Top Ten - White Picket Fence

So the top ten two things about having a white picket fence:
 1) Looks really great when it is properly maintained.
 2) Maintaining fence gives regular injection to appreciation for ingenuity of Tom Sawyer.
 3)

Reality. Owning and maintaining a picket fence is like having a hairstyle so complicated that it takes 12 eight hour days of work to get it just so...and it looks terrific for a few months. Then, you have to decide if you want to get back in that chair or let your hair go it's own way.

This is why most white picket fences look like this:

Charming, but in a "someone loved me once" sort of fashion.
 Tragically, I realize that is also why my hair looks like this:

Hair maintenance issues aside, this was also the demeanor of our own picket fence around what we call "The Anniversary Garden". The fence and garden were created by the previous owners, in honor of a wedding anniversary, and although the garden has changed nearly all the plantings, the fence remains. It had been about three years since I last applied a coat of paint, and that was probably two years too long. It had fallen into pretty severe disrepair, and so early this spring I started the project of putting it to rights.

 I purchased wood and started cutting new pickets to replace the ones so damaged and rotted they were not worth salvaging. There were a lot. But then, if you look behind the garden, you can see the large field that helps insure the fence requires frequent maintenance. We are kinda famous at Cowfeathers for our fierce and unrelenting wind. The field behind us, the direction from whence said "wind of fame" blows, serves as an effective sand blasting service.
As in this photo where the suited and helmeted worker handily removes paint from the brick building, the field behind our house uses dirt to blast paint off our fence. And house. A hem. Don't want to tackle that one yet.

The pickets needed help. Most of them are in worse repair than below.

 So, for much of April, I scraped loose paint off salvageable pickets and made new for the ones not worth the effort.

 Not much paint left.

 And dozens of new.

Next is the tedious task of painting pickets. I have found that the good old fashioned paint brush is the most effective. In our wind and with our house and garden where they lie, using a paint sprayer would be a disaster. The roller is harder to manipulate between pickets, and you have to paint front, back and sides. So, brush it is. And a few coats of primer.

 Progress is slow, but by the middle of May, the entire fence is repaired and primed. Then June happened.

 Still primed. But now full of flowers, cannot paint even if I had the time. Which I do not.

Then, July and August happened.

 Our primed picket fence is a fine background for life at Cowfeathers. August turned to September and to October, and I felt the time slipping away, as well as the two coats of primer- already looking haggard.
So, November's mission was to get it done before winter, which would mean next spring. Here, today, on only November 4,  I am covered in paint, but then again, so is the fence.

 Julia is sporting a bit too. Help, you know.

The Senior

Huz will be glad to see this is not a blog about the man of Cowfeathers,  who received his AARP card this year, but about Middlest who is a high school "Senior".
I don't know if the world conspires to make us nostalgic and clingy this last year of our daughter's high school education, but it sure seems as if plenty of moments are pushing that sentiment. It began in August with no lack of Facebook posts picturing a teen with the caption "The last First Day of School". And, you would think that as graduation is still months away, we would be spared the gloom in autumn of:
"The Final _____, ever, for your high school Senior."
 But, one of the formative features of the high school identity and education of my Senior has been Marching Band, and that season is about to finish. So, we have this coming week:
"The Final Football Game", which will encompass "The Final Pre-game Show", "The Final Half-Time Show", "The Final Time Conducting the Band in the Stands", and, hopefully , "The Final Victory Playing of the Alma Mater." Which.... could mean none of this is final at all because the football team will then be in the play-offs and go on to play in November until they either lose or win the State Championship. And, the band won't know it's done, until it's done.
We will also have "The Final 'State of Ohio Marching Band Finals'", where our Senior will  "Conduct her Final Show, EVER, for OMEA Judges."
Oh, bother. That will have me nostalgic for my little girl with the glitter covered "sparkly shoes" and a Peter Pan collared dress. But, no help for it, she is moving on. And in that vein, the Marching Band holds "Senior Band Night", in which the Senior members of the marching band walk down center field with their parents while the band plays the old Johnny Mercer tune "Fools Rush In" and the loud speaker announces to the crowd what they plan to do as they leave high school next year. You can learn a lot about your kid if you listen to what they wrote down for the announcer, so I keenly payed attention. I was relieved to hear nothing I hadn't heard before, so, if she is currently planning something other than studying Language and Linguistics at an as yet to be determined University, it will be a surprise. She also claimed both Huz and Me as parents, announced over the loudspeaker, so thumbs up there; Go Parents.

 Escorting Middlest around the corner, I look at my beloved daughter. 

Huz is flying and playing imaginary trumpet. I guess after the Final Final _____ for our last child, I'll still have a kid at Cowfeathers, with an AARP Card. 

Family Photo Project, October 2015 and The Pumpkin Show!

October at Cowfeathers is a wonderful whirlwind. A few chilly days that kill my tender summer annuals, and a few sunny days that gloriously light up the sunset-colored trees, but most of the days are overcast grey ones. Darkness comes earlier, and lightness arrives later. The list of things to get done before winter doesn't seem to shorten as one thing gets crossed off and several more land on the list.
Marching Band occupies our weekends as the kids complete the show they have been working on since July and polish it to perfect in time for Ohio Marching Band State Finals.
And, it's the "Punkin' Show".
Or, as I prefer to call it, "The Pumpkin Show."
This is an occasion that holds power I don't fully comprehend. It is a festival in downtown Circleville that draws thousands and thousands of people (no kidding- about 400,000) to it's fried food and temporary rides.
Here is some things I "get" about the "Greatest Free Show on Earth".
- Well, it is free to attend, and people watch...which is pretty darn amazing entertainment along the lines of old carnival shows. You are guaranteed to see at least one "Bearded Lady!", "Fattest Man On Earth!" and "Amazing Hairy Baby!" Along with many other wonders. You are also in for seeing the largest collection of personal pumpkin wear in a human population.
- Really, Really big pumpkins, and fantastical gourds of all kinds. Growing enormous pumpkins is a local hobby. There are a few families that really dedicate their time to having the heaviest pumpkin at weigh-in for the Biggest Pumpkin Contest.

This year's winner!

Do you see what they did here? Cuneiform gourds, representing the sovereignty of the state.

- The Pumpkin Pie that only the pigs eat. Lindsey's Bakery in downtown Circleville makes the largest pumpkin pie on record each year that is on display as folks queue up for their pumpkin donut. At the end of the week, it goes to some lucky hogs who don't mind the children's finger gauges along the edge.

- Parades. I've written about this before in the blog, but parades are serious business in Ohio. The Pumpkin Show doesn't shrink away from going for the gold in the parade competition. They have parades every day of the week, night parades, day parades, parades with kids dressed in costumes, parades with animals dressed in costumes, parades with babies, parades with queens, parades with all of the above, and the one we wedge ourselves into the crowd for every year; the Parade of Bands. The high school marching bands from all over the area- and some not really in our area at all- come to march the streets and play "Sloopy", or "Celebration". More than 50 bands march the streets of Circleville, rain or, well, not rain.  They are accompanied by the regular accoutrements of a Ohio Parade, namely, tractors, floats, Queens, cheerleaders, tumblers, jugglers, boyscouts, political leaders, vintage cars, firetrucks,  FFA-Future Farmers of America, horse drawn wagons and children's sports teams.The Band Parade is usually anchored by a University Marching Band, the favorite of which would be The Ohio State University Marching Band, or "TBDBITL" as it is known. Folks mostly try to find a seat for this parade, as it is rather extensive. The streets are lined with chairs 4+ rows deep in most spots.

Middlest conducts her band, while also keeping an eye on parade movement. The band played Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine" this year.

RaRahs Up! Adding danger to the show.

-Traditions. The Pumpkin Show Queen- perhaps the pinnacle of high school honors of non-academic or athletic pursuit. The Pumpkin Man- a guy in an orange tee shirt with "Pumpkin Man" written on it with a sharpie, who paints his face like a clown and roller blades in every parade.

This year's Queen, Court and Little Miss Pumpkin Show.

Yep. Pumpkin Man.

- Food. While The Pumpkin Show has it's share of fried dough and Lemon Shake-ups, it really excels in choices including pumpkin. The churches sell pumpkin pies, but there are all sorts of "pumpkiny" choices, like pumpkin chili or pumpkin ice cream to choose from. The long term favorite of our family is the Mini Pumpkin Donuts, which are hot, fresh, and doused in cinnamon sugar. So, while I don't usually appreciate the food served at carnivals or fairs, The Pumpkin Show does have some unique choices worth trying.
-No School. The kids get a few days off school (but not off band) for the Pumpkin Show, and not only is this fun for them but it often brings family for a visit! This year, we were lucky enough to have Huz' parents come for a few days.

This also brings Eldest home to see her grandparents...so we were all together for a day, and stubbornly committed to the Family Photo Project in the few hours we had together. Unfortunately, I wanted the FPP taken outside with the colors of autumn, and between Huz and my work schedules, and nature's schedule of shorter days we had only a two hour window. In which Cowfeathers was entrenched in less than optimal October weather: rain. So, we set up the tripod, and trooped out under one of the grand old Sugar Maples for a bit of shelter and smiled for October, anyway.

Homecoming 2015- Middlest gets a crown.

"Homecoming" for our high school was this past weekend, with the home football game blowout of 54-0( actually I'm not sure that is exactly accurate, I stopped counting after 30), and the Homecoming Dance in the gym the following night.
Middlest was a star in the celebration, being elected to the Homecoming Court, conducting the band and then having a fine time at the dance.
Of course, I took pictures.

For those who missed it....you're welcome. 

 Pre-game, the Friday Night Football Live team from Channel 4 was on hand to highlight the Teays Valley Homecoming Game. The news anchor did a spot with the Homecoming Court, and got Middlest to have a chat on camera. Here they are having a laugh during the spot.

She walked through her band during the ceremony, an odd feeling, I'm sure, on the arm of one of the King Candidates.

Even though she did not win the title of Homecoming Queen, she still got a crown. Middlest likes a crown. 

 Many of the King Candidates were football players, so did not get in the group shot at the end.

The pictures I put up on Facebook of my sweet baby girl garnered many comments from my old high school pals about how she looks like her momma. So, I dug through my old photos to come up with a picture of me on the Joel Barlow High School Homecoming Court, 30 years ago.

 That is me, in the gray suit, and the big bangs. Since Jenna's hands are in her lap, I guess she wasn't pinching me, so I'm not sure why the expression. Looking into the sun? In any case, I do see a bit of resemblance.

Middlest then took up her job as Drum Major of the Golden Sound of the Vikings! Conducting in a crown? Why NOT?

Proud of her band!

The next day, we spent our afternoon on horseback, doing a 6 mile Hunter Pace over 30+ jumps decorated for Halloween. Middlest on her racehorse, who was reluctant to let any of the other 180 horses win. Let's just say the pair disagreed about the speed of the ride, and made it a challenge for both. But we made it home in time for a quick change, hair re-do, and a few pictures before her date showed up to take her to dinner and the dance.

We didn't leave time for anything but a PBJ in the truck on the way home from the pace, and our princess was a bit peckish. The camera caught her snacking in the garden.

The hairstyle she chose was crown-ready.

Her date arrived, also sporting the school colors, of blue and gold, and bearing flowers in gold- nice play! 

This is a special time for Middlest, with a lot happening at once. I love watching her juggle all the different moments, and enjoy them as well. She is an amazing young woman.

Youngest and Zac bring home the blue! Rocky Point Farm.

Yes, my horse blog fest continues, but with this time of year, that is one of the big efforts around here- get on the ponies!
Yesterday was Youngest and Zac's debut Horse Trials. And, they were great. I give Youngest some credit here for dragging himself out of bed before dawn to get rolling, as the day before was the big band contest run by our very own Golden Sound of the Vikings at our high school football stadium. It is a huge undertaking, and the band members and their families are the worker bees that make the thing run. The weather was not favorable, and made for a cold, wet, and challenging time. The kids made it home with Huz around 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. I had done my job in the admissions booth, and then made my way home to finish the barn chores before 11 p.m. Lucky. But, I also was determined to get things ready for our early departure. Finding Youngest's show clothes, cleaning them, drying them, ( since I am the one that cares if they are clean)... I even polished his boots when I did mine: my treat to him that he may or may not appreciate. Or is it my treat to me, since I didn't despair of him riding his dressage test in dirty boots and stained breeches? Anyway, he stumbled out of bed and off we went, into the sunrise.

Zac is such a joy, and as I watched them begin their dressage test, I was struck by how beautifully schooled he is- an experience I am unfamiliar with, as I have never spent the time to have an agreeable and well schooled mount. He gets right to his job with a straight center line, square halt and even, charming rhythm.

Who could resist this pair? Not the judge, who gave them a very nice score, placing them in first after dressage in their level. 

Cross country was next. We walked down to the warm up about 25 minutes before his ride time. I told him to go walk Zac around for a bit, trot him a little, if he'd like, but we wouldn't jump him until about 3 minutes before his start time, just a few warm up fences. Next time I look around for him, he's in the start box- 15 minutes early! They were running ahead, and when they called his number, he went in, having no warm up to speak of. Coach Mom pulled him back out of the start box, and let him have a few warm up cross rails first- more for the boy than for the pony, as the boy was slightly out of sorts that he hadn't given his pony any warm up fences. (The pony would've been just fine.)

 They quickly came together to have a very nice well done course. It was even paced, never fast, and executed well. Rider and pony showing some "Team" right away. They both had fun!

Here they are heading into their last fence. I think they are both smiling!

 With a clean cross country trip, they were still sitting in first place. So, going into stadium, they just had to continue their run. There were some difficult rides before his stadium round, with a few hearts in throats in spectators, parents and organizers. A loose galloping horse, some tears, a fine "save" (used when you think someone is going to fall off but manages to stay aboard) by a rider before a fence- the previous rides included things that cause gasps, and anxiety.  Since they were in first place, the boys went last in their division, and had a beautiful ride. When it was finished they had a lot of applause, and the judges in the truck mostly gave them a standing ovation ( mostly because of the relief of seeing a safe ride, I think.) I can tell you this Mom and Coach was very proud, and pretty darn relaxed.

 Great Job boys!!

Chaser and I had a good day as well. He stayed calm, fairly focused and was pleasant to ride.
 We had a decent, if not sensational dressage score, and he pleasantly jumped clean in cross-country and stadium, with a lot of control and only a few moments when his mind wandered from his job and things went slightly wonky. Mostly well done.

Thank you, Susan. I was not going to ride this one. I had determined that I was going to take the easy route and just escort Youngest and Zac, leaving my horse at home. Then an image popped into my head. It took me a moment to figure out what I was seeing, but it was my friend, Susan. Susan passed away last year from metastatic cancer. Two years ago, she was at this horse trials, for her last competition on her horse. She was sick, but she was there. She can't be there anymore, but I realized I had an opportunity, and I should take it. Susan would have. She was extraordinarily brave, so, saddle up, and give it a go.  So, thank you, dear, for reminding me how valuable is each day God has given to me, and the extra-wonderful days when he gives me a calm horse.

Photo credits to Lori Kannally , Youngest, Kelli Wilt Ramey and Shane Schooley- thank you all for picking up my camera, and with little, or no instruction, providing me with pictures of my boys! 

The big reveal- my Tuinhuis!

Last spring, as with each spring, I brim with hope and plans, and the deep desire to get outside- in a less miserable capacity. I long to wear gloves to protect my hands from thorns instead of frostbite, and to tend to a growing green bit.  The garden catalogs have filled my mailbox, and imagination, and I have this inflated sense of available time. That, by the way, is not just a spring affectation.
So, spring of 2015,  I gave the family a choice, took a vote, and we elected to build a garden house. Upon deciding on this semi-ambitious project, I immediately started lobbying for Middlest to recruit her friend, Matt (who is, approximately 19 feet tall) to assist.
The next, and crucial step was to engage my Dad. I wanted to share a project together, and his mind is a brilliant combination of engineer and painter. Plus, my general approach to building something begins with me scribbling on a pad of paper, making a lumber list, and then starting to build. His approach includes actual planning. My mom chimed in too, she of the visionary design. Her main wish? Put a trellis on the roof for a climbing New Dawn Rose.
Over the next month or two, while the sun tenuously began to thread it's way to the Ohio earth, Dad sent me plans and ideas and we hashed out a design. Then, I sprung for a big request. "Hey, Dad, when are you coming to help me put this thing up?" I think I said it just like that. Kinda jokey. To my surprise and thrill he replied "I figured that was coming, how about June?" WHOOP!



 This is how the kitchen garden usually looks in July.

 By the time Dad arrived, we had moved the compost pile and done a few tasks in prep- sometimes in the dark. June is a busy, busy, month.
He arrived in time to help celebrate Middlest's birthday....

This made us happy. Happy enough to jump for joy! 

 

And, right away, we started to work. Matt arrived, most every day to help- we had, I believe,  only 5 days to complete construction.  Middlest kept a steady stream of drinks and food going to keep us on the job.

 Dad, or Poppie, and Youngest worked hard, with Matt, and often without me- actual "work" called me away- to get the structure up and sound.

 Although it was my least favorite spot for him to be, Youngest liked the "up top" work the best.

 The foreman and his crew. 

 By Poppie's last night with us, the little garden house was built.

 There were a few details yet to complete, but I did bits and pieces of it over the next few months. Huz dug in with me in his spare moments, helping move gravel for the floor, lending a long arm to Youngest and I with the trim and painting the very peaks of  the house. Middlest and Matt marched back and forth bringing me bricks while I laid the floor.
And, now, the little garden house, or in Dutch "Tuinhuis" is ready and in use.

  

Welcome! C'mon in. 

 The windows are ones collected along the way. I'm a magpie. The door is from ReStore, scraped and painted to echo the blue tuteur in the Anniversary Garden.  I painted the  $10 desk mint green, like the windows, boiled the layers of paint off the hardware, and it is a cutie now, plus a work table for keeping the garden records and storage  and display piece. 

 I put a french drain in the front, and a copper planter from a local antique store. I made the
"Tuinhuis" sign from a scrap piece of trim board, and added a jaunty brass kick plate.

 Huz collected the butternut and acorn squashes last week.

 As you can see, it is an autumn garden now. The corn in the back of the Tuinhuis is grown and harvested. The tomatoes are too heavy for the tomato cages, and the sun is setting before the chores are done.

 I adore the little house. I love that my tools are right next to the garden, instead way out in the tractor shed or barn. And, although there is jobs yet to be done before the Tuinhuis will be to final planned stage- electric still isn't in, I haven't landscaped around it yet and, no, the roof still does not have the trellis for the New Dawn Rose. Still, our summer, spare on time, yielded this wonderful addition. Thank you, Dad, family and Matt!