I've Been Distracted

The weatherman says that the rain is over for a few days. We'll see...

The sky last night looked confused. Was it going to be bright and clear, or dark and threatening?


It did rain a couple more times just to remind us who's in control, but today it's dry and brighter, not exactly sunny. We'll settle for dry. The dogs really need a good run around. It's been days since we saw the sun. They'll all be muddy by this afternoon, but a dogs gotta do what a dogs gotta do.


We want to remind everyone to send us your bandana pictures and tell your friends to send some too. We'll take any and all pets, so tie a bandana on your dragon and send it along.

I've been a little distracted lately and I thought I'd let you know what's going on. I don't like to complain a lot on my blog or dwell on my aches and pains, but this is a big deal in my life, so here goes.

On June 1st and again on June 8th, I'm having cataract surgery. My vision has finally gotten too blurry to enjoy my hobbies such as knitting and cross stitch. I was really excited last month when my doctor told me that it was time.

I saw the surgeon om Monday and they did test after test after test. I came home with red, watery eyes from all the drops they'd put in them. I'm still looking forward to getting them fixed so I can get back to doing the things I enjoy, but as the days fly by, I am getting nervous. I'm a bit squeemish about my eyes.


So, if I'm not posting as often or leaving comments regularly, forgive me. I'm a little distracted. I promise it will get better.

Meet the Goats

Last weekend the dairy goats came to town. This was their annual show here in Springfield and we usually go to see them. Both Rob and I have helped show goats when someone was shorthanded and we enjoy meeting up with old friends and rubbing a lot of goat ears.


This was the first one I came to and she had a big smile for me. She was very friendly and was constantly looking for a handout.


The show takes place in an open barn, a big metal building with all four sides open to allow ease of moving the animals around and the maximum air flow to keep temperatures down in the summer. Unfortunately, it was raining hard the day I went. Even with a rain jacket, I began feeling chilled and damp, so I cut my stay short. I didn't want my throat to get any worse.


Aren't these kids cute? I love looking at the babies and sometimes get a chance to bottle feed them. That makes hanging around in the rain worthwhile.


I have a fondness for the bucks. I love their little shaggy beards.


This fellow's beard was nice and soft.


How can you refuse to stop and rub their heads when they ask so nicely?


These ae some of the ribbons that were being given out that day. I approve of the color.


These are for the big winners, the Grand Champions.


This one was watching her sister in the ring. Maybe she's studying the competition.


Do you see a family resemblance?


Apparently it was getting near lunch time and this one wasn't waiting for an invitation.


And the winners are! This is the Reserve Grand Champion or runner up.


Here she is, the Grand Champion.

I left shortly after these awards were given out. I decided not to take chances with my throat.

The bandana pictures are coming in and they look great. Don't forget to send them to me .
June 10 is coming up faster than you think.

Storm Cleanup

Thursday morning we woke up to the sound of the tornado sirens. We don't take them lightly so I jumped out of bed and ran for the TV to see where the storm was and which direction it was heading. It was south of us and was moving fast. The tornadoes went south and east of us, but we had high winds and tons of rain. Once the storm was over we went outside to inspect for any damage.


We were fortunate. We had a few small branches on the ground from the wind. But we have a very helpful and experienced cleanup crew. Morgan was the first to grab a branch.


Fudge found one hanging almost to the ground. With a little help he got it out of the tree.


Norma Jean found another that was hanging.


Bailey spotted a branch on the ground.


She dragged it up the hill where we were collecting the branches.


Norma Jean found a small branch part way down the hill.


She dragged it back up the hill.


She was good at spotting the small branches.


This one looked like it needed immediate mulching.


Tsar was part of the grounds crew.


He tackled a good sized branch.


He thought it might be good for chewing.


Meanwhile Morgan was still working on the first one she found. She chose to settle down in the mud to trim it.


Samba discovered a branch and tried to bring it to us, but with her jaw problems she was having a tough time with it.


Problem solved. She rested the branch across her back and it was easier to drag.


Lola was hard at work, too.


Tsar was trimming the ends off his branch.


Sky's branch was putting up a good fight.


Instead of carrying hers all the way up hill, Lola settled down under the holly to work on it.


Teamwork seemed like a good idea. Tess and Bailey worked together on this branch.


Now that all the damaged branches were collected, the crew settled down to work on the mulching. We've had lots of rain since Thursday and the yard is all muddy, but once the sun comes out again, the crew will get back to work keeping the yard free of broken branches.

May We Have Your Attention, Please !

Now hear this! Now hear this!


Tsar has an important announcement. June 10th is the Second Annual Bandana Day! Last year we had a great response to Blue Bandana Day. We had more than 70 of our friends, dogs, cats and a chicken all wore blue for our special day. You can see the pictures here.


We had so much fun and met such nice people and animals that we're going to do it again. This year the color is red. It's easy to join in, just find something red to wear, more about that in a minute. Have your human take your picture in your red bandana or whatever. Email the picture to me and on June 10 I'll post all the pictures. How easy is that?


If you have a red bandana , great. If not, don't worry, you can wear anything red.


Maybe you have a bright red sweater or a tee shirt.


Maybe you have a silly red hat.


You can wrap yourself up in your favorite red blanket.


Pups with moms who knit always have some silly thing to wear, even if it's a red neck ruffle.


You can even wear your new jogging suit if you want.


Fudge and the others can't wait to see what you all decide to wear. We're looking forward to making lots of new friends again this year. Let's beat last year's record of 73.

Here are the 4 easy steps to play along.
1. Find something red to wear.
2. Have your person take your picture.
3. E-mail your picture to me at wilcoxhall@ymail.com
Include your name, the state or country where you live, and your blog or website so we can link to you.
4. Check in on this blog on June 10 to see all the pictures.

You can start sending your pictures anytime. I'll save them till the 10th.

Allergy Weekend

Do you remember the shower tower? Rob built it last summer for the dogs . We hang a hose over the top and they go inside and play in the water. It's a very popular structure.


Several of them enjoy lying in the shade cast by the tower to play with their toys or to enjoy a snack.


This weekend Rob started dismantling the tower. We were all disappointed, but there was a good reason. The tower was built close to the edge of the hill and we're having an erosion problem. We were starting to worry that the tower might not remain stable.


The tower is being rebuilt on the other side of the yard where it'll be safer. The dogs will be able to enjoy it again in the hot weather.


Saturday was a bright sunny day, but quite windy. Rob and I have both been suffering with allergies for the last couple weeks and here are some of the reasons why.


The flowering trees and shrubs have been gorgeous this year. They've produced more blooms than we've ever seen, but along with the beauty comes pollen, lots of pollen.


The dogs are suffering, too. Fudge, Sky, Bailey and Tess all have 'allergy eyes'. Their eyes are red and watery.


I've been handing out Benedryl to three of them and Sky, who seems to have the reddest eyes is taking Chlortrimeton.


This is my Mother's Day present from my furkids. Rob picked it out and planted it in a pot for the porch.


I love the big pink flowers and so will the hummingbird.


This little guy was sunning himself on the bricks. I was surprised at how close he let me get to him. He'd better watch out because Morgan is on the lookout for lizards. She swallows them alive. Yuck!!!