Animal Blessing

     Happy Memorial Day Weekend,

   Thanks to two unused snow days I am enjoying a four day weekend with my animals.  Relaxing at home with no timely agenda is a rarity that I will treasure before the busy summer schedule takes over.  Last weekend MRF hosted a special Blessing of the Animals.  Reverend Lawrence Bartel lead twenty-four visiting animals and forty parishioners in an informal address that celebrated the natural behaviors of the animals in our lives.  The welcomed warm weather extenuated our mutual feelings for animals shared by all who attended.  

     After Reverend Bartel spoke and lead us in two hymns, the entire mass of humans and animals set out on a hiking trail from the farm to the Moose River.  Jimmy Ortiz, proprietor of Feathers and Boughs, described the event as "El Camino, (de Santiago), for dogs!  A blessed time was had by all.  photos by Michele deCamp 

 Under a perfect blue sky...

 ...the animals gathered.

 Gatsby napped through the proceedings.

 Trinity and her pet chicken, Abigail.

 Bing and Frankie observed the crowd.

 All creatures great and small.

 Many of the animals have stories to share...

 ...about how they were rescued...

 ...and how they rescued their special person.

 All things bright and beautiful...

 ...The Lord God made them all.

 El Camino, (de Adirondacks)...

 ...for dogs!

Faces Only a Mother Could Love

    Happy Mother's Day,
    My friend Michele deCamp is back from Florida where she waited out the long winter in endless sunshine.  Her photo-documentation of life at Moose River Farm is in full swing as she wasted no time this week catching up around the barn.  Looking at these pictures I can't help but smile with a heart full of maternal affection as Michele reveals my animals' distinct personalities through her lens.  The frozen images are gifts for the day that celebrates the immense love I feel for each one of these special creatures.  Happy Mother's Day to all! 
  

Liam is a handsome billy-goat one minute...

 ...and a snoring beast the next.

 Lacey is as regal as a princess.

The two goats can not get enough of outdoors after the long winter.

 Rod's chickens spend sunny days scratching for worms.

 This hen has a lovely expression.

 Bing and Frankie...

 ...have practiced...

 ...and know how to...

 ...smile for the camera.

 Zambezi's thoroughbred good looks....

 ...are a contrast to Easau's thoroughbred silliness.

Rub my belly, please.

Niles and Nina

Fiona has a face that many mothers could love.

A Man Hiked up a Mountain...

I received the shocking news last week that Dave had passed away. The chaos that his family experienced in the hours surrounding his death is unimaginable and so terribly sad. However, as I've spent time reflecting on the experience from Dave's point of view, I wonder what it was like for him. With his loyal golden retriever, Hudson, Dave had made his daily climb up Bald Mountain. Over and over in my mind I have been repeating the same line; A man hiked up a Mountain... It has compelled me to write the following poem in memory of a neighbor, colleague...and friend.

A Man Hiked Up a Mountain

(A tribute to David Leach; 1952-2015)

by Anne T. Phinney

A man hiked up a mountain

His devoted dog trotting alongside

The stunning view swept out before him

Its beauty swelled his soul with pride.

In that moment there arose  

An urgency to glance back

At all whom he had touched and loved

Respect he did not lack

The middle boy of four children

Best friends his siblings were they

Who created a rustic paradise

Where youth could wander and play

Along the way an Aussie lass

Agreed to give him her hand

They forged a union deep and true among

Lakes and trees of this glorious land

It wasn't long before these two

Embraced two tiny tykes

They raised them up, showed them the way

To run, to ski, and to hike

After childhood the girls moved away

Each forged her own designated path

He and she wished them well and wept

But never held them back

Ten months each year, he inspired kids

To live an active and healthy life

Take care of the team and play it clean

To always do what’s right

His colleagues glimpsed within this man

A goodness that was ample

His friendly concern, and gentle manner

Influenced them to behave by his example

Once he had lived it all over again

He smiled for what a life is worth

Then gripped the fur of his golden pup

and eased himself to earth

In a final moment the sun sank low

He uttered a fond farewell

Then Taps began to play from Heaven

And the man exited his earthly shell

A Man hikes up a mountain

Leaves his loyal dog behind

The panoramic view below now

Shrinks with every step he climbs

God is nigh

Growing Up Donkey

     Good Morning,

     Its been a long time since I have written anything about our donkeys Bing and Frankie.  It's probably because they have been sequestered as constant companions for our geriatric gelding, Sandi, (Winnies of Change and Seeing-eye Donkeys).  Since Sandi's euthanasia three weeks ago, the donks have been released from baby-sitting duties so they can pursue other interests.  

     At first they appeared a bit lost.  They seemed to wonder where their leader was.  Why wasn't he joining them at the hay pile or eating his grain while they savored their cookies?  The donks weren't necessarily depressed, just quiet.  They fell out of the normal routine for a few days.  Eventually, they rallied and ventured back to the carefree existence they had enjoyed before being recruited as herdmates for Sandi.

     While deep snow concealed the grass and confined the donkeys to the barnyard, they were granted freedom to roam and play.  It is a pleasure, (that I've sorely missed), to walk with them in the woods and to watch their sprightly antics.  

     Presently, many animals at MRF are entering the aging zone after living long, full lives.  Each one requires special consideration in terms of maintenance and health care.  I must acknowledge their limitations after the many years they went out of their way to please me.  It's difficult to accept that our days together are dwindling.  

     Donkey youth reminds me that watching animals grow up is a joy. There is no escaping the inevitable at the end of life.  However, if it is lived long and purposeful with strands of love and respect binding us together...it is so worth it.  

When they arrived in December, 2012...

...Bing and Frankie were only 5 and 7 months old, (respectively).

They found their way around Moose River Farm...

...and into our hearts.

  Neutering was necessary to gentle them... 

 ...but did not diminish their playful spirit.

Now they are in the process of losing baby teeth.  Frankie has many teeth pushing their way into his adulthood.

Frankie wears an expression that suggests wisdom...or is that because of his ears?

Bing's velvety muzzle....

...conceals significant coming of age transition.

Although I celebrate their new found freedom, I am indebted to Bing and Frankie for providing authentic and necessary companionship to Sandi in the last years of his life.  

Easter Bunny Auditions

 

        Happy Easter,

     Trying to maintain a sense of humor is a bit difficult today considering an inch of snow has accumulated on the deck!  Word has it that the Easter Bunny might skip his annual spring visit to the Adirondacks on account of the weather.  Unlike Santa Claus, Bunny's visit is a celebration of all things new, reborn....and green.  Like Punxsutawney, Phil of Groundhog Day fame, extended unseasonable conditions only frighten the lily-livered lagamorph, (google it!) back into his lair.  

     Have no fear!  Some of the residents at Moose River Farm have stepped up to take the rabbit's place in the event of a no-show tomorrow.  Of course there has to be an audition to assure that only the perfect vernal hare replacement is selected.   When word spread through out the farm, the animals hopped into action, eager to show off their best impressions of the beloved bunny.  Turns out once a set of auditory antennae are fastened in place, just about anybody with fur can carry the disguise!  

     You, dear readers, can lend the North Country a hand.  Carefully, look through the photographs below and choose the best holiday cottontail contestant.  Leave a comment here on the blog, on Facebook or on Twitter and share with your friends and family.  You will help MRF save Easter in the Adirondacks! 

Although there have been sightings, the Easter Bunny might not be able to perform his annual vernal duties...on account of all the snow lingering in the Adirondacks.

The chickens are out of the contest; putting on bunny ears when already an iconic Easter image is quite frankly....beneath them.

Don't recognize this Easter Bunny? Its Fiona the potbelly pig!  Warning; a vote for Fiona might be a vote for Easter baskets void of candy. 

Liam wears the ears so well, two pictures of him have been posted.

A handsome Easter Bunny, indeed.

Spirit might be a good choice; galloping hooves will get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Tango might be a good choice too; he would have kept the ears on all day if there weren't others waiting to audition.

Ben will make a very serious Easter Bunny!  If that is important to you, by all means vote for him.

Careful, cute doesn't always get the job done!

Here is another entry worthy of two photos....

Perhaps Easau is a serious contender.

Perhaps there are two Easter Bunnies this year.  Bing and Frankie only work as a pair.  Their contract requires this.

 Frankie was trying to have his portrait taken, but River photo-bombed him.  Remember keep cute in perspective, no matter how cute!

...no matter how cute!

Maybe three is a good number of bunnies.  If this is the winning team, another set of bunny ears will have to be shipped....overnight!