May Each Year Bring New Possibilities and Joy

...as we go through our journey in our brief time on Earth, we suffer great losses, and experience little joys...we are grateful for all we share and hold in high regard.  This year, my mother was one such loss... One that we miss greatly...She was a wonderful person ...nurturing, loving, and kind...her life was brief in many ways... but she also lived in the richness of people who loved her. 

our horse L.S. Quinarius, 19, did not get to live as long as her mother, Smokey Boots, 34, but they got to share their lifetime together - a rare thing - since herds and families of horses are routinely dispersed and sold without knowledge of the attachment!  We witnessed firsthand how close they were to one another...and now we believe they are together again in the afterlife...

we also lost 2 goats, a young one(Hercules) and an old one (Sorrellina)...sweet animals both

To the treasures of time together...forever

My First Hound: Lucky

back in the day...1990's...found on the street...my first hound dog!

The Hounds

Animal Memories: Sorellina 2008-2017

They were 1 year old in this picture... Sorellina & Further... our first goats.  their offspring and others grew our goat herd to over 20 today.  She could not stand up...in the end...age caught up with her...as it does all of us.  here is a look back.

......Butler had a lot to do with growing the herd...our Buck!

Further with her first set of twins...goats give birth in sets...generally!

I m glad to give animals a lovely life on the farm with us... the forever farm!

Call of the Wild

Lush Coast, Open Spaces

What wonders to discover on the beautiful coast of Northern California!  

There are many vineyards which need irrigation because the earth seems parched...but we were told there is a rainy season nearer to October!

Discovered the towns of Anchor Bay, Point Arena, Elk, Manchester...coastal properties...with the most expansive stretch of beach just past the lighthouse with a small sign that states Coastal Access.
This beach is some 500 yards from the parking area over protected dunes...just past the "Point Arena Lighthouse".

The store in Elk has a wide array of picnic items and really good panini's with bread from Fort Bragg bakery further north...ours was the sunflower vegetarian...one of the many great picnics to be had along the coast...with great wines you select from wineries!

My favorite is organic.  "Tres Sabores" in St Helena - the petite sirah. Paired that with "Cowgirl Cremery" Mt Tom

IN MEMORIAM: MOM 92 YEARS WITH LOVE

He was Mom's favorite singer and as I think of her today, shortly after we lost her, I feel she is with our loved ones and being loved again, close to all her men, my brother and father, close to her Mom and Pop.  Close to our beautiful sister, and close to our Aunts and Uncles, sisters, and brothers.  A beautiful reunion of joy, comfort, and well being forever into eternity.

why time surges during joyful, happy years  - while the melancholy of losses linger?

find strength and love in good times and bad times

find love with family, friends, and kind acts.

This will keep you uplifted

This will help us go on

Be the good in everyone...

Animal Memories: L.S. Quinarius

Gene had purchased L.S. (Little Smokey) with Smokey - her Mom ( dam). L.S. was still in the womb. An offspring of Quinarius (sire)- a show horse. Smokey and L.S. got to live together on our farm their entire lives, with Smokey passing at 33, and L.S. passing overnight (at 20). 

We were taken aback by L.S. sudden illness and failure to recover. Something went off in her digestive system and despite several attempts to rid her of colic - and thousands of dollars in Vet bills, she succumbed. The Vets called her stoic. Saying most other horses would have passed much earlier. She ate little food for weeks. She kept trying to turn the corner - I thought she might come out of it. ...no treatment helped...maybe surgery - but there's was no way to tell and few people can afford that expense with a pleasure horse.

...trained L.S. through natural horsemanship ...rode her very little. She, as all our horses lead a life as similar to a wild horse as you will see - with a vast pasture. The only difference is they are given roomy shelter - and fed and watered like royal horses. So it is truly "the best of both worlds" of any living being.Farewell, L.S. "Bessy" - we will miss you...we see you with your Mom running the fields - in our hearts...


This is L.S. - above her Mom with the star marking on the right - the wild horses in the background.
The rest of the herd is feeling her death  - and you can feel they are keeping an eye out - for her.

Look who's coming to Dinner

ARTEMESIA born April 1 2017 to Clover

Pueblo: 2004 to 2017

Pueblo, our longtime barn cat, also sat on the roof of our house - preferring to be away from the other cats.  This winter he stayed in the house, and died suddenly.  He was healthy with a good appetite/thirst - there is no reason to have expected this.  Life is fragile.   ...our animals are  in good care, love, and an appreciation of their zest for life - right until the end!

Our Mother, Ourselves