Big Dog has always preceded me on the walks. He is the alpha male. The oldest resident. The Boss Guy. But lately I have realised that he has been walking at my heel, trudging along, not because he wants to but because he is not able to pick up speed and pass me. Big Dog is getting Old. I stop and let him get ahead. 
Then he will rest a bit and wait for me as he catches his breath, pretending to be interested in interesting things, TonTon will roar back to move us along and after a break we carry on.
I have been working in the barn. Getting everything ready for the winter. Because I have decided to write a book in November with NaNoWriMo and then You and I are going to New Zealand for most of December, everything needs to be settled into a humming winter pattern by the end of October. The feed bins have all been moved back inside. I believe in transparency, everyone needs to know what everyone else does, then they can do it too in case of emergency so I label everything very clearly. I especially label the lids so they go back ON.
I did not like the number 13 on the pigs gate. It was one of the gates out of an old hog shed. We bought them from the junk man the other day, do you remember? 
So I changed it.
Much more appropriate don’t you think? It will dirty up and deconstruct as time goes on. 
See those hoses on the right? Now that it is starting to freeze, when I have finished filling all the water barrels, I dismantle the hoses and hang them on the fences so the water drains out. Otherwise they are useless. They freeze solid. And the alternative is carrying buckets of water. Not a good alternative. 
As you can see there is still piles of plants growing in the flower gardens. Even some flowers. Bedraggled and weedy at this time if year but resisting the efforts of the frost to kill it. The bees love that borage. Though I still need to give them some sugar water today, don’t let me forget.
The Daily View. 
Though chilly in the morning, the afternoon was delightful.
The wind died down yesterday and the freshness of the air with its tiny crisp edge was a joy. I worked outside all afternoon. It was a beautiful day.
Have a lovely day. A lovely weekend day for all of you.
Today we will get to some of the heavy work, so there may even be some changes in your Daily View tomorrow. You can play spot the difference.
celi
On this day last year – Coleslaw. I try to always have a huge bowl of coleslaw in the fridge for when I need a snack. It is one of my favourite foods.
The Kitchen's Garden 
45 responses to “Big/Old Dog took the Lead”
Looking forward to spot the difference tomorrow. I’m not a huge fan of the cold, but I agree, that crisp edge in the air can be so invigorating!
You are so kind to let Big Dog think your slow down has nothing to do with his ability to move as quickly. Poor, sweet old thing…
Sooo it isn’t necessary to put the hoses away for the winter as long as the water drains out first? NOW you tell me. We’ve always lugged and dragged them back into their winter resting spots and then had to drag them back out in spring.
We drain our hose, too. It is all soooo organised, yet not regimented. Everyone seems to get space to be themselves, and that includes you, as well as Big Dog and pigs etc
I love it that you let your old dog take the lead even when he is apt to fall behind. My dog, 15, walks just barely now. She sleeps the day away. But she is still herself, and fills the house with her generous and gentle spirit. We will miss her when she’s gone. A dog is a powerful creature.
I don’t care for the number thirteen either; years back when we were lookimg to move into the neighborhood I live in now, there was a house for sale numbrer 666, I wouldn’t even look at it!
How exciting that you are writing a novel!
I must say, that I love the daily view.
In a way it’s reassuring to see the same location again and again, as well as discovering the little differences that the change in season and weather brings.
I have a set of 2×3 webcams that I look at every day. Three from the place I was born (all with harbours), and three from the city I’m living in. Hope they don’t switch them off.
I like your change…. Hug a Pig. I also like how you and TonTon slow down for Big Dog without making a big deal of it. 🙂
Good piggy hugs!
I especially love your picture of rubber boots on the steps – so indicative of what you’re up to every single day…
Have a good day Celi!
Yep.. getting ready for the big freeze… and then December in New Zealand… can’t wait for those blog posts…
Good thing you have Big Dog to slow down for now and then, Celi.
The lighting in that image of Big Dog is absolutely lovely. I think he’s slowing down to savor the beauty of the day; if only that was the real reason.
Good for you, giving the Old Man his dignity like that. It’s hard to watch them slow down…
Thanks for the reminder about the borage…I have a seed packet in the basement that never got planted, and a Bare Patch that needs attention. Seeding them now should work, given the way they self-seed when you leave them alone.
Aw, Big Dog looks like a great doggie!
Greetings and Salutations. I see Charlotte in the pig’s pen weaving “Some pig.”
Just love the orderliness of your farmy! So cozy!!! Gosh, I’m just beginning to think of how everyone, humans and animals, on the farmy will miss you when you head to New Zealand!!! Thank goodness you are taking us all with you!!!