I have been tagged

The term Internet meme (pronounced /miːm/) is a new word used to describe a catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet.

I have been tagged (that's internet talk for chosen.) by Laura ~peach~ from Georgia (peach867@yahoo.com) to do this and pass it on.
The rules of this Meme are: 1. Go to the fourth folder on your computer where you store photos. @. Select your fourth picture (no exceptions). 3. Post the picture with a story and a link to the person who tagged you. 4. Tag 4 people to do the same.

Well Laura, this is not a photo that I would have choosen to place on one of my post and talk about because I didn't think it was a very good photo and I really didn't think anyone would be interested in one of my querky habits...., which would be going outside late at night and taking pictures. I always let the dogs out with me. I'm not so sure that they would protect me from dangerous monsters, but they would probably bark and then I could, at least, try to run back inside the house. So far I have never had any scary moments, except the time that I scared myself by setting off the automatic lights above the garage with my movements. I almost had a heart attack. Sometimes you can be so startled by something, that you know is there, but scares you anyway.

This photo was taken very late one night. The dogs wanted out. I realized there was a lot of natural light out there and I decided to take the camera and see if I could get any "full moon" photos. I put the camera setting on fast action because it opens the shutter longer and I took about 4 0r 5 pictures. This one was the most interesting, so I'm glad it was the 4th photo, because the feeling of it is rather ethereal. The dying Mexican Sage and the tall Italian Cypress are like ghosts against the pitch black spread of darkness behind them. The small windmill seems larger against the black background.
It was quiet, except for the jingle of one of the dog's collars. The camera shows darkness but I could see up into the hillside and there were small flashes of light that would come and go. These are the deer's eyes moving cautiously above the road, waiting for the human interloper to leave; to go back into it's own place. At night it is their world and , as always, I am the intruder. They watch and listen and they quietly wait for what they fear to retreat.
How I wish I could be apart of their world for one night. Seeing what they see. Hearing what they so quietly listen for...., to understand, more, what these creatures are like. There is always this overwhelming urge to walk out into the hills at night, especially when there is a full moon.I'm always drawn to the darkness behind the light. I always have been.

This is where I'm suppose to tagged 4 other people to pick their picture and tell a story about. I would love to send this to Carol in Sacramento and Donna in Montana because they appreciate photography so much and would have something to say about their photos but, alas, they are not Bloggers and I can't "tag" them.
So..., I will pick Jan of Little pink Houses (pinkhousepages.blogspot.com) just because I like to bug her and Nina at Ornamental (ornamental.typepad.com). Although Nina is always very busy with her beautiful jewelry I would love to see what she would write about the 4th photo. That's it..., because I just don't know who else would want to do this. If anyone would like to be "tagged"..., Your it. Let me know if you do.

Vintage Thursday

I collect McCoy pottery. The first McCoy pottery was established in 1848 in Putman, Ohio. Later Putman became a part of Zanesville. The company goes clear back to 18o6 when a redware potter used red surface clay to produce household items needed by the settlers. They started out making crocks, jugs and jars from clay in fields and then small factories started production. When W. Nelson McCoy and his uncle started making quantities of products for the local market and colored some of their pottery, business boomed.
A lot of the early pieces are not marked. Some only have numbers. Without a book to help identify each piece it can be very hard to tell if each piece is "The real McCoy". I always hope that there is a mark on the bottom, but when there isn't I rely on my McCoy pottery Encyclopedia to identify each new piece.
I'm limited, by space in my house, as to how big my collection can grow. Over the years I've collected only off-white and shades of green which I just love. I have a few beautiful pieces that are in other finishes that I just couldn't live without and are wonderful additions to the collection, but I always go back to the off-white and green.
There are thousands of pieces in the book that I have never seen. Some are really ugly; like black Seagram's ashtrays, buffalo caddies and W.C. Fields decanters. Some are the same mold but in lots of different glazes. Some are bizarre and some are astoundingly beautiful. You have lots of choices. The prices were high a few years ago and recently have gone down.

I love the finishes that are matte more than the shiny ones but most of the pieces that will hold food or water are shiny.. Some of the greens are different shades and there are usually flaws in the glaze or workmanship. It's kind of a Wabi Sabi collection. Some are just old and well used. I love that they lived lives somewhere else and ended up here.

I have to find creative ways to display this collection. This group is in the kitchen ,on the top of my cabinets. It looks good but it's hard to keep clean. When the dust starts falling on us and I can see a brown edge on the pieces, then I get motivated . It needs a ladder, good balance and a dust cloth and..., I'm getting old. Needless to say, it doesn't get done too often.

Wordless Wednesday: Point of View

Lavender from an Old Goat

Look what I got at the post office yesterday. Guinnias, the "new" old goat at Apifera Farm sent me dried lavender all wrapped up with a note and a wonderful stamp. Guinnias has come from a rescue farm to live out his days at Apifera. He is a very old and wise goat who needed a home and the wonderful owners of Apifera Farm up in Oregon have taken him in (with the help of some of us who love old goats too and want the best for them.) In return he sent lavender. Wasn't that sweet of him? Thank you sweet old goat.

I put some of it outside my front door in a hanging bucket. It's so pretty. Now, everytime I go through the door I can smell the lavender and think of Guinnias and how happy he will be when he settles in to his new life. Every old goat needs a home.

This is a closeup of the stamp. Isn't it wonderful?
Guinnias , all of us here at 3 Dog Farm wish you peace, sunshine and a happy life.
Love; the Prospector, Farmlady, the dogs (Mokie & Maggie), the goats(Bart, Brownie, Murphy & Freckles) and the chickens.

Happy Birthday Dear Sister

What a joy it was to have you become a part of our lives. Look at you with Dad. You were so serious about everything, even as a baby. Maybe it was that overwhelming big sister of yours, but I loved you so much and I had waited so long that I just wanted us to have this close-knit bond that would last a lifetime. I think it has.

This is one of Mom's favorite pictures of you.I love it too. Is that a smile? Yes, it is. You were so sweet.

This is one of MY favorite photos. This is who I see. I love this person.

I wish you a wonderful day, a quick trip to the City, and a peaceful rest of the day.
Happy Birthday Sis, I love you so much.