NANA NOTES

MISSED A WHOLE MONTH OF BLOGGING!!

I can't believe that it's been a month since I blogged. So much has happened yet nothing has been accomplished really.  The end of trapping season for Ed meant the start of him doing training rides for a 500 mile "Ride the Rockies" in June.  He and Josh will be doing this together along with 1998 other people!!  I'll post pictures this summer.

As for me, I finished up with my chemo and was planning on some rest until I started my "maintenance" treatment.  I got to attend a couple of Scrapbook events.  This one in Mandeville started out on a fun note!!  The event hostesses were wearing pink wigs and I fell right into that!!  Ed said, "get it"!

Spring brings the arrival of new babies on the farm.  Here are the four that have been born so far.

Last week one day I was coming home from town and saw something at the Elementary School.  Being the "interested" person I am, I stopped to check it out.  This is what I found.  Jennifer was taking Bunny pictures for the school. She had a dress up bunny and real ones. I was lucky enough to have my picture made with Sam (but I haven't seen it yet!).

A few days after that I spent five days in the hospital with staph infection in my port.  It was removed and now I'm undergoing open wound therapy until it heals.  So far it is doing well but I'm sort of stuck close to home!!

Ryan and Haleigh dropped by and left me a happy.  Cupcakes and cookies~~I love them both.  Here are the cookies. 
So sweet of my grownup grandchildren to do this!!

Update:  Saw the Dr. today; said I was doing well.  See him in two weeks.  Prayers for wound healing are ongoing. I know God hears them.

Happy Easter to everyone!!

TIME GOES BY SO FAST!

Here it is almost September and I've only blogged once in August.  That's terrible.  Surely I've done something worthy of posting. The time seems to get by me so fast these days.  Having a new puppy and raising two deer take a lot of my time.

Lulu (aka Morgan) is on the left; Lacy is in the house.  They have grown considerably since this picture was taken. 

Ms Piper has learned to climb the stairs and today she climbed down them--with a little coaxing from Graham and me. She will be 3 months old on the 30th.

We took a few days off to the beach and had a good time doing almost nothing.  We did take the boat out one day; first time in a long time. Had a good time and went to LULU's for appetizers.

Ed was our Captain!!  Deb, Libby and I enjoyed the trip.  Good food and great atmosphere!

I have been doing some things for the Toad House. Really need to get busy but my "idea well" is a little dry.  I have these note pads in there now. They are inexpensive and make a cute happy for someone.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an apron I finished for Jennifer today. I learned that I don't do ruffles!!  Hope she likes it! The picture was made with my phone . 

A RAINY SUNDAY AFTERNOON

 

I can't remember when it hasn't rained in the afternoon! I'm quite ready for some sunshine!! Papa and Piper were watching tv and I noticed that one of her ears is standing up. She has grown a lot in the 11 days we've had her.  She's got a serious attitude problem. Her favorite past time is fighting. I guess that's due to the face that Papa likes to fight with her toys with her. She thinks she owns us. She's typical.  Boy, it's going to take her a while to train us!! 
See how she has one ear up and one ear down?  She thinks she's something now.  When the other one stands up--watch out world!! 

Meet the newest member of our family

Little Miss Piper has come to live with us!!  Her grandfather was a champion Scottie from England.  Long story short, Ed found her and the lady who owned the dogs insisted that she meet us and approve of us before letting us get the puppy!!  Quite frankly I think Piper has hit paydirt here!!  She's the lucky one! Before she even got here she had a new "Martha Stewart" bed and toys with a new collar. On the way home she got a new harness and name tags. Who's spoiled???  She will never replace Dooley or Sadie but she will have her own place in our hearts!  And like them both, she has an attitude!! 

This is Ms Diane with Fiona, Piper's mother. Fiona wasn't sure she wanted to let Piper go with Ed.

These two are part of Ms Diane's family of Scotties.  She has 13 grown dogs. I would be guessing if I told you who they were. They looked so sweet as they sat together. 

Ms Piper sleeping in her new bed in the floorboard of the car (where my feet should have been!). She had it made.  * right now she is laid out between me and Ed on the bed sound asleep!!  Lucky girl!

I WENT TRAPPING WITH ED!!

Last night I tried twice to do this post and lost it.  Now I know why.  I went trapping with Ed on Saturday morning since my plans fell through.  He'd been wanting me to go.  We found that the first trap had been disturbed but he had no animal.  He reset the trap and we moved on.  We checked several traps and some had been tampered with and some hadn't. It was interesting to see all the things he did. The stuff he uses for bait is awful and I'm surprised he touches it.                  

 

                                  

 

I spotted these prints and Ed said they were coon prints. They were in a pass through under a fence and I thought it would be a good place for a trap.  He put one and I was sure there would be something there today.  We were going to check them after lunch today.  Don't you think that looks like a good spot for a trap?

This morning when I woke up Ed had gone to check traps.  I started lunch and fixed muffins and called him to see if he had checked "my" spot. He said he had just driven up to it and it had a bobcat in the trap.  He came and got me so I could see it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He was a bad looking dude as the boys would say. At least we know that our quail and turkeys are a little safer with one less bobcat around to eat their eggs and prey on them.  And I'm all about quail and turkeys--bobcats and coons-NO!

 

REST IN PEACE OUR SWEET SADIE

 April 6, 2009 - December 25, 2010
During our Christmas morning festivities Sadie went outside. Evidently she thought she saw a truck leave the house that was one of ours. A very sweet friend of ours called us and told Ed she was on the highway.  There have been very few dry eyes at our house today. Sadie was Ed's best friend even though she was my dog. She went with him everywhere and he misses her terribly already.  Please remember us and Sadie in your prayers. Pets and their families have a special bond.  Sadie is following Jesus around tonight hoping to go for a ride in his Polaris Ranger.  I'm sure he won't disappoint her.  Papa never did.  We love you, Sadie.
 

IF IT'S NOT A CHILD IT'S A PET!!

Sadie jumped off the bed Monday morning (just like she always does) and broke her leg.  We now have a dog with a splint that will be on there for a month and will need total "personal care" until the end of September.  Last night she got away from me and I thought the coyotes had her.  I gave her medicine and I took some too!!  I told Ed I didn't think I could make it until the end of September and he would need to pull night duty!!  What is it with Herring kids and animals???  They're always breaking something! 

SADIE GETS A BURGER!

After having spent a relaxing weekend at the beach Ed, Libby, Sadie and I were traveling home today. We had a very good "beach breakfast" and left the beautiful beach headed home.  I drove while Ed and Sadie held down the back seats. Libby sat up front with me and finished her book.  We usually stop in Hattiesburg at Back Yard Burger cause we're ready for "junk food" (and I really love BYB's!). We walked Sadie and watered her.  We all went in for our food and as we finished Ed said he thought he would get Sadie a burger. She has strange travel habits--she doesn't eat or drink much when she travels.  We went on to the car (which had been left running and locked so she wouldn't get overheated!!)and out Ed comes with her bag. He starts breaking off pieces of burger feeding it to her piece at a time.  My camera was in the back of the car but my phone would work.  Here is Sadie with her burger!! 

She loved her burger and slept all the way home.  And for the record--BYB is NOT "junk food"!!

BEACH SCENES 2010

Well, I can honestly say that we've done very little while at the beach-or should I say condo. The most sand I've seen has been between here and Cobalt where we've had dinner twice. If I had a job to go back to, I would be so rested and ready to get back to it!!  These pictures are just some I've taken without a reason really.  Ed and I have a game of making up stories.  There was a beautiful HUGE motor home parked at the condo.  As the people were leaving I snapped some shots--there was a driver, a man with two boys, a man and a woman with a baby.  Here's my version--the guy in the blue plaid shirt is a rock star and the woman with the baby is his wife.  The other guy plays backup and the guy with the two boys was the busy driver. The fact that he's the busy driver is real.

 
 
  Ok, we have bus, backup, wife and child, bus driver and now rock star! 

 As hard as I tried I could not get a shot of his face.  That was my story; Ed just said "megabucks"!!

Breakfast for Papa and me--our favoritebeach thing--bagles, bacon, fresh fruit, and homemade blackberry jam and homemade peach jam! 

 
Have to get Papa walking Sadie for one of her "daily's"!!  She really just likes to ride the elevator!!

  Always weddings on the beach. This was one of three this afternoon.  Gotta go take Sadie out. It's about time to come back to good ole Franklin County too!

 

 

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

Our afternoon these days consists of riding to the pond to feed the fish. We do it about the same time every day after Ed has his cup of coffee!  Real adventurous life we live!! :)  I took the camera to see if I could capture some of the fish.  It isn't as easy as I thought. 
The catfish come up and make a big fuss. The bream just ease up and snatch a bite.  The grass carp make a big noise.  The turtles are just happy to be at the party.

 

 

 

The catfish are really growing. Most of the fish are. And boy, are they fast!

And like I said, the turtles are just happy to be there.

ONE MORE BABY

 
Talk about one protective Momma!  Midnight wouldn't let me get close to her baby and I only had my cell phone to take a picture. I could tell that the baby was a HE!!   We have one baby left to go and it's Jennifer's mare.  She's getting close.

HOUDINI'S MAMA AND HER BABY

If you're a regular reader you know about Houdini--the horse that could swim under fences, open gates and mysteriously go wherever he wanted to go. We've never called his mother by her name; she's always been "Houdini's Mama".  She's been looking like she was going to pop for about two weeks.  Today she did!!

 

 Oh, and she's a girl!  Houdini, wherever you are--you have a sister!!
 

SISSY HAD THE THIRD ONE! And #4 was a girl!!

Sadie and I went for a ride today on the Ranger.  Ryan had called this morning to say we had another baby. I wanted to see it. The Ranger never goes anywhere without Sadie in it!! She loves to "let her hair blow in the wind"!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one belongs to Sissy-Ed's mare. He's our third stud colt of the season and is growing very nicely.

This little filly is the first "girl" to make it to the farm this year. She's a pretty baby and we all think "Houdini's Mama" aka Magic is going to be next. Stay tuned!

"Going on the record"--While I was gone we lost a baby. Jennifer and Shelly think it was Bucky. But I don't think so. We'll see!

 

 

 

 

  

 

SPRING BABIES HAVE STARTED COMING!

Although it's still very much winter the horses don't know that and the spring babies are already arriving. It's always a guessing game anyway! We have two already and today has been the first sunshiney day I could get a photo.  Star had her baby about a week ago. We got close enough to it today to find out that "he had a winkey"!!  If he's good enough to rope on he'll stand a good chance of getting to stay on CB.  He looks just like his mama--let's hope his temperment is better!  She's not the sweetest cookie in the box!  She broke Shelly's hand once and nearly broke Papa's leg. 

 
The pasture was too wet to ride out and catch the other one. We don't know what it is either but when the "Soggy Bottom" dries up, I'll try to get a shot!

UPDATE:  We got in the "Soggy Bottom" today because we thought Sissy had or was having her baby.  I grabbed this shot of Shelly's mare with the baby.  It too has a "winkey".  We're batting a thousand! 

 
Wonder who will be next?

COON DOG CEMETERY IN ALABAMA

Ok, I didn't have time to post this before the wedding and didn't think I should post the two things on the same day!  Ashley would not be pleased!!  Libby and I took a little road trip to Alabama to pick up my new "toy" [which will be posted later when I learn to operate it] and saw a sign on the highway. My curiosity got the better of me and on the way back we detoured!! 

It was seven miles up a curvy, winding road in the red hills of Alabama.  That was after we'd gone about twenty four miles off the main highway!!  

Libby and I thought this was kind of funny until we got there.  It was a beautiful place with a pavillion and a statue that paid tribute to coon hunting.  The sign above is posted when you first arrive--serious business! 

 


 

Some of the headstones were elaborate; some were simply rocks or crosses made of wood. The one that touched me the most was the one that had the dog collar on the cross. 

 If you know coon hunters, you know their dogs are precious to them.  People come from far away to bury their dogs in this cemetery and have to make application to do so.  The dog has to be a certified coon dog and cannot have trailed deer or other animals.  Key Underwood was the person who started the cemetery.  Herein lies the rub--Tammy Underwood Torrey's dad and my mom went to school together in North MS. We were talking at Ashley's wedding and have it figured that Key Underwood is a relative of hers [has to be!!].  This is someplace that you just have to go visit to be able to appreciate.  

Every Labor Day they have a big festival at the cemetery and have dinner on the grounds with music and speakers.  That's what my aunt told me when I mentioned that all the graves had flowers on them.  It's kind of like our Memorial Day.  Kind of neat, don't you think?
 
 

BUDDIES!

Sadie and Ed are together most of the time.  She's rather ride the farm with him than stay with me. The only time she wants to be with me is in the morning to wake me up with her cold nose!!  She really gets mad when he leaves her home.  She sits at the door and waits patiently or she tears something up just to let me know she's unhappy!  How do our pets get so pampered and spoiled and how do we get so attached??  I'm grateful for having her in our lives.  She's a source of joy and love. And who could resist those two sweet faces!!! 

A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE!!!

Cotton Branch has a new family member!  We seem to be the home for everything that comes along and couldn't resist the challenge to raise this creature.  If you go any further in reading this blog, it comes with a warning--what you're about to see is something only a mother could love!! :) When we got him he was about half this size. If you think he's naked, think again.  He was less covered than he is now!!  His eyes weren't open and his mouth was bigger than his head.  He has outgrown his home and been put in a bigger box.  When we first heard about him, he lived in the styrofoam cup!  Are you getting curious yet???  We feed him every four hours with a special syringe that is inserted into his throat or "crop" with stuff that looks like "throw up"!!  Ed says after he's fed he looks like an old woman with droopy boobs.  Now you just have to be getting curious!!  :)   

 

Hopefully this is what he will look like soon.  
You've probably noticed I keep saying "He".  We are looking for a name. Do you have any ideas?  We need some help.  Send me your suggestions. The ones coming from folks around Cotton Branch aren't very acceptible!!

See Joann, I told you it would be a doozie!!  This one should really make your day!!  Thanks for encouraging me to keep telling the stories!

 

THE SEASON IS HERE!

You know how in the South people say we have four seasons--Football, Baseball, Basketball and Hunting!!  Well, the "hunting" one is here!  For the next month or so we will wade through a pile of smelly clothes and go running off to see the "kill" and take pictures.  The conversation always goes to "what did you see?" at the table after hunting.  Ben, Papa and Olivia Cox are the victors so far.  She was excited but didn't care much for the cleaning process.  She didn't like the "initiation process" either-even though David and Ed went light on her!!

 Congratulations, Olivia!  You're a real hunter now!
 
 

AM I JEALOUS OR NOT???

Ok, Sadie is supposed to be "MY" dog!  She goes with Papa almost everywhere he goes.  She is covered with orange paint [like most everything else around here these days!] and pouts when he leaves her!  Now this!!   Ok, yes, I'm jealous!!  This has gone too far!  She loves him!

LOCKED AND LOADED!

This summer Ed has been building a "pond" which has turned into Okhissa 2! It will be the Grandchildren pond with a great place for them to fish until they are tired of fishing. I can't imagine any of them being tired of fishing!! It was planned to be a three year project. The pier is built after a couple of months of "dirt work". Yesterday the Fish Truck came.  For me, that was an experience I've never seen.    

 This truck was loaded down with fish that had come all the way from Oklahoma---and had survived! That in itself is amazing to me. Technology!    The guy is Josh and he was very careful dipping them bucketful at a time and acclimating them to the pond water.   

He put in about 20 carp which are grass eating fish to keep the pond clean. They were the biggest fish that he put in.   
  

Then he put in catfish, coppernose bream and bluegill bream.  The poor little things looked like minnows to me but they should grow fast. (That's where the three year project comes in!!) That and filling the pond which God seems to be handling quite nicely lately.

 

 And then when it was finished, the guys do what they always do--stand around and talk about what they did!  You can see that Sadie and I were feeling the same way--it was time to go to the house.  I do have to say that I learned a lot and can't wait to go fishing with the grandchildren and Papa. When the deck is finished, I'll show you what it looks like.