For Frankie That and for me, a first time event.

 

I grew up on a dairy farm, and saw calves born, cows die, chickens hatch, roosters strut and crow, groom special calves for the then-called Calf Club Days, but we had one horse, for me to ride to primary school.  The only other horse I might have seen would have been the Clydesdale Teams, at the Franklin A & P  Show, at Pukekohe.

Yesterday a friend phoned, and said would we like to visit? Yes please.

I drove, to the farm down the track, and we walked to the far paddock.

Frankie That , the proud Mum, and her foal,  exactly 12 hours old, born at 3 a.m. All went well, a 10 minute labour, after a few days of showing signs of imminent birth. A Bay girl, beautiful, legs, ears and tail ,and one white hoof, all in perfect order, just  what any new Mum would wish for,Frankie is 14, her first foal, she was very protective.

Without further ado, here are the photos, for me, maybe the best experience of my photography days . Please click on each photo for more details.

Ann has asked for some name suggestions, I will pass them all on to her.

Here is Bella, just over one year old, so friendly, nuzzled up to each of us in turn, and a close-up was so close it was way too blurry.

Quotation of the day, an Arabian Proverb

“The wind of heaven is that

which blows between a horse's ears.” 

Greetings from Jean

Nikon or Canon Camera Giveaway Competition and a list of Airports in US.

 

I will find the original page and post it for you all, this is a huge prize, and someone must win. Here it is.

 

http://www.cameragiveaways.com/

 

This is the latest  request,  so you get  further bonus entry points. I am not sure why this has to be done, maybe for the sponsors benefit.

 

#1  Post this picture on your personal website or blog using the special embed code below. You must use this exact code.

#2  After you have posted the image by using the special embed code, make sure to let us know by completing this simple form. Make sure to click through to the final confirmation page after submitting the form too.

 

<div style="clear:both"><a href="http://snapknot.com/wedding-photography-prices"><img src="http://bit.ly/1pN0GD9" title="Wedding photography prices" alt="Wedding photography prices" border="0" /></a></div><div>Image courtesy of: SnapKnot - <a href="http://snapknot.com/wedding-photography-prices">Wedding photography prices</a></div>

This is what the email asked, so here is the photo and the embed link.

And from the Ugly Hedgehog,another link. This lists the airports state by state, so if I come to visit, I can fly almost to your backdoor, give or take a few miles. I looked at a few states, and after that decided I needed lots more time to find each one I would need. Dream on, wish for the stars, nothing is impossible.

http://www.aviationacres.com/USAirports.asp

And one more of the frost on the front lawn, taken in August 2005. Those Agapanthus on the edge of the drive have been dug out, and a friend has taken them to his holiday home in Hawkes Bay. These are the same 3 trees in yesterday’s photo, now loaded with blossom.The tallest trees in the background are across the stream from us, not ours, but Hugh always hopes if we have a huge storm and one falls, it might almost reach  the edge of our back lawn. Think of all the extra firewood from just one tree!!!

To the  right  of the Cherry Trees, in front of a garage door, is the bare English Elm. This morning it has lime green  flowers, that turn to pale paper-like cases that blow so freely in the wind.

 

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Walk tall as trees, live strong as the mountains , be gentle as the spring winds, keep the warmth of the summer sun in your heart, and the great spirit will always be with you”

Greetings from Jean

Is This The last Frost in October?

 

I went out after dinner, last night,  and put up frost cloth, for the tomatoes, beans and zucchini. Hugh was up early, lit the fire, and announced “ It’s a frost”,Yes, Jack Frost  had unpacked his bags, and was here again.

Most of the photos were taken around 7 a.m. Still cold at minus 0.5 Celsius, not so cold for my friends in the North, but  coolish here for October.

Maybe this is the one time when I can  imagine  I am tall!!

Looking back from the front lawn, not much sunshine at that stage.

 

This is to the left of the photo above, and across the driveway. A few patches of lawn not icy, under those branches.

A short walk along the street, and down the driveway to Patrick’s place.His ewes have a frosty start  for their breakfast.The darker shed is where Fiona has her chooks, and the roof just showing on the far right is Hugh’s workshop.

Quotation of the day, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

  “The frost performs its secret ministry unhelped by any wind”

Greetings from Jean

A Fable by Aesop

 

The Ant and the Grasshopper

IN a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content.

An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

  “Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”

  “I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.”

  “Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; “we have got plenty of food at present.”

But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

 

 

 

When the winter came the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing, every day, corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.

Then the Grasshopper knew:

“It is best to prepare for the days of necessity”

 

I had  decided I would post this today, after Jim’s lovely words  on my post yesterday, referring to our wonderful heap of firewood, yesterday, then  the  news of the tragedy in Ottawa came on our TV early this morning.  Would I,  or not, a huge hesitation in my heart.

I read Ron’s words with tears.

  All  thoughts of a post with lovely illustrations,  delightful  words, and more, ( all courtesy of the Internet) flew out the window. Then I  realised  that we can send sympathy, caring thoughts, love and support, even if our blog  words do not seem to show that. To you all in Canada, we care, so very much,  and share in your loss today.

Quotation of the day, by Pierre Trudeau

“  Our hopes are high. Our faith in the people is great.

Our courage is strong.

And our dreams for this beautiful country

will never die” 

Greetings from Jean

2 Outa 6 Ain’t Bad

 

So far, so good,Hugh has had 2 mornings, with little pain. Wow, we cannot believe this is real. 2 mornings with  not having to use crutches.The pain level is low, and manageable. We are slowly catching up on sleepless nights, and I was tempted with some  garden colour.

Mauve  Bletilla Striata, pink and lemon Aquilegia, and peeping in at the bottom edge, Lily of the Valley.

Bletilla striata is a species of orchid native to Japan, Korea, Nansei-shoto (Ryukyu Islands), Myanmar (Burma), and China (Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, 

The Red Poppies flower from seed every year, this time are so ruffled and ,to my eye, darker red than before.

Up the driveway, the cherry trees are showing delicate pink, and have so many blooms the thinner branches are drooping with their weight. Beautiful.

But a walk in the garden would not be complete without a passing glance,or 2 or more, at that magnificent heap of firewood. Now more trees have been  felled, the sun reaches the heap earlier. Dry by February, in the shed in March, and on the fire in  April. Comfort and warmth all waiting .

This is taken from the other end, with smaller wood for the chip heater stacked high too.

Quotation of the day, author  unknown,

“ Before you get anything, Get Organised ”

Greetings from Jean

We Went to See The Wizard……

 

The wonderful wizard  of

“ Caudal Epidural Steroid Day Surgery”

Finally the day arrived, after postponements,  and months of waiting and waiting, we went  to the CT and Radiology  department, as it was written on the papers. to be told Hugh’s name was not there. Panic, although I tried to be calm.Finally, when I said I had a phone  call to say the theatre list had been printed, and he was to be  there at 11.30 a.m., Nil by Mouth from 6 a.m. the lovely lady did some phone calls, and directed us to the Day  Surgery Department.

Paper work, lots,  Linda, you were a dream come true, calm, helpful, and so understanding. Into the next room, 8 beds, another huge room with massive easy chairs, and another room, for the youngest people.

Off to theatre   just before 2 p.m., and allowed to come home at exactly 3 p.m. Thanks, Mel.

The lovely Doctor explained everything beforehand, and hoped all would go well. It did. Thanks, Dr B .,and your theatre staff.

Maybe this will be the hoped for miracle. Life continues. Sleep will be so welcome tonight, after some nights of waking so early, today, up at 4.45, breakfast all done by 5.30 a.m. I am bushed, from top to toe.

Hugh has a smile tonight, and hopes for pain-free days.

This was taken at Wellington  Airport, with snow falling.

 

Taken at one of Hugh’s favourite  spots, high in the Tararua Range.

 

Quotation of the day,  from Maya Angelou

“ Try to be a Rainbow in Someone’s Cloud”

Greetings from Jean

From the Archives

The room where I have my laptop, a warm fire, and the Bernina now sits on top of the desk, looks like it was tucked away in the  hard drive place when I took this photo, and the desk is sooo tidy!!!

Protea Nerifolia , this tree has suffered some damage, and may need to be removed. So this bloom is rather special.

And a collage, but I see it is not set in the centre, well, I didn’t have to make it perfect. But  centre setting would have been so much better!!! The block holder is downloaded, and comes  with a tutorial.  The Poppy flowers are from a public garden in Palmerston North.

Tomorrow, you will hear shouts, even in the Far North, when the firewood is all split!! Then it will be time to sort out some fabrics, and maybe even go shopping for a green to frame the batik blocks.

Quotation of the day, by John Evelyn

Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.

Greetings from Jean

More horses and riders at Foxton

 

Our daughter and Danielle arrived home in Rotorua very late Sunday night, and today I have edited and emailed photos galore.

This is an assortment of photos from Saturday, the Rotorua team are in Blue.

This little building would have been so appreciated.

This was the horse truck for 8 horses, hay, and lots of gear. I have heard that the driver was so very helpful, thanks from all the girls and horses.

One of the Rotorua horses, all coiled up, and ready to go.

Warm up area, all sand, some jumps, and room for so many horses.I was very careful to look before I walked in front or behind!!!

 

Jessica on Spots Galore.

The final results, Jessica and Danielle  in the top pair for each category,  Category A  Pair, came 8th , well done the  “Rotovegas Rippers”

Miss Fire and Danielle, The End.

 

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Life is like a camera,Focus on what is important,

Capture the Good Times, Develop from the negatives,

And, if things do not work out, Take another shot”

Greetings from Jean