Miracle on 34th - it really is Christmas season

Finishing touches are being applied to the key indicators of the season.  Lee's shopping is complete.  Wrapping is well in control and time with great friends is scheduled - more or less.  A half day in the city was all it took to put paid to the wallet extractions.  Alert for those not in the know - Lee Valley has a great system.  Phone in your order and waltz by the poor schmucks waiting in line.  Go to the left of the store and collect your prizes from the Express counter.  Done in record time.  Costco has new items arriving daily - this little gem is able to be noted since we also are arriving there daily.  Their lack of York Peppermint Patties cost $367.84.  Milk was slightly more expensive on Monday, clocking in in excess of $500.  And life goes on.  Christmas shows have now taken over the television and Our Ken has his iPad back for the eternal news and weather scans.  The birds are active and hungry.  Enough said on that subject. 


The dogs are enjoying the warm days, even with water falling from the sky.  Grass is still green on most areas of the property.  There was a cover of snow overnight, early in the week, replaced by mist and showers the following day.  Still, it was enough to say the puppies had their first real taste of winter.  Marguerite and Trebia have had a Martha Stewart moment with critical decision making employed in revising the tree landscape.  Marguerite removed and tore a miscreant (think ornament) into 7,433 small pieces thus ensuring it would not reappear on an otherwise acceptable Christmas tree.  Trebia discovered an interloper that undoubtedly would become a live and troublesome moose so dispatched it, thus saving us the trouble of finding a gun and making an even greater mess.  Such thoughtful dogs.  The lower branches have been denuded accordingly.  Balance is over-rated as far as Christmas trees go. 


Meals have been seasonally appropriate.  Today was an annual get together at Swiss Chalet in New Minas with our great friends from Digby and Chantelle of course.  The table configuration ended with the men at the end of the table (in retrospect not our finest decision).  The beginning of trouble was the request for drink preferences.  The lady who seated us was determined to begin at an end (that would be either of the two men) and go around the table.  That didn't happen in spite of her insistence.  Her world was shaken as she finally determined that she would either start in the middle or be with us for a very long and unproductive period.  Coming back for meal orders she had completely caved.  Now this is not a tremendously varied menu and there is a 'festive special' that is ordered by 89% of December patrons.  Still Our Ken and Bob perused the menu like they would a Pulitzer prize winning novel finally landing on the  - you guessed it - festive special along with everyone else at the table.  They did break out in a big way by ordering dark meat and Our Ken went so far as to request a multi-grain roll - thus ensuring issues that had the entire restaurant in awe.  A young woman was dispatched with the first two plates - of course, those of the two troublemakers.  She had a 50/50 chance and the only difference was the dreaded roll.  And there it was - multi-grain in front of Bob.  Yes, there was an easy solution.  No, that was not taken.  As Ken blissfully ate Bob's fries, the waitress tried hard to convince Bob that he and Ken could exchange the rolls and all would be well.  Bob had no idea what she was trying to have happen since he was totally focused on Ken eating his fries and suspecting that when it was all said and done, he was going to end up with a fry-less festive special.  Conversely, Our Ken had a meal that approximated what he had ordered and he wasn't giving it up - in fact, he was quite oblivious to the controversy swirling around him, lost in the joy of Bob's fries and didn't even notice the lack of grain in his roll - multi or not - as he buttered and ate it, being regarded with amazement by poor Bob who was now dutifully working his way through Our Ken's meal - less the multi-grain roll.  During this ordeal, the poor young woman got to the point of saying, she would move the rolls since it was evident that Ken was having none of this sharing business and Bob appeared loathe to extract his bun from Ken's hovering hand.  And then the woman who served us appeared to note in no uncertain terms that servers do not touch the food on a patron's plate.  Things weren't looking good.  Chantelle was sliding toward the floor, hiding her face, Luella and Lee were in hysterics, Bob was concerned and now pretty certain he was going to eat Ken's meal and Our Ken was eating fries - happy as could be.  There was a short discussion with the woman, reminding her that there was one table a day that would be her dinner conversation at home and we might just be it.  She assured us that we indeed had earned that honour much earlier and this was the icing on the cake.  And on it goes. . .

Christmas 2015

All is well in the Regalridge world. Christmas is in the offing and seems to be slightly more moderate in its approach than in other years.  The trimming has happened, although Our Ken has determined that with the critical outside lighting program achieved, other trees, shrubs and bushes have potential.  As long as stores have outdoor lights left unsold, the electric bill is likely to rise proportionately.  The indoor activity is on track and less pressured than usual, so quite obviously necessary things have been totally forgotten and will raise their shiny heads at the last minute, requiring frantic manoeuvers to deal with the oversights.  The weather has been particularly clement, allowing comfortable coming and going and safe trips for the travellers among us.  The Regalridgemobile has taken numerous treks to and from the city, consistently returning heavier than it leaves.  Consistency is good!  Shopping is winding down, wrapping almost complete and baking barely begun.  The tree has migrated to the den and a small version stationed in the living room.  Tree trimming is emotional.  Each ornament, here, has meaning.  some were made by Lee's Mom.  Some were purchased on trips throughout the world.  Many are gifts from wonderful friends while others are annual additions, a tradition that started long before there was a Regalridge.  Each holds a memory and each memory is a good one in its own way.  Rushing the process would be silly.  It is a big part of Christmas here and requires stories be retold and placements carefully considered.  Beyond the big tree, there is a new festival of trees on the hearth and sparkly trees throughout the great room.   Somehow, the trimming has changed completely.  So far, Our Ken has not fussed.  The birds are plentiful;  There are Jays, the two pair of woodpeckers, chickadees, starlings, the total Nova Scotia population of mourning doves, the resident crows, grosbeaks, cowbirds and Phil the pheasant and his harem.  Adding the squirrels and the little chipmunks, the seed supplier is not going to have to worry about Christmas cash.  The addition to the feeding station this year is a peanut feeder.  In the shape of a wreath, it was acquired in Ontario and is a real hit with the NS Jays.  They party as soon as they see it move from its branch to the table to be filled and may soon remove Our Ken's hat in the competition to be first at the bar.  Phil is spectacular this year, in fine feather and good weight, his greens, reds and bronze feathers gleaming as he trots about the front yard to his station under the chestnut. 


The Airedales are enjoying the season, particularly  delighting in the increased level of activity that brings friends and relatives to the doors.  Even Marguerite and Trebia have put on their company manners and are welcoming.  The little hound is Lee's shadow and has finally convinced the humans that a significant car trip should be in her repertoire.  That worked well provided Lee's lap was present and holding a Cirneco.  It was less successful when the same Cirneco was placed in her crate with her blanket and toys.  Hounds can and do howl when annoyed, it seems.  Her future as a world traveller is uncertain. 


Meals are changed up in December.  Fish is easy to come by - everything from lobster ('tis the season), to scallops and oysters.  There is lots of haddock locally and salmon is abundant (but farmed).  Our favourite fish truck is rocking and recognizes the Regalridgemobile from a distance.  The week has included salmon steaks, roast sirloin of pork with an herb and apple glaze, beef tenderloin, chicken and spaghetti.  Tonight scallops will round out the range.  Baking has begun but not before Our Ken went hunting and gathering.  It was when he brought home a box of 'Little Debbie's seasonal treats' that a stop had to be put to his fun.  The wounded mutter was that "they can go on the tree as decorations".  Think about that for a second - chocolate cakes hung by something? on the tree described above in a room filled with Airedales and the hound.  Sure.  Let's break them right out.  The decision is whether or not to remove the cellophane . . .

Saturday in August at Regalridge

It is a day of mixed blessings.  Old Dolly left us as quietly as she lived her life.  She was a wonderful Airedale; calm, capable of managing her yards and the dogs she lived with and loved.  She adored Our Ken and maintained a vigilant eye as he moved about the property, never letting him out of her sight for long.  While never a great fan of shows, she did finish her championship nicely and produced lovely puppies including the beautiful Laurel.  She will be missed and her spot in the den will never quite be the same. 


The activity level is high in the summer months.  It was a hot day - not warm but actually hot.   Generally the dogs enjoy the property through the summer but today the air conditioning in the house and kennel beckoned.  Nothing could convince them that being outside was a better option.  Marguerite is the bellwether and attempted several forays into the big yard only to turn back in disgust as the resident crows explained that the heat index was high.  Trebia aligned herself with the coolest air flow and refused to budge. 


Tony and Karen came for a visit and for the wood oven's first pizza run.  Shopping at this time of year offers up wonderful prizes.  Today it was lovely mangoes, fresh figs, Walla Walla onions (aptly) and lots of cheeses.   That resulted in great options for the pizza party.  There were four balls of dough prepared yesterday - two regular and two herb.  The inaugural pizza was herb crusted with pesto sauce, mango, grilled chicken, olives and goat cheese.  It was a great hit.  The second was a traditional with regular crust, red sauce, pepperoni, old cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella and olives.  The third was sirloin and caramelized onion with bar b que sauce, old cheddar and Oka.  The last was a mixed traditional with red sauce, sausage, bocconcini and goat cheese.  There was dessert.  There was a salad with fresh figs, pistachios and pear dressing.  There were beers of the world and wine.  It was a lovely evening with great friends.  Karen is a great sous-chef.  Honestly!


And we turn the page.

How the heck did it get to be August?  There was snow until April - or May; there was cold and rain until late June followed by wet and chilly July and all of a sudden it is August.  Of the house crew, only Marguerite has any interest at all in spending the days outside.  Even on the odd warm day Rocky says the house beds are calling his name and Trebia is looking for Lee's lap.  The little Welsh are enjoying their playground with the ins and outs interspersed with games and siestas.  Richmond is pretty sure he is in charge of life in general.  Tori rides herd with a benevolent autocracy and little Heloise just bops along without a care in the world.  She missed the Welsh intensity gene.  Clint continues to improve and gains strength daily.  He is a particularly sensitive Airedale so is taking this assault on his system very seriously.  Glued to Lee at every opportunity, he patrols the property, is eating well and has begun to engage in serious ball games each evening before lights out.  Last night, both baseball and soccer were on the menu and were played with some verve.  Lori assisted as goal keeper - she found (a feat in itself) and stood on the ball, urging Lee and Clint on with barks that lifted her whole front end. 


The gardens are at their peak.  Baskets are filled to overflowing, roses are opening in great number, lilies are massively displayed, the annuals have spread and dahlias are beginning.  With all of the precipitation, the grass is deep green and encourages Our Ken to cut it almost daily.  And there has been a discovery.  When the move to this location occurred, Regalridge was situated in Elmsdale.  With the advent of 911, the area name reverted to its antecedents and returned to Belnan.  However, Elmsdale is the village and there was a line of stately elms on the property.  Sadly, they were in the process of succumbing to Dutch Elm disease.  And now, more than twenty five years later, an elm tree is growing in Belnan.  In the wood oven garden, the lovely elm has surfaced and will be cherished by all.  


The birds are thankful for Our Ken's ministrations.  Perhaps it is the rain.  Perhaps it is the aftermath of the dreadful winter or perhaps it is simply opportunity but the birds are plentiful, hungry and numerous.  There are lots and lots of young.  The six baby swallows remain in residence but are in the eaves only sporadically.  All are practising flight manoeuvers, eating lots of bugs (yahoo for the swallows) and returning only for little rests.  It seems that one nest will be enough for mom and pop this year.  Six is actually enough. 


Today's adventure was a foray into the city.  The forecast had included thunder showers so a trip further afield will have to wait.  Costco is a madhouse.  PetSmart offered up a lovely soft sided exercise pen for hotel stays - yes Chantelle, you can borrow it.  Sadly, the fish truck was nowhere to be found.  Still, Costco's fabulous salmon steaks leapt into the cart and will be enjoyed in due course. Our Ken required new summer shorts so a detour to Mark's was in order.  Not fun.  Not inexpensive.  Successful.  The end. 


The wood oven is in operation and the learning curve is flattening a bit.  Ribs and chicken breasts have graced the floor of the oven as have sour cherries.  The flavour is mighty impressive and the technology amazing.  Pizza is in our future.  Dinners recently have included planked salmon, rib steak night and tonight will include lamb chops and hodge podge (with baby beets from the garden - just because).  May we recommend our new summer dessert - warm sour cherries with your liqueur of choice; cut pound cake or grab a meringue or a slice of available sweet bread; add a scoop of Hagen Daz (flavour of choice), pour cherries with syrup over the ice cream and drizzle with your own chocolate sauce OR cream of balsamic OR mint infused simple syrup. 

It was a cloudy day early on; it was a thunderous day mid-day; it was a sunny day for about 48 seconds and then it was a cloudy day with sporadic rainy periods.  It is time for July to regain its momentum.  Even Mort the pond frog seems nonplused by this weather.  The foliage on the property rivals the rain forest and the flowers that have managed to bloom are holding those blossoms forever.   The strawberry season has lasted long beyond its stale date with the cool temperatures that followed the hot sun of late June.  Jam is plentiful at Regalridge.  Our Ken is frantically pulling weeds but keeping up is an impossibility.  The pond garden is in his sites now that the wood oven garden is complete.  And complete it is.  The gate and associated wrought iron connector is in place and functioning beautifully.  The lovely red Adirondack chairs are comfortably placed with a view of the oven's innards and the river rock is strategically aligned with the borders.  Planters abound and it appears geraniums have surfaced in new pots for fall colour.  Even the fountain is offering up its gurgling stream of water.  Lee spent the day supporting Ken's projects and sorting paperwork for the kennel club.  Much progress was made.


The dogs are disinterested in this latest project, even though it is within their sphere of influence.  They march past the gate without pause and, other than the Cirneco, have no interest in the area.  The Hound, of course, has to be part of everything that takes the people's attention.  She has managed to try out the chairs and trot through the garden paths, much to Our Ken's dismay.  Old Dolly is doing well, eating her meals, enjoying treats and marching to her own drummer in the yards.  Clint improves daily.  Still glued to Lee, he is nevertheless able to move freely, has regained some momentum when the need arises (barking visitors are a great incentive) and is eating almost at his usual level.  Billy and Rocky are warmly encouraging his rehabilitation and repatriation to the kennel.  The little Welsh continue to beetle around, keeping their noses busy as they supervise every activity they are able to see.  Marguerite the outdoor dog keeps a close eye on the gates and is the quintessential doorbell of Regalridge.   She misses nothing. 


The kennel is busy with visitors.  Fiddler's rock and roll has morphed to a yodel.  He is a party boy and enjoys a high level of activity in his neighbours.  He misses Buddy who departed Sunday.  Shadow is enjoying the yard next to the young Airedales.  He has been coming to the kennel for years and has his own expectations and routine that must be followed.  The week end will see a full kennel with a mix of Toys, Terriers, Herding dogs and mixes.  Most have been vacationing with us for many years and trot happily up the drive to their suites. 


The news of the day, however, is the wood oven.  Curing was completed yesterday and the inaugural meal prepared this evening.  Back ribs were the request of Our Ken.  The fire building went very well with maple that was dry and burned perfectly.  The timing of the heat cycle was a bit off so juggling of the wood and meat occurred with a resultant slower than anticipated finish time.  All in all, though, the meal was a success with tremendously tasty, beautifully flavoured ribs.  On a side note, those who know Our Ken know that he is pack rat extraordinaire.  Lee had a rack for the ribs - great planning until she realized it is too large for the oven.  Considering her options, she mentioned to Ken that she needed a cast iron rack and off he marched.  Around the garage, out the back gate and toward the back forty he went, returning with a cast iron rack - perfect size, perfect weight, perfect for ribs.  And nothing will ever, ever, ever be thrown out again . . .

Summer is flying by - at least in theory.  The weather this week has been cool and, on occasion, damp.  The dogs are amused by degree.  The Cirneco does not do wet.  No wet feet, no wet head; Ms Trebia simply does not approve water falling from the sky.  Preference for rainy days would be sitting on a lap with a blanket at the ready in case of a sudden chill.  The Airedales and Welsh are far more stoic.  Clint continues to make slow and steady progress.  His appetite has improved but the activity level and interest in more than a slow wander around the yard with Lee is the best he can do.  The rest are perking along, managing the property and setting the rules for the visitors.  Billy has been somewhat less welcoming of Clint in the house - in Rocky's spot in the den.  Rocky shrugs it off but Billy has taken affront on his behalf. 


The swallows have flown and are enjoying their freedom as they learn from their parents how to hunt and gather insects throughout the neighbourhood.   They occasionally return to roost over the door but are busy through the day taking instruction and readying themselves for their trip south.  Other feathered babies are appearing at the feeders.  Less enterprising (and less useful) than the swallows, the baby doves, starlings, finches and catbirds are now in evidence.  Most are collegial but the odd bad tempered fellow is showing his colours as each determines his schedule and favourite seed from the bounty presented by Our Ken.  Mort the frog is maintaining the pond but looks increasingly alarmed as it threatens to overflow its banks.  More rain is not needed.  The most interesting moment of the week occurred early yesterday morning.  Lee was out and about shepherding Old Dolly into the house when an odd sound came from overhead.  The resident crows were talking but in a voice that was unknown - since they have been in residence for three decades, a new voice was startling.  Searching for the reason and looking to the usual post of our family crows, the reason was immediately evident.  Sitting regally at the top of the oak tree, the usual perch of the crows, was a massive bald eagle, surveying the Regalridge domain as well as the local environs.  A quick re-entry to the house of the Welsh puppies was in order and Our Ken was dispatched to encourage Mrs Eagle to find alternate accommodation. 


The gardens are soggy.  End of garden update.


The kennel continues to welcome summer campers.  Buddy is here for his week end pilgrimage.  His flagpole tail is waving over the heads of the Airedales in the adjoining pen.  Shadow has just departed, happy to see his owners after a trip to the frozen island of Newfoundland.  What a dreadful July they are having on the Avalon.  The Hipsons have a new Labrador - a fabulous girl and in Our Ken's estimation, the best of the several they have had with us over the decades we have been here.  Sochi departed this week after a long sojourn.  He is a great little Welsh - Tim and Elke have managed his transition into adulthood well.  A couple of Chantelle's little ones are here while she vacations at her cottage.   Rumour has it that it is less soggy there than here and that is likely a good thing since Miss Matilda is not fond of water falling from the sky.  Fiddler arrived today with a grin and kick of his heels. 


The fruit stand opposite is replete with early summer vegetables.  Hodge podge has now happened.  Reg and Tim have arrived, so a meal of grilled rib eye (Hants county beef), hodge podge and a lovely open strawberry pâte brisée tart landed on the table.  And the rain continues . . .

 Clint is on the mend.  The remaining offending material miraculously appeared last evening.  Now we watch his progress and enjoy each hard earned step forward.  He is eating well and his innards are functioning properly.  Now it is time and careful management.  The enforced confinement in the house seems to suit - he doesn't mind the lead walks nor is he chafing to go play with his buddies, sensible fellow that he is.  Billy, on the other hand, is ticked at being in steerage rather than first class.  His discussion of the insult is regular and highly indignant.  Our Ken (the light of Billy's life) avoids anything dealing with Bill until he is let out of the ignominy - Ken has sacrificed and taken on the 'open the gates' role.  What a guy !  The rest of the crew are a bit perplexed by the change in the house.  Trebia tries to live in or on Lee and takes exception to any of the others in close proximity.  Marguerite is Lee's shadow, moving around the Cirneco as needs be and assisting in the daily chores in typical Marguerite fashion - that paper covering the floor was simply an attempt to tidy the area, right Marguerite?  The puppies are applying for their engineering equivalency, having supervised the installation of the wood oven and now the gate project.  In Canada, engineers wear an iron ring on their little finger.  Will have to call the university to get two made in size 0.


The wood oven project continues.  The gate installation has required that Lee be summoned on a regular basis to hold various and sundry parts, for what purpose only Our Ken knows.  There appears to be no forward momentum but there certainly has been adequate study.  Photos of parts were sent to Tony today.  Progress is imminent.  Curing continues.  Rain is not assisting. 


It is flight school day.  While it was a 'taking your life in your hands' moment previously with parents swooping in and out to feed the brood, there are now six little characters learning how to use their wings.  Some are more steady than others.  All can now balance on the flagpole on the deck, the wind chimes and the railing.  the chirping has been a symphony all afternoon.  They are now divided in  groups of three in the eaves over the door now that dusk has arrived.  How they ever fit in that little nest is one of life's eternal mysteries.  After the morning showers, the roses were trimmed and the gardens spruced.  The scent of the tea roses is fabulous.  One had to come in to grace the kitchen. 


The kennel continues to rock.  Zeus is leading the chorus.  Mason and Scout departed for Digby, each guarding one of the very large and very impressive Best Baby Puppy In Show ribbons that Matilda garnered on the week end.  It appears Chantelle's vehicle needed those to be able to head on vacation.  Good thing little Matilda won big. 


Dinner last evening was a summer delight.  New potatoes, garden spinach, grilled chicken with a peach compote and fruit salad made up a lovely meal.  Earlier in the day there was a blackened chicken pasta with olives and bacon.  Our Ken was pleased.  And on we go.

We are on the mend.  Clint is rebounding nicely, is home and eating well (Our Ken's barometer of dog health is food intake - nothing more - simply food intake).  You, too, are looked askance if you are eating but malingering, if you complain but are able to take nourishment.  So, fair warning.  Clint is, of course, in the den so Lee is able to be with him constantly.  That means his nemesis, Billy the Barking Airedale, is restricted to quarters.  That does not impress Billy greatly; his sense of insult is only made worse by the fact that Clint has pride of place while he languishes in the room next door.  Rocky, too, must be limited since he and Clint are not close, but he doesn't care.  Give Rocky a blanket and the odd milk bone and life is good.  Marguerite is advocating for Billy so feels the need to peer closely at Clint each time she strolls through the room, lifting her lip in an Airedale sneer so plain that poor Clint feels the need to respond in kind.  The dynamics of the house are totally off kilter.  Moving one dog out of his own area makes the whole shooting match a circus. 


The kennel is rocking.  With a gaggle of boarding Welsh of all ages, a newly arrived Doodle, the omnipresent Shadow and a Norwich who should be but is not yet hoarse, even Elton John would be envious of the range of the company.  He would be less impressed by the pitch, I fear.  Generally it is Mason who leads the chorus but that particular little fellow has been planted in number three yard next to the Airedales.  He has developed a lovely circuit to keep the bigger dogs exercised to his satisfaction and has been so busy that he has forgotten to exercise his lungs at the same time.  Score one for Our Ken! 


The little swallows continue to work tirelessly as they feed the brood.  From sun up to sun down any who venture near the kitchen door take their lives in their hands.  The six babies are overflowing the nest.  Flight school cannot be far off.  There are baby doves, baby starlings, baby red wing black birds as well as baby squirrels and chipmunks throughout the property.  Horace the little frog occupies the pond and is enjoying the portulaca, the hosta, dahlias and violets as well as the waterfall.  He is a new resident, named by Ken now that he appears to be more than a vagabond simply passing through.


Dinner included grilled steak, caramelized onions, spinach from the garden and baked potatoes with fresh peach compote over ice cream to round out the sharp edges.  And on we go.

Life is never dull

There are adventures aplenty when a dozen dogs are running your life.  Yesterday was no exception.  Our Ken surfaced from his morning kennel routine with a head shake (not likely ear mites) and the comment that 'we may have a problem'.  Apparently the Tuesday evening gardening session was accompanied by an Airedale flight of fancy.  One of the youngsters managed to unscrew the top from a watering can and pass it off to Clint who likely had asked nicely that this be done.  He has always had a penchant for plastic - considering it a food group, perhaps his favourite.  This little escapade was not shared until Clint refused food on Thursday morning.  Clint is not a food snob.  Watching him through the day, there was every possibility that there was not an issue since there  are girls in season and that can cause food disinclination in even the heartiest of eaters.  However, by dinnertime and another snubbed fancy meal, antennae were twitching.  Chantelle's august presence was requested and she and Lee did an exam.  Nothing conclusive.  Clint was then put in a run, had a good drink of water and promptly flowed downward to rest on his knees.  It was an unusual performance and definitely not normal.  Time to call the Vet.  Interestingly, while the technician agreed that he did need to be seen right away, she also advised that there was no time to see him and he would have to be taken to the emergency clinic when it opened an hour and a half later.  After Lee shook her head (no ear mites there either) she decided that a call to the new 24 hour clinic in the city might be in order.  The word on the street is that Four Paws Veterinary Clinic on Lady Hammond Road is well run and impressive.  The bright young woman at the front desk took a phone history and suggested Clint should come for a visit immediately.  Off went the Regalridgemobile (had there been a mention already that Chantelle was in her lovely pj's?) to the city.  The new clinic is, in a word, fabulous.  It is very well equipped, spotless, busy mid-evening and well staffed.  From reception through exam and radiograph, it was a seamless process with complete client involvement.  Dr Emma is a talented and engaged veterinarian with strong listening and communication skills and diagnostic talent.  She begins with the least invasive processes and moves forward with a sensible plan, keeping her client informed and part of the process at every step.  At no point was there a sense that things were not under control.  In the end, surgery was necessary and still the communication continued with a call at 3:30 am (by Lee's request) to provide outcomes and a full explanation of the surgery.  There was certainly every opportunity to have stayed at the clinic through the full process since the clinic is open 24 hours a day.   The surgery was complicated but successful - the various and sundry pieces of plastic had found their way to interesting spots in Clint's digestive system and are now happily resting in a zip lock bag for reference material as we prepare for Clint's lecture.  Lee has visited, taken him out for a slow walk, managed to get him to drink on his own and to take a mouthful of food.  He remains at the clinic on iv and heavily medicated but we are hopeful that he will be able to come home soon.  And there endeth the day's adventure. 


There has been no sleep.


We are punchy, at best, but soldiering on. 

The requests for the blog have become rather overwhelming.  A schedule may be necessary to comply.  All is well at Regalridge.  The Airedales are thriving - from Old Dolly through the youngsters, Heloise and Richmond, all are well and enjoying summer, each in his own way.  Dolly is the ancient among us and sleeps much of the time.  She still enjoys her meals, is mobile in short bursts and plays ball Dolly-style.  Occasionally she manages to get to the Kong before another Airedale and if that doesn't happen, she explains to the interloper the error of her ways.  Most still acquiesce to her top dog status and offer up the Kong, which Dolly now would not deign to touch with her foot much less pick up and return.  That perplexes many.  She has preferred beds (2) and there appears to be a timeline for each.  Should another dog be there at the wrong time, she goes to great lengths to make her move.  The antics run from going to the window and barking with such verve that her feet lift off of the floor (all dogs come running) then turning and taking her bed of choice while the rest are barking with enthusiasm - at what, they have no idea - to simply walking on the unsuspecting relative.  The second bed is not often occupied and seems to be her destination for late afternoon snoozes.  Much less effort goes into that one. 


Avian activity is at full throttle in July.  While other folks are taking a break from tending their feathered friends, the Regalridge birds are not only spending their days at the feeders, but also have their young along to teach them how to train humans.  There could be a book written on the 7 habits of highly effective birds and all would be in evidence here.  The swallows arrived on schedule and have a large nest of babies over the kitchen door in the eaves.  The little ones are growing quickly and are in evidence, little beaks open and at the ready from dawn to dusk.  The parents work tirelessly and the bug supply diminishes - we love those swallows even though it means no lights outside the door so they won't be disturbed from May to September.  Stumbling and falling up and down the steps is the price we pay for the pleasure of having these little ones in residence.  On the opposite side of the house, the Jays, yellow and purple Finches, Doves, Red-wing blackbirds, 2 pairs of Woodpeckers (Downy and Hairy), Starlings, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Catbirds, Sparrows and various and sundry occasional visitors are in evidence all day long.  Phil the pheasant and his bevy of Philomenas have repaired to the fields for the summer.  We hear them but won't see them again until November. 


The kennel is at its usual summer level.  Zeus and Shillelagh have settled in quickly and are re-explaining the kennel rules to all who will listen.  Sochi is here for an extended stay and has taken the kennel vacation in his stride.  He is a great little Welsh and very much enjoys the activity level of the kennel as well as the room to stretch those little legs in the large exercise areas.  Viola and Ivy have also joined the party so it is a Terrier moment. 


The excitement this week is the addition of a Chicago Wood Oven to the property, courtesy of our great friends in the US.  When discussions began surrounding the oven's addition to  the Regalridge cookery, Jo rightly noted that it could be a challenge for Ken from a placement perspective.  Even Jo could not have envisaged Ken's project leading up to the installation.  The entire property (every acre) was assessed for its features that might best support the wood oven placement.  From the front yard to the back run, to the orchard, every area's strengths and drawbacks became apparent.  Our Ken analyzed, organized, changed his mind and, at one stage, it was quite apparent that we would have to move to accommodate the gift.  Finally Lee decided enough and pointed out that it would go outside the kitchen door, in the existing garden but in the area of the puppy run outcrop.  The area that had been decked was undecked (a term that may be unfamiliar to some), the fencing was revised and gravel was ordered.  The error in the gravel piece of the program was that Ken made that call and tonnes of gravel landed, without ceremony, in the middle of the drive.  The project expanded.  A newly surfaced driveway and parking area is now in evidence.  The small amount of gravel needed for the oven project was simply an excuse.  Patio stones became the surface of choice for the oven's final resting place.  God love Tony - on the hottest days of July there he was, putting together the base for the blessed arrival, accompanied by the wonderful Jonathon on one occasion to supply heavy lifting ability.  And then there is the garden.  What had been a casual garden area has become a destination.  There are baskets and planters of annuals, new roses and upgraded perennials; there is a fountain and bird bath, pathway lighting and mulch, mulch, mulch.  There is brick edging and apparently decorative stone is in the offing - all done as a backdrop for the oven.  At present, the curing process is underway.  With luck, there will be wood oven offerings on the table by the week end.  Oh, and Lee has been pressed into painting - interesting achievement on the part of Our Ken.


Dinner tonight will be Sunday revisited.  There is medium rare prime rib, new potatoes with chives, spinach from the garden and a tomato salad.  Strawberry shortcake for dessert.  Last night we suffered through baked ham (Meadowbrook farm), scalloped potatoes with Portobello mushroom and Vidalia onion, spinach and roasted peaches.  And on we go.