I can’t post pictures or words, or even a new Blog entry.

Please follow us to this location…HERE.

I’ll explain when you get there…we’re on a new trail~!

But not to worry, it’s smooth and easy and beautiful.

You’ll like it!

See you there!

Meet our new pup ~ AKC Siberian “Penny”.

She’s just a little peanut of a gal.

Full of spunk and spirit.

Learning the ropes with assistance by AC Ellen.

Fluffy-coated brother “Knik” (aka ~ Nik) joins in.

Led by the pro duo of Star and Windows, “Shaw dogs”, on loan from the Fortier kennel.

They’re off~!

Pure power…

Pure pleasure…

Teamwork.

A new life.

One that will be filled with pride, wonder and new adventures.

Penny and Knik ~ welcome.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

See what the fuss is about…

Our Blog has found a new family ~ the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Just a stone’s throw down the road.

What a nice greeting…

Check it out HERE.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

This past weekend, warmer temperatures prevailed.

Those warm temps and sunshine had some critters jumping for joy.

Rachael led the charge. Telling the world she loved the snow and the sunshine.

Not everyone celebrated the same way. Some just soaked in the sun.

Some went for a short run on fast trails.

But some, like Rachael, couldn’t contain their happiness.

And kicked up their heels.

And while all this was going on, our thoughts turned to spring also.

We have a new adventure at Russ-Stick Acres.

One I hope you will enjoy.

Come June, we will be featuring a Farm Market for all the local growers, farmers and crafters.

We invite you to partake. Check HERE.

Of course more information will follow, as it gets off the ground.

Until then, enjoy the sunny winter days and bask in the beauty of nature.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman
To see other exciting news, check out our other Blogs:
Meet the Mushers
and
Our 40 ~ The Simple Life at Russ-Stick Acres.
A daily blog of adventure tidbits.

How many times in your life, can you be both the teacher…and the student?

For Miranda, the Mustang trainer, it happened this past weekend.

She went from graceful elegance and total control…to…

Dog power!

Because Miranda (Mandy) grew up with horses, and is an experienced horse trainer, she was an easy lesson.

And caught on fast.

Although her experience that day was truly “Baptism by Fire”, by no fault of her own (Union picked THAT day, on the trail, in lead ~ to decide she was truly retired…), we have no doubt she will be back for more this weekend.

I would bet money on it…

Anyone who runs barrels, laying a horse on its side, can handle a dog team.

Beauty Power Spirit.

Canine or equine ~ the saying fits.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

To see other exciting news, check out our other Blogs:
Meet the Mushers
and
Our 40 ~ The Simple Life at Russ-Stick Acres.
A daily blog of adventure tidbits.

I posted this sequence of photos exactly a year ago, and like it so much, I wanted to post it again. There is nothing more exhilarating than the power of horses running in fresh snow.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

To see other exciting news, check out our other Blogs:
Meet the Mushers
and
Our 40 ~ The Simple Life at Russ-Stick Acres.
A daily blog of adventure tidbits.

Here at Russ-Stick Acres, we dance in and out of survival mode.

Hauling hay…

Making sure our horses are fat and happy…

And enjoy their extras…

And their lovin’…

The Dance.

The drifted driveway…step to the right.

Frozen water pipes…step to the left.

Water buckets…1/4 turn.

All the while we rise and fall with the bout Nature will toss our way.

And endure until the Appalachian spring arrives…

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman
You can also portage the Internet and see our daily journey here.

The birds were out.

The trees were bare and cold.

And there were trails to break in single digit weather.

AC (Animal Control) Ellen was game.

And the dogs were more than happy to cast shadows in the morning sun.

Sled dogs love to run when it’s cold.

And we humans can enjoy the cold too, in our man-made suits of heat-saving armor.

Some fancy.

Some simple, but effective.

Of course the dogs are prepared for the cold, naturally.

Northern Breed dogs anyway…three layers of fur on some.

As hard as they work, anything above zero degrees is reason to pant.

Cold, bright snow brings on a stark beauty unlike anything else.

So beautiful…

That it’s hard to resist at times.

And even the “poop pit” takes on an esthetic look.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing ~ and may all your cold days be bright,

Woodswoman

Stay tuned to hear about our Saturday outing, breaking trail in beautiful winter weather conditions…

WW

On the cusp of the blue moon, as the sweet light faded and the full moon clocked in, we ran dogs.

Our two new boys, Shiloh and Malakai, have only seen a dozen or so full moons, two in this month alone, and they needed an outlet to assist them in coping with the energy that comes from the moon’s gaze.

Luna = lunar = lunacy. I remember my Latin classes.

I assisted Russ in hooking up a team, including the newbies, and watched as they sailed out of the dog yard, rooster tail of snow flying.

The remaining dogs still wailed, barked and howled with excitement as they loped out of sight and into the woods beyond.

Then we watched…and waited.

Ranger, our leader, always barks once the team is stopped, so as Russ stopped the team to give the younger dogs a few seconds of break, we, back at the dog yard could hear Ranger bark his impatient bark to go.

Upon hearing the distant bark, the dogs in the dog yard exploded with excitement.

Then silence ~ they were on the move again.

The remaining dogs would stop their excitable noise only when I would say “Shhhh…listen”.

Then, and only then, they would perk their ears and turn their head in the direction of the trail flow.

The stillness was only broken by the sound of my shallow breath under the neck gator, as the coldness was creeping in.

I felt like Heimo Korth, standing perfectly still. Heimo would watch for the bush plane that would visit his remote cabin only 4 times a year. Watching…waiting…

Only my eyes moved back and forth, looking…listening…waiting for the dog team to punch out of the woods with Russ on the sled behind.

The dogs weren’t so patient. About 8 seconds is the limit for them being pin-drop quiet. Then one or two would whine or fuss, wishing they were the chosen ones out with the Boss.

The lighting was magical. Not of this earth.

Not quite of Heaven.

About halfway between.

My Nikon won’t capture it ~ I won’t even try.

As I stood there, breathing in the cold air, I felt that overwhelming feeling of contentment once again, that only comes from following your true bliss.

My hope for all of you is that you take the steps needed to follow your bliss in the coming year.

Start with one small step.

Years ago I remember being in the bookstore in Traverse City, MI looking at the books on simplicity. I picked up a small book by Elaine St. James. Simplify Your Life: 100 ways to slow down and enjoy the things that really matter.

That was my starting point more than 10 years ago.

Tonight I wipe back the tears of joy knowing where that small step brought me. To a little place, 40 miles south of my hometown. Married to my best friend only 6 years ago tomorrow ~ on the first day of the new year.

I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing and always watching over us,

Woodswoman

Black and white…or white and black.

Where are they?

OH, there…

Now what?

I’ve seen hunting dogs do this…pick up their leg and point!

Hmmm…that didn’t work.

Poof! He’s gone~!

OK, I’ll move on to something a little larger.

Until tomorrow ~ with Zip on watch ~ God willing,

Woodswoman