Jake: Running the Riverfront

Rise to the Occasion

Christmas is a time of year when children get to make a wish.  It coincides with year end and New Year's Resolutions!  Time to take stock?

We can live day by day, as a wise 96 year old advises, welcoming each new day with positive thoughts and gratitude for the day.

We can have hopes and dreams for our future and the future of others...as Martin Luther King did in his infamous "I have a Dream" speech.

Overall we suffer - each to varying degrees, and we achieve success, those of our wish list and some unexpeted.

Taking stock at the end of the year and/ or during Christmas - is truly a way of re-evaluating our lives - understanding what is important to us - perhaps thinking about what is important to the Universe - and, in essence - rising to the occasion of our lives -metaphorically speaking.

NYS Bans Fracking

I live in a region at risk for shale exploitation. While I may have benefited financially - LOST would be the serene peace, beauty, and quiet that comes without all the noise and destruction of fracking. The tradeoff of being in a rural environment, is natural beauty we want to preserve and be a custodian for the future.  The benefits are esoteric! 

New York can establish more natural food production by young farmers as parts of California are in real trouble with water. There are already plenty of areas being allocated to energy production.

Destruction is continuing as people use more natural resources and forgo preservation. Trees logged on land that was conserved for 20 years. Loss of habitat affecting wildlife, insects of bees and butterflies.

In my opinion, there are never enough acres dedicated to natural habitat and national parks!

Pure Whiteness...

Hounds at Play and Rest

Out in the Snow...

Jake eyeing his next escape route!

Out of the cold...  Here are some pictures of the dogs competing for warmth and comfort,,,

Bucky takes my chair...

Bucky and Robin share Jakes pillow

Gene comforts Jake who lost his pillow - temporarily

Gullah just fits...shut in while we eat our dinner!

Robin, Buckeye, and Bucky choose a spot close to the woodstove!

Year In Review:2014

Assisi
Perhaps the most beautiful creature on Earth for it's big eyes and streamlined body.
A deer fawn named Assisi:

and I have to thank Gene for helping me feed this baby on a regular basis - he was our rock, once again.

Sudden Storms:
Mother Nature always makes the greatest impact when she rears her ugly head.  Thankfully, most of the time we get the magnificent side of her.
In 2014, we fell victim of "straight line winds" topping 100 mph.

The amount of devastation on the land involved over 50 trees being uprooted.  This was in mid summer.  At years end, we are now only cleaning the debris of fallen trees and limbs.

These photos don't tell the whole story, but here they are:

Our Newest Adoption

Times are difficult across the country - but no more than on America's small farms.  We have adopted horses and hounds and have a no kill home for many animals - 50+.

Over the years we cared for hounds we appreciate the breed and it's thirst to run on open land - we are fortunate to have in Central NYS.

Our latest adoption is a beagle hound mix named Bud "Jake" at home in his donated pillow and cage.

I think he took to our farm easily because we have so many other hounds for them to play with - Jake makes 5 dogs in all - we are maxed out!  In the past we have cared for as many as 10 dogs but we are older now.  He is from a nice home in NJ.

He has a tag "Jake the escape artist - and he already took to the woods - opening our back door -  and landed on another farm - luckily he was returned the next day.

All About Pawnee

The "Pillsbury Dough" Girl...she reminds me of the mascot

This cat is a little fur ball - and that can be cute - but hard to clean after.  Her little body is like a cat doll.  Her fur just keeps on coming...so much so that it gets tangled in itself and I need to cut away the knots!

She has 6 toes...one of those cats whose paws look like a snowshoe...perfect for winter walking in the snow.  Pawnee is indoors most of the time - due to her stature - I don't think she would do well at defending herself.   I call her inside, especially at night.

She has yellow eyes...rare...she is so cute!!!!

Can you see how cute she is?

Ambrosia Farms: Nature Preserve

It has been awhile since I discovered all the secret treasures of Ambrosia Farms - a grove of Norway Spruce trees between the stream - running water cascading on either side - wildlife hidden in this trove of nature.

Here are a few photos of late:

I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon this piece of Earth and preserve all that existed.

Today we went on a walk - the beauty of the Catskill Mountains was a backdrop to the Ashokan Reservoir.  A really nice walk - but no dogs allowed, in case you are wondering - on the bridge walk!

we saw and met some birdwatchers, and walkers, that were great to talk to and learn from on our walk today.  

http://bobbyf-filver.blogspot.com/

it's nice to know that other people have the same reverence for nature as we do...

"the reservoir is approximately 9,000 acres and is part of the New York City water supply system, owned by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Surrounding lands are generally undisturbed beech/oak/maple and mixed pine/hemlock forest, much of which is protected as a buffer zone for the reservoir. According to the NY GAP land cover data, approximately 85% of the site is forested, and includes Appalachian oak-pine, deciduous wetland, evergreen northern hardwood, evergreen plantation, oak, and sugar maple mesic forests. The area has been largely undisturbed since 1915. This site has supported a nesting pair of Bald Eagles for the past ten years and hosts up to six Bald Eagles during the winter. The reservoir also serves as a stopover site for waterfowl, including an estimated 325 American Black Ducks and 50 or more Common Loons. Surrounding woodlands support an estimated 20 pairs of breeding Red-shouldered Hawks, as well as other breeding at-risk birds, including American Black Ducks, American Woodcocks, Whip-poor-wills, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Willow Flycatchers, Wood Thrushes, Blue-winged Warblers, Prairie Warblers, and Worm-eating Warblers. Migrating at-risk species include Pied-billed Grebes (potential breeder), Ospreys, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper?s Hawks, and Peregrine Falcons. In the fall, when the reservoir is low, the site also supports shorebirds, including American Golden-Plovers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Whiterumped Sandpipers, and Baird?s Sandpipers. Flocks of Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs also use the site during the fall." http://netapp.audubon.org/iba/Reports/816

Snow Birds

To all those that start the trek South or West - I am with you in spirit - Goodness knows it is getting cold up here~ What about the great talent of this family and friends shown in the video. How nice to see kids play real instruments instead of techno. Art lives!

Country Roads

Facilities: Dog Kennels

Here is Gullah: Bloodhound, Buckeye: Coon Hound - Walker/ Pointer Mix, and seen in the "doggie door" is Bucky - Coon Hound Walker, and Robin -  Beagle.

Many people frown at kennels because they are misunderstood.  These have alot of space.  Plus, they get a full run almost daily.  The kennels are indoors and outdoors.  The "doggie doors" serve to shut out the elements, inclement weather, and to shut the dogs in at night to avoid stimulation from such things as nocturnal wildlife - and preserve our priceless peace and quiet.

Since the kennels are very tall and high quality - we do not have to worry about the dogs getting lost or getting sprayed by skunks or porcupines.

Lucky, my first hound rescue, deceased est. age 10

We rotate them into the house frequently for extra TLC.   I spend alot of time in the kennels grooming and petting them when they are not with me otherwise.  The kennels hold 4 dogs each comfortably.  There is another kennel inside the barn with no outdoors access now but the horse barn is an open air facility.  Technically we can house 12 hound dogs - so far we have only housed 10 at one time.

There has never been a flea problem.  The bedding is hay and changed regularly.  Their coats are soft and healthy.  I think partly because of the food and exercise - but also the fact they are outdoors most of the time.  We close them in during the worst snow days and bring them into the living room - one and all - on our frosty nights.  When there is a dog that wants more house time - we give it to them.  They let us know by barking.

where are you going BoBo?

They learn quickly that barking is frowned upon unless it serves the purpose of being a watchdog.  When they howl together - rarely -  I call it "serenading" -  it is short and sweet and sounds very much like a pack of coyotes - only sweet - not scary...

Molly, deceased, est age 14

Some of the dogs we have rescued came right off the streets.  Many times dogs just come to us.  That is the way when you are open to them.  When they get the feeling of safety with strangers,  strays will stay.

We built the concrete slab to make it easier to clean.  The kennels are hosed down into a tiny area that has developed into a marsh like ecosystem.  Hence, there are no odors from their waste.

Spot, deceased, age 13

Alot of people use the underground electrical system to keep their dogs in place - a great invention for some.  For us, the old fashion kennel system works for the number of dogs.   When we leave the farm, the dogs can be cared for easily by our caretaker without having to place them in a kennel.  They are already in the best of them!!!

BoBo, deceased. aged 12

One thing I keep in mind in the care of animals is to allow for their natural habitat with the addition of creature comforts.  

Too often today dogs and cats and horses are given only creature comforts without any access to natural habitat.  Our dogs are allowed to act canine.  

Max, stray, deceased, age unknown

I reflect on the dogs we've rescued and can't help feeling a little proud of the small accomplishment and what it means to give a home to animals we've domesticated that our lost and found. 

Blackie "Maxine", Chow Mix, dec. age 14

 Best of all, it's the people we have helped in caring for their animals - the feeling of peace we imparted in the confidence the dogs would continue to receive tender love and care.

Hound Dogs

For years, we have been a rescue for hound dogs - over 20 dogs have been part of the farm - and currently we have a coon hound - a coon/pointer mix - a beagle - and a blood hound - with another coon hound on the way from New Jersey.

Here you see one of our recently adoptees  - Buckeye, formerly known as DJ - on a full run.

His hind leg muscles have become defined - and he does not like it when he is not running.  Unfortunately, I can't do this all day with him.  We try for once a day.  Sometimes they get twice.  Sometimes, we have to skip a day.

Can you see the muscles?

I've done alot of work in Horse and Hound Rescue - all out of pocket expenses - Gene has contributed greatly also - and our caretaker has been very helpful too!  So many dogs and horses in need of good homes - and so few people to handle them.

Horses and Hounds - happy with room to run!!!

Farmland

In this film, young farmers invite you into their work of farming - it appears to be both a labor of love and in some cases factory farming.  However, over the years as a tiny farmer, I know the amount of work that goes into farming on any scale.  The need for large scale farming has resulted from the increasing population at the same time consumption of animals and poultry.  Many American homes consume beef and chicken and pork daily.  A typical diet is coldcuts for lunch, and chicken or steak for dinner.

When the demands for these products are not met in this country they are imported from China.  The lack of water in some regions of this country is frightening for the future of food production overall.

As a vegetarian, none of my diet requires the killing of an animal.  However, vegetable production is still a huge demand on natural resources.

As a vegetarian, I eat eggs.  The eggs I consume are from tiny farms that let the chickens live beyond the normal chopping block of most farms.  Most farms allow birds just months to live - which increases the profit margin because inputs, namely feed and labor, are so costly.  Also, they produce a more tender bird.  For years we cared for are own small flock of chickens - some of them lived 7 plus years!

As a vegetarian, I also consume dairy products - milk for my coffee and cheese on occasion.  Having milked goats, here again I see the birthing, and the milking, and the making of cheese - because I and the doe are making it happen.  However, I did not like the doe having to give birth each year.  I saw the amount of milk it takes to make a small amount of cheese.  And again, not by us, but the dark side of dairy is that these animals - even after being used as birth mothers and milkers non stop - are given a short time to live before they too are sent to the slaughterhouse.

I cant reconcile any of this because I am such a mush.  I limit my consumption of these goods.  Everyone can choose to limit the consumption of animals and animal products.  In a world where the population is growing rapidly and is so large - resources are limited.

On this note, I did forego children to aid in population control (I receive fulfillment in caring for the many animals I 've rescued).  However ridiculous this may sound, choices we make individually - collectively have an impact.

For example, families can have a small number of children.  Some people have vegetarian Mondays.  Some people choose to  be vegan.  Every little change reverses the strain on our Natural Resources for future generations.

Our Beauty - Assisi

...this is my last photo with Assisi. She was a wonderful insight into her species - a great joy for us to touch.  We miss her each day.  When I started to let her roam the Earth, I thought she was getting big enough, but not enough for her to leave us.  For awhile she would return each morning from a night of grazing.  Than one morning, no Assisi.  I cry for her, did she fall prey to something?  Gene said she saw her grazing with a doe.  We can only hope.

In summary, I must tell you, although many many deer appear, they really have the odds stacked against them.

I cant go into detail on all the hazards they face - it's too depressing.  Suffice it to say, they survive against all odds.  The next time you see a deer, say to yourself how beautiful and fragile, and how lucky you are to have touched one, if only with your eyes.  For they are one of God's greatest creations. Bless you Assisi...

One of My Favorite all time Song Writers...memories

The many faces of a Goat

a selfie...

The Big Boys...

The Lil Boys...

food for thought - eat less meat - it really does take a life...