Goldstar Mothers Friends and Families of Fallen soldiers - Block Party 7/11/2010

We were invited to a concert at the Veterans Memorial Park in Manchester, sponsored by the Friends and Families of Fallen soldiers - Block Party 7/11/2010

Jarrod thought it would be pretty good, so we thought we'd go for an hour or so because it was so hot out and ended up staying for the entire show.  Jarrod managed getting the band talent together,  managing the entertainment setup, tear down, and sound.  Busy day for him back and froth from the stage to the sound booth several times for each band.  

We called Crystal and the twins to come down and watch the show with us, she was just leaving to go to the Block Party. James and Jason had fun too.

What a great time, there were raffles for both goods and services as well as 50-50 raffles, (I Won $50.00, I donated it to the Goldstar Mothers Memorial fund.) There were clowns, hotdog vendors, and others selling various foods, there were 6 bands,  Best Not Broken a local Manchester favorite, Brooks Young Band,  Jimmy Lehoux Band was fantastic as well,  Mindset X rocked it out,  Ron Noyes Band, and the Scott Barnett Band.  The music was fantastic, young and old enjoyed the day!    The police presence was fantastic, there were officers on foot and on Segways taking the time to mix with all of the people on the field, handing out honorary Junior Police Officer stickers to the kids.

Well done All!  

I only wish we thought to bring chairs and a blanket for all to sit on, next time...

A hot summer day adventure on the Piscataquog River in New Boston.

A hot summer day adventure on the Piscataquog River in New Boston. 

We took the boys swimming yesterday, the water was 80 degrees! James and Jason both fished for a while though nothing was biting. The rocks were slippery so you had to be real careful not to slip. Lots of fun, we saw some bullfrogs, crayfish, a Great Blue Heron, lots of minnow trout. The boys tried hard to catch the minnows. We had a picnic on the beach, and later ended the day at Nana's house with Ice cream cones.

 Huckleberry Finn

 James learning to float on his back

 Come on in the waters fine! Nana and Jason.

 Jason learning to float on his back

 "Watch me Papa, I can cast all by myself!"

I knew they'd be back...

The Deer
They came back this evening,  Rose's deer came back...  not sure if it was the bugs that drove them out or just Rose having wished them to appear since Fathers day.  It's just dusk now and she's still at the dining room window now, "Oh there's the skipper from last year", shortly thereafter "there's another that makes three",  so far anyway.  

Mom and Dad missed all the excitement by two days. They were here for a cookout on Sunday the Fourth of July, yeah I'm thinking it's not a good day for deer too.


The Bugs... 
They are real bad this year, I've never seen so many horseflies Deerflies as we have this year, they are everywhere.  Sunday we had Willow out and he was acting real antsy running back and forth in the paddock, when I got there he had a massive cloud of those little black bugs that slam into your face never seeming to bite but enough to drive a person mad in short order swarming him.  I warned off the grandkids (they were going to help me bring willow to the barn) and promptly ran with him following down to the barn with the little bugs hitting me in the face the entire way, trying to run beneath the maples and peach trees to fend of some of the swarm as we went.


The Mosquitoes
They've been missing lately, during my forays into the darkness with the dogs to do their business, still puppies we can't let them out alone yet.  Seldom did I encounter more than the occasional curious one flying by.  The bug machine must have worked I thought, Hah, was I wrong.  They had their due Sunday night and feasted on us all during the Fireworks through the bug spray, this Deep Woods stuff is supposed to repel 'em right?  After three successive coats finally seemed to offer some relief.  We ran for the house promptly after the fireworks show, snug behind our screened windows and blasting air conditioners.

Congratulations Kailey!

Kailey,
Upon your graduation, hold your memories in one hand, but leave the other open...for your life is just beginning, and the world that awaits you is endless.

Congratulations!

Smoke From Canada Fires Wafts Into NH - New Hampshire News Story - WMUR Manchester

Smoke From Canada Fires Wafts Into NH - New Hampshire News Story - WMUR Manchester

Harley is where he belongs...

Harley joined us on the farm last week, he is a 3 1/2 month old Lab/German Shepard mix, (He has huge paws, he's gonna be a big one). He's pretty laid back and so far seems to be settling in nicely. He was already "Harley" and comes to that name when called, I couldn't see trying to change it, it's growing on us.

Harley was the dog we tried to get before we got Gordon a few weeks ago. He was purchased by someone who "wasn't sure if they'd want a dog or not". apparently they decided not! They were tired of dealing with a Puppy, seems the whole cute puppy thing wore off.

The next family has young kids and Harley made a mistake and jumped up on one of them. He was then returned to the owner where we picked him up as soon a s we heard he was available.

So, the house is full of dogs again, it's a bit chaotic at times with puppy runs out to the yard, and seeing what the barking is all about, puppy squabbles over toys, treats, sticks, rocks, and anything else they can get away with.


You'll occasionally hear "Haarleeeey" in exasperation when he has the occasional accident though he's doing better by the day.

Good boy Harley! Good boy!

Dragonfly Days of Spring?

It's been a hot spring so far...  A very odd year so far, the Dragonflies of Autumn are here in the spring, they arrived a week ago and have been ridding the farm of the typical spring scourge of Black-flies and Mosquitoes that plague the area.  It's almost Memorial Day and we have hundreds of Dragonflies that we see normally in August congregating in the yard and fields by the hundred.  Don't get me wrong we're pleased to see them they seem to be keeping the bugs in check along with the Mosquito Magnet it's been a fairly good couple of weeks. Sorry no Dragonfly pictures, they won't stop long enough...

Cyanide and Happiness, a daily webcomic

Cyanide and Happiness, a daily webcomic

Millennium-Ark: Pic of the Day

Millennium-Ark: Pic of the Day

FDA What?

"The FDA essentially believes that nobody has the right to choose what to eat or drink," said the Natural News site, which explains it covers topics that allow individuals to make positive changes in their health, environmental sensitivity and consumer choices.

"You are only 'allowed' to eat or drink what the FDA gives you permission to. There is no inherent right or God-given right to consume any foods from nature without the FDA's consent."

Meet the newest family member "Gordon"

4/25/2010

This is Gordon, (Formerly Mark) our newest addition on the farm, we saw him this morning at the Nashua Humane Society in Nashua, NH. If you haven't been to this place and you love animals you should go, this place is fantastic, great friendly staff that really cares about the animals, nice environment for the animals, dog walking paths, etc. After visiting most of the Humane society and shelters in the area we're glad we happened upon the Nashua Humane Society, they really made the adoption process comfortable for us, our dogs as well as Gordon.

They had us fill out a 3 page questionnaire, discussed our needs, the dogs needs and any issues with a particular animal, behavioral traits, how they interact with other dogs, cats, kids, etc. Then they had us bring Chloe in to see if Gordon would get along with Chloe, they both did great, the HS was concerned as Gordon was aggressive with others. There were 4 staffers watching the two interact and they did fine.

Well it's been 3-4 hours, he is now sitting on command, occasionally when he forgets barking or growling at a passing cat. He has gone outside all day to do his business, (#1 & #2) we're all so proud.




Typical puppy, everything goes in the mouth, He loves to play ball, already has a favorite blue rubber 10" ball he chases around the yard. James and Jason, Crystal and Jarrod came over to see him today he did great with the kids too.











I am so tired...

















I'm going home with my new family. I did great on the car ride home too!