Jango. Rhymes with tango

It's forever ago since I last blogged. Life just got busy and I don't seem to do busy very well anymore. I could go morning to night and never be caught up so I'm just going with the flow and prioritizing. It's far more relaxing.

We got a puppy in the spring. While we hoped for a purebred Australian cattle dog, it was too difficult to find one without putting it through the wringer of shipping him to us. And the expense. We have other priorities so we put aside our wants and deal with our needs. 

WE didn't NEED a puppy. Our Blind Guy, Colby did. Being an ACD means lots of stimulus and we can only throw a ball so many times. He's free to roam the yard but he was getting bored, I think. He always had our other dog, Mikey.

Jango is a mix of Australian cattle dog, Australian shepherd and border collie. He's 7 1/2 months old now and is my sweetheart. He's a mama's boy and a darn good frisbee catcher (well, he's still a bit off on his landings but he's loving his new 'thing'). He's also been wonderful for Colby. They have tons of playtime, both with us and each other. Takes a bit of pressure off when we have other things to tend to. 

This succession of photos starts at 8 weeks of age (end of March) and ends at six months of age (end of July). His growth spurt in the first couple of months was amazing. Sharp teeth, puppy breath, and full of mischief. See the last photo for proof. We only left him alone for a very short while. Hubs was mowing the lawn and I scooted off to the store for groceries. It only happened this one time although we did have to curb his love of not-good-for-eating type plants. He learned very quickly. He's one smart and sweet little guy.

Bird Song

Wow... it's been a long time since I blogged. Life has gotten busy as I endeavor to become self-employed. I have a few irons in the fire... some freelance work, an online store finally launched and my foot in the door at the Post Office, just relief work but 'foot in the door' is a good thing.

I'm working on new listings for my shop and listening to the most beautiful bird song. I heard this bird singing last night at midnight when I took the dogs out. The full moon made it seem like dusk and this bird was singing it's heart out. So many different sounds!

Hubs and I heard it this morning and we noted it's mimicking bird song of robins, sandpipers and more. I did a google search for our region and it may be a catbird. Whatever bird it is, I am delighted with its singing and hope it says around. 

This video is for sound only as I was just standing in my doorway hoping to capture the sound and it worked wonderfully! These are just a few of the different sounds coming from this lovely bird.

Snowstorm, Snowblower & Birds

Pushing gargantuous amounts of snow.

Yesterday's massive blizzard spared us no mercy. The end of our driveway is so vulnerable to the drifting snow brought on by the nor'easters. Add to that the plows, pushing heavy mounds of snow up the slight incline and into the driveway. It's so depressing. 

As Hubs began clearing snow this morning, he was hearing a wretched clunking sound. In the video below, I said the tranny was gone but it was actually the gear that drives the wheels. Kinda good news (if there can possibly be good news to being snowed in with a failing snowblower). The snow could still be cleared but the bad part was pushing a 385 lb machine manually on a double-wide 60 ft (or longer) driveway. Factor in a stomach flu, a bad back, shoulder, hip and more.... well, you get the picture. It was a big and painful ordeal!



I have no clue who the troops might have been. It's farm country and tractors with snowblower attachments abound. We'd have figured it out but didn't have to after all. 

Tomorrow, we'll take a drive into town and purchase a new blower - a 13 hp Honda! It wasn't in our budget whatsoever but needs are needs so it must be done. One HUGE bonus is our tax refund was much more than what I figured and will cover almost half the cost. And it's 'lady' friendly, too so I can operate it. Our Ariens served us well for almost 9 winters but it's tired now. It was too much for me to handle so I was never able to go out and relieve my pain-ridden Hubs. Now that we're going to be better equipped to handle what comes, watch our next couple of winters be nearly snowless. Isn't that the way? 

Visitors!

I was over-the-moon happy to see these lovely visitors meandering through our front yard this morning. I ran for my camera and hoped my blurred vision wouldn't be transferred though the lens. I was not disappointed.