Goodbye old friend...

Today John and I said goodbye to a dear friend and faithful companion. We learned last week that Holly's arthritis which has been getting worse had spread to her spine. We have been helping her up stairs, watching her struggle to stand and hearing her moan softly as she layed down or stood up. The medications to lessen that pain are harmful to the liver and kidneys, so John made the decision to let her go in peace and comfort. It was a hard decision to make but we feel she is in a better place..... beyond the rainbow bridge playing with her friends that proceeded her.... Sam, Rusty, Sierra, Luke, Cooper, Bullet..... and others.

Here is how we will remember her...

Goodbye old friend....  happy trails and digging.

WATER !! WATER !! Everywhere

Between Hurricane "Irene" and Tropical Storm "Lee" we had a solid week... or more ... of rain. This resulted in widespread flooding of our creeks and rivers in Central Pa. In an attempt to give you some perspective, try to picture this description. About 30 feet from the side of our home the Lycoming Creek runs toward the Susquehanna River about 15 miles downstream. There is a 4 foot high bank from the water to our yard. The yard is now about 25 yards wide and flat. Then there is another bank up to our deck and house. Going up the bank are stairs to get to the deck. There are 22 stairs which makes the height of the bank 22 feet. At it's highest point the creek was flowing over the third step from the top of the stairs. In other words it was 2 feet from flowing over the deck and 24 feet higher than normal. Here is a picture of the side of the house prior to our journey last year.

Here is that same area with the high water

John says he felt like he was on a cruise ship. When he looked out the windows all he could see was rushing water. More pictures....

As the water started to recede, we were able to see some of the yard landmarks.

We were much luckier than others. Our friends John and Wendy lost a basement wall in their rental property. Ray and Kay, my friend Helen's parents, had 6 feet of water in their home. Since it is a one story home they have lost everything. We spent 3 hours last evening washing dishes, pots, pans, glasses and anything else that could be salvaged from the mud.

Even the creek wildlife was displaced. We have a family of beavers in our section of the creek. They took refuge by our house when the water was ranging.

We consider ourselves very fortunate and are thankful we were spared. We have been helping those we know who were affected and ask for your prayers for them during this difficult time.