Home for the Holidays

I had a great visit home for the holidays.  It's always grounding to spend quality time with Suzanne and Tucker.

I needed the break and really enjoyed visiting with Mom & Dad, hosting our annual Christmas Party and visiting with Glynis, Justin, Karen and Austin.  Plus seeing all our friends while there.

Here's a few pictures of the Sandhill Crane's that Dad is feeding.

A Cardinal at Mom's feeder.

At home a Hawk started his day in our front yard.  We finally figured out he was getting worms.



The feeder out back, with a Titmouse.

And of course the Chickadee had to join.  

Until next time…

Suzanne's Visit

24 October 2013

I was uploading some photos today to finish up some blogging and realized I was woefully behind.

Suzanne came over for a visit last October and while here we had dinner with our good friends Allan and Vera. Allan is a local farmer (dairy -- for cheese) and Vera owns a local pharmacy. En route to dinner Vera insisted on showing us an old church and graveyard because she knew Suzanne's interest in fox hunting.

This is a stone that reads:

In
Memory
of
Thomas Dobson
Who Died
April 2nd 1910
-----
For 53 Years
(Tommy)
was master of Eskdale and
Ennerdale Foxhounds
He started the pack
-----
This monument was erected
by nearly 300 friends
from all parts
of the country.

Of course what makes the stone special is that on the left is the head of a fox and on the right is the head of a hound. Below the scroll is a horn crossed with a whip. At the top is Tommy's face encircled by a horseshoe.
Here's a shot for scale…



While there I also took some pictures of stones and lichen. The sky was overcast so the lighting was near perfect. I have no idea what some of these plants are, but they were pretty.

We also went for a short walk up to Hardknott Castle -- the Roman ruins of a fort from about 300 AD. It was a beautiful day.




Until next time…