Bluebirds sighted near Hidden Meadow Inn (Photo by Rhea Wisniewski)

Our neighbors (the Baxters, who have the four horses next to the hidden meadow) have been seeing a pair of bluebirds this summer, giving us hope that if we put up bluebird boxes we may encourage the establishment of a bluebird family nesting right on our estate.  Exciting prospect!

Put Apache in harness for the first time, took him around the trail system and into the neighbor’s field between us and the river. Discovered a new trail with him! He likes to be wherever we are. Our friend Bill “Fitz” calls Apache “Fluffernutter” because he’s fluffy and nutty!

Introduced Apache to J.C. Palermo, our wonderful veterinarian, friends and neighbors, including horses Ike, Boss and Shammy. Got his tags, license for his collar. Took several long walks and runs, which helped him burn off a lot of energy. He’s a chewer and has adopted the brick fireplace as a favorite spot. Needs training but seems smart. Learning sled dog commands easily. Teaching him to speak on command more of a challenge. Hard to know who is breaking in whom — we are adapting to each other, I guess. Bill wants to call him “Boll Weevil,” can’t imagine why. I’ve nicknamed him Fuzzbucket, Doodlebug, or “Patch.”

Severe weather in the area. Tornado watch from Noon – 6 p.m. yesterday. Heavy damage reported in Moira, Parishville, Colton & points south. Even so, potluck @ 6 p.m. here drew nice group eager to learn about Uganda: friends and neighbors, including a guest from Colombia, South America. Today we hosted another gathering that included a guest from India. The guests took a walk around the inn and down to the river, and saw a fawn! … After lunch, we took our Ugandan guests to the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, thanks to the generosity of another guest who paid their admission fee. We were happy to send them off with a few books from our library, some North Country maple syrup for their families to try for the first time, and a love gift for the homeless, provided by those who attended the potluck last night.

Still missing. Making calls. Jupi seen in town in neighborhood of Sabad’s Restaurant & Laurie DuFresne’s Hair Salon on Second St. Customer saw her around creek bed west of Sabad’s. I found her laying on a bed of twigs by the water. She couldn’t get up. Tony, owner of Sabad’s, went down after her and rescued her. He’s our Hero! … We’re so grateful to all who helped. I’ve never been so happy to clean up dog poop in our yard before!

Jupi went missing @ 5:30 p.m. Worried night, walking our property & neighbors’ land at all hours with flashlight & headlamp & Yoda in tow.