Saturday, November 27, 2010
We're excited to bring you some of our new products. We have more to come, including beautiful sandstone coasters and puzzles. You can order here:
http://vickieclose.com/index2.php#/rgallery/2/
or drop us an email, or call 208-755-4778.
We're happy to ship for you!
15oz Mugs
"Watching Ewe"
"The Dirt Blowing Trial"
"Welcome Home"
Add a matching coaster.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Island Crossing
A big thank you to Heather and Joe Haynes, for their hospitality and a great trial.
Norman was the judge at the Island Crossing trial, and I ran my dogs. My performance in the open was less than stellar. I think the best I did was 7th. My dogs ran great, but my timing seemed to be off. I finally pulled it together with my nursery dog Jess, she was such a good girl. There weren't enough dogs for a nursery class, so I entered her in the pro novice. She was 1st in the second round, and she ended up 2nd overall.
Joe and Heather have Clun Forest sheep, some with big bulgy eyes, and they have Ralph, my new friend, a very cute guardian dog. I loved him instantly.
It poured rain when we were there and I never pulled out my camera. I was disappointed that I didn't get any pictures of Ralph and those crazy looking sheep so I have improvised.
Congratulations to Rudy (sorry, I can't remember his last name). He won the open both days!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Hanna (the pirate) has internet access...
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Spirit of a Man
Some people are happy when they win. Some are happy period!
I watched Tommy Wilson pull Jean Gellings' hat off and comically stretch it out for her so it would fit her head better after her big win at Soldier Hollow. He made us laugh until we cried, skipping with Jean down the path from the trial field singing "We are the Champions," rolled up posters waving overhead. Tommy was in the double lift at Soldier Hollow, and had a very good chance to win. Why wasn't he back at his trailer feeling a bit blue, instead of readily assisting Jean have the time of her life after her big win?
At Meeker, Tommy had a great run going, another very possible win, if not for one stubborn ewe in the shed. When time ran out, along with his chance to win, he entertained the crowd by hooking the ewe with his crook and dragging her out of the group. He had to be disappointed, didn't he? But once again, he put us all first, giving us all another great laugh.
That brings us to the finals. He was leading the entire way, only to be bumped to second place toward the very end. I was so disappointed for him I could have cried, but there he was on the webcam once again with a wonderful spirit, putting himself out to make us all laugh, happy as can be. Did he not get the memo??? He did not win the trial, yet there he was, filled with joy, not wasting a minute of this precious life.
Can you learn this stuff? Is there a Tommy Willson attitude clinic coming soon? Sign me up! Maybe a "How To Be A Real Winner" tape, by Tommy Wilson. I will buy one. Heck, I will buy two! What a great dog handler, and an amazing man....
Friday, September 10, 2010
Meeker
Monday, August 23, 2010
Lost Language
A language that was spoken for the last 65,000 years was lost with the death of Boa Senior. She was the last one to speak the language of a tribe from India.
The black and white pottery technique of the Anasazi people is likewise gone. It was a precise skill and technique that was practiced for a millennium.
The keepers of the border collie breed seem to understand how one must fight to keep the instinct and working ability of these great dogs intact.
And so I ask, what about the skill and the knowledge of these great dog handlers? How many are really left that can fluently "speak the language?"
At the Lacamas trial last weekend, there was really only one man that could fluently speak the language. I try to understand, knowing I only comprehend the simplest parts of this amazing skill. I am frustrated that I am running out of time and scared for all of us, because I fear that the intricate details could be lost.
Maybe it is the photographer in me that feels panicked that this knowledge and wisdom is not being preserved and duplicated to the extent that it deserves. The horse industy has left us in the dust in the learning and knowledge sharing department. Despite all those damn cars, people are still pretty handy with a horse!
I am sure there will be those that disagree and say there is plenty of knowledge out there and that it is being preserved. To those, I refer you to the Lacamas score boards. Yes, some among us kind-of speak the great language, some know a few words, but only one really knew the language fluently on that day.
So, what does the future hold, and what will happen to the knowledge that we do have now, and the ability to do this fantastic dance with these dogs? I ask, did one child, or even a teenager run a dog at the Lacamas trial, despite there being a novice class? I personally don't know a young handler competing. Time is ticking, I feel panicked, not only for me to learn, but for all of us, and for a skill that I fear will fade away as quietly as a language.
When knowledge is gone it is gone! Anyone out there wish they could ask Johnny Wilson a couple of things?........
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Other Breeds
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Delta Bluez
Other than this cute image of Norman's Blaze with Don Helsley's guard dog, I am going to leave the blogging to Diane Pagel. She was at The Dirt Blower and did some nice pictures of Norman and Gwen. She was kind enough to post them on her blog. Here is the link to her site.
http://deltabluez.blogspot.com/2010/06/norm-close-and-gwen-first-day-of-open.html
Just a quick note...Congratulations to Ellen Skillings. She won the overall Open award at the Dirt Blowing Trial. Gerri Byrne won the overall Pronovice award, and I am happy to report that Norman's young dog, Blaze, was second in the Pronovice overall.
Friday, June 11, 2010
A good day!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Out from under the bed!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
We are getting ready to do the first draw for the Limited Edition print "Rebecca." It is number
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Running Order
Wow! Folks, we have 204 dogs running tomorrow at Lowther Castle.
Everyone has made it safe and sound to England, with only one minor problem at the border. Apparently Rob Drummond raised some suspicion. However, after an extensive background check, and the exchange of a few dollars, they let him in.
We have some tough competitors. They have arrived from all over the United States and Canada. We have one English competitor, Linda Close, who will definitely have the home field advantage. The Canadians have a strong presence here, although there is some question as to the 35 year old dog that Scott Glen has chosen to run. Team USA has dominated the trial in numbers, and will prove to be a force to be reckoned with.
The weather is supposed to be great. We will get started at 10 a.m., after everyone has had a nice breakfast. After all, this is a fantasy trial and time is not of the essence.
1. Orr Bill Boone
2. Doerschel Mark ????????
3. La Fortune Sarah Angus
4. Noll Sue Bear
5. Mick Maria Ben
6. Block Barbara Bill
7. Wilson Eugene Bobby
8. Rewoldt Sherrie Bren
9. Wilson Eugene Bunny
10. Munson Cheryl Casey
11. Bevins John Chollie
12. Schorzman Susie Cricket
13. Pelkey Terrilyn Dash
14. Davie Dana Drift
15. Davie Dana Duke
16. Northrup Sharon Eve
17. Capps Kyle Fluff
18. Orr Susan Glenn
19. Meesey Stephanie Grace
20. Block Barbara Gull
21. Johnson Ken Hap
22. Wessels Sue Hickory
23. Vedder Shawna Jazzie
24. Roeter Robert Jet
25. Close Norman Joe
26. Peterson Mark Kate
27. Gurley Kathy Koda
28. Imas Dave Russel
29. Meesey Stephanie Louie
30. Thompson Kim Mabel
31. O'Brien Erin Mick
32. Nieslanik Ellen Molly
33. Lumb Lee Nan
34. Drummond Betsy Ollie
35. Maloney Becky Pudge
36. Schorzman Larry Reba
37. Close Linda Robbie
38. Henry Christine Rook
39. Meesey Stephanie Lala
40. Levy Martin Sally
41. Glen Scott Scamp
42. Nelson Rhonda Shadow
43. Smith Dayna Skippy
44. Duezabou Peggy Snicket
45. Wilson Joanne Sugar
46. Byrne Geri Ted
47. Becker Sascha The Dog
48. Herr Laurel TJ
49. Price Marie Tuffy
50. Moody Ruth Youkon
51. Rivers Kathleen ??????????
52. Johnson Carol Abby
53. Johnston Lynn Anna
54. Sumner Patti Beka
55. Price Marie Ben
56. Duezabou Peggy Birdie
57. Dewey-White Suki Bock
58. Asten Sue Brook
59. Schorzman Marty Striker
60. Price Lisa Cashew
61. Schorzman Les Chucker
62. Noll Sue Crymo
63. Green Jaime DeltaBluez
64. Heibertshausen Joyce Drift
65. Kilpatrick Karen Dutch Muff
66. La Fortune Dave Finn
67. Thau Elissa Fuschia
68. Nieslanik Ellen Gnat
69. Davie Stephen Grace
70. Herr Kirby Gunner
71. Dewey-White Suki Harp
72. Close Vickie Ice Cream
73. Coapman Amy Jean
74. Byrne Geri Jim
75. Schorzman Les Josie
76. Labell Natlee Kate
77. Taylor Susan Kyu
78. McLeod Rose Lexy
79.Vankoughnett Kim Luci
80. Close Linda Magic
81. Herr Helen Mikah
82. Levy Martin Molly
83. Withnell Lora Nell
84. Gurley Kathy Pecas
85. Rhodes Nicole Queen
86. Munson Cheryl Reg
87. Nadeau Bob Rocko
88. Horton Terri Roscoe
89. Baker Elizabeth Rye
90. Moody Ruth Sam
91. Drummond Rob Scout
92. Nadeau Linda Shep
93. Linbo Nora Skye
94. Baker Elizabeth Soot
95. Capps Jamie Tara
96. Glen Scott Teddy
97. Schorzman Susie Tinker
98. Price Marie Tony
99. McHardy Martha Vic
100. O'Brien Erin Z
101. Coughlin Jr William R ????????
102. KUKUK Penny Alice
103. Price Lisa Bailey
104. Cecil Karen Bella
105. Atkins Paul Hemp
106. Martinez Priscilla Ben
107. Price Marie Bo
108. Rivers Kathleen ??????
109. Reuter Janis Bryn
110. Marroni Dee Cap
111. Lumb Lee Chica
112. Cecil Valerie Cosmo
113. Lindsay Mary Ann Danny blue Hemp
114. KUKUK Penny DJ
115. Linbo Nora Drift
116. Hewitt Molly Ellie BC
117. Festerling Gisela Flash
118. Schorzman Tonya George
119. Thau Elissa Grace
120. Moody Ruth Griz
121. Yamamoto T Gunny
122. Davie Stephen Hawk
123. Roeter Robert Jade
124. Johnston Alison Jesse
125. Helsley Don Jock
126. Cooney Thomas Josie
127. Asten Sue Katy
128. Orr Bill Lad
129. Florence Jamie Linc
130. Williams Julie Lucy
131. Meesey Stephanie Matt
132. Price Lisa Minnie
133. Boudrieau Jeanne Moses
134. Glen Jennifer Nessie
135. Drummond Betsy Pete
136. Dewey-White Suki Queen
137. Clark David Rex
138. Boudrieau Jeanne Rocky
139. Brunner Holly Rosie
140. Dewey-White Suki Sadie
141. Drummond Betsy Sammy
142. Moody Ruth Scrappy
143. Pagel Diane Shiro
144. Festerling Gisela Sly
145. Close Vickie Sprinkles
146. Ferguson Jo Teak
147. L'Arrivee Jennifer Tess
148. Helsley Jeanie Tip
149. Thompson Karen Trey
150. Oikawa Kristi Wicked
151. Hansen Terri Zac
152. Haire Jodi ??????????
153. Price Marie Andy
154. Oikawa Kristi Bear
155. Withnell Lora Bella
156. Ferguson Jo Bet
157. Pelkey Terrilyn Bob
158. Munson Steve Boss
159. Moody Ruth Bug
160. Marroni Jeff Carmen
161. Glen Jennifer Chip
162. Kilpatrick Karen Coyote Coco
163. Russo Carol Dante
164. Florence Jamie Dot
165. Russo Carol Dude
166. Munson Steve Erik
167. Bevins John Flicka
168. Price Lisa Ginger
169. Peterson Mark Grace
170. Dewey-White Suki Guinness
171. Hansen Terri Gyp
172. Meesey Stephanie Herb
173. McLeod Rose Jana
174. Obernier Nancy Jesse
175. Close Max Joe
176. Masi Margaret Kane
177. Brunner Holly Kip
178. Capps Kyle Lady
179. Roberge Larry Little
180. Stringer Lynn Sam
181. Orr Susan Max
182. Brunner Holly Mirk
183. Schubert Lorri Mot
184. Roberge Larry Olie
185. Meesey Stephanie Pete
186. Maricle Judy Rags
187. La Fortune Ryan Rex
188. Stringer Lynn N Rohan
189. Baker Elizabeth Ross
190. Thompson Karen Sage
191.Vankoughnett Kim Sara
192. Forshaw Nancy Seeker
193. Kriss Kerri Shylee
194. Bright Dezi Snapper
195. Drummond Rob Spy
196. Hansen Terri Teak
197. Calzacorta Lavon Tess
198. Orr Bill Tipp
199. Linhart Deni Trump
200. Russo Carol Wink
201. Bevins John Zoe
202. Atkins Paul Jade
203. Sandy Morgan Red-Gi
204. Imas Dave Cap