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The Decorah Eagles

  • Posted on March 28, 2012 at 12:47 pm

For two months or actually longer, I have been watching the Decorah Eagles on USTREAM Live. The Eagles are totally awesome to watch. Three eggs were laid. The first was on February 17. It was a big event in our family. As of Monday, the first chick hatched, and one hatched this morning. One more to go, which according to my calculations should be either tomorrow or early Friday.

First, my husband came home from work one morning around the 1st of Feb. to tell me that a co worker had been watching these eagles and I should find the link and watch also. I started and my family thought I was a bit over involved in the whole thing. I couldn’t help myself. To me, this is so incredible, to be able to watch these magnificent birds up close. I have in the past had the privilege to come with in petting distance of a bald eagle a few years ago, while I was taking a road cruise near the end of our road where it turns to dirt.  She flew over my truck and when I stopped and got out, she landed about two feet from where I was standing. At first I thought she was hurt, but nope…when I reached out, (yes, stupid thing to do, but I was in a “moment”) she took off and her wing actually brushed my head! She kept coming back, so I just leaned against my truck and watched. I also talked to her really calmly.

When you see that beak and the talons of an eagle that big, you realize the pure power and strength of these birds. It is awesome in ever sense of the work. Since then, I have seen the male and also walked back far enough onto property with trees and a collapsed house and barn. There is a nest back there, and I’ve kept this a secret sort of, and NEVER let out the exact location. EVER. Unfortunately there are poachers in this area, and they don’t care what they “hunt.”

 

Perfect weather

  • Posted on March 21, 2012 at 11:10 pm

This whole week, this area couldn’t ask for more perfect weather. It’s kind of surreal, that normally at this time of year, it’s still cold and it even may snow a few more times, or there have been big freezes. I think people are starting to get comfy with the way the weather has been lately, and don’t realize that it isn’t even April yet. The weather here has always been anyone’s guess

Last week we had tornado warnings and watches, storms and great light and sound shows from those storms. Then came this beautiful, sunny and 85 degree weather. But along with sun and high temps, the bugs and animals are “forced” to come out of hiding and hibernation much earlier lately. Like I said, I do have that little scared, “niggly” feeling tucked not to far from the surface. It’s making me even more aware than usual. I have my emergency supply kit, and some other kits made up that I have been learning that I may need during times like this. It helps with the worry. I have enough for my family and a few close friends that I know are stocking for us also. It’s a sort of survival family so to speak, in case something terrible does happen. We like to think positive, but be prepared.

Winter is officially here

  • Posted on January 4, 2012 at 9:44 am

It was so cold yesterday and today, that I can not keep my outside cats water bowl unfrozen for longer than about half an hour. Actually it’s sort of amazing me that it’s freezing that fast. Ever 15 min. I’m going out the to punch a hole in the ice, or dump out the whole bowl and refill it. The sun is out this morning, but it’s not helping much. I dread going into town for groceries, believe me. This cold weather just plain hurts.

What a wonderful house

  • Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:31 am

I really would love to live here. It reminds me of a fairy home!

Mulch from recycled rubber

  • Posted on November 21, 2011 at 7:42 pm

When I arrived at my friend’s riding arena today I noticed that what had once been a soft dirt floor had been changed. She told me about a company called Rubber Mulch, and raved about it. She knew I had plans on turning our biggest empty barn into a place where the kids, grand kids and I could ride in the winter time and on rainy days. We are nearly finished gutting out the unwanted bins and stalls that we aren’t using, to make the arena. It has a dirt floor, but I was afraid if one of the horses shied or something made one of the kids or even myself fall or get thrown off, any number of injury’s could happen, landing on the packed dirt floor since it really was hard. I also worried about the horses legs due to the impact.

While examining the mulch my friend was using, I was surprised how shock resistant it was, not only beneath my feet, but also how her horses seemed to have a much better gait, even while taking jumps and turns. It wasn’t even dusty  like the other floor she had had. Right then I decided to look into it more thoroughly.

While checking into the arena footing, I discovered that it was non toxic, never rotted or froze, and that is just to name a few of the great aspects. Plus, it also had a life time guarantee. It was said to improve performance, something all horse owners and riders are always looking for. It’s not just for riding arenas either. It can be used on play grounds…a great plus, and all kinds of other places and even used in landscaping. This stuff sounds great and from the way my friend’s arena seemed to have been transformed, it looks good too!