Getting away

James and I hadn't gone on any vacations this year until a few weeks ago.    I'm super excited because we now have 2 farm sitters and we can get away more often, so that's what we're doing.  I'm typing this from the Outer Banks, NC. 

Two weeks ago we were in Vermont for a friend's wedding.  I don't think I ever slept so well.  We stayed at a wonderful B&B, Nyes Green Valley Farm in Jeffersonville.  I'm not sure if I slept well because the bed was so comfortable or if it was being away from the farm and having nothing that had to be done.  It was a wonderful trip from beginning to end.  I can't believe I have no pictures of the vacation.

Four days ago we arrived here in Duck, NC.  We're here for a week with some friends.  Adam and Melissa live about 15-20 minutes from where we're staying so it's been great being able to spend time with them and their friends. 

Our house is right on the Sound so we're seeing some beautiful sunsets and doing a little crabbing.

 

Yesterday we fished in the ocean.  I only caught 2 small fish but it was fun and very relaxing.

Today I took my pole but never casted it.  Instead I relaxed on my towel with my little buddy to keep me company.

 

When we return from this trip we'll only be home another 4 days and then we head to Arizona for our niece's wedding.  We may need a vacation from our vacationing.

I got an email telling me I hadn't blogged in 10 days so I thought I should at least post a few pictures so you know I'm still alive. 



 

You know how grandmothers are

Adam came home for a few days and brought our grandpuppy with him.  Her name's Maia.  Isn't she adorable?

 I told Adam I'd puppy sit while he went to visit a friend.   I think I got an idea what it might be like to babysit for a human grandchild.  I worried if she got out of my sight.  I didn't want anything to happen to her on my watch.  I also got a glimpse of what Adam might be like as a dad.  You know parents, "she's so smart", "don't let her eat that (donkey poop), she hasn't had all her shots yet".  It's kind of funny.

 

James and I decided to take Maia and Lex to the creek while we were on duty.  We had to carry her a good bit of the way or we would have never made it down there in a day.  After a little exploring she fell asleep on the rocks.  Twice Lex got up to check on her.

He's very patient with her.

 

It's probably good for me to have a reminder every now and then what it's like to own a puppy.  It makes me really appreciate how easy this old boy is.

I have a feeling if I ever get the chance to be a grandmother none of you will want to read my blog anymore.  This was only a small portion of the pictures I took today. 

 

 

Spider Webs

This morning glistening spider webs caught my eye.  It's very dewy walking through our river bottom land, and at 8 AM the sparkles made it clear we have many spiders grazing in our pasture alongside our pigs, donkeys and goats.  I wasn't sure if I'd be able to capture them with my phone camera but I was pleased with how some of them came out.

When I went out later in the afternoon the webs were gone.  I've read they eat and recycle them.  Tonight when we went to put the chickens to bed we walked over to the trailer to see if the web had been reconstructed.  Our timing was perfect; we were able to watch the spider at work.  I wish I had a video of her spinning her masterpiece.  It's so cool to watch.  She didn't care that I was shining a flashlight on her while she worked.  I understand they don't have good eyesight but still it seems she'd have seen my light. 

I wonder how they choose where to hunt.  I had to knock one down to get into the trailer.   I hope she finds another place to build.  Some are suspended between tall grasses.

It's hard to capture photos of webs when the background is light but a dark background shows them nicely.  Like this one which has been at the entrance of our garage for about a week now.

Unfortunately, when I leave the garage there is bright light behind it and I absentmindedly parade smack through the center of it, leaving the garage with a spider web mask.  I have yet to see this spider.  She probably senses me coming and quickly leaps somewhere safe. 

My favorite web though, was the one built in the corner of Roxie's shed.