No crowds.

No shopping, no stores, no malls, no travel.

No early sales. No gimmicks, no gizmos.

No aggressive behavior…

No biting…

No pushing…or shoving.

No stampede…

For us, just a serene day at home.

We leave consumerism to the experts.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

Rustic Russ and I have been kicking around a plan for quite some time now.

It’s not a “green” plan, per se.

It’s our plan.

It’s about using horse power to get where we want to go.

The kind of horse power that comes with a tail.

And dog power.

Either/or.

Depending on the season.

Sure, it may take a little longer.

Good things usually do.

And there may be times we need to lean on the support of folks ~ and pay for a special trip ~ just like the Amish.

But it won’t be often.

Truth be told, everything we need is right here.

On “our 40″.

At Russ-Stick Acres.

So, come along for the ride, and watch us plan to go backwards in time.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

This August, we tried a new endeavor at Russ-Stick Acres.

Cowboy Camp.

Our first participant ~ Jordan ~ from down the road just past the Jordan valley.

Jordan and Russ did many things in the two weeks Jordan stayed at RSA.

Canoed, made bows and arrows, even welded a skateboard ramp.

I’m not sure who had the most fun…

The days started early, at dawn.

Ten year-old Jordan was a willing participant who never grumbled about getting up.

There were many breakfasts outside in the fresh air.

And many, many questions for Rustic Russ.

The breakfast always followed chores.

Jordan loved to collect the eggs.

And, care for our new baby goat, Rachael, who loved to follow Jordan around.

And care for our sled dogs.

The dogs loved having Jordan “in the house”.

After chores, it was time to ride.

Buck was Jordan’s horse for the duration.

They were a good fit.

Time to shine as an official “cowboy”.

Nothing brings a smile like riding a horse.

There was also time to play and be creative, as in the new bow and arrow, whittled patiently from wood.

Perhaps we need a better target.

At the end of the day, when the tractor made the rounds, Jordan was there, enjoying the chores orchestrated around the animals he lovingly cared for during his time with us.

Happy Birthday Jordan ~ September 13th ~ now an 11-year old cowboy.

Until tomorrow ~ or next summer ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

As Rustic Russ rides off into parts unknown, as a modern day Marlboro Man (actually self-rolled Bugler…), he knows he creates a frenzy in his wake.

Herd-bound horses.

Raz doesn’t have any trouble leaving.

However, the others staying behind…that’s another story.

Sure, there are two of them. They can console each other.

But they miss their buddy.

They fiercely miss their buddy.

And, I suppose they wonder if he will return.

I’m usually writing in the Wee House when I hear the whinney and pounding hooves announcing their return.

Horse and rider make it back safely once again.

And for this Mustang, that spells safety.

Until tomorrow ~ God bless the Mustangs ~ God willing,

Woodswoman