Whoof

[altivo]

Just came in from walking out back with Gary because he thought he heard a fox and wanted to make sure it wasn't in his live trap by the burrow under the arena. It wasn't.

"The moon was as bright as a reading light" as the song says, even though it isn't yet full. It is casting clear shadows. Unfortunately, when it is really full we are probably going to be under dense cloud cover according to the weather service.

Completed the spinners' newsletter and sent out notifications this morning. Went to sit in on one of Gary's rehearsal sessions, and at his insistence took my flute, which was nice enough. Car got its oil changed this morning, and we stopped in to see the new Tractor Supply Co. store in Harvard. It's nice to see a farm store that still has farm goods in it. The more local chain, Farm and Fleet, is all clothes and kids' toys now, with very little agricultural supplies. I got a soft plush pony about 3 feet long for $9.99, which is a pretty good price. I'm on vacation, so I get to splurge a bit.

Comments

[quickcasey.livejournal.com]

Oooh, Tractor Supply. Must check it out.
We need one in Manhatten.

TSC and New Puppy chatter

[goldenstallion.livejournal.com]

Dear Rider.

Bear and I shop frequnetly at the two TSC stores in the area. Farm and Fleet, where bear once worked, in Freeport, Il has even more stuff for the farmer but it is huge store also carrying plenty of toys and clothing and general houshold goods but also tools, batteries, tires, drawbars, trailor lights, PTO shafts and that sort of thing for tractors and trucks and trailers. Of course lawn and garden equipment, mowers and plow blades, chicks, feed and seed, horse tack and dog bowls and so forth. Nuts and bolts and shackes and chain. We wish whe had one in our area but it sounds like they vary quite a bit.

NEW PUPPY. Speckle, a merle Great Dane of 6 weeks and going. Cute as heck probably an alpha personality we both feel she will be running the household before long. Rememering to take photos and video. Bear and I both want her to imprint most on him so she can be HIS dog. Great, saves me chores and money. *selfish grin*

[schnee.livejournal.com]

Oh, nice. ^_^ Any pictures of the plushie, perchance?

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I don't think they've been into Northern Illinois much. I'm accustomed to seeing them in Michigan, but this is the first one I've seen here.

Re: TSC and New Puppy chatter

[altivo.livejournal.com]

We need photos of that puppy!

Farm and Fleet does vary a lot. The ones in more rural locations still stock useful stuff. The ones in more suburban areas are just a K-Mart alternative,though. The nearest one here keeps reducing the amount of space dedicated to agricultural supplies such as fencing, horse equipment, and animal feeds and supplements. Meanwhile, they keep expanding the ladies' clothing and kid stuff. I find that a lot of the clothing they sell seems to be factory seconds and must be evaluated carefully before purchasing. Other stuff, like housewares and garden tools, is Chinese cheapie junk similar to what you'd find in WalMart. TSC still has a real catalog of farm goods that they can order in for you on request, where F&F is always "out" of the catalog and often refuses to order when asked.

More importantly, at least on a first impression: TSC was staffed by real farm people who knew what the stuff they were selling actually was for, and how to use it. The local F&F is staffed by teenagers who often have no idea, and can't even find or identify the item you are looking for. That's a real clincher.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I'll see what I can do. Reminds me that I've never photographed the "flat" pony rug either.

[schnee.livejournal.com]

Right! If you happen to get an opportunity to take pictures of that, I'd certainly be interested in seeing those as well.

[soanos.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. Flat pony... Maybe I can try inflating him? :)

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

So is this what happens when you go on vacation, spending your time supporting loved ones and indulging in non pop music and squandering your money on plush ponies??

Can't you be trusted not to go mad when you have a little spare time ;)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I was already mad as a Cheshire cat before my vacation even began. Yus, I spend all my money on plush ponies and ice cream. It's a terrible monkey (I mean, pony) to have riding on your back. ;p