Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry: Blue Ridge Parkway

Showing posts with label Blue Ridge Parkway. Show all posts

Monday, April 22, 2013

"Happy Monday"

Howdy Folks,

Last evening the Whippoorwills sang all around our house. Call after call floated through the blackness. Standing on the back porch it seemed we could almost feel the notes.

Our pink Dogwood is in full bloom and Ravishin' Robbie and I have seen hummers and butterflies checking out the pretty flowers. Beneath it, Robbie's Azalea bush is just beginning to open its red flowers.

Our Dogwood Tree

Yesterday while grooming Kessy and doing her pre-ride exercises we were "buzzed" several times by a male Hummingbird. We were not far from where the feeder hangs by the barn door, when it's up. We've not hung that one yet, just two on the porches. Do you suppose this little fellow was telling us to hang his feeder?

Mrs. Bluebird is sitting on 5 eggs, in her nest-box in the front yard. I had originally thought 4, but yesterday when Kessy and I were setting out for our afternoon ride I saw her fly out, so I rode over to the box and had a peek. Darling little nest ... The Phoebes have a complete nest in the barn; a Carolina Wren was checking the chicken house for a handy nook to build in, but no nest yet. During Coffee Clutch this morning a pair of Cardinals flitted about the treetops, clicking and chirping. They were sure silly making a big fuss as they went about searching for the perfect nesting site.

Plans are for Ravishin' Robbie and me to take our Spring Wildflower drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway on Wednesday. Can't wait for that. The mountain is simply a beautiful place to enjoy God's splendor. Last Spring we counted over twenty different varieties of wildflowers on our trip.

Sending wishes for everyone to have a Happy Monday and great week!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Monday, April 1, 2013

"Bird Watching at Peaks of Otter"

Howdy Folks,

On Saturday Connie and her puppy Judy, Ravishin' Robbie, and I went on a trip to Peaks of Otter winery. They were having a wine tasting event, and folks who know Connie Bloss know that's more than she can resist. I was invited along as the group's designated driver, being the only teetotaler in the bunch. Well myself and Connie's brand new little puppy, Judy.

Judy & Dutch relaxing as the wine tasting commenced.

The winery is a positively beautiful place nestled in the foothills of the Peaks of Otter Mountain just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. First we enjoyed a leisurely stroll down winding path through Peach and Apple trees and rows of grapevines to visit the goats, turkeys, pigs, lamas and chickens. Everything in the "farm" is arranged neat, clean, safe and easy for children and families to enjoy.

View of Peaks of Otter from yard in front of gift shop

Then back up the hill to the gift shop for the ladies to guzzle, I mean, taste wine. Judy and I had a seat in the lounge area to watch the festivities. When we found out they would be sampling over 20 wines, Judy and I decided we would retire to the outside and do some bird watching.

Ravishin' Robbie & Dutch strolling back to the gift shop.

The view from the lawn out front of the gift shop is simply perfect, down over an apple orchard and in the distance the Peak of Otter Mountain. Judy and settled in the sun warmed grass and took in the view. The bird watching was positively wonderful. From our perch on the bank we saw a Pilliated Woodpecker, Red Winged Blackbirds, Cardinals, Crows, lots of Robins and the treat of the day were the Bluebirds.

The entire time we watched over the orchard several pair of Bluebirds flitted from tree to ground gathering nest building material.

Judy and I managed to sneak in a nap in the sun, too.

Judy & Dutch snoozing in the sun.

The results of the wine tasting? They told me to tell you, they had kissed the Devil, whatever that means.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

It's For The Horses

This is not a book about riding, or training horses. It is a book on my thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how folks might find the joy in doing things for the horse, with the horses’ point of view as the leading guide. My hope is to help as many people as possible learn to hear the horse, feel their spirit, and in that way help horses everywhere. Over the years I’ve met and worked with remarkable people and horses who taught me about their feelings, their joys, their sadness, and their spirit. As a horse advocate everything I do is from the horse’s perspective, including this little book. Every story, idea, suggestion and thought on these pages will be to suggest and share thoughts and ideas on how to maximize a relationship between horse and human—from the horse’s point of view.

Tom Named by Horse

The only man ever to offer Tom respect is Red Cloud. The only woman to give him love is Red Cloud’s granddaughter. Struggling with his own personal demons, Tom finds himself wedged between honoring that friendship and staying true to the depths of his conscience. Amid a backdrop of tumultuous social upheaval, he finds nothing prepared him, the woman he loves or Chief Red Cloud, for the changes about to thunder into their lives, sweeping them helplessly into the tides of human conflict and historical drama. Available on Amazon.

From The Banks OF Little Bear Creek

The Tom Named by Horse Saga continues. Three years after the death of Tall Dog, Tom Named By Horse and Soft Cloud have turned the little soddy, the lands granted them by Red Cloud, and the lean-to barn into a thriving horse ranch, fulfilling Tom’s dream. The Plains Indians Wars, or Red Cloud’s war, is mostly behind them, and the lands have had their transformation as Red Cloud’s vision had warned years earlier. Trailing horses from the ranch to Denver city has become an annual event for Tom, Buck and the rest, and this is the story of that trail. In the spirit of a good old John Wayne movie, vengeance, cattle and horse thieves, a dirty sheriff and corrupt mayor, and a wedding make this year’s drive a ride you’ll want to tag along on.