Beach Finds

We got back from the beach yesterday, but I was able to pick up some souvenirs.  I have several collections that I added to,

Sea glass,

What I call fossilized fish poo.  Thank you C for the two  cool curlicue ones in front,

And fossilized coral.
 I also found some interesting faces, 

The alien,

Big toothy grin, 

And skull with black eye.

I also found a few good shark teeth, (with Joe’s help)

And a couple hundred smaller ones.  I really enjoy the time walking on the beach.

Kayaking Trip

Kayaking is one of the activities we have started doing on vacations.  Joe said he wanted to go this trip.

The kayak rental place wasn’t busy so there was no problem securing one.

Hats, sunscreen, sun glasses, water shoes, and we were ready.

As soon as I started paddling  I got a surprise as a shrimp hopped in my kayak.

The weather was perfect, light breeze sunny but not too hot.

I spotted a few birds and got some nice shots.

 It was a pleasant three hour tour.

Greetings

Joe said he needed a break.  Mike agreed to watch the farm.

 Greetings, from the beach!

Witch Ball

I had an interesting find at Goodwill recently.  I didn’t know what it was when I bought it, I just knew I liked it.  And the price was right, $1.99.

The box said it was Kitras Art Glass.  I looked it up and it is made in Canada.  This is called a witch ball.

“Hollow glass balls have been suspended in the windows of homes for centuries to ward off evil spirits. Legends say that evil spirits are attracted to the beauty of the ball, and upon touching its surface they are pulled inside and become forever trapped within the glittering web, thus protecting the home from any harm.”

 Looks like they sell for $30-$50.  I think I got a good deal. 

Prettiest Garden

So far, this has been our prettiest garden ever.  Joe has really worked and hoeing the weeds.

We have had an abundance of sugar peas and lettuce.

Lots of broccoli but no broccoli cage this year.  I will probably have to dust it soon though.

I picked 7 zucchinis today and my first cucumber.  The other day I even had a green pepper.

I just hope the tomatoes come along as well as everything else.  And just to let you know not everything is perfect, our onions got onion maggots.  I planted a few about a month after the first ones.  Maybe they will be ok.
 

Happy Independence Day

I am celebrating today with some red, white and blue. 

Red dahlias, white petunias, and blue salvia and phlox.  

The only problem are the red dahlias.  

They were supposed to be pink.  But they still look nice for today's celebration.  

I thought I might also update you on the new puppy.  No name yet but Joe has suggested Puff and Sadie has suggested Girl.   I am considering Sparkle or Glitter but then I decided those might be good names for the bottle goats.  We had been keeping the puppy with said bottle goats.  Then one afternoon Joe commented that one was a little lethargic.  I went to check and found she had been chewed on.  Nothing life threatening but totally unacceptable.  So it was time to try to start getting her with the other dogs where she could learn some manners.

We started by leading her to the herd in the evening and feeding her with the other dogs.  In the morning she was back at the barn.  So back on a leash and to the herd again.  In the evening she was back at the barn.  This has been going on for three days now.  She has gotten very good at walking on a leash.  

And the other dogs are starting to accept her a little more.   But if you want to be accepted, you really shouldn't chew on someone else's tail. 

 

Happy 4th!  Next, we are headed to the church potluck and fireworks. 

Yesterday’s Ride

I took Otoelene out yesterday morning for a spin around the farm.

We ran into the heifers.  They were all present and accounted for.
 

We chatted with Joe while he was waiting on another load of hay to be delivered.

And we got out of the way when it came.  Joe spent all day on this project.  You might recall that the man we were buying hay from was killed when his tractor was rear ended by a speeding car last year.  His brother then quit his factory job to take over the farming and wanted to be sure to keep us as hay customers.  

Otoelene and I also passed through the goat herd on the way back to the barn.  Another nice ride.