Tuesday, December 28, 2010

From the Sayings of Smudge, the Cat

"It is better to wait until the gate opens then jumping over it. This way you know that you have been invited in."

From the Sayings of Smudge, the Cat

"Don't lick out the can. You will get more food from the dish."

From the Sayings of Smudge, the Cat

"Meow sparingly, so that your human will understand you better."
"The Greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too." - Samuel Butler

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Before the Pine Tree Died





By Sharon Graves



A mini-ecosystem was never discovered
Until Sharon bought the house and uncovered
A wondrous place only found
In the hills of Southern mountains.

Three pines there were standing tall
Not the prettiest ones of all
But underneath them cool and damp
Wildflowers grew, undisturbed plants.

What were they? No one cared
Until Sharon happened to spare
Leaves of green
That she assumed were weeds.

June came and surprise was on the way
When something pink began to display
On that weed of green leaves
that started to produce colorful sheathes.

The flower grew and revealed who it was-
A Pink Lady Slipper from the mountains above
My little house in the foothills below
What a blessing it bestowed.

I looked everyday, taking photos
Among the scrubby pines and weeds of my "Eco"
Two, three, maybe four seasons she displayed
Her pretty slippers in June days.

One pine tree died and then was cut
Now there's death, heat, and much dry mud
Will my pretty flower survive?
No more able to safely hide?

Today I see the leaves of green
That once I had assumed were those of weeds
June will be here again next year
Flowers will bloom somewhere near.

And maybe I will see a flower revealed
A pink lady slipper just for me.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Balloo's dog agility beginnings



This is Balloo after the weave poles running with me with my red shoes. Balloo always beat me running, so I have found short cuts to keep up with him. He is fast!


You all may have to lie down on your side to see this, but I decided to post it anyway so that you can see my two year old, Balloo running the poles. He loves them.