Sappy Story At Harvest Time

Well, last night we did something we don't do very often; we had a sleepover. Two German Shepherd Dogs were traveling from AR to WI to a rescue. They needed a place to spend the night. We gave it to them. They're crate trained so lounged all they wanted in big crates in the garage. There are 6 dogs in the house already.

This morning I got out early and took them both for a walk. Neighbors farm and are harvesting so we had an already emptied field on the other side of our wooded land in which to mosey for about 20 minutes before they had to go meet their driver to head north of here. We agreed it was time for me to get to work (after driving them to the meeting place).

Here's what happens: Each year I help this neighboring farmer harvest. He always does a lot more than I do but I'm certain I help because there's always crop for me to get out each year, regardless of whether he plants corn or beans. He probably doesn't even know I help out but that's OK. Like me today, he has his hands full.

The crop I harvest is golf balls. They are obviously planted by another neighbor as the farmer doesn't look to be any more of a golfer than I do, maybe less. Besides, neither one of us would lose our balls in the field.

You can see that I had a pretty good harvest today. Actually it was two trips, one with the guests and then one with my big guy, my Tripp, a dog now resting because it was a workout walking the field. It all went well. You can see how loaded down I was in the images. But there's an issue I cannot resolve. You can comment if you want but mainly this is just something to think about when you're watching mindless television or "reading" a graphic novel or pulling weeds or sorting US mail received any day. That makes it rhetorical.

Here's the question: If when he plants corn and I harvest golf balls I can call them cornballs then what do I call them when he plants soybeans and I harvest golf balls? Bean balls is a bit of a cornball idea. We have our share of those in our small town (cornball ideas) but no one reading this should even begin to suggest this is a reference to them.That's been thought before and it was wrong then so it's wrong now. That's my disclaimer and I have the balls to say so.

Now it all got more complex today because on the way back up our driveway I spotted a white pine pine cone on the ground. So what? Well, I'm harvesting those for a landscaping company so naturally had to stop and pick it up since I have harvesting bags near the garage. But upon bending over I started to lose my balls. First one fell out. I picked it up and as I did two more fell out, one bouncing on the asphalt which meant we had to chase it. I was jiggling my balls as I scurried to get it. But of course my left hand is now covered with sticky substance, sap from the pine cone. That meant only one thing: taking the photos with my phone camera would cause the phone to get sticky.

Well, it's time to call Holly and tell her I've got fresh balls for her.

Life can be very complicated sometimes.

The Wonder of It All

A blossom that looks suspended in air

 This past weekend was marvelous because there was another successful transport which means life goes on for some animals who may have otherwise not survived. No doubt I have said it before - there is a real "rush" that comes from being able to help, whenever it is possible, and sometimes making it possible by rearranging a schedule or two. Below you see Emerson, a handsome GSD who posed graciously while we waited for the driver for the next leg of his journey.

RW Emerson (I gave him the RW for Road Warrior)

 As he and I became acquainted we agreed it would be all right for him to get out of the crate when we reached our destination. It was a perfect time to capture his amazing look. He's off to a northern Wisconsin location now, making himself at home in a no-kill shelter or one of their foster homes.

Sometimes, It is difficult to let the passengers go on and he was no exception. Every driver I know has said, at least six times, "I'd keep that one" or "I'd take them all"...Most of us have several dogs and/or cats already and by several, in my case I mean 9. The best reward is knowing we do not have to take these home with us because they are saved already and going to be cared for until the right person or people come to them.

It doesn't take much to be a driver - a reliable, fueled vehicle that can hold as many crates as possible, your crates/bedding or else you can carry some Stay In Crates critters, and time. Time is your biggest gift - the time to drive and the time of life you give back to these animals who are so deserving.

Curious and chatty

Saturday afternoon my husband and I strolled around a nearby small town, where Lincoln walked of course! This and the flowering tree above were part of what we enjoyed seeing.

It was truly a weekend to relate to being thankful for all things great and small.