Blog - Page 48 of 90 - Karen Shanley

Outstanding in the Corn Fields — Odyssey of the Mind World Finals 2012 Ames, Iowa

May 27, 2012 / Cait and Me / By Karen Shanley / Leave a Comment

Cait and I’ve spent the last several days in Ames, Iowa at Iowa State University. She and her Odyssey of the Mind team won 1st at Regionals and 2nd at States, which qualified them to compete at Worlds. Which is sort of like the Olympics for creative mind types.Â Here’s as good as any explanation I can find on what Odyssey is, if you’re not familiar with it:

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative

Reteaching “Come” Results 1 Week Later

May 13, 2012 / Dog Training, Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / 2 Comments

What a difference a week makes in Wink’s remedial training. Not even Finn can deter him. See for yourself.

Wink is at the farthest end of the outside field. Keep your eye on the top middle of the video to find him.

Almost Time for Planting….

May 6, 2012 / My Garden / Recipes / By Karen Shanley / 4 Comments

In the Northeast, we use Mother’s Day as the official opening for our gardening season. For those of us who want to get a jump on growing, starting seedlings a month or two in advance is a way of life.

Before I can plant these outdoors, I’ll start hardening them off by putting them outside in a sheltered sunny spot for a few hours a day. That will help lessen the transplant shock.

Then I’ll direct seed the rest of … Read More

Time for Remedial Training — How to Reteach “Come”

April 30, 2012 / Dog Training, Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / 1 Comment

Have you ever seen such a forlorn face? Wink wants to go run in the fenced field but he has lost privileges.

You see, he’s recently gone deaf. No, not completely. Only upon hearing the word “Come.” Then he’s stone deaf!

That’s because he’s found something he considers way more interesting than me. Namely, a place where the wild ducks are able to squeeze under the fence.

As soon as that gate is opened, he flies to that spot and … Read More

Do You Have a Sentry Dog?

April 15, 2012 / Dog Training, Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / 2 Comments

Graidy is my Border Collie mix. I brought him home from Rescue going on 9 years ago. If you were to watch him run and play, you’d swear he was still a puppy–he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Yep, we’re talking high energy, perpetual motion machine!

Given his breed and his native sensitivity–he’s more highly tuned than the most finely calibrated motion detector–he’s constantly on Red Alert! Nothing escapes his vigilant gaze. And I do mean NOTHING.

Whether it’s … Read More

A Fresh Perspective…

April 8, 2012 / Life, Nature / By Karen Shanley / 2 Comments

As the saying goes, A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.Â I figure, in these crazy times, we could all use a little perspective. Here’s a fresh perspective for you all the way out t0 10²⁷power. Click on the image, then click on the Start button, and then move the slider if you want to be amazed! Yeah, I know–you know I’m a sucker for these things! : )

How to Safely Compost Dog (and Cat) Poop

April 1, 2012 / Dogs in General / By Karen Shanley / Leave a Comment

Compost pet waste? I know, gross. Not to mention potentially dangerous! But hang in there with me for a moment…

I have three dogs and one cat. Luckily, for their health, they all poop at least once a day. That’s a LOT of poop over the course of a year. Multiply that times all the other pets in the country and that’s REALLY A LOT of pet poop (typically tied in non-biodegradable bags) going into landfills!

In my ongoing efforts … Read More

Spring is Springing

March 25, 2012 / Nature / By Karen Shanley / 2 Comments

Spring is springing around here, worrisomely, a bit too early… If you know of anyone who doesn’t believe in global warming, just send them along to my place. With temps in the 70’s and 80’s for the past two weeks in the middle of March, Mother Nature is clearly a little confused. None of this should be happening for at least another month!

Peonies breaking dormancy Crabapple tree budding

All my trees are starting to bud too early. Grass greening … Read More