"Blue"

Blue faded from water and weather at the marina at West Branch State Park

We planned it for mid-week, when things would be less crowded. The weather was supposed to be good. My best friend from high school was up visiting from Kentucky. This camping trip was long overdue.

It would be awesome to have an actual paddlin' buddy! I usually paddle in complete solitude. So we planned a kayak trip too.


Kim and Sophie kayaking with me on the lake - what a treat!

We packed up the hammock and prepared for some girl time, just Kim, the kidlets Sophie and Elise, and me.


Hammock hog

I was happy to see my friend, Mr. Blue Heron, was back fishing along side the lake.



The kids played on the beach while Kim and I watched the sun go down and talked and talked. We had a lot to catch up on. Then we made a fire and roasted dinner over it - and had a feast! Melon, strawberries, pasta salad, bread, cheese, fresh salsa and cilantro and turkey dogs over an open fire.


Elise was a happy camper

That evening, Kim pulled out her guitar and we made up silly songs about fireflies.

Embrace all seasons. Enjoy the company of good people. Enjoy the simple joys in life. Namaste.

New name for big changes

Several years ago, I started grooming dogs on the side. The name of my business was Diamond Dogs Grooming. It was named after the 1974 classic David Bowie song, Diamond Dogs. If you don't know this song, you should. Here are some of the lyrics:

Young girl, they call them the diamond dogs
Young girl, they call them the diamond dogs

Oo-oo-ooh, call them the diamond dogs
Oo-oo-ooh, call them the diamond dogs
Bow-wow, woof woof, bow-wow, wow
Call them the diamond dogs
Dogs
Call them the diamond dogs, call them, call them
Call them the diamond dogs, call them, call them, ooo

Keep cool
Diamond dogs rule,
Beware of the diamond dogs

Now, as we set up the kennel in our new home in Diamond, Ohio, it kinda makes sense to change the name. I'm stepping up the regimen this next season and hopefully becoming more competitive, and the Lazy Husky Ranch, while fitting for our kennel namesake, Foxy, just didn't sound too competitive.

So, welcome to the new electronic home of Diamond Dogs Racing Kennel - formerly known as the Lazy Husky Ranch!

Lots of work happening on the new kennels as we prepare to move the dogs into their new "apartment complex."

The dogs have been tethered to long chains with swivels for the last two years. I feel like they deserve a more friendly atmosphere than running in a circle around their houses. So, I opted to build an 8 dog kennel to house them in, so they can free run inside the kennels.

Building such a structure and making it escape-proof is quite an endeavor. Huskies are notorious escape artists, breaking out of fencing and containment that would keep a lab or beagle contained without any problem.

Here is a step-by-step instruction of what I've done so far. Most of these supplies can be purchased from TSC, Lowe's, or Home Depot. I personally have found Lowe's has a much better selection of field fencing, brackets and other supplies.

1. First we set ten 4x4 treated posts five foot wide by ten foot long.



We dug post holes two feet deep, and set them in one foot of concrete on the bottom to secure them well.

2. Next I lined the bottom outside of each post with 2x4 treated boards.

3. Then I used heavy-grade field fencing (thanks Amanda!) to make a dig guard skirted along the edges.



4. Next I purchased garden staples to secure the dig guard into the ground.



5. Then I stapled the field fence to the 2x4s.



Now, the huskies won't be able to dig under and out of the kennels.

6. Next, we hung cattle panel to each frame of posts (in the pouring rain!) to create individual kennels.



These were secured using female brackets used in connecting chain link fence. They wrap around the poles on the ends of the cattle panel and are screwed into the 4x4s with heavy duty 2 inch long wood screws and washers.

And that's where it stands so far. Tomorrow we'll be stapling heavy gage field fencing along the back wall, and then attaching wood planks (like used in privacy fencing) all along the back wall. Then we'll build doors, and insert the beasts!

Stay tuned! Namaste!

"Simplify, simplify" - Henry David Thoreau

Lao-tzu, a great Taoist master of 6th century B.C. China said when we let go of what we think we are, we become what we might be. When we let go of what we think we have, we receive what we need.

"and she lets them come;
things disappear and she lets them go.
She has but doesn't possess"

It's funny, how we cling to things we think are ours. "Stuff" fills our lives to the brim. And yet, we don't really possess any of it. Even our houses, our cars, things we invest so much of our lives in - they're just things.

I've been letting go of a lot. Moving from the house I've lived in for the last six years has really enabled me to simplify, simplify!

And yet, moving brings up for me a lot of emotions I didn't foresee.

This has been the only home my youngest daughter and my Siberian, Jack, have ever know.


Baby Jack circa 4 months

Waking up to the fussing of my youngest in her bassinet in the very bedroom I type this post in. The excitement of owning our first home. The renovation projects! - so many memories.


Me and Elise, who was about a year old in this photo

We'll leave behind a few pets too, buried back in our little pet cemetery.

Oliver, the best black kitty ever, who was born on Friday, August 13th, 2000 and died in this house; Oliver is buried in our backyard.


Oliver, back, and Simon, front - two of the best black kitties ever

And Zero, Chris's 4 foot iguana is also buried back there, along with a few hamsters and Molly, the ferret.


Miss Molly, the smallest ferret

Letting go can be difficult, even though letting go opens up a whole new chapter - and one I have dreamed of for awhile.

If I'm being honest, I admit I get a little nervous. Leaving the familiar for unfamiliar territory.

Who, me? The adventurer? The one with the self-proclaimed wanderlust?

Yes, it's true.

But there will be many more things I will not miss about our current living situation.

We are fairly close to a large interstate - so close the constant hum of vehicles is a constant background noise. I won't miss this.

We (surprisingly to most) have neighbors fairly close. It will be nice to stretch out on seven acres.

The best part will be running dogs right out of the yard. Ohhhh, man! I can't WAIT for this fall, and it's only Memorial Day!

Enjoy the day - Namaste!