Farewell Dog

Free to a good home. Killer dog, especially fond of goats, cats, cattle, and deer. Otherwise friendly (ie. no human attacks to date), fairly quiet, and was once voted number 1 dog on Whyte Ave. Any takers? Responses must be prompt as my patience has reached it's final end and dog is about to make a one way trip to the edge of eternity. Did I mention the chickens? Also fond of chickens. I had actually made some "free to a good home" posters in the spring when my patience was being strongly tested (but had not reached its end) and I sure regret not following through with them at that time. Five chickens, two goats and nearly a kitten later, I have no more mercy for this animal, though it has taken us some time to conclusively determine who was the destroying culprit. We even had to get some help from Fish and Wildlife, whom I called after the grievous death of our goats. Thanks to F&W I learned to determine what creature most likely caused the death by skinning the animal down and inspecting bruises and punctures, gory yet interesting. Maybe I'll include details on another posting. (We wanted to know for safety reasons if it was a cougar or wolf related attack) Despite her many short-comings though, Kona was a great tree-planting camp dog, good traveller, and cute besides. Here's a final farewell to Kona, hope you have better luck wherever you end up.

Extending the flock

We just can't seem to stop extending the flock! This lovely little budgie we've named Bartholemew (one of David's favourite names, I call him Bartie) and he just started to give a few little chirps today, a sign that he's feeling more at home. I know nothing about domestic birds but I had envisioned that when my greenhouse gets built this winter (hopefully), I would create in it a safe haven for tame birds that they might encourage the plants with their song. Seeing as we seem to get everything in pairs (2 dogs, 2 llamas, 2 more llamas, 2 goats, 2 cats, 2 boys) I expect another bird will be arriving shortly.


These next pictures are for especially for you, Hero. David thinks we should start sending photos to food companys and get Lucas into advetising. He certainly is photogenic.

Let me think now, do I have any vents for today.... no, none today, I know you're all sorry to hear that.

Cats

I'm trying something new. In my scant half hour of spare time today (thanks to my wonderfully sleepy baby and equally wonderful caring husband) I did a little web surfing and discovered the wonderful tool of snooping on other peoples blogs by searching their locations (ie. Rocky Mountain House) or interests. It was devilishly similar to reading someone elses mail, yet totally kosher, besides, we all know that what you say on the net is everyone elses buisness. Unfortunately searching Rocky Mountain House did not result in anyone of interest (to me) but I thought I would add a bunch of "interests" to my profile and see if anyone happened to look me up. Kinda fun don't you think? I was somewhat inspire to be a bit more bold with my postings, considering I've been tiringly neutral, and considering I have very few vent venues, why not use this as one.




But before I get on with my venting I have to address the issue of Dijeree Doo (I know I'm spelling that wrong but haven't had time to look it up). That is what we have tentatively named our rescue cat who is now attacking my foot with kitten-like fury. We rescued him out of a deep crate in the corner of the work shop, apparently abandoned by his mother (actually I don't know how to tell if it's he or she so we go with he). Anyway, with a new baby and an aggressive toddler in the house, this poor kitty is not getting the TLC it deserves and needs a new home. Any takers? Besides which, our fat cat, Kyoto, has taken a dislike to this little intruder and has not yet attacked though I do fear the day is approaching...

Now on with the venting. What's with all these newly developed parenting techniques that are supposed to make my life easier, I mean the ones that have been cropping up in the past 150 years or so. Kind of like how communication technology is supposed to bring people closer together. As if! I've never been so alone in my life and it's only getting worse. I could easily go a whole month without seeing a single member of my extended family or a single close friend, the kind I feel comfortable having a real conversation with. I blame the industrial revolution and the dissolution of the extended family. Honestly, why can't we all go back to cave man style parenting. I mean it worked for thousands of years, why do things have to change when I come along. I think I should have lived 2000 years ago, living on nuts and berries, spinning and weaving sturdy garments, washing wood smoke out of my hair with home-made soap, and chanting hymns to the full moon. Anyway, back to parenting, my world, life, and pet peeve right now. I feel like I am a little lonely boat in a huge empty ocean when it comes to "attachment parenting", a coined term that I've discovered most accurately represents my parenting philosophy. In a nutshell, let your kids sleep where they're comfortable and feel safe (with you, in your bed), feed your baby as much as he wants when he wants cause his body knows best, take your kids with you when you go places (carry baby in a sling), birth your babies at home (if you can), and don't count only on the school ciriculum to teach your kids, teach them what you know too. As simple as that all may sound to the non-parent, would you believe how much I have had to defend these convictions. If not out-loud (and usually I don't have the energy to argue my case) then I defend them in my mind which eventually leads to a mentality of constant defensiveness. Not really what I had in mind when I first became a parent. Like I said though, I feel pretty much alone on the whole matter, not that I critisize the parents that I know cause everyone must follow their own inner light, but I guess one is always surprise to find themselves travelling a path alone when they thought they were following a well-trodden course. Most likely my parenting convictions will change as I become older and wiser. Perhaps I will become a shining light so someone who also feels alone. There, I vented, aaaaaah! (I think that was the sound of a sigh of relief from my husband who was just saved from being a vent venue for the day) By the way, the picture way up there is of Lucas with his dad in bed, eating popcorn, with Lucas making his last clever attempts to resist bedtime. Yes, that is a queen sized bed that we ALL share with no difficulty, Lucas (18 months), Rowan (3 weeks) and their happy parents.

A Beautiful Fall Day

I couldn't resist getting a photo of Rowan in the bright fall leaves. Good thing I got the picture when I did cause now it's COLD!