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4 03, 2020

Winter quotes – Victor Hugo

By |2020-03-02T11:34:18-06:00March 4th, 2020|Seasons, Wednesday Words, Weekly Quote|1 Comment

About the Graphic

The picture is where we used to live in Colorado. This is how it looked from November until April–snow coming down, snow stacked high. Winter would come and hold on for dear life, which is why this quote has always resonated with me.

About the Quote

Victor Marie Hugo was a French poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. He is considered  one of the greatest and best-known French writers.

You might be familiar with his novels Les Misérables, 1862, and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, 1831.

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2 03, 2020

Signs Spring May Be Coming After All

By |2020-03-01T10:58:56-06:00March 2nd, 2020|Writer's Life|1 Comment

For those of you still buried under snow, I know this will sound a little like whining. You’re so ready for Spring, bless your hearts.

But after a snowfall the sun usually pops out and glistens on the white. Least it did where we lived in Colorado.

Winter around here isn’t like that. Clouds block the sun and skies turn dark and dreary for days and weeks. In the Pacific NW that’s acceptable. After repeated days and days of it here, I miss the sun.

Punxsutawney Peter promised spring was coming.

Not sure I trust a ground hog way up there in Pennsylvania to accurately predict things down here in Texas.

My Japanese tulip tree believed old Petey. It’s loaded with purple blooms.

But the dreary rainy days are dragging on. I was giving up hope and calling Punxsutawney not-so-nice names.

Then this happened.

The long missing sun slipped over the trees and through the blinds to grid my worktable, which used to serve as our dining table. (The tale about why table is no longer used for dining I’ll save for another day.)

Hope fluttered to life in my heart. Spring is coming.

And, someone remind me about this when I’m complaining about the heat in July and August.

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28 02, 2020

More Fun at the TMEA Convention

By |2020-02-28T10:41:53-06:00February 28th, 2020|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Another one of the great things about convention, other than the exhibit hall full of cool stuff, is the chance to learn fun new things to do in the classroom.

This year the first session I attended started with… a chicken song! It is a Liberian folk song entitled “Kokoleoko.”  The last line says “chicken crowin’ for day.”

One of the activities was to have the students tell what else the chicken could be crowin’ for:  popcorn, ice cream, chocolate, etc. This is chanted in between repeating the song. The students love to make up parts to songs, so this is sure to be a hit.

There were also harmony parts to sing. There is nothing quite like a room full of music teachers singing in three part harmony.  I’m not sure my classes are ready to try that yet and I don’t want to spoil the memory of the beautiful sound.

Another session included the song “Shanghai Chicken.”  This is a song I have actually done before but this presenter had a new take on it.  On the words “hoo day, hoo day” you toss a rubber chicken across the circle.

As the game progresses you add chickens.

The teachers had a great time with this.

I can’t wait to try it in my class.

After all, what can possibly go wrong in a middle school class tossing rubber chickens?

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24 02, 2020

Yellow Roses for a Texas Valentine’s Day

By |2020-02-17T08:23:08-06:00February 24th, 2020|Holidays, Writer's Life|2 Comments

My sweetie surprised me with roses for Valentine’s Day. Yellow roses.

Red roses are common for the day. But yellow roses are our special roses.

After his heart attack many moons ago, I brought a yellow rose to the hospital every day. We lived in Connecticut and finding a yellow rose wasn’t easy. But, not any old red rose would work, it had to be a yellow.

I was his rosebud from Texas, and the only girl for him.

By the first anniversary of the heart attack we were back in Texas. I sent a dozen yellow roses to his office. Imagine his co-workers’ surprise when they learned the anniversary they celebrated.

My yellow roses for Valentine’s Day were a surprise. Double special with their sweet history.
If you’re not familiar with the song have a listen.

And, you can read about the historical Yellow Rose of Texas here.

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21 02, 2020

TMEA Music Convention Purchases

By |2020-02-20T21:10:39-06:00February 21st, 2020|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|2 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I had an absolutely fantastic time at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention last weekend. I attended nine different workshops where I was inspired, encouraged, educated and reminded why I teach music.

Then there was the exhibit hall.  Every imaginable music related business was there.  I worked very hard to stay focused and only purchase useful items.

For example, I found googly eye rings.  Given my love of googly eyes  https://judythewriter.com/googly-eyes/ this was an absolute necessity.

Then there was the dachshund slide whistle. What self-respecting, dachshund-loving music teacher could resist such a useful instrument.

Of course I also purchased books, rhythm sticks and egg shakers.  Overall it was a very successful time at the exhibit hall.

Next week I’ll share some of the songs I learned.  Hint, hint – they are about something else near and dear to my heart J

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19 02, 2020

Love Quote – Hepburn

By |2020-02-02T13:04:00-06:00February 19th, 2020|Uncategorized|1 Comment

About the Graphic

I found this photo by Cassia Tofano on Unsplash. Then while reading this month’s Good Housekeeping online, I read the Audrey Hepburn quote. Perfect match I thought.

About the Quote

I couldn’t agree with Hepburn more. The very best thing in life is having someone who loves you to hang onto. I’m so glad I have my Valentine.

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17 02, 2020

Love Stories of Lincoln and Washington

By |2020-02-09T12:17:43-06:00February 17th, 2020|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

Some of us will remember when February had holidays for only two presidents—George Washington on February 22 and Abraham Lincoln on February 16.Their actual birthdays.

These days we pay tribute to all presidents on one day in February.

To honor the two presidents with birthdays this month I’m sharing the stories of their marriages.

Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln

“My wife was as handsome as when she was a girl,” Lincoln once told a reporter. “And I, poor nobody then, fell in love with her, and what is more, have never fallen out.”

Mary Todd, the daughter of a successful merchant and politician, attracted the attention of up-and-coming politician and lawyer Abraham Lincoln. They shared a love of politics and literature and a deep love for each other. Unfortunately, her family did not approve of the match.

When he won his Congressional seat in 1846, she followed him to Washington. Something unheard of at the time.

 

George Washington and Martha Dandridge Custis Washington

The romance of George and Martha was not a passionate romance by today’s standards. In the eighteenth century marriages were made to ease circumstances and build a good life.

She was the wealthiest widow in Virginia, with a 17,500 acre estate to manage and two very young children when they first met. He was a general who had just retired and needed a job. At the time of their engagement, they merely liked each other a great deal.

Eight months into his marriage, George wrote, “I am now I beleive fixd at this Seat with an agreable Consort for Life and hope to find more happiness in retirement than I ever experienced amidst a wide and busthng World.”

George and Martha chose their partners wisely, perhaps more than they realized at the time. According to historians, the couple shared forty years together during which they grew to love each other with true devotion.

I do love good love stories.

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14 02, 2020

Away from Miller Farm

By |2020-02-13T10:10:32-06:00February 14th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Chicken Wrangler Sara is in San Antonio at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention where she will be reminded why she teaches and inspired to continue.

Please tune in next Friday for your regularly scheduled installment of Miller Farm Friday.

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13 02, 2020

 Tips to Caring for Senior Pets

By |2020-02-10T18:08:02-06:00February 13th, 2020|Guest blogger|1 Comment

A Guest Blog by Nick Burton

The bond between you and your senior pet is priceless. However, caring for senior pets tends to come with more measurable costs. You can keep those expenses low with these tips.

  • Save on Senior Pet Products by Using Online Coupons

 The needs of older pets can be different from younger animals. Your senior pet may need soft organic food,  a more comfortable bed or even a stroller. Or modifications to your home to help improve your pet’s quality of life; for example, anti-slip treads on staircases can help prevent slips and tumbles, while a doggy door will allow them to come and go as they please to take care of outdoor business.

Stocking up on these essentials does not mean sacrificing your budget. You can usually find all you need by shopping online or with major retailers, and you can find your pet supplies at the best prices for any budget if you do your homework. Better yet, you can boost savings on pet supplies by visiting online sites, like Amazon, Chewy, PetSmart or Petco and learning more about cash back deals from sites like Rakuten. It’s the smartest way to keep your senior pet healthy and your family budget happy all at once.

  • Cut Down Your Costs on Those Senior Pet Vet Bills

 Vet costs for senior animals tend to be a bit higher than their younger counterparts. This can even deter people from adopting senior pets, but the love of an older companion animal can be truly priceless.

Senior dogs and cats typically require less training, which can help offset those increased care costs, but there are other ways to save on your vet bills as well.

Pet insurance can help with veterinary costs for your pet at any age and can be cost-effective for people with multiple pets. Additionally, most pet insurance policies provide you with rebates for covered pet care costs.

  • Clean Up After Senior Pets Without Cleaning Out Your Savings

Senior pets tend to have stomach issues and bladder control problems that can spell disaster for your carpets. If your senior pet’s bathroom problems seem to be severe or sudden, you should make an appointment with your vet.

However, you should also stock up on cleaning supplies to address stains and remove odors. You can also make your own pet-safe cleaning supplies. A little vinegar and water are all it takes to eliminate even the smelliest pet messes from your home, and you can score a bottle of vinegar for a couple of dollars.

Pet expenses may increase as animals get older, but your budget doesn’t have to suffer as a result. If you are willing to look for promo codes and research online, you can find ways to save and take care of your senior pets.

You can show your senior pets the love they deserve without sacrificing all your budget needs.

About Nick

Nick Burton is the co-creator of Our Best Doggo. Together with his wife, they are proud parents of three rescue dogs. After the passing of their 15-year-old lab/terrier mix dog, Willie, they decided to create this website to share all types of dog information and help people that are mourning the loss of a dog.

Be sure to check out his website  You’ll find lots of dog-loving information.

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