Ann's Weblog

 Fire, such a scary thing. This barn burned down, and the fire took about 10 acres of timber as well, at my EX-home in a nearby farming community.

 No one was hurt, and no livestock perished. I say that this is "a small sorrow" because the barn was part of MY history as well... I lived on that farm from 1978 to 1992. I remember the barn as it was used for the handling and shelter of cows and calves, sheep, a couple of goats, over the years. Lately it had been home to just three sheep... progeny of my daughter's 4-H lambs, and they were safely out in the field when the fire started, looking sheepish.

 I can't say much more about my ex-life on the farm; there are things that I have longed for and things that I don't miss. Anyone who knows me will understand. I'm just so glad that this fire, started by fallen power lines in a windstorm, did not result in harm to my ex-husband and his family, nor any animal. It didn't burn the house down with all the treasures within... my daughters once lost a house to fire (not related to THIS one and also not their fault) and that is a dreadful, unforgettable thing.

This weekend I'm having my Perennial Sale, and though I'm not 100% ready, I'm set up pretty well for it. I ordered some trees and shrubs which MIGHT arrive tomorrow morning just hours before my sale... or not. People will be understanding, I know; many have reserved apple trees and other nursery stock already. 

It was Gary's birthday today, and we went to a little Greek restaurant on the bank of the mighty Fraser River. Also I bought him a special lilac called "Beauty of Moscow" and he really liked that. Believe it.

Take care, all. Thanks for reading my blog. ~Ann 

We had the privilege of looking after this German Shepherd again this week. I've boarded "Shorty" for some years now, and it's troubling to see him get old, as dogs do. As we all do.

I groomed Shorty while he was at the Pet Hostel, and he was as patient and gentle as could be; he seemed to enjoy the "spa" treatment. Getting much of his undercoat brushed out must make him feel cooler... many older dogs seem unable to shed out their winter coats effectively. 

Off and on while Shorty stayed with us, I sat on the lawn with him and just brushed, brushed, brushed. Occasionally, our dog, "Lady" would come over and greet him, putting her ball beside his great head, or giving him a little dog kiss, which Shorty seemed to enjoy.

I also groomed the matts from a large ginger long haired cat today, and "spruced up" a small dog. I clipped the toenails on a rottweiller cross who didn't want that done; thank goodness she is sweet tempered.

 The rest of the time I dug in the flower beds, trying to wrest out weeds. Some of the quack grass is simply broken off and will come back almost immediately. I'm overwhelmed. This weekend is my annual Perennial Plant sale, and customers who go to look at my flower beds will see how far behind I've gotten. I also ordered trees and shrubs, placing my request VERY late, so I don't know whether that nursery stock will be here in time.

My joints all ache and I'm wondering if I'll get used to gardening again or not. I sure can't get done in a day all that I used to.

OH! Yesterday I got the vegetable garden planted. We cut back on quantities and even the selection. Mainly, I stuck to what I can sell at the Farmer's Markets: potatoes, peas, beans, chard, carrots. I planted very little lettuce because I hate washing it for market, and at any rate, our irony water turns any cut or torn edges black. 

Must run along and finish making dinner. Thanks for reading.

~Ann

Hello, everyone. Sorry haven't been adding to this blog for some time.

We've had some wonderful weather... hot and dry, for many days. Today it was rainy and quite cold, and it was the occasion of the first Farmer's Market in a nearby community! Despite the wet day, there were many shoppers at the Market, and I sold hundreds of tulips (as cut flowers), an entire cheesecake by-the-slice, and many perennial plants in pots. I had a lovely time visiting.

Every day is different and most days are quite wonderful. I continue to have as much pet grooming as I can handle, and have been trying so hard to work on the flower beds. The gardening is quite overwhelming, really... I have taken on too much, and am going to try to consolidate some of the perennial beds in order to let others go back to lawn.

I often cannot write about my clients for the sake of their privacy (okay.. that of their OWNERS). I've groomed some dogs and cats that are hopelessly matted, but that's what I'm here for! After almost 22 years in business, I'm more confident and charge more appropriately for my time and "expertise", and people don't object. I never know what the weeks will bring and it's often so fascinating.

One dog that I groomed a couple of weeks ago was so HEAVY that she turned "blue" while I clipped her! How does a dog turn blue? This poor old cocker spaniel was panting and her tongue turned blue-black, indicating a sudden cyanosis; I sat her up to try to facilitate breathing... and pleaded with her not to die. I said comforting things, and she seemed to relax. Pretty soon her tongue was a normal pink colour, and I finished the job as quickly as I could, reassuring the dog all the while.

There was some excitement in the valley in mid-week. I walked into a coffee shop in town, and several people remarked about an huge fire that had started near my "ex-home" on my ex-farm... the barn that I loved and that my daughters had played in had burned to the ground! Luckily, no people or animals were hurt. The blaze had started when wind blew a tree onto power lines... the two lines touching on the ground had sparked and started the fire. This became a forest fire which burned at least 12 acres right around the old farm house. My ex-husband and his wife stayed on the roof of the house running water over it until the heat from nearby burning trees became unbearable. By that time, almost the entire community and passers-by had come to help, and those folks kept putting out smaller fires started by blowing sparks. Some people quickly brought skidders and cats, making "fire guards" and trying to push back the fire.

This is an amazing community, with so many offering help and support. The fire has changed a familiar landscape and destroyed a "heritage" building: a part of my history as well! All I could think of to do for the family was to take a bunch of groceries and make sure that our three daughters (who are grown and gone) were informed, and there is nothing more for me, at least, to do.

I'm all talked out. Thanks for checking this weblog. I'm going to go watch the DVD "King Kong" with hubby.
~Ann