Saturday Slight

~~~The headline event for the week at the Lovestead~~~

Yup, the dogs have dominated the past couple of days here.

They'll continue to do so until Willie and Debbie return from Portland tomorrow evening.

All five have been good dogs, though.

This time, so far (claws crossed) no fights yet.

No stink dog problems cuz it's been dry.

Todd and Brooke, the grandpuppies, have taken on their share of the work here on the farm.

While Kiwi and Kea busily keep watch over the horses, Todd runs shotgun for the 4-wheeler with every load of manure taken to the new planters.

Morning and night, Brooke gets in her spot and sees that the horses walk in and out of the barn properly.

Both help their friends clean up any horse apples I may have left while cleaning stalls.

They don't have to be told.

The only incident thus far is figuring out which resident dog (Todd and Brooke were in their crates) ate half the wrapping off the visitors' sack of dog food last night. Funny the culprit didn't eat the food, just tore off the paper. I'm wondering if there's a deep-seeded message there.

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Anyway, all goes well with dogs, and from what I heard during a conversation with my sister Barbara last night, things are going reasonably well with the journalism and yearbook students in Portland. Barbara says the kids have been really good.

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Today Bill will be dog sitting while I drive over to Newport for an author event. I was told to do my best to spread the word, so one more time I'll mention that it's from 3-5 p.m. at the Create Arts Center in Newport.

Of course, I'm nervous. Any time I have to get up and talk at such gatherings, I'm nervous. They were nice enough to let me go first, though, so it will be good to get the talking and reading over with and enjoy listening to the other two authors---Jane Fritz (Lake Pend Oreille book) and T.J. Keogh, a novelist from Newport.

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Seeds are sprouting in the farm fields. The sunshine and warmth has been wonderful for getting rid of mud and encouraging growth. Color is starting to show up in various places around the yard in the form of hyacinths, crocuses and daffodils. More and more birds are adding their notes to the happy chorus of outside songs. Morning walks to the paperbox before sunrise are exhilarating. And, the pair of Love doves seem to be here to stay.

Horses are actually walking almost normally through the barnyard, searching for spears of new, growing grass to nibble at while they await the big day when they go to pasture.

Lots going on, as always this time of the year, and for the most part, it's good stuff, demanding hard work but rewarding great daily satisfaction.

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Hope everyone has a happy Saturday.