The 2010 Floods at LFF and How the Dogs Reacted to it

This is a video that I took from our backyard on May 2, 2010 at Laughing Fox during the floods in middle TN that May. It was quite the experience. The water never threatened our farm, but we were trapped for two days because of flooding at both ends of the road off of which our road runs. It was said this flood was considered a 500 year flood. OK with me if it doesn't happen in another 500 years...but the dogs did not mind at all which you will see in the video!

Clarice and Nancy Last Wed. Hunt of 2010

This video is bitter sweet. It was the last time I was able to hunt my dear Nancy. She has been diagnosed with Cushings Disease which has rendered her unable to hunt. She has earned her retirement, though and is now comfortably living at our farm with her friend, Molly. Nancy was the best hunt mare I have ever ridden. I love her very much, and miss hunting her more than anything.

Calm on the Farm

Gracie and Duchess enjoying the outdoors at LFF.

Winter at LFF

Good morning! It has been sleeting and raining most of the morning but the "Middle Tennessee Smoky Mountains" (the hills around Laughing Fox Farm) are just beautiful. I've never understood why people find winter not as lovely as the other three seasons, because here there is something to see all the time. The colors are muted, but beautiful, dove grays, charcoal, heathers, hunter greens, whites, wheat, silvers, russet, terracotta, cerulean, periwinkle, just spectacular. It is a little foggy, but that puts me in the mind of early mornings in Britain. Middle TN looks much like parts of the British Isles.

The birds are feeding. Titmice, Cardinals, several pairs of those, a Red Headed Woodpecker, Purple and Yellow Finches, Chickadees, Wrens, all fat and seemingly content are all hovering around the feeders. "Homer", as Andy calls him was our resident suicidal Cardinal last year. He would see his reflection in our windows and flog himself until he was exhausted. I tried pulling the curtains, placing things in the window that I thought would scare him, but he was tenacious. He has since gotten the message and the eternal/infernal flogging has stopped...or he's croaked. We also have a Great Horned Owl in the neighborhood. I saw her a couple of nights ago, and she is magnificent!! After I die, I want to come back as a hawk. We have several of those, too.

Many years ago when we did not live here, our then home burned completely. There was nothing recognizable. Once day when I was rummaging through the debris, I kicked something with my foot, and here you will find a photo of what I found. I saved it, and bring it out every Christmas holiday to remind us that we are always being watched over and blessed everyday, even through adversity.

Have a wonderful winter! Keep in touch and keep reading for more comments from Laughing Fox Farm.

Snow in December

I took this photo today through the window from the breakfast nook. It has been snowing for most of the day and accumulation started about mid afternoon. That is not so unusual, but the wind is terrific!! It blows in sudden gusts and the wind chill is -10. I have put both mares in the barn for the night and will probably do the same for tomorrow night. It is expected to be even colder then. Needless to say the doggies are snug inside. I think that the weather is becoming more like it was in this area when I was a child back in the sixties...just gave away my age:).

I am babysitting my husband's business partners dog...well actually I think "Junior" is a small horse in disguise. He's gigantic: 1/2 Great Dane, 1/4 Labrador, 1/4 Australian Shepard. He is so sweet, but likes chasing Molly. She thinks its a game and so does he, but when she's had enough, she charges at him with her ears back and her teeth brayed...oh gosh the lights are flickering. I'll post a photo of him later.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving with our family at Laughing Fox Farm. We are grateful for one another, the blessings we have received and pray for those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

Molly Did Very Well at Her Show

This blog is also about life on a farm, and a big part of my life at Laughing Fox is my horses. Molly has decided that fox hunting is not what she wants to do. So, Lily Wray-Davis and I took her to her first show in five years. She competed in the Hunter Under Saddle Over 2' Jumps Division and, out of 10 riders, came in second!!! An outstanding showing. She's for sale as a show horse (I like to say she's my "Show Girl")and will only get better. Thanks to Lily for making her look so good and to Heather Mullan Ransom for getting her in show condition!!