Scattered Thoughts . . .

'Slit Drum Sculptures' by Jerry Geier Back just a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about our trip to Shelburne Farms with the grandkids. While we were at the farm, we came across these wooden sculptures out in the middle of nowhere on the farm. We had no idea what they were and subsequent internet searches provided no clues... until now. I finally found that these particular sculptures were handcrafted by Jerry Geier. These sculptures are called "Slit Drum" sculptures. They are drumming percussion instruments of the Pacific islands and (I think) of certain African tribes. I'm still not completely certain of their history but at least I have figured out what these sculptures at Shelburne Farms represent. This particular piece of art is named "Convergence". Here is a link to the artist...  Jerry Geier . Below is also a video I found on YouTube of a larger slit drum called a slit gong. Had I know that these sculptures were drumming instruments,

I've already posted a few of Lukey's photos from Shelburne Farms... I suppose I should share a few of my own photos from Shelburne Farms too. We rode the wagon on our way to the barn... Lukey was excited about being pulled by a tractor... Kenzie... well... not as much...  Before the tractor even started up, I jumped off the wagon to get a quick photo of the kids with Sheila sitting on the wagon... Kenzie was upset that I might get left behind and wouldn't calm down until I was back safely on the wagon... A nice shot of Lukey just as we arrived at the barn... (I'm relieved that this shot came out so nicely since this is the basic kit lens that came with the camera and one which I recently broke... I dropped it on a dock at the Burlington Boathouse a few weeks ago! You'd never know I broke this lens by looking at this shot though... that's a relief, for now!) This calf was named "Nellie"... she took a liking to Lukey and

As I've written in a previous blog entry, we had a really nice time and a fun-filled day with the kids over the weekend. I shot quite a few photos and even captured some video of our day. We started at 'Shelburne Farms'... then went out to lunch at 'The Olive Garden'.... then headed over to 'The Christmas Loft' where it is Christmas every day of the week! (The kids knew we were going to the farm but had no idea we planned to also go to 'The Olive Garden' for lunch and then back down the road to 'The Christmas Loft'... it was a nice surprise for them and it was their first visit here.) I know the kids had a great time and Sheila and I also had a great time. Here is a short five minute video with some clips from both 'Shelburne Farms' and 'The Christmas Loft'... (I'll post some photos soon...  even some photos that were shot by Lukey!)

Lukey, milking Giselle the Cow Today was an action-packed, fun-filled day with Lukey and Kenzie! And, Nan and Pop joined us as well. We started out the morning by heading up to Shelburne Farms. After parking the car and paying our admission, we took a wagon ride to the old barn...  The kids got to play with sheep, goats, a couple of baby calves, and then learned how to lend a hand at milking the mother cow. We then headed to the learning play area, followed by spending some time in the chicken coop with some very animated and noisy, clucking and cock-a-doodling chickens and roosters. Lukey got to spend some time on an antique tractor and then we made our way outdoors again to see some bunnies, more chickens, more cows, some horses... then some surprisingly  HUUUGGGGEEE pigs... then some donkeys (Shrek was nowhere to be found though).  Shelburne Farms... the barn and farmyard in the majestic building in the background. The kids learned a bit about making cheese and then