animal fall update

We have SO much going on with our animals that at times I think I have the human version of animal anxiety. If there even is such a thing. Our animals are constantly on my mind. Unless something requires focus, like working on Stained Glass. Worrying doesn't solve any thing. All it does is make me feel tired and sad.

This is your cue to run, or in this case scroll LOL.

There is nothing completely new going on with our animals. Cierra's allergies are still terrible, Koda is still lame etc. However, we have added complications. Nothing seems to really get resolved. We just keep trying "stuff". More decisions, and of course more money.

Maybe if I "talk" about it, my mind and heart won't be as restless?! 

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Koda is going the wrong direction. He stopped wanting to go for walks after his last trim. Now his back end (hips?) are screwed up. Could be from laying down, an unfavorable move, over compensating or even standing on the hurt leg while trimming.

His September Acupuncture appointment lasted until he got trimmed.  A short two weeks. I feel terrible for him. He has spent too much of his life injured. After what felt like a long wait, Koda was to be treated for either a Chiro./Accu. yesterday. I intentionally only shared what we observed. Then patiently waited for the vet to give us her own suggestions. She is so wishy-washy! 

The vet thought since he usually responds well, it was best to stick with Acupuncture. She did however place needles in different locations. The four across his hips twitched like crazy. Koda really enjoys his treatments and continues to clearly choose Peppermint. He seemed brighter by evening.

Koda is scheduled to get updated x-rays along with Fall shots on October 8th. I am hopeful Dr. W will bring a machine! I requested x-rays in the Spring with a different vet. We ended up with a worthless ultrasound, and an unhelpful care plan. 

Koda bear during a warm bath

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Hope kicked high, hard and fast at her last trim. Again. However, this time she was not in heat. We are officially concerned about human safety and her well-being.

Brad asked me to come to his lesson at our trainers (Padame update to come) to discuss Hope with our 'er his trainer.

Considering Hope's past, we are unsure if these changes are behavioral or neurological/medical. She has been such a sweet easy horse, and still is for the most part. I would much prefer these changes be behavioral. No one wants an unsafe horse, but that is something that could be worked on/out. Her changes could be a result of strong hormonal heat, added to a three year olds fresh attitude. 

We are looking into sending Hope out for training. To build on the work Brad has done with her. It is not what we wanted, but is needed. For her sake and ours. However, first we need to rule out there is nothing medical going on. I am curious what the vet will suggest. Likely an MRI...ugh.

finding peace in Fall

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Tank relapsed post CHOP chemotherapy. Earlier than the average dog treated with Lymphoma. It doesn't mean it didn't work. It means whatever cancer in his cells remained, grew back faster than expected. 

I remind myself without treatment, Tank would have most likely been gone last March.

Treatment side effects have been almost non-existent. A few days of loose stools throughout the many months. The clinic staff and his Oncologist are amazing! They go above and beyond to make his clinic days less stressful. 

swimming at Devils Lake
9.18.26

He is currently doing a different regression chemo protocol. His body responded well and went right back into remission. We are painfully aware it won't last long. However, long enough to enjoy each and every Fall day with him. Making more memories with our big expressive guy is priceless.

Tank is a very happy dog and getting extra spoiled! Thankfully, animals live in the moment. I could write a book. He is loving his special meals, walks, barn duty, family dogs, endless sticks, stealing socks, vehicle rides and sleeping in our his bed. Between his two people.

Our happy boy

My hope is that our snow dog enjoys life long enough to do his pop up snow thing. It is doubtful, but it could happen. We are taking it one day at a time. 

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With all of the above (and more) Quality of Life is a frequent discussion at my household. I am not looking for sympathy. Everyone has issues. With heavy things to sort and decisions to make. Please know it is far from doom and gloom here! I just haven't found that damn off switch in my head.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading. Enjoy your weekend!

harvest moon delight

Years ago I scouted local-ish Astrophotography locations. Most are a long drive, making it daunting to return. Saturday night, I decided to go back to one that had been on my mind for over a decade. I had read the Harvest Moon would be the brightest in five years. I don't shoot the moon very often. I checked some data, and decided it would be good to dust off my old camera. It had been a long time since I have gone on a photography road trip. 

Although I never saw the Northern Lights the first night I was there. The trip was still worth it. I remember being in jaw dropping awe, while watching the enormous moonrise I happened upon. Perhaps it would happen again. You won't know unless you try. 

Brad had planned on cooking a delicious meal. However, my wonderful husband changed his plans and decided to go with me. I was extra thankful he did! Later in the evening, a motorcycle passed by me. Shortly afterwards, the guy turned around and came back. It felt odd. I highly doubt he saw Brad sitting in the truck. The motorcycle pulled into the empty (except our vehicle) parking area for a while. Probably innocent. However with Brad there, I could focus on shooting the moon instead of worrying.

Saturdays evening sky was cloudy. I had my doubts. What if we drove all that way and didn't see the moonrise? Thankfully the closer we got to the boat launch area, the clearer the eastern sky became.

We arrived. Yikes! The waterway had overgrown and closed in. I had thought about bringing muck boots. You couldn't even SEE towards the East! Doubt I would have temped fate, in stinky muddy unknown water. 

boat launch 9/26/26

We went over to another spot, further down the road with a wide open view. It was on higher ground. The view was not what I remembered, but at least I could actually see the moonrise!

The best place to photograph was next to a low road bridge, flanked with double large caution signs. I prefer not to stand, walk or even be close to a road. I set my tripod up regardless, and stood back on a wide section of shoulder and waited. 

I was SUPER excited when I spotted a sliver edge of the moon rising over the distant hillside!! I am sure the occasional passing car thought I was completely nuts. 

rising fast

While watching the moon rise rapidly, I started to realize a fun shot *might* just happen. I kept clicking, watched and waited. In suspense.

I played with some camera settings, enhanced in post. The moon continued to rise in the direction of...

...a tree!!! Ta Da! A classic moon shot. My favorite shot/s.

Harvest Moon Delight

wider view with a balanced moon



iphone view from tripod (very bright outside)

I turned around (always turn around!) to shoot the start of sunset with my phone.

the sky was pretty and ever changing

last shot from the road

Mosquitos started getting bad. Time to head home. If the water had been clearer I would have held out while swatting, for some reflection shots. 

moon shot through some weeds

The evening light continued to change quickly. Manual camera settings need adjusting. My camera started picking up the sky as a solid darker royal blue. The moon was more white and defined. The shot below is probably my best shot of the actual moon. Taken with my trusty shorter 70-200mm lens. I used it on all these non-phone shots. In hind-sight I probably should have hauled at least my wider angle, and maybe my 100-400mm w/w-out adapter. Or both. Instead, I enjoyed less fussiness. Less bracketing. Less elusive perfect shot-ness.

All that to say, I like capturing moments with simple less processed photography. However I do crop, sometimes slide a value or two and have to sharpen (I shoot Raw) all my photos.

On the way home, I watched a few cool cloud veils masking the moon. I wanted to shout "pull over" LOL. It didn't last long, and the moon went behind thick clouds.

We were almost home when my phone told me the Northern Lights were active. Whatever. Our area was socked in with clouds anyways. After a long drive and a good night of photography, we were tired and hungry.

g'night!

what is going on...

...and where is all this going to end up? 

I wonder. Most every day. Que a venting post. Not meant to be political, just concerning. Feel free to scroll past. Not that anyone will even see this post!!!

Let's start with Blogger. If you use it, then I can only assume you are experiencing similar dysfunctional issues. One of several issues is my read feed stopped working. It has been a minute since it pulled up blogs/posts that I follow. These days, I either have to remember the blog name to search or click on a commenter name. I've unintentionally lost track of multiple blogs.

More recently, I received an email notification warning me multiple videos (of mine) are being deleted. That brings up SO many questions! I totally get digital restructuring. I used to work in the digital world. Why those specific video's? Oh, but they can be added back. Okay. Whatever. Not that important.

Proof that a blog does not securely keep information from vanishing.

In the email I received Blogger folks (AI?) recommended downloading the entire blog. I have downloaded my blog several times. Earlier versions are saved on a hard drive. However, a buncha of outdated code doesn't do much for preserving memories. I just might have to bump an edited hard copy version up on my endless to do list.

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Onto phone issues. Our Cell Phone provider was bought out. More cell towers and more reach/service! Wouldn't that be great, if only it was true. We went from spotty service, to days of flat out nothing going out/coming in. It is random and not just for those of us living in the country. Our city friends are experiencing the same problems. What if we have an emergency? Send smoke signals?! Perhaps time for a new provider.

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Hot off the press, AI is growing so rapidly that humans that developed it no longer understand what it is doing/capable of doing. If you read the news at all, then you already know humans are being outsmarted. If nothing is done to control/guide the crazy AI development, we may likely cease to exist by the end of the decade. Absolutely frightening!! Sounds like a horror film (starring AI created actors) that could turn into a documentary. IF there are even any real humans left to watch it.

What kind of world will be left for our grandchildren??

Hopefully people way smarter than I am will figure out how to save our precious irreplaceable earth, and those of us living on and loving it.

As for me, I will keep dreaming of sunshine and rainbows.

almost missed this outside our front door

9.21.26

land of wonders ~ august 2026

August came and went. It always feels like a long busy month and not because it has more numbered days. Summer closing is the height of garden harvesting and hay season. We try enjoying outdoor life during what is also typically the height of bugs, heat and humidity. A lot of sweat soaked clothes and cooling off breaks happened. Along with these:

I noticed a bright orange thingee peaking out under a plant, right by our front door. It looked like sorta like a tropical snake. I tapped it and accidentally snapped it. Whoopsie.

Google ID: Stinkhorn
(photo is not upside down)
8/2/26

Pretty Brown Winged Wonder

Google ID: Common Sootywing butterfly

What is there not to love about surprise self-seeded plants?! No proper gardens here. Self seeded Marigolds put the purchased ones to shame. They formed what looks like one larger plant and ended up covering a mound with long lasting colorful blooms! I have noticed self-seeders are hardier and flourish on their own.

8.6.26

Beautiful hot pink Snapdragons came back for a second year, in the same spot. I guess that classifies them as returning vs self-seeded. However, they originally planted themselves. 

 orange sunset colors joined the group this year

I also have a separate pink snap plant that decided to grow underneath deck stairs. What an odd spot!

Monarch enjoying long blooming Hello Yellow Butterfly Weed
8.10.26

Overwintered Dahlia tubers have grown huge this year, and so have the blooms! They are extra showy this year.

pls ignore the pvc pipe

Wild blooms also catch my eye. For many, their time to shine seems brief. Over the years, I have noticed the more unique wild flowers spotted on this land sadly do not re-appear. The common hardier ones continue to pop up in different locations. Always a guessing game.

Primrose
8.12.26

Surprise Lilies literally surprise me when they pop up in my garden bed. I was happy to see the few extras that I naturalized also returned. Just for the record, most of our property is left wild. The field strip across from our house is an exception. I plant my extra divided plants/bulbs willy-nilly and hope for the best. Most do not make it a second year in our crappy soil, but some do! I have visions of meandering along that path surrounded by familiar self-care blooms. Hey, a girls gotta dream!!

On our way back from the area I dubbed "Where the Wild Things Live" we spotted a large mushroom growing waaay up high in a tree. We put it in reverse to take a longer look-n-snap.

8.15.26

There were not as many colorful skies this month, or maybe I just didn't take the time to notice them. Some skies just make you stop what you are doing to go outside for the beautiful fleeting changeorama. Sky watching always fills me full of awe and wonder.

8.19.26

crescent moon over our barn

Our window frogs are back! They make us smile.
8.22.26

my heart starts to feel (re) bruised towards the end of August

Towards the end of the month our barn gets stocked with grass hay. Brad had ours tested. Small bales are 17.5 % protein and large square bales are 16.6 %. It is not easy to grow quality hay in sandy loam soil. Especially with the different challenges Mother Nature offers each season. Brad works hard maintaining our fields and harvesting them. He should be proud of the results. Lucky horses!

second crop was late, but plentiful
8.24.26

The last building (above) of the original homestead plan is almost done. Waiting for electrical. It is Brad's new Shod (Shop/Shed). Yes, I made the name up. It will store hay, shavings, farm equipment and give him a shop area to work on equipment and his many projects. Brad installed new fencing around the shod to expanded the third pasture. 

Pearl Crescent Butterflies are very small with pretty markings 
8.30.26

Closing this post with, bring on Fall!! I am so ready to change seasons.