New Years 2012

I took my annual plunge into Narragansett Bay today. I was not alone there were over two thousand of my fellow penguins. Its called the Penguin Plunge and the organization has been in existence for the past thirty six years.

 The Penguin Plunge was established to raise money for the Rhode Island Special Olympics and every New Years Day hundreds of people turn out to support this cause.  There was a huge turnout today because of the mild weather (47 degrees Fahrenheit).   Its still not your average day at the beach but its a great way to start the New Year.  Its a kind of cleansing, wash away the old and wake up to face the new. Keep the faith, Happy New Years!
Peace,
~ old dog~

Getting ready for the New Years Plunge

Cheers everyone! Have a safe New Years Eve. I'm  getting ready for tomorrow's New Years Plunge in to Narragansett Bay. Enjoy your evening.

Paw Prints 2011

   Molly, my yellow lab lumbers down the trail without any observance to a schedule. She leaves her tracks in the sand and quietly take a seat next to me.
    Trail are about signs and landmarks. Animals leave their signatures and mark their passage with scat, urine, bones, heaps of fur, feathers, sheds of skin, and of course footprints. Bella, one of my beagles reads the trail data like the lines of a story. As she runs by, her nose to the ground she adds her set of tracks to the trail.  On a hot scent, she sounds the alarm and alerts Blue, my other beagle. He quickly joins in the pursuit, leaving behind his own contribution to the trail. We become part of the story, matching all the other legs and feet that have left odoriferous and warm directions scribed into its surface. I use vision and reasoning to read the trail. The dogs use vision, smell and instinct, but we all contribute-compacting the earth with a new verse. I don't know how the story ends, but its been interesting and enjoyable so far. Its the journey that makes life interesting not the destination.
The new year is rapidly approaching. So, this is a good time to reflect what makes our journey through life interesting and enjoyable.

Merry Christmas from Yellow Dog Farm

We wish you  Merry Christmas

Hello All,

Tonight I had a delicious dinner.  Stuffed grape leaves. Its a simple meal that has been made for centuries. I first walked through the vineyard and pick small tender leaves from the vines. I enjoy walking through the vineyard, it not only lets me survey the vines but its a great way to unwind after a day in the lab. Besides,  I know we are going to have a great dinner once I get back to the kitchen. Susan and I begin to prepare the grape leaves by washing the leaves. Once the are cleaned I begin to mix the stuffing.

Lamb and rice stuffing

The stuffing consist on 1 pound of ground lamb. 1 cup of uncooked rice. a teaspoon of allspice, and a 1/4 cup of lemon juice.

Start by placing a teaspoon of filling near the stem of the grape leave.(The stem is removed) and roll the leaf toward the tip folding the sides in as you roll. Continue rolling until the stuffed leave looks like a cigar. One pound of Lamb should make about forty stuffed grape leaves. Place the stuffed leaves in a pot in tight layers.           once all the leave are in the pot add enough water to cover the leaves. To prevent the leaves from floating and falling apart while cooking, place and inverted plate on top of the leaves and weigh the plate down with a rock. Add chopped garlic, salt, and another 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. once the water comes to a boil reduce heat, to a low simmer and simmer for forty minutes. Use Tongs to remove rock and plate. remove grape leaves allow to cool. Serve with fresh lemon and yogurt.

Enjoy,

~Old dog~

I've been having a little trouble posting comments to some of your blogs. I am out here reading your posting wishing you all well in all your endeavors. I will keep trying to make comments until then God bless.

Just Relaxing

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                     Its has been a while since I have posted anything, The truth be told,  by the time I finish doing everything I need to do around the farm, I am just too tuckered out to write.   Any one that has owned a farm or a home knows that there is ALWAYS something that needs to get done, mowing the lawn, fixing the sink, or painting something. On top of all the chores I have around the farm, I just finished teaching for the semester. So, those of you that have kids...imagine having 128 of them. It suffices to say that life comes at you fast, if one was to quote TV commercials. 

     I still wake up at 4:30am. Some old habits are hard to break. I enjoy a good breakfast. Today it was an asparagus and onion frittarta and a cup of strong  coffee.  Then its my routine to take the dogs for their morning walk. Its off down the path through the woods to the pond. I once read that paths are the birthplace of writing, they certainly are the birthplace of reading. Trails are always about signs  and landmarks. Animals leave their signatures. They mark their passages with scat, urine, bones, blood,footprints, heaps of fur, feathers, and shreds of skin. Every animals or hominid that passes leaves its mark on the earth, like an endlessly uncoiling scroll. All this waits to be observed, sniffed-read-by others. The dogs and I take to this uncoiling surface with the same understanding. We read the trail data and feel the pull of its narrative like the lines of a story. We become part of the story, matching all the other legs and feet that have left odoriferous and warm directions scribed into the surface. I use vision and reasoning. The dogs use  vision, smell, and instinct, but we all contribute-compacting the earth with a new verse. keeping the path alive. I don't know how the story ends, but its been interesting and enjoyable so far. It the journey that make life interesting, not the destination.  I'm ready to turn another page and head down a different path. I usually choose to follow paths that are less traveled. I cannot wait to see what new adventures await. You are welcome to come along. until the next time

Peace

~old dog~

Praying for Stability

When the world is spinning off it's axis.. and powers beyond our control try to set the pace for our lives,I believe that there is a higher order to appeal to.

      I do not affiliate to any organized religion, but I do believe that life is not left to gamble with. There is a natural order to adhere to. Take a walk, clear your mind and live!