tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post8057194086172421948..comments2024-03-28T15:00:12.581-04:00Comments on Letters from a Hill Farm: Spring doings at the new houseNanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-70373655794326141422011-06-10T23:25:48.887-04:002011-06-10T23:25:48.887-04:00You will now need to carry your camera around at a...You will now need to carry your camera around at all times as we need bear photos! I love that your daughter and you are texting bear news back and forth - and I love those ducks!Susan Moorheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06744130110550636177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-40134508130063868722011-06-10T14:44:02.448-04:002011-06-10T14:44:02.448-04:00Ernestine, we are so very pleased she wanted to bu...Ernestine, we are so very pleased she wanted to build a house here. When we had ducks something got them, which is why I'm so pleased with Matt's little indoor duck home.<br /><br />What a nice thing to say, Margot! Thanks.<br /><br />Yvette, thank you for coming back to tell me. I'll take a look. No dogs! I can't imagine a life without dogs. <br /><br />Carole, ours were Cornelia and Bella. :<)<br /><br />Deborah, I think they are naturally shy except when it comes to food!Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-33121187666448676612011-06-10T11:43:15.358-04:002011-06-10T11:43:15.358-04:00What a beautiful home. Can there be anything frien...What a beautiful home. Can there be anything friendlier than wood? And I love the ducks. We, too, have created a home nestled in the woods...lots of magical, soft places just beyond the treeline.<br /><br />We have a few bears here, but they are thankfully very shy. I've yet to see one in my yard!Deborah Carrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01160226994753285046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-53858374855417579342011-06-10T11:07:40.436-04:002011-06-10T11:07:40.436-04:00It all looks so lovely, thank you very much for sh...It all looks so lovely, thank you very much for sharing it.<br />We used to have ducks, Noah, Nellie and Nora!! The woods do look quite like Slad here but........no bears, not yet anyway!<br />CaroleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-10635248752642592032011-06-09T21:46:56.830-04:002011-06-09T21:46:56.830-04:00Nan, there are some animal deaths in Bob Tarte'...Nan, there are some animal deaths in Bob Tarte's book, but they are so part of the on-going story that though I was saddened, I didn't get all teary which I normally do. When you have such a large assortment of animals as Bob and his wife live with, there are bound to be sad episodes in between all the day to day hijinks. I loved the book. <br /><br />I know what you mean about not wanting to read certain types of animal books, though. I'm in line to read the next of Bob's books. I think it's called FOWL WEATHER.<br /><br />On the whole, Bob's books are more funny than anything. He and his wife are SO patient with their animal family which consists of every animal (or so it seems) except dogs. No dogs in the household. Some fun cats, though. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-27413109770071393672011-06-09T17:06:44.617-04:002011-06-09T17:06:44.617-04:00I feel like I've just had a lovely visit with ...I feel like I've just had a lovely visit with you. So nice to hear about the new house and the ducks and the excitement of the bears. Life is good.Margothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07422981969760935118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-89799724851704443792011-06-09T16:29:55.836-04:002011-06-09T16:29:55.836-04:00Oh Nan, thank you. Would love to have ducks but t...Oh Nan, thank you. Would love to have ducks but think some critter would get them. I have deer, wild turkeys and small game - no bears :) I smile about all you shared - just a little envious because my children are in other states and the two who are an hour away - want to live in the city.<br />Would love to have them on this acreage :)One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12548226150115102345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-71465953989721575272011-06-09T09:59:14.887-04:002011-06-09T09:59:14.887-04:00Les, I just read a bit about bears in Colorado, an...Les, I just read a bit about bears in Colorado, and it's much the same situation as here. They are drawn to food sources. If you are interested:<br /><br />http://wildlife.state.co.us/wildlifespecies/livingwithwildlife/mammals/livingwithbearsl1.htm<br /><br />I find bears much less of a worry than people breaking into a house!Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-17824533977101903482011-06-09T06:52:08.834-04:002011-06-09T06:52:08.834-04:00I agree with Staci. The pictures are fantastic! Ho...I agree with Staci. The pictures are fantastic! However, I'll skip the duck and take that gorgeous log home! :) I love reading about all that they've done and I think it's just wonderful that they live so close to you and Tom. Not so sure about those bears, though. ;) We were constantly on the lookout for bears, moose and "cats" (mountain lions & cougars) while in Colorado last month. Our friends would bring the hummingbird feeder in every night, but didn't seem concerned about the bird seed. They put a bear pad (a large piece of plywood with dozens and dozens of screws poking up through one side) in front of the doors when we left to head back to NE. It's supposed to discourage the bears from breaking into an empty house/cabin. I'd be tempted to put it out every night before bed! I can't imagine living some place where the bears actually break into homes!Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-37689068289680735342011-06-08T19:31:00.765-04:002011-06-08T19:31:00.765-04:00Vintage Reading, every time I see one I do a sort ...Vintage Reading, every time I see one I do a sort of double take. I can't believe my eyes. They look like big black dogs for a minute. And they really do lumber. Isn't that a great word. Though they can run fast (30-40 mph) if needs be.<br /><br />Jill, we've had a garden for thirty years here and no creature has ever bothered it. I told someone recently that it might be because we are surrounded by woods. We don't live in a development that used to be woods or open country. No animal's natural home was taken away by our homestead. This house has been here since the mid 1880s.We have about 240 acres in all - a smallish amount in fields and pastures, and the bulk of it in woods. There are deer and moose and bear and occasional coyotes. And as I have noted sometimes, we do have a rabbit that shows up once in a while. We stop everything to watch it because it is an unusual sight. We once stayed in a house in England for a week and at the end of the road there was a field full of rabbits. We would walk down there at day's end and just marvel at them. Long answer, eh?!Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-89737505266256417802011-06-08T18:09:26.228-04:002011-06-08T18:09:26.228-04:00Curious about your (and Margaret's) raised bed...Curious about your (and Margaret's) raised beds for vegetables...don't you have a problem with rabbits and even deer?Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791018174075586241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-79393883090888131242011-06-08T15:50:01.094-04:002011-06-08T15:50:01.094-04:00Stunning pics. I'd love to see a bear. They...Stunning pics. I'd love to see a bear. They are often mentioned in Louise Erdrich's novels as part of the landscape and the image is so appealing - maybe not too close, though!Vintage Readinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05971819409379613967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-22384640463293983262011-06-08T13:42:56.381-04:002011-06-08T13:42:56.381-04:00Staci, they are dears!
Sharon, you've describ...Staci, they are dears!<br /><br />Sharon, you've described it beautifully.<br /><br />Yvette, I'm always a bit leery of animal books. Do any ducks die? My heart is very tender when it comes to creatures and kids.The bears don't come in the winter, do they? Around here people mostly feed birds only in the fall and winter and early spring, and Fish & Game always says to take them down by April 1 but that's a tad early for us here.<br /><br />What a lovely thing to say, Diane! It is pretty 'abundant' these days!<br /><br />Tia, isn't that the best set-up? I love it. And btw, there's a letter coming to you soon!!<br /><br />Librarian, come on over anytime, and I'll try to arrange a 'meeting' :<) The loft also has a couch, a turtle in a tank, book shelves, and a nice little round desk. It is very cozy, while at the same time open to the rest of the house.<br /><br />Thanks, Barbara. The outdoor shots just didn't come out well but I still wanted to give the feeling of what it's like down there.<br /><br />Lisa, they are always here in the woods. We own about 200 acres of mostly woods so they've got a good home. :<) They just come out once in a while and this year we've been lucky enough to see them. In town it's because of dumpsters and if people don't take down their bird feeders for the summer.<br /><br />Kittiefly, we are pretty sure they are both girls! this will make things easier, I think.<br /><br />Maureen, as long as they don't come to the door, they are fine! And yes, they do come to some people's doors. Yikes!<br /><br />Thank you, Carol. It was fun keeping track of the progress. Of course the 'kids' have lots of pictures too, but I enjoyed doing a regular blog entry as well.<br /><br />Kay, I would take a thousand bears to one rattlesnake. :<)<br /><br />Sherri, yeah there's a lot of action in the natural world just now!!<br /><br />Barbara, that's just what Tom said - that they look to be smiling! They are just the sweetest creatures.<br /><br />Julia, aren't they just wonderful. Kindly, sweet-natured birds.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-19863904871944456952011-06-08T13:10:49.495-04:002011-06-08T13:10:49.495-04:00The photos are fine, and I'm so enjoying the u...The photos are fine, and I'm so enjoying the updates! Love the ducks. My parents have some country property (in Texas) where we kept ducks a few years when I was a kid, and I remember them fondly. :) Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-16983845240598548582011-06-08T11:38:52.412-04:002011-06-08T11:38:52.412-04:00The house and surroundings are beautiful, and the ...The house and surroundings are beautiful, and the shining floors really caught my eye. Too cute ducklings; they look like they're smiling for the camera. They're lucky ducks too - look at their homes.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179027379034179865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-2652887600986485022011-06-08T09:13:00.667-04:002011-06-08T09:13:00.667-04:00Nan, what alot going on around your place! Black ...Nan, what alot going on around your place! Black bears galore! Margaret and Matt's place looks really great and I love the ducks!!Sherrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955995520615536271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-74738886544617881972011-06-08T07:55:46.888-04:002011-06-08T07:55:46.888-04:00Nan, thanks for updating us on your kids' hous...Nan, thanks for updating us on your kids' house. It is just lovely. The front porch looks very inviting. I'm amazed at your bear stories, although I shouldn't be. We've certainly had our share of wildlife and will likely have a lot more. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-47977809336720618142011-06-08T07:11:30.783-04:002011-06-08T07:11:30.783-04:00Great photo diary of the new house.
I can only im...Great photo diary of the new house.<br /><br />I can only imagine how fast your heart beats when you see a BB Bear in the garden!<br /><br />carolCarol https://www.blogger.com/profile/14000600761469156146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-47266403147078308262011-06-08T06:35:26.034-04:002011-06-08T06:35:26.034-04:00The house is really looking like a home now. I'...The house is really looking like a home now. I'd love to keep ducks but I don't think I would like bears as regular visitors. It does sound exciting, though.<br />Maureenmonixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16631194815411019266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-77199917033107518702011-06-08T06:11:58.270-04:002011-06-08T06:11:58.270-04:00Great photos! Thanks for sharing - I was actually...Great photos! Thanks for sharing - I was actually wondering about the progress of their house. I love ducks! I think it's great they bought a pair. :)Kittie Flynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07637064903334440486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-86656225041134640232011-06-08T05:50:07.756-04:002011-06-08T05:50:07.756-04:00It is fun seeing all that is going on around your ...It is fun seeing all that is going on around your place and Matts. Those raised beds will be great. I hope the bears don't like duck. Those little fluff balls would be just a snack for them. I wonder what has caused all this bear activity around your place? Have the bears been displaced elsewhere?<br />Love your banner photo.Lisa at Greenbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743973292900758183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-9994507923369848022011-06-08T04:12:42.102-04:002011-06-08T04:12:42.102-04:00Don't apologise, it all looks beautiful!Don't apologise, it all looks beautiful!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-6144609958080158912011-06-08T01:46:37.505-04:002011-06-08T01:46:37.505-04:00I so love the duckies!!! And I can see how the lof...I so love the duckies!!! And I can see how the loft area with the plants is your favourite place in the house. The floor is so shiny! All those bear sightings... wow, that truly IS exotic for me, since the only bears you find in Europe live in zoos...Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-77851580088895449252011-06-08T00:00:49.616-04:002011-06-08T00:00:49.616-04:00I'm glad those sweet ducks are indoors safe fr...I'm glad those sweet ducks are indoors safe from the black bears!Tia in Oregonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13085973912348721083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-18406061461212007992011-06-07T21:36:21.840-04:002011-06-07T21:36:21.840-04:00I'm so jealous of the abundance of nature you ...I'm so jealous of the abundance of nature you have surrounding you. I live for your photos. The duck are so cute.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.com