not and I'll take the wrath of being overpacked once again!

Happy Sailing....

Barefoot Days

I love going barefoot. It is the greatest feeling in the world. I would forgo shoes forever if I could(I know.. GASP!)... but alas, I do need to go into town sometimes and to some pretty well-worn spots that do require shoes and a good scrub and sanitization afterward!

But being at home... wandering the back field with Lu, in search of raspberries and the occasional ant hill (endless entertainment)... I've gotta be barefoot. You feel so free and strong without having to wear shoes and I can walk and walk and walk without a misstep or mishap! Sure I run the risk of stepping in some form of animal poo, or a stinging insect or something far worse... but I have yet to come across anything I couldn't handle. I am knocking on wood right now to ensure fate doesn't change my plans during my barefoot walk tomorrow.

But for now, I am shoeless and enjoying the freedom.