Thoughts from the Utah Prairie

2012-02-15T12:30:00.002-07:00

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but
often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has
been opened for us.
Helen Keller

Loss

2012-02-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

What we have once enjoyed deeply we can
never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. - Helen
Keller

Love and warmth

2012-01-16T11:37:00.001-07:00

Sparrows...

2012-01-06T13:34:00.005-07:00

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Gandhi

2010-10-05T12:49:00.002-06:00

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
--Mohandas Gandhi

2010-09-08T18:59:00.002-06:00

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. ~Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan, 1893

2009-12-09T20:20:00.002-07:00

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Dream....

2009-12-02T07:59:00.001-07:00

Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today. ~James Dean

Rest in Peace Gussy

2009-11-29T12:28:00.002-07:00

I Love You Baby...forever...Rest In Peace...Please be waiting for me.

2009-11-13T22:38:00.002-07:00

From beasts we scorn as soulless,
In forest, field and den,
The cry goes up to witness
The soullessness of men.
~M. Frida Hartley

2009-10-23T18:59:00.001-06:00

There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.
George Carlin

I'm back...

2009-10-22T15:38:00.005-06:00

I have a new job. I am working as a Community Service Officer now for West Jordan Police Department. Basically I am a support officer for patrol. I take telephonic reports such as thefts, burglaries, harrasment, suspicious circumstances, public assists, etc. I also work traffic control at accidents and other incidents. I am enjoying my new job, however, it is a big change from Animal Control. I do get to help out with Animal Control here in West Jordan a little bit so I can stay involved. West Jordan is a very large city and has a much different feel than South Salt Lake or Holladay. I guess this is the job I will have until I retire. I am good at it and I enjoy it.

Compassion Fatigue

2009-01-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

I went to a "Compassion Fatigue" class today. I learned (no surprise) I am suffering from Compassion Fatique and ERS (Euthanasia Related Stress). These are unique to those of us who participate in animal shelter euthanasia. No other caregiving occupation or profession euthanizes there patients. We rescue them and then (all to often) we "kill" them. We are forced by the circumstances of our job to act contrary to our conscience or moral code.

I also learned "It is easier to make a living than to make a difference"
and "If you don't have passion for your work, find another job" (Tom Brokaw)

I am trying to remember that I am making a difference-even though it might be small.

Snow and my birds

2009-01-03T21:52:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Gussy loves snow...

2008-12-21T17:46:00.001-07:00

Leek Family Christmas Party

2008-12-21T17:31:00.001-07:00

On Dec. 20th, we went down to Scofield for the Leek Family Christmas party. We had alot of fun, ate alot of food, and it was 6 degrees!

2008-12-07T21:08:00.001-07:00

Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back.

Patience

2008-11-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pack Rat

2008-11-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

I have decided, although I already knew it, .....I am a pack rat, I save everything. I am trying to get rid of some of my stuff, but find it very difficult. I always think I might need something someday. I am saving worn jeans so I can make a levi patch quilt, I save every scarp of fabric for my thimble quilt I am going to make someday, with a different piece of fabric for every thimble size piece. I am trying to make space but it's hard.

Fall

2008-10-25T10:14:00.003-06:00

It's sooo pretty outside...the leaves are falling and the wind is blowing. This is my favorite time of year in Utah.

2008-10-14T19:12:00.000-06:00

The kind man feeds his beast before sitting down to dinner. ~Hebrew Proverb

Winter

2008-10-14T18:58:00.000-06:00

Oooohhhh...it's turning cold outside. Now I gotta worry about all the animals in the whole world being cold! I start feeding my chickens and pigeons and fixed feral cats extra food! I do love this time of year...my favorite...my birthday and Halloween. I hope everyone puts some extra thought into taking care of the animals outside. Staz got her elk this past weekend and we are already eating it ($185.00 to process it). This weekend we are off to Scofield to hunt again. Hopefully Staz will get her deer so we have plenty of meat in the freezer. We hardly every buy beef because we live off the wild meat all year. Oh, I got the best birthday presents this year...A diamond engagement ring to go with my wedding band from Chad and a really cool antique Sewing machine from my parents (thanks!). I can't wait to use my sewing machine!

Staz's Grill

2008-09-28T13:39:00.001-06:00

A couple weeks ago Staz and I went road hunting in Scofield. While we were driving around, Staz put a Wrigley's gum wrapper on her teeth for a custom grill. I tried it too. We saw lots of does and their babies and a couple of beavers building a dam. Staz got out to get a closer look at the beavers, but she was worried they might attack her. lol. We took alot of good pictures and everytime we drove by the train we had to roll up our windows because for some reason it would make a really loud sound right when we drove by. I still need to get a PETA t-shirt to wear when we are up hunting in Scofield.

Maximus

2008-09-27T20:42:00.001-06:00

This is Maximus. He has lowered himself enough to live with us. He is so far above us, it is ridiculous. He tolerates the dogs. He must be respected and worshipped. He may grace us with his presence when he is so inclined. He swishes his tail and watches over everything. He supervises all activities. He is the king.

Love

2008-09-27T20:10:00.001-06:00

My husband is a hunter. Yeah, I know... Doesn't make sense does it? A girl that picks up snails from a walking path so they won't get stepped on. But all that aside-HE IS THE BEST HUSBAND and I love him so much! Beleive it or not, I think he has a soft side for animals, too. BTW, this elk fed us all winter.

Time...

2008-09-27T19:37:00.000-06:00

This ia a rare opportunity. To sit at the computer and check my mail and surf the web. I don't get a three day weekend very often. Chad and Staz are gone hunting to Scofield. I chose to stay home and clean out cupboards and the fridge. Walk through the backyard and see all the leaves that are starting to fall. Visit with my chickens, the horses and the pigeons. My dogs don't know what to think. I wish I had more time to do these things. My craft room is not used enough. Alot of my creative energy goes to posting our adoptable shelter animals online and making cute kennel cards for them. You can check out our animals at 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com and Petfinder.com (South Salt Lake Animal Services). I have a job interview on Tuesday. Wish me luck, although if it is meant to be it will be.

Chickens

2008-04-22T16:03:00.000-06:00

I adopted four new chicks from the shelter yesterday...wish I had a camera to show how cute they are..they can't get enough to eat. Off work today...cleaned out the pigeon area and the chicken coop. Some of the chickens are attacking Peaches (my duck). Let Peaches loose in the yard and she seems much happier. Hopefully pictures coming soon....

What it is to be gentle....

2008-04-12T10:52:00.000-06:00

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of
spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All
things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the
Earth.

~Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin
Pierce

Friday

2008-04-11T17:58:00.000-06:00

This is my only day off, so I choose to start my blog after seeing my neice Hilarie's blog. Like sitting out in the chicken coop or wandering around the dollar store, this is relaxing for me.
I don't own a working digital camera, so that will be my next big purchase. I will then be able to photograph and share my life on the Utah Prairie.