Laughing Dog Arts

Monday, November 27, 2017

Come with me on a walk

 On my morning walk today I found this offering in the middle of the path.  They are hawthorn berries.
 Very pretty I think.
 The cows and calves were enjoying the quiet morning.  I love that huge cottonwood tree in the background.
 A few weeks ago when I was walking here, I heard a rustling rumbling sound coming from the forest and I thought "What is that noise?  The cows shouldn't be in there.  Sounds like a big animal, maybe an elk crashing through the woods?"  Then this huge alder tree came falling down, right where I had been about to walk.  I have never seen a tree spontaneously fall down with no wind or logger to help it.  It is on the neighbor's property and they have been working on cutting it up for firewood.  I like the way the red alder shows why it is named so.  When a fresh tree is cut up it bleeds red.
 This is a big old stump with new trees growing up out of it.  I climbed it once and looked inside, it is hollow.  If I ever have to hide from someone, I might run here and get in.  You might be able to see how the cows have rubbed on that long snakey root piece and made it all shiny.
 I love leaves.  This heart shaped one is a cottonwood.
But I love my little Roscoe Bean even more.  Who could resist this face?

Be well.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Around the farm

I'd like to share some pictures I have taken from around the farm.
 Above is showing a footprint I spotted at the river side.  It is a beaver track.  I was surprised at how large it is.
 I'll call this a trunklet.  Kinda like a bracelet except it is on a tree trunk.  Chicken wire was wrapped around the trunk in hopes of keeping the animals from nibbling on the bark but evidently it made a nice spot to rub on. 


 Cows like to rub on things.
I noticed the muddy spot under this fence post where there is not any similar muddy spot near other fence posts so I had to investigate the reason.
 I discovered this metal nail head or something that the cows have been rubbing their heads on for a good scratch.  It is worn smooth.  I find many spots on trees and posts that are rubbed so smooth and a nice patina on them from the cows.
 This is my neighbors tree fort.  The boys are grown and off to college now, sometimes the cows use it.  Somewhere I have a picture of 3 cows standing in it but darn, I can't find it right now.
 No question as to why the maples around here are called Big Leaf Maples!
Here is Gunnar gazing through the fence slats at this thing.  Anyone know what it is?
Neighbors cows have been calving this past week.  Here is Ruby and her little calf from last year.  I saw this morning that she calved another little white faced baby.  She is a good mom.
That is enough for today from around the farm.
Be well.




Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Calendar pages

I haven't published a blog post in over a year!  Not sure I even know how anymore with the changes to blogger since then.  Thought I'd give it a test drive today, see if I can get some photos posted of some work I've done with my Stitch 'n Bitch group.  We all make what we call calendar pages, 12 of them apiece, then we trade around with each other and make our own calendar using these pages as the decorative part of the calendar.  Here are some of mine from last year.  Remember you can click on them to make them bigger if you'd like.











I'll try to post more often than once every year and a half.  
Be well.