Morning Photography ~ After the sunrise

Even more Farmgirl Photography

The second photo was difficult, as were about 42 others I took.  I'm finding out difficult it is to take pictures when the wind is blowing and my camera is limited in features.  I tried photographing several other butterflies, including one that blended in with the colors of my dark orange and black marigolds.  Not one came out well enough to post.  With flowers all over our property, we can sit and watch butterflies almost all summer.  Today the hummingbird was back to visit two times.  One of these days, I'll be able to photograph it too.

More Farmgirl Photography

Embroidery Sampler ~ Making progress

Here is the beginning stage of my embroidery sampler. I used a fine cross-stitch material I had on had as scrap material. The spaces make practice stitching easier. It's been years since I did any embroidery. 

Freezing and Canning ~ Garden Bounty Once Again

Today I froze 2 quarts of Swiss Chard, 2 quarts of tomatoes, 2 quarts of green beans, and I canned 4 quarts of homemade salsa.   And we haven't even gotten to the squash yet.  I'm sure I'll have yellow squash, zucchini, and acorn squash.  We also picked 4 spaghetti squash prior to today's rainfall.  We are surely loving the garden, and I can't wait to enjoy some salsa tonight!

Meet "Charlie" ~ The Second Rescued Dog

Here is a "before" photo of Charlie, the second dog for us to rescue.  When the humane society absolutely refused to help, we decided we had to do something.  The only option they gave us yesterday, was to keep him as our own (duh!) or take him to the dog warden.  Their reasons for not assisting in this dog's care, were contradictory and lame.  They pick up abandoned strays themselves, and this is an abandoned dog.

After we had a vet look at him, we discovered he has testicular cancer, and needs medical help.  We are praying we can get his weight up enough to withstand surgery in a week.  Then we will be able to test for heartworm and to check of the cancer spread to his lungs or not. 

Looking at Charlie today, you'd never know he was sick. Unless you looked at him from behind that is.  He is full of energy today and is very alert.  Last night when I was petting his head, then stopped, he pushed his head under my hand for more.  He's definitely been someone's dog, and a neglected one at that.  The owner may have not had the money to care for him, or the owner could have just not cared too.  Either way, Charlie is now being cared for by us, regardless of the situation.  He has no way to defend himself, nor care for himself.  He's relying on us now.

We are taking it one day at a time.  We are praying he does not have heart worm either.

Nurturing a Malnourished Dog ~ Another stray that came to us

In just a few short weeks after we took in a stray puppy, we now have this stray dog.  We found him late last night.  He had wandered onto the property early in the day, but then disappeared.  My son found him laying in the woods, unable to walk. 

The good news, is that he's up and walking, has been flea combed and treated, had his very long nails trimmed, and is about to go see the vet for overall check up.  He's a very loving dog, and is anxious to come inside.  A visit to the vet is needed first, as we already have 3 healthy dogs inside.

I am sure the dog warden was looking for him yesterday.  After we saw the dog wander around the barn, and disappear, the dog warden's van was driving up and down the highway, and up and down side streets about a mile or less away.  He even sat in our driveway for a time, looking directly at our house, but never knocking on the door.  I am certain, that if the dog warden had found this dog, he would have put him to sleep.

Thankfully, the dog came to us, and it was us who found him.  Now, it's just one day at a time, nourishing him back to health.