Wake me up next year!

The last word for 2007 should of course go to my Creative Director and sometime muse, Betty. I think she said it best when she declared the whole New Year thing as a bit of a yaawwn.

But, in signing off, I feel I'd like to thank all the friends, family, strangers that have tuned in to BW this year; thanks all (three) of you for your interest in my nonsense and your lovely comments.

Above all, wishing you everything you wish for yourselves in 2008.

Bird Dog of Alcatraz

For Jane

There'll be laughter even after, you're gone.
I'll find reasons to face that empty dawn.
'Cause I've memorised,
each line in your face,
And not even death,
can ever erase,
the stories they tell to me.

I'll miss you.
Oh, how I'll miss you.
I'll dream of you,
And I'll cry a million tears.
But the sorrow will pass.
And the one thing that will last,
Is the love that you've given to me.

There'll be laughter even after, you're gone.
I'll find reasons and I'll face that empty dawn.
'Cause I've memorised,
each line in your face,
And not even death,
could ever erase,
the stories they tell to me.

Iris Dement

Delight

...comes in many forms.

This morning's post brought this from a very talented friend. See more of Victoria's work over at Hares To You.

Breathe in

.... and take a moment. Apologies for having gone AWOL for a while; thanks Mr Tubbington P DeWinters McGilacudy Furry Bottom for giving me a nudge. Sorry too for the grainy picture quality, I was on maximum zoom in poor light but a winter's sunset over the Isle of Wight was irresistible. And thought it appropriate for the 'homesick' Caffienated Cowgirl Thanks CC for tagging me absolutely ages ago (sorry!) Apparently I am to state 7 random facts about me - Oh Lordy, where do I begin?

OK, so after not too much thought...

1) My favourite colour is yellow - not a garish, primary yellow but the yellow of custard, autumn leaves, summer sunrise, perfectly ripe bananas, macaroni cheese, lemons and candelight glow;
2) I am a 'morning' person to my very core;
3) One day, I'd like to teach adults to read;
4) I believe fireworks should be banned for sale to individuals, I am now officially sick of them;
5) I love and appreciate a well-placed swear word;
6) I am rarely random - exposing 7 truths about myself has been monumentally difficult!
7) I suffer from hyposmia.

I'd like to tag the following bloggers for their ability to post far more interesting articles, views and insights about their lives and hobbies. Girls I applaud you and am constantly inspired by you. Farmgirl Susan, Farmer's Wife Suzanne and Karbon Kounty's very own Karen.

Over to you if you can find the time!

Here are the rules. 1. Link to your tagger and post these rules. 2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird. 3. Tag 3 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them). 4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

Montana Morning

I am an early bird.

These days it seems it's because I need to catch up on work during the quietest moments but when I am free to do as I please, I still need to get up and at 'em before everyone else.

This photo is a case in point. Two years ago, on a ranch holiday in Montana (check the link for the Rocking Z on the right), I was up before the other girls every morning. And so as not to disturb my roommate, I would just put a jumper on over my PJ's, boots, gloves and off I'd slip to make coffee in the lodge house or as on this morning, would grab my camera and go for a wander.

Imagine his surprise, when this shepherd came over the hill and was confronted by a wild haired tourist, in her pyjamas taking photos of sheep! Zack, the ranch owner told me later that most of the shepherding in the area is done by Peruvians, another case of the pay/conditions being too bad for Americans to consider it worthwhile.

Anyway, I remembered all this reading comments on Karen's Blog over at Karbon Kounty Moos - check her site out for a flavour of the real Montana.

Sleepy not Sulky

But just to show there's no favouritism ...

Reflection

"I am I because my little dog knows me" Gertrude Stein

Henspection

Bunny update - looking good so far. We're off to the hospital next week for a scan to try and see what's gone on.

Eggspecting a good outcome!

Little things ....

...please little minds (and little trousers fit little behinds as my Mum would say.)

I was recently given a big bag of buttons from a good friend, mostly passed down to her from her mother & grandmother. As I was sorting through them to find a few for a particular project, I was subconsciously arranging them into a shape on the table. So, adding a few more round the edges, I created my own Turner Prize winning exhibit. (Oh yeah, in my world I have won the Turner prize, Booker Prize and an Oscar OK?)

Anyway, the arrangement turned out better than the project fyi.

Talking of things passed down the maternal line, I am researching my Mum's family tree. It is so thrilling to find a name, a date, an address, an occupation on an old register and I feel like a detective piecing together the clues and stories from our shared past.

Mum, if you are reading this, I am back to Ann McConnell, married to James somewhere in the early/mid 19th century. It's getting a bit tougher now as I think I'll be crossing the water to Cork for the next installment. Haven't found the McCulloch link yet but I'll get there.

Early Morning View North from Duncton Hill

Bunny Bulletin: So far, so good, as twice daily hosing and lots of TLC from assorted friends (thanks all) appears to be having the right effect. Next bulletin follows when vet comes again on Wednesday.

Not a Happy Bunny

Oh dear. If only they could talk. A torn tendon. Did she trip up the stairs, slip in the bath, run for the bus, or overdo it at aerobics? Or did she just fancy spending all Winter indoors? Mmmm.

Shetland Smiles

So, which is my best side? This one?

Maybe this one?

Ah, go on and scratch my nose, you know you want to ...

Ooh baby, that's it, right there ..

C'mon, your turn.

Peekaboo

More of me later.

Of dogs and hogs

I have learned to keep my leather gardening gloves handy. Not for me a bit of late night weeding, nor do I plant by the moonlight as some gardeners recommend.

No, I need the gloves to frequently carry a hedgehog from our dog-proofed but seemingly not hog-proofed rear garden to the safety of the front garden. Safely away from the dogs who delight in the company of their new prickly friend, rolling him around, picking him up (I'm not kidding) and generally keeping him (or her, who knows) from finding that special place to nap this Winter.

Maybe all dogs do this? Do they also chew slugs as though they were licorice every time it rains? Crunch snails as though they were ferrero rocher? Suck frogs like jelly babies?

I'll spare you those photos.