Happy 4th of July!  At our household it's: Americans 1 - British 0. . . or we'd be celebrating with crumpets and bangers on the grill.

But on a serious note, take a moment to recite [out loud] our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, which Francis Scott Key wrote while British troops bombarded Fort McHenry on the eve of September 13th into the twilight of the next morning of September 14th, during the Battle of Baltimore.  Wow, what powerful words of victory and defiance!  

 Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

" A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing . . . and the lawn mower is broken."    - James Dent

It seems just a few weeks ago I was hunkering down and braving the cold mountain winds, something I remember all too well, and don't miss one bit!

But today it's July, July July!!  What a wonderful month!  Not quite as hot as August but warmer than June.  Swimming, horseback riding, fishing, and throwing a horse blanket over a couple bales of hay in the bed of our pick-up truck to watch the night sky are all on my July agenda. 

Eating foods fresh from the garden is another one of my favorite things to do.  Nothing tastes better than a 'mator right off the vine, with a bit of salt, or a hose washed strawberry, and cramming a handful of ripened black berries into my mouth.  Summer brings out the kid in all of us and the best part is NO SCHOOL. . .oops, I've digressed. 

Okay, so we're adults and have to go to work, but  take a few minutes to think about your last day of school - when you were in second grade and how excited your were to have two months off.  Two months that [to me] felt like a year. I guarantee it will put that happy, popsicle stained smile back on your face! 

It saddened me to hear of the deaths of  Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcet, and Ed McMahon.  All were American icons diverse in their individual talents, yet personally troubled in different ways.  Michael's legal and constant cosmetic health issues, Ed's very public bankruptcy, and Farah's valiant yet heartbreaking battle with cancer.  With all that being said, I ask that we remember them not as the Hollywood personalities we gawked at on the cover of supermarket tabloids . . . but as amazing, incredibly brave and talented, human beings that changed the image of pop culture forever.  May you all rest in peace. . .

For much of my life I lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the local news stations we were most loyal to was Action News, 6abc.  I even knew all the words to their theme song as did most Philadelphians.  Today I was informed that one of my favorite sports news reporters, Gary Papa, loss his battle with cancer.  I knew Gary through a good friend who works at 6abc.  We've met on many occasions; at the station, the local chinese restaurant where he was a regular and the Bagel Shop on City Line Avenue, where Gary frequently brought his cup of morning coffee. 

He was always quick with a joke and that infectious smile always brightened my day, in person and via TV.  Gary's battle was valiant and even with the loss of his beautiful hair he was one of the most handsome guys on the evening news.  My prayers go out to his family and work family. 

Gary you will be missed and as a tribute I'll try to tell the joke you always told me when ever we ran into one other. . . " What do you call a boomerang that won't come back?. . . . A Stick!". . . ha-ha!

Rest in peace Gary

With summer comes summer storms!  We has a doozy of a storm yesterday, with winds bringing down 100 year old trees, branches, and uprooting lawn and patio furniture.  We've found our lawn chairs and tables but are still searching for the two large horse buckets!  Thankfully, nothing was damaged and everyone is okay; giving me a new and healthy respect for Ms. Mother Nature!

Spring is ending and summer is upon us.  My memories of this transition have always been a sense of excitement and child-like anticipation. . . fireflies, sparklers on the 4th of July, sitting atop dad's shoulder wide-eyed watching the fireworks display.  Summer is a time of rejuvenation.  A chance to heal the body with natural vitamin D from the sun, and enjoy  garden to table fresh fruits and veggies. 

It's also an opportunity to slow down; a time to play with the kids, go for an evening walk, take a few deep breaths to enjoy the beautiful fragrance of rain washed honeysuckle, watch a sunset, or outline the weird and wonderful shapes that form in the afternoon clouds!

So in prelude to the Summer Solstice, here's wishing everyone a grand summer!  And don't forget to grill a few hot dogs, extra mustard please!

I just received some sad news about one of our beloved employees.  Some of you may know that I work part-time for Biltmore, in Asheville, North Carolina, the largest privately owned homes in the United States and was the country home of George Washington and Edith Vanderbilt.  With a little over 1800 employees we know just about everyone on the estate. . . including our four-legged employees.  Biltmore stables two very large and well-known equine workers named, Burt and Ernie, our estate draft horses. 

Today I was informed that Ernie passed away.  The news of his death saddened everyone who works on the estate.  He was our "Gentle Giant" admired by all for his loyalty and kind demeanor; pulling the wagon  that delivers our 35 foot Banquet Hall Christmas tree, taking estate guests on tours and entertaining the countless children who visit our Riverbend Farm.

Ernie will be sorely missed by all of us and will leave some large horse shoes to be filled by his replacement. 

For the past week I've been helping our neighbor bottle feed three new calves.  They about 4 weeks old and are amazing to watch as each one sorts out his position amongst the human herd feeders. They grow so fast and at 60 pounds each they can be a handful! 

In a few more weeks they'll be old enough to graze on their own.  I must admit I'll miss those gallon baby bottles, twice a day, but like they say, they don't stay little for very long!  What an wonderful experience it's been.  I'll miss Dewey, Louie and Bob.

I just went outside to water and checked the gardens; everything is growing so quickly I may have enough strawberries next month to make jam! Yum!

WNC is officially out of drought condition! We've had 6 weeks of constant, steady rain and the entire valley area I live in is GREEN, GREEN, GREEN! Gardens are doing well and we've harvested 3 large rain barrels of rain water! Life is good  . . . and wet!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  --<----<<@ 

Some of you have asked about my book, "A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas."  I've added the book cover to my photos and If you'd like to read a complementary chapter just go to google books and type in the title!  Enjoy! :)

Very busy week for us.  We're going to ride our 3 year old quarter horse Colonel in the round pen!  He's pretty much "bomb proof" and has accepted the saddle and bit very well!  He loves strutting around the pasture [with my saddle on] partnered with the 12 year old, General.  I'm documenting this in my blog in case you don't hear from me for a while, re: I got bucked off and broke something important, lol. We already have 911 on our speed dial!  Wish us luck!

Today the temperature is expected to reach 82 degrees!  I've been waiting for the warm weather to come and stay for weeks.  Okay, sunscreen, $8.95; favorite pair of flip-flops, $5.99;  jumbo plastic drinking glass with the palm trees on it, $1.99; a day in Western North Carolina without a frost alert or a jacket, PRICELESS!