tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64541939939937911232024-03-11T12:29:54.427-07:00Rachel Dickson's Artwork, Outdoor Adventures and MusingsRachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-84788012680009672842024-03-11T12:22:00.000-07:002024-03-11T12:24:46.087-07:00If something ignites you--CHASE it! Rachel Dickson reading from "A Gentle Reminder" by Bianca Sparacino<p>Too many of us stall and distract ourselves and procrastinate when it comes to following things that inspire us. We find every sort of other thing to do...rather than do the things that make our hearts SING with laughter and JOY.</p><p>This excerpt from page 15 of Bianca Sparacino's book titled "A Gentle Reminder" is exactly the awakening we need to follow the things that plead with our hearts.</p><p>CLICK on the IMAGE below to PLAY this short video and listen to the words of Bianca Sparacino.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4V9VGkBWqh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwnjw1_yZkTi2cBv0HyNwIRNoYvu76AOtU1xZN3X9Ld1dO2X-EpjSudBr6lsu9HQ3NH2j0VQu4rC5OQWDe_CPkT5-hkvahvxGEPth-xqc7N09rEnUUSqlC1DtULDKC5P1VR58lf6ozCqM-xlXOSXtDa7HKrApXZ4u8yT39ylAbJbh1ele-H75AiBBqodu/w226-h400/chase_it_cover.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">OR click on the link below to play this video.</span></p><p><span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4V9VGkBWqh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4V9VGkBWqh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==</a></span></p><p>This is quickly becoming my new passion...reciting inspirational
poetry and excerpts from some of my favorite author's books. And yes, I
do have a goal in mind here...and that is to begin enhance my skills to narrate books for
audio.</p><p>Onward and Upward!</p><p></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-91579648949550673142024-02-27T07:57:00.000-08:002024-02-27T07:57:47.621-08:00R Dickson reading from Mary Oliver's poem: "Two Kinds of Deliverance"<p>I only recently discovered the works of Mary Oliver thanks to Instagram. I've watched videos of her reciting her poems and my GOSH the intellectual intensity and introspection found in her writing! I can tell from her topics that she's spent countless hours outdoors like myself. I only wish I would have learned of Mary Oliver's inspirational writings earlier in my life as I might have begun writing poetry of my own as a way to get the inquisitive thoughts out of my head.</p><p>Below is a link to the reels video where you can hear the powerful and thought-provoking words of Mary Oliver in her poem titled: "Two Kinds of Deliverance."</p><p>Click on the image below to view the video. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3ydM9hh0wp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="459" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgzhjb6ZtX2Yhx8EEkw87wlR7wV1y09k2wm0hP5TP-kVoH8mlCZsGL_xtIGxGADIMJNkisqiSxQ5AdLAgoNzrG6i7zzio6TYwFbXmurI3jZfDU7d-OBXZJFNAMWFWQsT72FigA7uztI_tWPOfStFthHzw97yEsAcrMO-YW-iXDE-bVJOHbxuhXE3dcFp-/w225-h400/rdickson_reading_mary_oliver.jpg" width="225" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Click the link below to view this video:</span></b></span> <br /></div><p></p><p><span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3ydM9hh0wp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3ydM9hh0wp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==</a></span></p><p>This is quickly becoming my new passion...reciting inspirational poetry and excerpts from some of my favorite authors books. And yes, I do have a goal in mind here...and that is to begin to narrate books for audio.</p><p>Onward and Upward!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-26697079600643882112024-02-14T11:30:00.000-08:002024-02-14T11:31:02.817-08:00R Dickson and the "Recitations on Reels" video project.<p>The very first audio recording that I ever did...I think I was around 7 years old...I read from a children's book...and then well a fight broke out (all fully captured on the audio recording of course) between my sister and I...but that's another story for another time.</p><p>Here it is...some 44 years later and I'm excited to announce a project I've been working on to enhance my auditory, narration and recitation skills. I'll call this project, "Recitation on Reels." This is where I read excerpts from some of my favorite books and from some of my favorite authors. I specifically choose to read from passages that have cognitively challenged me or had an impact on calling my "established" world-views into question or have called out to my heart in some way.</p><p></p><p>I've posted the videos I've created from the audio recording of these recitations as Reels on Instagram and also on Facebook. This one below I'm reading from Pema Chodron's book titled "The Places That Scare You."</p><p>Click on the image to view the video.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3TKm38hQFV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="465" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7LDEZhgO0lHrILPD0YgczRVehq-hKdXaZA-M1n8u2XXGWdxj57E9uJf8T-0Nu10CVE_0nzKFOkDfrGchZ18RbzdRXftLhyphenhyphenNIyp4SJoGBMPyVQvxIEwXuYndXq6MSx7Etaa7ebtgazzYYuljdHdC-AO2Vi_2ujGjnzVylLLUB2-6pOTAvGquJo7KYDQUR/w228-h400/reels_rdickson.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Click the link below to view this video:</b></span><br /></p><p><span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3TKm38hQFV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3TKm38hQFV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==</a></span></p><p><span> </span></p><p><span>This project not only is causing me much auditory practice while reading, but is also causing me to learn video editing tricks and tips among other technical skills. </span></p><p><span>My goal here is to eventually becoming a narrator of books on audio. </span></p><p><span>This trade of content creation is driving the social platform industry to new heights. The availability of simple to use audio recording and video editing software is astounding compared to the studio limitations of years gone by.</span></p><p><span>What FUN to create digital content on this level!!</span></p><p><span>Onward and upward!</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-62707584787354830272024-01-17T15:21:00.000-08:002024-01-17T15:21:27.911-08:00Combining nature and sound! Crystal singing bowls...for improving mental and emotional clarity.<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=684mFuBeBYY&t=811s" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o5EyBUkSevak8ltdAkUJCZPKyh0UHT_DFvvuyaBMQpwLFIOUlJgZdlLYGYDG_dGtTabAJZfeDB-vkakgcvpJ-CHUnq7N9Wn-hcMcTJxgzKwcdRBRNuZcJMj2EvWRirIBCTnuTJXTMWwH_IAr3gsxBhPEe_Ge52I-KeQRIH9ffW2CH73nPCYEMadGTVdT/w400-h400/sound%20bath(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is believed that the pure sonic
vibration from crystal singing bowls can help wake up your ability to
hear. Vibration from these quartz crystal bowls moves through your body
creating a relaxed meditative feeling. Alternative health practitioners
believe that they help to bring health and harmony to your life by
balancing your chakras.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Click on the image above <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=684mFuBeBYY&t=811s">or here</a> to view this NEW nature video combined with the sounds of the playing of Crystal Singing Bowls by Elise Fournier of Brevard, NC. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everyone can enjoy the benefits of listening to the sounds of singing bowls. Due to the nature of our modern, industrialized
lives, many pure, natural healing sounds have disappeared from our daily experience. We no longer commonly hear the beautiful sounds of nature such as
singing birds, rustling leaves or running streams. Because of the high
pitched noises surrounding us, our mind tries to shut out sounds from
reaching us in an effort to protect us from constant distraction. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is my intention with the creation of this video to blend the beauty of nature with the healing benefits of sound from the playing of crystal bowls.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The benefits from experiencing these sounds are vast! A few of these are...<br /></span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Effectively reduces stress and anxiety</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Relieves physical pain</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Improves mental and emotional clarity</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cleanses and balances chakras <br /></span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stimulates the immune system</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Special thanks to Elise Fournier of Brevard, NC for allowing me to record and introduce this amazing vibrational raising sound for all to hear!</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Onward and Upward! <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><br /></p><div><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></p></div>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-84272224653612515852024-01-15T10:51:00.000-08:002024-01-15T10:51:59.081-08:00Adding video content to Youtube weekly. Check it out!<p>Living in an area of Western North Carolina surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains...there's an abundance of outdoor "on-location" sites that are breathtaking and inspirational. There's a reason so many movies have been filmed near here (such as the Hunger Games, the Last of the Mohicans and many more.)</p><p>Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPlDOuHKbgbnt9q9SoQufQ" target="_blank">RDickson Outdoors on Youtube</a> where you can find mountain streams, waterfalls, forest rivers and others to relax, unwind and simply enjoy some nature .</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPlDOuHKbgbnt9q9SoQufQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1122" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpypldbcb7d18eYaTOwj3uJqy2PwiCT5Rp6UwUJNoVnqojuG7J655bGC1NDJOXdyEerdMVrTFnvNNBSJm-_xtnb9QlC7EqbuSE7Tu8q3L0MHdu1_Ef4pcz-suh6XuJQFTTQWjTy5GGsinvC6WJEg0wUlLlx1U2ZAXGGYsFm8X557Ea-wr0gQOpJTZkQ7Ad/w400-h256/Youtube_channel_thumbnails.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>More soon! In the meantime...onward and upward!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-91684897481242950652024-01-05T13:28:00.000-08:002024-01-15T10:43:52.782-08:00Mountain Forest River views from me to you on Youtube!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qzKW5FxJbo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="796" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC88KegMWMg8cRez_3k9-GWfMfYAClFEO4u_kxfuAnTsZszZE03-0Y-CaDPJw3u2g2uel7wwyoEYjfS9NP3Xfz4URtg2zRxg6RE6S_0aWWwlwXM03a1ZpKTTlVFCQS9sj0NSQbavUEVBjfPhI7kTE38PVDQgKc0-NcmTY9E0yJtsQyF_qD0-PIlKmB-pu-/w400-h225/relaxing_mountain_river_screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I've been a fan of nature videos on YouTube for years! For hours and hours I've watched campfire videos and mountain flowing stream videos and forest videos and on and on.<p></p><p>I've often thought...hmmmm, I wonder how one goes about filming and adding one's own nature videos to YouTube? Well, I'm pleased to announce...I now have my own outdoor nature channel and what a fun and exciting project!</p><p>So far the outdoor forest, mountain, waterfall videos I've uploaded are all 3 hours long so you can just have them playing in the background while you work or sleep or study or meditate.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qzKW5FxJbo" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Click here to view RDickson Outdoors Youtube Channel.</span></a></p><p>I invite you to comment.</p><p>ENJOY! </p><p>More soon.</p><p>Gotta run...outdoor exploration galore now that I'm a nature videographer!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-15652672268172966622023-06-20T12:51:00.000-07:002024-01-05T13:18:52.029-08:00Podcasting project!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVe6cM2xpHzS7DxacQgCmdlTehlC5MouxScp7I-IVVp8eDxVq4yNNCokjz6W8tbsMB-V_-5HOh86rgN6qYBd9BqLXyp3Li_ohAIHnnkjKzMbvzHGfU2a2aECzpNVm0-w1XVmi2PGSjvXbfnMVtAlMG0dFfbFwySjhTaN_iCmr0Q_EOCNPcfd3bCyJCUEH/s1300/council_tree_cover_art_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVe6cM2xpHzS7DxacQgCmdlTehlC5MouxScp7I-IVVp8eDxVq4yNNCokjz6W8tbsMB-V_-5HOh86rgN6qYBd9BqLXyp3Li_ohAIHnnkjKzMbvzHGfU2a2aECzpNVm0-w1XVmi2PGSjvXbfnMVtAlMG0dFfbFwySjhTaN_iCmr0Q_EOCNPcfd3bCyJCUEH/s320/council_tree_cover_art_final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Introducing ...Conversations at the Council Tree Podcast! This has been an ongoing effort for months in the production phase...and is now being published...one episode at a time.<p></p><p>This podcast is a collection of collaborative conversations where Elaine Bracken and myself create an inviting come-sit-by-the-campfire-chat that you can cozy up to and roast some spiritual marshmallows along side. We discuss personal transformation, leveling-up, dimensional galactic expansion, spiritual awakening, and navigating life here on Earth.</p><p>The title “Conversations at the Council Tree” was born from years of conversation between Elaine and I about all things Universal, Life, Love, Human Experience and Existence, Galactic Assistance, the Cosmos, and all the places in between. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-q449z-143a2c8" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Click here to listen to the "Latebloomers" episode </b></span></a><br /></p><p>Over the years we began referring to these as Conversations at the Council Tree due to my love of trees and nature and a particular tree in the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center in Cherokee, NC. The energy of the Podcast is the feeling of an invitation to gather under a giant wise old tree, maybe around a campfire, sharing thoughts, ideas, and experiences, and listening to the wisdom of the Tree, the Universe, and the Cosmos.</p><p>So let’s be curious, inquire, ask questions, demand answers, explore, listen, feel, breathe, surrender boldly, be willing to sit silently with what is, be brave, speak truth, trust the process, and...may we each embrace...fully...loudly living our own authenticity. </p><p>Elaine and I are both members of the LGBTQ community, I'm a lifelong-card-carrying-lesbian and Elaine's a latebloomer. This leads to some pretty lively dialogue. <br /><br />It’s such an honor to create a shared space with the intention for the wisdom that will download and be discussed here on this podcast. </p><p>To learn more about Elaine Bracken please visit <br /><a href="http://www.elainebracken.com">http://www.elainebracken.com</a><br /><br />To learn more about Rachel Dickson please visit<br /><a href="http://www.racheldickson.com">http://www.racheldickson.com</a><br /><br />To learn more about the Conversations at the Council Tree Podcast please visit<br /><a href="http://www.conversationsatthecounciltree.com">http://www.conversationsatthecounciltree.com</a><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-71364259473117773652023-05-11T12:41:00.001-07:002023-05-11T12:41:44.105-07:00Memories of times past<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KLS5WjS2adC1PM4pgrLz_oxY4po0ybCVAPIF8-etO7m_rvTBOJQqlpoq1vYQDmw2-Zk6X27B8dJuTwxucw0WCoXAD0x0JPXiLzCrSyYduU6UUaxgQnRYyyyVSBRIHDROsXwwMJS4VtuABL2aAjv_H97dUs7KC7OKzk_AKGRlCwTgO8VEa7voonc8Bg/s3517/20230510_174016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="3517" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KLS5WjS2adC1PM4pgrLz_oxY4po0ybCVAPIF8-etO7m_rvTBOJQqlpoq1vYQDmw2-Zk6X27B8dJuTwxucw0WCoXAD0x0JPXiLzCrSyYduU6UUaxgQnRYyyyVSBRIHDROsXwwMJS4VtuABL2aAjv_H97dUs7KC7OKzk_AKGRlCwTgO8VEa7voonc8Bg/s320/20230510_174016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'd been searching for this photo for weeks and weeks now. And low and behold...I found it. Tucked away into a file folder deep in the dark of stored file containers was this little beauty of a pic.<p></p><p>That's my sister Brenda on the left, my dad (who passed away Jan. 1 of 2021) and me on the right. I distinctly remember the day this photo was taken. Probably one of the earliest memories of my childhood.</p><p>It was a chilly day...but something struck a chord with my about not wearing a shirt on this day. Was like a statement my little self needed to make. (no idea why at this moment or why it even mattered to me...but it did) I remember putting on these pair of pants and with no shoes or shirt marching out to the garden where this random photo op was going down.</p><p>As you can see I'm proudly standing there like...yep bitches...this is what's happening. I love this picture! And I love my younger self who on that day didn't care about gender rules (girls have to wear shirts).</p><p>Meet young Rache. Trying to navigate life's rules and regulations in her own way. Just so happened that THIS day...I didn't get any guff about it. Those days were yet to come.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /> </p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-38490896598934076922023-05-11T12:29:00.002-07:002023-05-11T12:43:02.939-07:00Turning over a new leaf<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwDRg9SZQ0GpQfsCTKRYprY_c_9hLGxlCU7-2x5iIoSC_xWjMhaiB8WGn7ITIoxtz3V7TyQGHn5exJQ1odIm2icsDUC0G5TABhDw5uqsXXOUrIljqS9sf94zLtJi2aYpK1d-kthcvacjo2KVDM9IISZh-6QAA2BzV98mo-wymZStJoT_WHydjMPHO2w/s4160/20230510_143507.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwDRg9SZQ0GpQfsCTKRYprY_c_9hLGxlCU7-2x5iIoSC_xWjMhaiB8WGn7ITIoxtz3V7TyQGHn5exJQ1odIm2icsDUC0G5TABhDw5uqsXXOUrIljqS9sf94zLtJi2aYpK1d-kthcvacjo2KVDM9IISZh-6QAA2BzV98mo-wymZStJoT_WHydjMPHO2w/s320/20230510_143507.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Hard for me to believe that I haven't posted anything here for over 2 years. And my oh my much has happened during this time. Many life changes..many dark nights...many challenges...many upgrades.<br /><p></p><p>I think it goes without saying it's difficult to write creatively when you're in the middle of major life changes and everything seemingly is just swirling around you. (Much like it appears on screen when Frodo puts on the "one ring" in the Lord of the Ring trilogy and everything goes sorta slow motion and blurry and fragmented.)<br /></p><p>Over the next few months I'll be gradually updating my blog here and shifting my topics from surface..fun and frivolity to a more comprehensive approach with more real life application to how I'm embracing life more fully...openly...with full regard for feeling/cognitive/intellectual and heart-mind comprehension all involved and at play.</p><p>I have rarely if ever publicly touched on the topic of being gay...but I'm going to allow myself more freedom to express this part of my life in the hopes that it will help others embrace their truth as well, whatever that may be. Honestly and openness begets honesty and openness.<br /></p><p>Also, I recently admitted to myself that I had a drinking problem. Rarely did a night go by that I wasn't drinking in the last...oh I dunno...15 years. Beer, wine and whiskey were my friends. That country song "a long-necked ice cold beer never broke my heart" is in fact very true. Beer doesn't break your heart...you break your own heart...in an effort to cope with the pain, hurt and trauma that you find in your lap. So having recognized that I am not only harming myself...but also others all around me..I choose me now. I choose to reach toward myself...hold myself up...love myself...and become the greatness that I know is within me.</p><p>I'm not going to kid myself here and think that simply stating these things makes it so. I know to say "and that's a wrap" would be a lie here. There is much work to do...much darkness and shadow to uncover and grapple with and understand and find compassion for...so be it. This is the way. <br /></p><p>Onward and upward!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-42054166917100596092021-06-02T08:50:00.000-07:002021-06-02T08:50:19.556-07:00staying calm...in the midst of the struggle<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP65N4nZ6xjL7Xqz8DaUH0vuuOGQV2IqtzcZMouorEiqaQbzeOVVarEhMMU9FUGpb-JEdFWVCNJveC9RyNA5uwP_9pURR-DmC-YaF6raJE9-U7BOwgthzagHJQNEJxyTemsSF47QKDOeG/s1200/2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP65N4nZ6xjL7Xqz8DaUH0vuuOGQV2IqtzcZMouorEiqaQbzeOVVarEhMMU9FUGpb-JEdFWVCNJveC9RyNA5uwP_9pURR-DmC-YaF6raJE9-U7BOwgthzagHJQNEJxyTemsSF47QKDOeG/w320-h400/2020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I would be remiss to say...this image depicts rather well how the last 6-7 months have been unfolding for me. It goes without saying that 2020 was a year that will go down as probably the most turbulent in my life and very much in many other folks lives as well. And much of that turbulence has begun to settle...or...maybe it's actually that I've learned to stay calm in the midst of the struggle?<br /><br />Job changes...relationship changes...address changes...de-stuffing (off-loading of stuff) changes...letting go of things I've clinged to for so long...and on and on that list goes.<br /><br />I've neglected my love of writing here on this blog somewhat unintentionally...but now after all these months...I've come to realize that just having this blog to express myself is a motivational factor to continue to embrace my passions.<br /><br />Go...Be...Do....has been a motto of mine for quite some time. As has "onward & upward". It seem that the daily details of life pushed that life-mantra into a backroom somewhere. Time to bring that back out into the light....and Go Be Do again!<p></p><p>I've spent hundreds of hours turning inward......searching....seeking...digging through my "life stuff" all the while feeling like there was a wasp walking around on my head. I realized that I'd fallen into trap of living in fear...versus living from a place of allowing and not resisting...and trusting that life will bring the greatest of experiences across my path...if I would just keep my eyes up and open and see!<br /></p><p>I've been reminded of how important following my passion and what truly inspires me all the while living my truth without fear of criticism or skepticism really is to me. (For example...the thrill of mountain biking...or the fun of exploring open water in my kayak...hiking on trails I've never been before).<br /><br />I think it goes without saying here just how much I love being outdoors! ...and living an outdoor...active...adventurous lifestyle. So here's to jumping back into life...and trusting that all will be provided when and as needed...and to paying attention and aware and attuned to what's around me...and following the blazes on my trail!!<br /><br />Go...Be...Do...LIVE!<br /><br />I'm back.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-19790169564024757252021-06-01T08:52:00.188-07:002021-06-02T09:37:26.488-07:00Rest in Peace Dad<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtPrXIqrwoia4AsRSI6rHHTSTUAwRNgTbv-9uXsNVxSDfRuiGJ_qcYCN4we9CTrhaKtLuYafoK6Kqh3Z9wHiGay2s6AEEI7l4lNweD6qQPyqWRdtsG1n3Jnfaw541WMMsdvMO1aayOgk2/s1088/rip_dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="761" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtPrXIqrwoia4AsRSI6rHHTSTUAwRNgTbv-9uXsNVxSDfRuiGJ_qcYCN4we9CTrhaKtLuYafoK6Kqh3Z9wHiGay2s6AEEI7l4lNweD6qQPyqWRdtsG1n3Jnfaw541WMMsdvMO1aayOgk2/w280-h400/rip_dad.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>In honor of my father...Larry E. Dickson...I've decided to post the eulogy I wrote for him back in January of this year. Dad passed on January 1 2021 and unbeknownst to me...I've now joined the "knowing what it's like group" of you who've also lost your father.<p></p><p>I knew for a long time that I'd wanted to write a eulogy...but it took me months to figure out how to do that. Dad passed from Parkinsons so his passing wasn't sudden...but rather a long...unkind...struggle. It sucks watching someone you love deteriorate physically and mentally...but I've very grateful that I lived close by and was able to share many moments with him in his final days. All the while working through my own struggles with the parts of Dad's life I wasn't fond of. <br /><br />Fortunately...throughout this process I realized that this was Dad's struggle with life...not mine. His battles were not mine to judge or resist or change or to pick up as my own...but rather...let the struggle be.<br /><br />Suffering sucks. And the experience of watching another suffer when you can't do anything to change it...sucks more! But yet...I found some reassurance that (after 10 months of facility isolation from covid...and due to the mere fact that hospice was involved at this point...I was allowed (mom and I both were) into his care facility wearing an N-95 mask and gown) to be near him...just to be present...somehow brought some calm or support to relieve the struggle somewhat. The reality here to was that for myself...the opportunity to say my goodbyes...to be present with Dad...was a pretty big deal. I was one of the lucky ones...because too many people lost loves ones just a few months prior due to covid and weren't allowed to be at the bedside. I considered myself very fortunate at this point.<br /><br />Back to the eulogy. These last days really helped me understand the value of focusing on the good...and allowing for the human side of living...and letting go of the bad.<br /><br />Here's what I said at dad's funeral service:<br /><br />
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Good morning...I’m
Rachel...Larry and Norma’s youngest daughter. I’m going to say a
few words and anyone who would
also like to share your thoughts and memories with us that you may
hold in your heart about Dad is
welcome and encouraged so please do so. In fact...I’d love to hear
what any of you would be willing to
share!</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">We all know how
perplexed and entangled the past 10 months have been because of the
intricacies that the coronavirus
dumped on each of our doorsteps. But one thing I know to be
true...this global and very localized
challenge has forced us to recognize and reaffirm what matters to
each and every one of us most deeply.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">I recognize that our
family isn’t the only one here who has experienced grief and loss.
And I am so very grateful that
you chose to come together and join us at this time and show resolve
to share your heart with us as we
do the same with you.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">I also want to thank
you all for choosing to come to be with us today. Those of you who
are members of Shiloh
church....I commend you...for showing such compassion for dad and for
mom for the past many years...helping
mom & dad move from the farm into Wauseon...mowing their
grass....and helping with
countless other things. Many of you know in recent years the
challenges and struggles and difficulties
that dad and mom both endured.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">But I don’t want
to focus on the times of difficulty that many of us are all too
familiar with. What I’d rather do here is to
share some stories...shine some light on the humor that dad so often
cracked us up with when we least
expected it. And also share with you some of the many life-lessons
dad taught me.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Probably the easiest
way to sum up the 48 years I’ve been around dad would be by
choosing words that I believe best
described Larry Evans Dickson.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Confident</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Mechanical and
Electronically minded</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Persistent</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Witty</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Melodramatic</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Fair</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Assertive...Quick to
impose his views</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Human</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Advocate</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Clown</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Mine of Information</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Obsessed</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Stubborn</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Computer Programmer</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Confident and
Melodramtic</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">I could illustrate
these words in one story. The time that a tornado ripped through the
middle of the yard at the farm
house in 1980. As you know...when tornadoes are brewing...the sky
gets very dark and the air gets very
weird. My sister and I and a friend had just come indoors from
playing outside because it was
obviously unsafe for us to stay outside as evidenced by the building
storm. Dad and Mom were both home.
All of us but Dad were sitting in the living room...I think dad was
going window to window in
anticipation of what might be coming. Then suddenly a very loud and
intensewind... burst forth outside... the front door of the house
blew wide open and we could see nothing but debris and dirt and
what looked like a sandstorm rushing by. Dad yells at the top of his
lungs “HIT THE DECK” (which
means get in the basement in Dicksoneeze). Everyone but dad followed
his own command. Next we’re
all huddled in the basement and hearing no good sounds coming from
outside.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">I’m thinking to
myself...where’s Dad? He’s going to get sucked up into the abyss!
Of course that didn’t happen. But after
this whole ordeal...which obviously we all survived...we came to
learn that dad was basically front and
center like he always chose to be...confident...yet also very
melodramatic.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">It was through
experiences like this with dad that I learned to lean into his
confidence...his charge to the front attitude...I
never doubted dad would always choose to be front and center...so
confident in himself...yet
seemingly never taking into consideration any potential dangers on
his own behalf...because he
always wanted to be right up front no matter the crisis...first to
report what happened there. That
was dad. It was as if this all came very natural to him like it was
part of his DNA.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Mechanical and
Electronically minded</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">One windy day...I
decided I wanted to figure out how to build and fly a kite. Problem
was...I had no idea where to begin.
I think I was maybe 11 or 12 years old. Dad’s knowledge of how
things work mechanically and
electronically was astounding to me. He taught me that it was good to
ask questions.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">In fact, he
encouraged my asking questions because he wanted me to understand the
“whys” behind how a thing worked.
So naturally....I told him my idea. To my utter surprise and
amazement he began to gather items to
build and fly this kite. He used a flexible bicycle flag antenna for
the cross pieces...plastic for
the body...and then meticulously explained to me the importance of a
kites tail and how it functions and
why this part was so important....he tore up pieces of an old bed
sheet ...knotting strips together into
a string like tail. I was very moved by how seriously he took my
little project and how willing he was
to make this happen. After he found a spool of nylon rope...all that
was left was to fly it. Best kite
flying experience I ever had! That kite went higher into the sky than
I ever thought imaginable.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Witty and Clown</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Dad liked to tell
jokes. I hope you got to have the experience of watching dad crack
himself up as he told his corny
jokes. The most recent one I can remember him telling went like this.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Two snakes were
walking through the woods. (yes ...i told him as he was telling me
this...that’s pretty funny already dad
because snakes don’t walk...he chuckled)...and after one of them
tripped and fell asked the
other...”Are we poisonous?” to which the other replied
“yes...why?” “well the first snake said...I just bit my
lip.”</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Advocate and Fair</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Dad loved to shop at
Big Lots. Back when there used to be a Big Lots in Wauseon...dad went
there to make a return for
something he purchased one day. Everything went per usual until the
next morning he called the bank
to check on recent debits and credits (this of course was back when
to get information on your
banking you had to call the bank and listen to an automated recording
for each of your
transactions)....here’s what he heard.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">++++Played the actual audio
recording+++++</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Big Lots of wauseon
had mistakenly credited him two hundred thirty-five thousand...four
hundred and forty eight dollars
into his account. He recorded this audio to prove to people that this
actually happened...and then
took great joy in playing it for anyone and everyone that would
listen. Maybe it could be said that
dad had something to do with Big Lots of wauseon closing...but
regardless...he contacted them right
away to ensure they got it all straightened out and they got their
money back. He was always honest if
things like this happened...which for some reason goofy things like
this happened to dad. And he was
always an advocate for Big Lots!!!</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Computer Programmer</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Dad wasn’t only an
advocate for Big Lots but also for the usefulness of computers. He
absolutely loved finding ways
to utilize a computer to make his or anyone else's life a little bit
easier. I’m pretty sure sometimes this
made mom crazy...like how he figured out how to program the computer
to control all the lights in
the house. Turning on and off at certain times on their own. ...But
he saw this as essential for making
life easier...even though much of the time it made life a little more
complicated for mom.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Another time when I
was living in Tennessee and working for a whitewater rafting company
I had been given the role of
marketing director. Every day the Gatlinburg chamber of commerce
would send us pages of addresses
for those who had requested information regarding whitewater rafting.
Up until this point those pages
were simply converted to printed labels and brochures were mailed to
them. I got to thinking ...why
couldn’t we capture these names and addresses into a file and
market to them more than once? Problem
was...the format wasn’t usable. So... I called dad. I explained the
situation to dad and before I knew it he
was sending me a little program to use that he wrote...that would put
these addresses into
usable fields to capture for future use. This was dad’s
vision...and genius when it came to utilizing
computer power.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Persistent</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Rarely when dad was
working on something, RARELY, did the repair or fix go smoothly or as
planned. Yet dad was
brilliant at navigating these challenges persistently with creative
solutions. It had to be done. It had to be
fixed. It had to work. It had to be figured out. Dad’s relentless
persistence to complete a task...to
reach the end was often inexhaustible. He had a confidence in his
problem solving abilities that
fueled his persistence to find a workable solution. Yet he also had a
humor about him during these times
as well because often he’d set himself up with his pile of tools or
pile of screws or pile of whatever to
fall and crash making a momentous drama moment. I got to where I
could see these things coming and
after trying to prevent it time & time again...I would just watch
this unfold...and in doing so learned
that (I think) this was another way for him to express his
melodrama...all the while...laughing
about it after the fact.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Obsessed</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Many of you are
aware...dad liked to talk on the phone. An unwritten Dickson rule
was...that if the phone rang...it MUST
be answered by the 3 rd ring...because ALL phone calls were that
important. He also absolutely
loved calling friends and family to talk on the phone. I think this
was one of his obsessions...yet he
loved talking to people. He always had a story to share or some
wisdom to impart.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">No doubt there are
many many other stories that could be told about Larry Dickson...and
I hope some of you share some
more today with us.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">I also hope that
I’ve served dad’s memory well here today. He taught me so very
much. Some good...some
not-so-good...but I can only hope to have a small piece of the vast
mine of information dad maintained. But he
is much better off now...in a place of peace. I can rest assured that
he has finally found his peace. It
takes all of it...the good and the not-so-good to live a life. Rest
assured dad...that I know...it is well.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Dad was laid to rest not far from the farm property that he and Mom raised both my sister and I.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; }</style></p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-61449741071947427062020-10-02T13:13:00.000-07:002020-10-02T13:13:01.597-07:00RAFTING the East Race Waterway!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRibeM2KFQ1ZIKJU3F8qU0e4t8YeUdDAw5Y72h5UkmNiAKXVveEby3rV4SqYjQpu_I_cvP8bcwdgHID0G3-xJCKRLuFNJClRqESVODRepBsMgCymPf-wa-28XW9STQiO-KOxrdnToSYR8C/s1920/DSC01376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRibeM2KFQ1ZIKJU3F8qU0e4t8YeUdDAw5Y72h5UkmNiAKXVveEby3rV4SqYjQpu_I_cvP8bcwdgHID0G3-xJCKRLuFNJClRqESVODRepBsMgCymPf-wa-28XW9STQiO-KOxrdnToSYR8C/w640-h360/DSC01376.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was right before we geared up and ran the course.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Most people from around here (Northwest Ohio) have never heard of the <a href="https://eastracewaterway.gr8.com/" target="_blank">East Race Waterway</a>. I'd bet that most people in Northern Indian have no idea what it is either.<br />If live in northern Ohio and you've ever wanted to go whitewater rafting without having to drive to Pennsylvania or Michigan or Kentucky or Tennessee or West Virginia then head to downtown South Bend Indiana's East Race Waterway! The ERW is a man-made whitewater course that is open to the public on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.<br /><br />No experience required...although this is a self-guided course so you're rafting at your own risk...but...you're only looking at class II rapids...so no big.<br /><br />A MUST MUST add to your summer adventuring list of things to do!! $6 bucks per person to go down this course, which also includes use of the South Bend Parks and Rec equipment (raft, paddle, life-jacket, helmet). It takes maybe about 10 minutes to run the whole course...an no worries...every so many feet there's a trained professional with a throw-rope waiting on the sideline to help you if you get into trouble. Except in my case...which I'll tell you about more here in a second.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCadeB55fPjrEFnB9FWfmcF8yIpO9jfHcJuUhQRXuKejFhyavEg8gkUEwpqo5UmTRFQ0twJHUuhRt7cNiUa2ohG7eVNjQcSMIz-UEYA_tNev2LTYE6B9c1EZKqI5US9FtFTjERl6J90SZ/s1920/DSC01377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCadeB55fPjrEFnB9FWfmcF8yIpO9jfHcJuUhQRXuKejFhyavEg8gkUEwpqo5UmTRFQ0twJHUuhRt7cNiUa2ohG7eVNjQcSMIz-UEYA_tNev2LTYE6B9c1EZKqI5US9FtFTjERl6J90SZ/w640-h360/DSC01377.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCadeB55fPjrEFnB9FWfmcF8yIpO9jfHcJuUhQRXuKejFhyavEg8gkUEwpqo5UmTRFQ0twJHUuhRt7cNiUa2ohG7eVNjQcSMIz-UEYA_tNev2LTYE6B9c1EZKqI5US9FtFTjERl6J90SZ/s1920/DSC01377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was after we ran the course...notice how much less dry we are...and maybe slightly more haggard looking.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Funny thing here is...this year...I was determined to experience the ERW again!! It hadn't rained for weeks....but the ONE DAY we are able to go (which happened to be a Sunday) it stormed buckets...and eventually the course was closed down due to lightning in the area. Ironic. But hey...at least they were still open and running during this blasted Covid year from hell.<br /></p><p>Chris, Isabella, Isaac and I got to run the course one time in a raft...and then I ran the course a second time in a ducky before they closed the course for the weather safety factor. Everyone had a blast...and some fun stories came out of the experience (like Isaac accidentally whacking Chris in the helmet in between paddle strokes throughout the run...which is really the main reason you're required to where a helmet...to protect yourselves from yourselves...hah!)</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdva679lx76scX-cvTX-Hy5PzwsHFANoZCUUGQDVyXo1kWBTW5yrVKwCNmm9l6Ery_f0GdJtNmr-sVtE1_6RsrCpmz6IWeMv5aB6VWfBmpgdcdVCMCVMCsFl-flK_xUwz__r6woUYhNhs/s1920/DSC01379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdva679lx76scX-cvTX-Hy5PzwsHFANoZCUUGQDVyXo1kWBTW5yrVKwCNmm9l6Ery_f0GdJtNmr-sVtE1_6RsrCpmz6IWeMv5aB6VWfBmpgdcdVCMCVMCsFl-flK_xUwz__r6woUYhNhs/w640-h360/DSC01379.JPG" width="640" /> </a></p><p>I had run this course years and YEARS before and it was very interesting to see what had changed and what hadn't over those years. The course looked exactly the same...but one of the big changes...and at least in my mind...was if you went down this course by yourself in their 2-person ducky they no longer offered kayak paddles (the double ended sort of paddle versus the single canoe paddle type you see me holding in the photo above). Why does this matter you may ask?? Well...I'll tell you. It takes some serious finesse to effectively maneuver your own boat having to either adjust your stroke type (power, direction, angle) or switch from side to side...in order to control the direction and speed of your boat. Why might speed matter you make ask? Well...I'll tell you. Whitewater comes in all shapes and sizes....and there's one particular type that can be a bear....and that one is a recirculating wave...that is one that pours over and over itself like a washing machine turned on its side. On the edge of the particular recirculating wave that I discovered on THIS day...has a reverse sucking sort of power to it...so much so that if you didn't have enough momentum to get through it...you guessed it...it sucks you right back into it. Which happens to be exactly what happened to me. I saw this rapid coming....tried to gain as much speed as I could (which I could tell was no where near enough) I paddled with all the gusto I could create with my one-sided-paddle and just as I crested the edge of the wave...I could feel my boat just simply stop....hold for one second and then reverse suck right back in. The only thing I could think to do...was paddle harder (which in retrospect was futile...nature is gonna win these sorts of tug-o-wars 100% of the time...but what I SHOULD have tried was to simply get as low in the boat as possible and try to ride it like a surf board...I'll try that next year when we return for more adventure)...My futile act of trying to brute-strength-out-of-this predicament...failed. surprise. My boat flipped, my feet went straight into the air, my head went under water, I get tossed around under water by the force of this wave and then I shoot out and get caught up in the current flowing downstream. </p><p>Here was my first reaction...Look for a rope to be thrown at you. But when I got my bearings and looked around...there WERE NO helpful whitewater crises professional workers anywhere in site?? I floated through the next rapid and started looking around for where my boat was...my paddle was still tightly gripped in my right hand. A few seconds passed then I realized...well...guess I'm going to have to save myself. (there's some sort of life-message wrapped up in that) So I did what NO experienced whitewater rafter should ever do...I tried to drag my feet on the bottom of this channel to slow myself down...for the mere reason that my boat was floating down stream behind me. (This was when I learned that being man-made...there were NO under-water hazards to cause foot-entrapment, just slimy concrete on which I was sliding because of the force of the current. Note here also that the water level was shallow enough that I could stand up and my head would be out of water no problem. This was when my boat caught up to me and after 2 tries I jumped in...and continued on down that course like a champ-who-could-save-herself would!!</p><p>I was a bit shaken by my little swim the ERW experience...but always always one learns a lot about oneself after crossing through life's little challenging pathways like these. I suppose this is EXACTLY why I seek out such experiences...because in the end...I come out a better person for it. Not to mention have really fun stories to tell!!</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">GO BE DO!!! Adventure! </span><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>If you're looking for something super fun and definitely out-of-the-ordinary to do with your friends or family...head to downtown South Bend, Indiana for this fantastical fun adventure!!</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">for more info see <a href="https://eastracewaterway.gr8.com/" target="_blank">https://eastracewaterway.gr8.com/ </a></span><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-59757266357053142672020-01-23T10:04:00.001-08:002020-01-23T10:04:33.780-08:00Winter hiking...because sometimes you just gotta bundle up and get outside!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EE2Xazh9eLR6HOVuFdOIV_QSZ7_yCh_uJXrYBM8GsK7O5hbMueIUuSyLT6H-1ZCy9FN85NSbVnG7c19WhIQSL34HPF_LOjju0kPfvYBQD81dFBjZBXFdIjjZ_0CPWpB_hTrH-rhVlutJ/s1600/DSC00689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EE2Xazh9eLR6HOVuFdOIV_QSZ7_yCh_uJXrYBM8GsK7O5hbMueIUuSyLT6H-1ZCy9FN85NSbVnG7c19WhIQSL34HPF_LOjju0kPfvYBQD81dFBjZBXFdIjjZ_0CPWpB_hTrH-rhVlutJ/s640/DSC00689.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
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I've been perusing through some photos today and came across this one from last year (at least I think this was like last January or something).</div>
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Chris and I went for a mini-retreat to Hocking Hills, Ohio, rented a cabin and hiked our buns off. (we took both dogs with us too, but Reese general is the better hiker of the two. Willy was enjoying some R&R back at the cabin). This photo was taken at the Upper Falls in the Old Man's Cave area of Hocking Hills along a rim trail that runs along Old Man's Creek. There was a ton of ice along many of the overlook trails so we opted to stick to dirt covered forest trails this day. (We now have spikes for our hiking boots so this won't stop us next time).</div>
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If you'll look in the upper right hand corner of this photo you can see our little toy Fox Terrier, Reese, standing and well who knows what she's doing really other than standing, hah! You can also see Chris' legs in the faint distance in the same upper right hand corner. I guess they were both patiently waiting while I was screwing around snapping this photo. I have no idea who the folks are at the waters edge of this photo down below. Guess we weren't the only ones this day that needed to get outside. </div>
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If you've never visited Hocking Hills, Ohio it's a hikers paradise! But we did discovered that the crowds are nada in the winter months and the cabin rates are MUCHO cheaper.</div>
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Peace out.</div>
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-41393499799527968942020-01-23T09:51:00.000-08:002020-01-23T09:51:03.651-08:00yearning for warmer, sunny days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAmuI9UxA2IEz-ovfYLvm2DGKtLNKkqQp26-uvSln0kRIfymjoWerIfQzA6HwOBedwYNrFxtgA4BM3A3_sx9d3fqFdarS6X7ZpuhmbWHiQ7tm-RKpdrCUmUzmbOmarYAtxb8KHGrWso6P/s1600/DSC01227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAmuI9UxA2IEz-ovfYLvm2DGKtLNKkqQp26-uvSln0kRIfymjoWerIfQzA6HwOBedwYNrFxtgA4BM3A3_sx9d3fqFdarS6X7ZpuhmbWHiQ7tm-RKpdrCUmUzmbOmarYAtxb8KHGrWso6P/s640/DSC01227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh for the warmer temps to arrive sooner than later! Sitting here sipping hot coffee this afternoon looking through some pictures and came across this one of me kayaking on a local reservoir this past fall.<br />
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There's a little bit of snow left on the ground from last week's winter storms...although it's beginning to melt of as daily temps are eeking up just above freezing during the day.<br />
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Hopefully in just a few short weeks I can be throwing my kayak in some local water and be back at it again. Until then...just gonna bundle up and head to the woods for a hike I guess.<br />
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Peace out.<br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-74457860311869035012019-11-10T12:59:00.001-08:002019-11-10T13:01:32.904-08:00Spooktacular Delta, Ohio Halloween Homes awarded!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XqUYiPZdXL4oz8lmBQLGKdbYCttZruesxFjDpvakpRnrGEw6QVKMCqNRCTf3h5sobag2S7xXOzSQTC1AEl-0e3BviecfPgkQZSOfmKTZe6Q1yFHdRwVMGBWlR0dmY8xoe1ir19YiUOQ4/s1600/DSC01256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XqUYiPZdXL4oz8lmBQLGKdbYCttZruesxFjDpvakpRnrGEw6QVKMCqNRCTf3h5sobag2S7xXOzSQTC1AEl-0e3BviecfPgkQZSOfmKTZe6Q1yFHdRwVMGBWlR0dmY8xoe1ir19YiUOQ4/s640/DSC01256.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
I came up with this crazy idea last year...and finally got around to acting upon it this Halloween. Thanks to www.trophydepot.com and a little bit of effort a crazy idea turned into a whole lot of fun!<br />
Here's a copy of what I sent to the local newspaper outlets (even though neither of them opted to publish...which was kind of a bummer...but we still had tons of fun doing this anyway).<br />
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<span class="Lead-inEmphasis"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Delta, Ohio, October 29, 2019:</span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If you enjoy Halloween then you probably enjoy driving around looking at
your community homes to view the extravagantly lavish displays of ghoulishness
and witchery.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Two Fulton County
citizens have been doing just that for the past few years, driving around the Village of Delta admiring Halloween home décor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They decided that the most FAB-BOO-LOUS
displays summoned an award! </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This year, Rachel
Dickson and Christina Summers of Delta had trophies made to bequeath upon the
appropriate winners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We thought it
would be grand fun to walk up to some strangers door in our community in honor
of their creativeness and effort and hand them a trophy for having such lavish
Halloween décor displayed,” Rachel said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Our communities deserve simple acts of good will. Just because.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The categories selected were, “Most Creative”,
“Most Elaborate” and “Most Creeptastic.” Thursday evening Dickson and Summers
drove the streets of Delta deciding which homes would be pronounced winners of
the 2019 Halloween Homes Décor contest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The 2019 winners
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Most Creative:</span></b>
202 Adrian,
Delta. Thom Gorman and Bonnie Weimer-Gorman</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Most Elaborate</span></b>:
406 Palmwood, Delta. Paul and Ashley Todd</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVopR3AXpZmdQK7XTJd6rVMF1_U9qvmSVY8lZHskVIeGRnDgi-QYSyTn1nnIl7pF9By6xc_3HWH5hutmZqgU_DN2ZHaGuC1DdZUJcqi8SedYoUG0uKsJGfDguSORatDv6xWgfecjvTYAml/s1600/DSC01271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVopR3AXpZmdQK7XTJd6rVMF1_U9qvmSVY8lZHskVIeGRnDgi-QYSyTn1nnIl7pF9By6xc_3HWH5hutmZqgU_DN2ZHaGuC1DdZUJcqi8SedYoUG0uKsJGfDguSORatDv6xWgfecjvTYAml/s640/DSC01271.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Most Creeptastic</b></span>:
308 N. Madison,
Delta. Allen and Sheila Naiber</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“We were glad
folks were home when we knocked on the door. It was absolutely fantastic to see
the elated reactions of everyone we presented trophies to,” Christina Summers
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Congratulations to this year’s
winners and we’re excited to see what next year will bring.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> And if you're wondering...yes, the choices for some of the categories were a bit difficult to choose. There are some SERIOUS Halloween decorators who live in Delta, Ohio. It was tons of fun to walk up to each winners front door and present their award. All were very thrilled and excited to be awarded our fun trophies!</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SEE, artistic, creative ability comes in all shapes and sizes. I'll always tip my hat to anyone who chooses to express their creativity in whatever form its presented. Here here!! </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Who knows what next year will bring!! Halloween Home decorators beware! You might just be the 2020 award recipients. </span></div>
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Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-18498256679708297742019-09-26T10:35:00.003-07:002019-09-26T10:35:32.083-07:00Where is your art for *&^$!@ sake you may ask?I picked up the pen again...and have started dabbling in some small projects. I'm not sure why but I enjoy drawing on business sized envelopes. Makes new art very portable. All I have to do to move it around the world is address said envelope to someone and poof...art on the move!<br />
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Here's some samples of things I've drawn recently and not so recently.<br />
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Enjoy.<br />
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Next up....abstract paintings!!!!! Get ready....I have 2 in the works as we speak.</div>
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-45156061032141065922019-09-26T10:18:00.000-07:002019-09-26T10:18:05.653-07:00Chicken wars...and the end of it.I've had enough. Since my last post all of our guinea hens are <span style="font-size: large;"><b>gone.</b></span> Poof. Sucked up by the wildlife vortex. The culprit? Fox and great-horned owl.<br />
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While I can't do anything about the great-horned owl (besides making sure every living thing is indoors before nightfall for some reason the guineas started perching in the trees at night...and well...I couldn't really get them down from there or stop them from doing this...but a great-horned owl sure can.) However, I CAN do something about the fox.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">ELECTRIC FENCE!</span></b><br />
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I can't say I had much of a choice at this point. After losing countless chickens and now guinea fowl to the local wildlife...and also learning that two neighboring farms have also lost every last one of their chickens to what was likely the fox...enough is enough.<br />
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After trying everything else I could think of (trapping, hunting, baiting, watching out...etc etc..I bit the bullet, figured out what supplies I needed and then spent a day installing a simple single-wire electric fence. Ironically, I haven't lost a feathered-friend since that day!! So far...100% successful.<br />
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I had previously bucked the idea of an electric fence because I couldn't seem to figure out how to incorporate a three-wire, 4 foot high fence into the fencing that already exists and still be able to access gates and so forth. Not to mention the expense of all of THAT.<br />
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One day in my conundrum, I came across<a href="http://www.plamondon.com/wp/faq-simple-electric-fences-chickens/" target="_blank"> Robert Plamondon's blog</a> talking about this very subject. Very informative information regarding his successes using a simple single or double-wire electric fencing. I HIGHLY recommend you read his blog post about the "chicken saver" electric fence.<br />
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Made perfect sense to me what Robert was saying about a single-wire fence at just 10 inches off the ground. (Nose level for most chicken predators.) Why hadn't I thought of that??!! <br />
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<a href="http://www.plamondon.com/wp/faq-simple-electric-fences-chickens/" target="_blank">Click here to read Robert Plamondon's blog post.</a><br />
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I went with a step-down version of the Parmak Super Energizer. The one I chose is good for 30 miles of fence instead of 50 miles. Still WAY more than I need...but I like Robert's input regarding bigger is better. I have no problem zapping the CRAP out of any predator that comes sniffing around.<br />
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I found the whole process much less difficult than I expected...although one snafu that I dealt with was the electrical receptacle in the barn that I'd be working with. Turns out most electric fence energizers don't work with the type of receptacle that has the test and reset button on it. Otherwise known as GFCI plugs. The GFCI type plugs are supposed to be installed anywhere there is moisture present or humidity...hence why these receptacles are commonly found in barns, bathrooms and kitchens.<br />
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I didn't really like the idea of coming home from work one day and finding the barn burnt to the ground because of my war with the chicken predators...so I called the electrician. He swapped out the plug for me and assured me that all would be well with what I was trying to do with an electric fence. (Sure enough...has worked flawlessly since!)<br />
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The steps to install my single-line electric fence turned out to be fairly straight forward and simple.<br />
First, I picked out where I was going to put the wire for the fence, figured out where I was going to hang the energizer inside the barn and how I would run the wires to the outside of the barn to the fencing and grounding rods.<br />
I then walked all around the outside of my existing fence and pulled up all the weeds so there would be no issue with grounding because of weeds and tall grass touching the wire.<br />
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Next, I placed my plastic fence posts that would hold the wire. And then I ran the aluminum wire attaching it to each post as I went.<br />
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Next I pounded the three 6 foot grounding rods into the ground and then finally I hung the energizer and ran the wiring through the outer barn wall and clamped it to the rods and the aluminum wire of course to the other connector on the energizer.<br />
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Our barn is incredibly dusty...so I also stapled a piece of a feedbag to hang over the energizer as a shield of sorts. (seems to be working very well to keep dust off). <br />
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With the fence complete and everything attached per the instructions from Parmak and tips from Robert's blog...I held my breath as I plugged the energizer in. VIOLA! Just as I suspected...it immediately started clicking (the normal click, click, click you hear from any electric fence) and the digital meter on the front read 13.4. That should zap em!! ( I also took a voltage tester just to be sure the fence was working and tested the voltage flowing through the wire.....yep it was zappin!)<br />
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And so far...I haven't lost a chicken yet. Maybe...just maybe...this will do the trick and I can keep the flock size to about 36 birds or so.<br />
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Time will tell....<br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-50426375273333386942019-09-26T09:26:00.000-07:002019-09-26T10:27:51.710-07:00oh RATS!<br />
I have a hunting camera in the barn to keep watch over the goings on in there after dark. And I kept getting these photos of this long-tailed blur. RAT!<br />
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These little buggars are much smarter than I expected. After multiple attempts using various bait (peanut butter of course was one I used that failed)...turns out left-over chicken wing bones from any restaurant that serves wings does the trick. (Mice and rats both gnaw on bones and I suppose they can't resist the smell from the sauce of the remaining bits of chicken on the bone).<br />
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I couldn't believe the speed and acrobatics this rat could do inside my trap! Amazing climbing, zipping around and maneuvering skill. I can't imagine having one of these get in your house. Ewww.<br />
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I actually caught two rats over a period of about 2 weeks (elusive, smart buggars). And haven't had any more photos so I'm thinking done for now with rats. Never a dull moment.<br />
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Always something going on in that barn. The gift that keeps on giving.Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-34911436191807736612019-08-04T12:08:00.001-07:002019-08-04T12:08:37.805-07:00KFC drive thruNo. Not the human version of KFC, but the apparent wildlife view of our chickens. After all...why not visit the local KFC?<br />
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I used to like our chickens to roam freely in the backyard. Well, for multiple summers in a row now, that's not turned out all that great for the chickens.<br />
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Last year we had a fox visit regularly for about 2 weeks. (lost about 10 birds to that buggar). And again this summer...for about 2 weeks...and again...lost about 10 birds to that buggar. (I'm thinking was the same fox...but I suppose could have been a different one.) Doesn't matter really.<br />
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So I've learned a few things about chicken predators over the years. <br />
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<b>Fox:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Hunt during the day, usually early morning.</li>
<li>They kill multiple birds at one time, then gather them all up and take the entire chicken away leaving only a puff of feathers as evidence that you lost a bird. They'll come back later if they can't carry them all at once.</li>
<li>Impossible to catch in the act. They seem to know when you're home and outside and then patiently wait until nobody is around to attack.</li>
<li>The photo below surprised me. Fox at night...I'd found our rooster dead one day after a fox attack where I found no less than 3 piles of feathers. Tied his body to this tree and set up my camera. Look who came lurking after dark. Apparently fox hunt at night also. </li>
</ul>
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<b>Raccoon:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li> These little rascals are nocturnal. Night time hunter/seeker/troublemakers. Is rare if you see them in daylight and if you do it's probably because they are ill/sick.</li>
<li>If they can get into your chicken barn they will eat eggs and also kill your chickens right off their roosts.</li>
<li>They leave the chicken bodies behind. (Often times incriminating another animal as the culprit..such as a possum)</li>
</ul>
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<b>Possum:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>These guys are scavengers mostly....but I've come to believe they're not chicken killers but rather eat on what the raccoons leave behind (hence the incrimination). </li>
<li>They'll eat eggs and already dead chickens, but I don't believe they kill chickens.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Hawks:</b> <br />
<ul>
<li>Daunting when you have these aerial predators around because apart from netting or overhead protection of some sort...you will lose chickens to these ruthless predators.</li>
<li>You can't really do anything about these feathered fellas and gals because it's illegal to kill them. If they do kill one of your birds...might as well leave the body so they get their fill. They will come back hour after hour, day after day to eat on that dead bird until they get their fill.</li>
<li>Not only do hawks kill living chickens or living things in general, but they will also eat on road kill or something freshly killed on the road.</li>
</ul>
There was a time when my chickens would free-range in the backyard. And then the red-tail hawks showed up. After successfully killing 5-8 my chickens figured out that upon the roosters warning call if they'd high-tailed it the the pine trees (branches were down to the ground) they would be safe until the threat had lost interest). That is...until the fox showed up. Running to the pines now became a very bad defense...easy pickings for the fox.<br />
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The solution?<br />
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Close up the barn at night...just before dark. (Auto doors work great! Battery powered, open and close automatically at sunrise and sunset).<br />
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Netting over the chicken yard if at all possible.<br />
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Shore up the chicken yard fences. Wire fencing down into the ground at the bottom of your fences will help deter digger/tunnelers too.<br />
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Purchase replacement chickens. Now this of course is futile if you don't first make attempt to deter predators. Here's my latest batch of replacements.<br />
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Stay tuned. There's never a dull moment around here. Always some predator lurking about.<br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-34148348042035365412019-08-04T11:01:00.000-07:002019-08-04T11:01:45.041-07:00Why vehicles on railroad tracks don't mix well...In June this was the result of a vehicle being abandoned on the Norfolk Southern Chicago double mainline in Swanton, Ohio.<br />
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An intermodal westbound train derailed around 10:20pm on Thursday night, June 6th after striking an abandoned vehicle on the tracks. Miraculously no one was killed or even injured in this accident but nearby buildings and parked vehicles were damaged from flying debris and rocks for the railroad track.<br />
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It took Norfolk Southern crews until Saturday morning to restore railroad traffic. Meanwhile Amtrak trains were also affected and unable to run through this area.<br />
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According to a <a href="https://www.wtol.com/article/news/crime/woman-accused-of-abandoning-car-on-railroad-tracks-in-swanton-indicted/512-52da3506-2a28-4824-b5b0-b7b5f4e28502" target="_blank">WTOL ABC news article</a>, Logan Guess has been indicted by a Fulton County Ohio grand jury on two counts. She will answer trial for one count of operating a vehicle while
intoxicated, a misdemeanor, and another count of interference with the
operation of a train, a felony. <br />
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To view more images of the wreckage and read more detail visit the following links.<br />
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<a href="https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Woman-indicted-in-Swanton-train-derailment-512804361.html">https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Woman-indicted-in-Swanton-train-derailment-512804361.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.wtol.com/article/news/crime/woman-accused-of-abandoning-car-on-railroad-tracks-in-swanton-indicted/512-52da3506-2a28-4824-b5b0-b7b5f4e28502">https://www.wtol.com/article/news/crime/woman-accused-of-abandoning-car-on-railroad-tracks-in-swanton-indicted/512-52da3506-2a28-4824-b5b0-b7b5f4e28502</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/authorities-identify-driver-who-caused-train-derailment-in-swanton/512-84e49fbf-5d19-4076-8098-372fce288c36">https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/authorities-identify-driver-who-caused-train-derailment-in-swanton/512-84e49fbf-5d19-4076-8098-372fce288c36</a><br />
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Norfolk Southern railroad traffic has since been fully restored and all rail traffic is back to track speed.<br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-17220613047186964592019-08-04T10:43:00.002-07:002019-08-04T10:43:38.857-07:00beekeeping continues!I was so thrilled to open my hive up this Spring and learn that the girls survived the winter!! Originally when I jumped into beekeeping my idea was to start with one and then end on two hives. I wasn't in any real hurry to get a second hive...but it just sorta unfolded in my lap this year.<br />
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Here's an image of the newly installed nuc (via Ramge farms...my local beekeeper extraordinare, thank you KENT!) into my second hive.<br />
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I continue to learn...somewhat by accident and somewhat by necessity when it comes to beekeeping and all involved. <br />
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My original hive swarmed this year. (can't say that I expected to experience that in just year 2...but there goes the learning again). Fortunately, the remaining bees made a new queen and they're back to doing what bees do best...grow, gather, store, defend, repeat.<br />
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I did attempt to recapture my swarm...but they weren't having it and left to who knows where...maybe some other beekeeper was able to capture them and re-home them. I'll never know. But I know more than before about swarms and what to expect and what to do next, etc. I also know that I've been delusional to think that my beekeeping adventure will end on just 2 hives. I'll bet that in time I may have as many as 4 or 5...but I'm in no hurry to arrive at that. Nope...too much learning still to do before that happens.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Bees will do what bees will do. Beekeepers are just along for the ride." Rachel Dickson</span><br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-17840812044231679092019-04-19T10:29:00.000-07:002019-08-04T10:29:35.410-07:00Birthday traditon...not to be broken.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BqT9DM7vaJjmbt0yS5MmuxHXKYo-IWXKqLOQwjWkvMiKkmM7VixGUsZV26-Rq3-mCzM3Z8Rd1oLKuz_ngKPLdrZQ61CkQFYHKnNK0-YEd0piVjGeAvVscv1N7nsIdZKenRNWEys29O6N/s1600/a_bday_fire_2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BqT9DM7vaJjmbt0yS5MmuxHXKYo-IWXKqLOQwjWkvMiKkmM7VixGUsZV26-Rq3-mCzM3Z8Rd1oLKuz_ngKPLdrZQ61CkQFYHKnNK0-YEd0piVjGeAvVscv1N7nsIdZKenRNWEys29O6N/s400/a_bday_fire_2019.jpg" width="225" /></a>I started this tradition just a few years ago...and I liked doing this so much...that I insist on continuing this every year now.<br />
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Celebration of my birthday with a morning campfire!! yes please!<br />
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And of course to prove that this tradition is still alive and well, here's this years photo. <br />
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MY April 2019 BIRTHDAY Campfire! just turned 25. :-)<br />
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Happy birthday to me!!<br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-33398891738915625452019-04-09T12:18:00.004-07:002019-04-09T12:18:55.796-07:00RHUBARB!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A large part of hobby farming is the innate need to celebrate successes!! (because it seems there are an equal amount of failures)<br />
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So here's today's success!! My rhubarb came back up this year!! Hip HIP HURRAY!<br />
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If you didn't already know...I LOVE rhubarb pie (which is MY whole point of growing rhubarb) and this is last years plants...having survived the winter...and here we are on year two of these plants.<br />
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Supposedly I will be able to harvest from these next year. Maybe...just maybe with some "luck" or "accidental success" (as I've learned to call it) I could harvest this year....but will have to wait and see.<br />
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Meanwhile...worth celebrating...my rhubarb came back!<br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-61081681891701340562019-04-09T12:11:00.000-07:002019-04-09T12:27:09.134-07:00Chickens are the damndest things!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So here's the thing about chickens...or shall I say...ONE of the MANY things about chickens. They are some of THE most curious beasts known to man!!<br />
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I have to laugh...because ANY time I get involved in some sort of project in the chicken yard...here they all come to see what's new. Gotta be all up in my business. It makes me laugh every time and yesterday was no exception!<br />
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I've talked here in my blog about the previous mouse problem I had in the chicken barns....just so happens one of the results from this was a settling of the little chicken coop. The ground underneath had been tunneled in such a way that the whole coop was leaning to one side.<br />
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I hatched a plan to dig up underneath one side and use a jack to lift it back up and then put concrete supports under it to keep this from happening again in the future. Which after a little bit of a struggle and the usual tool failure and creative problem solving as these sort of projects go...you can see from the above photo that ALL the "kings horses and ALL the kings men" had to come see what was going on. (ie...all the chickens had to investigate as to if this was something they could benefit from)<br />
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It made me laugh when I realized that they were getting in the way of my project. The rooster is standing in front of the hole with my jack down in it, so you can't really see that well in this photo...but you get the idea of how invasive they can be.<br />
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I just had to stop and take a picture of this. Yes...a picture is worth a thousand words!<br />
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Just another reason why it's fun to have chickens around. Never know what they're gonna get into.<br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454193993993791123.post-7054204500693090042019-04-09T11:58:00.001-07:002019-04-09T11:58:38.951-07:00One man's junk is another's killer workout!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tractor tire flipping 101!<br />
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I was first introduced to the idea while watching a crossfit competition on t.v. one day. Flipping a tractor tire must be hard because those uber-fit-folks looked worn out after flipping those things across a field in a relay.<br />
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I've been looking into adding some umph to my workout and I came across the idea of "junk yard gym" workouts on my very favorite site Pinterest!<br />
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So hmmmm, where might I find a tractor tire? After all...I live smack in the middle of farm country. There's bound to be an old, dead, unwanted tractor tire laying around somewhere?<br />
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And then I remembered...I've seen piles of these things along the railroad track just outside of Delta, OH. Off I went....to ask if I could purchase one said tractor tire.<br />
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BEHOLD!!! Turns out....these piles of tires were behind a truck tire place along Airport Hwy...and they were MORE than happy to donate to my workout cause. (I guess the proper term amongst tire folks for these old, dead tires are "flippers" or "flip tires" because that's all there good for I suppose).<br />
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Cheapest workout equipment ever! FREE. <br />
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Turns out there a many MANY different sizes AND weights of these ole things. The first one I walked up to and tried to lift...I couldn't even budge it. The next one about half the size...was the one that road home with me. (The two tires at the bottom of the photo above are what came home with me.)<br />
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Wheweeeee! I'm in for some strengthening for sure!!<br />
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Here we come...fun...hard...strenuous...not for wusses workout!<br />
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<br />Rachel Dicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286008399426841185noreply@blogger.com0