"Maddie" and Master

Ramona's "Maddie"

About the Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees, also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, lived for a long time in Andorra before being discovered in the early 20th century. When found they were strong, assertive sheep guard dogs in the mountains. Today the Great Pyrenees is mainly used as a guard of both its family and flock. It has also been know to be used as an avalanche rescue dog, as a cart-puller, a sled dog, and as a pack dog on ski team.
The Great Pyrenees Temperment and Intelligence
The Great Pyrenees is known for its confident and gentle nature. They are patient, courageous and very intelligent dogs. Being somewhat reserved, these noble animals will go into defensive mode if territory is invaded. They will lovingly and loyally guard their flock with extreme poise and attention.
Great Pyrenees Characteristics
The Great Pyrenees has small, triangular ears that stop when they meet the small, dark amber eyes on the face. The facial fur is thin and smooth with an upper lip covers the bottom one. Each front leg has a dew claw and is punctuated with a spherical, well padded paw with arched toes. The hind legs were created with a double dew claw and have very similar paws to those in the front. Both the shoulder and thighs are made of tough muscles that help this powerful dog to move about easily.
The Pyrenees has a strikingly beautiful white coat which may or may not contain shades of gray, badger, reddish brown, or tan on the head, ears or tail. The coat is resistant in all types of weather because it is made of two layers, an elongated, flat, thick outer coat and an impenetrable, wooly undercoat. Though the coat is more plentiful around the neck, it appears to produce a mane in males. The coat does tend to layer the length of the back of the front and hind legs.

Ramona's "Maddie"

Ramona's, Madison is an Anatolian-Pryenees shepard dog. This picture was taken May 10th, 2009 in Randy's backyard with the over 500 acres of city, county and state lands in the background. Over the ridge is the Horsetooth Reservoir.

Ramona's "Maddie"

The Anatolian Shepherd is native to Asia Minor. It protects flocks and serves as a shepherd's companion. On the high Anatolian Plateau, where summers are hot and very dry and winters are cold, the Anatolian Shepherd Dogs live outside all year round. For centuries the ancestors of the Anatolian Shepherd were used as a combat dog in war and for hunting. It was particularly valued for the victorious battles it could fight with wolves. As a sheepdog, it was bothered by neither fatigue nor bad weather. Today it is still used as a sheep dog as well as a guard dog. The Anatolian Shepherd is very closely related to the Kangal Dog and some people even declare all Turkish shepherd's i.e. the Kangal Dog, to be one breed, the Anatolian Shepherd, however the true Turkish Kangal Dogs are said to be a separate breed from the generic Turkish shepherd's dog. The isolated historical conditions of the Sivas-Kangal region has resulted in the development of the Kangal Dog as a distinct breed, which has been declared the National Dog of Turkey and a national treasure. The true Turkish Kangal Dogs are first and foremost still primarily working shepherds. The export of pure Kangal Dogs from Turkey has been controlled and now is virtually forbidden. The Kangal Dog Club of America continues to work to ease import restrictions. Imported dogs are considered to be extremely valuable for their potential contribution to the genetic pool in the United States.

Our go to man for acupuncture

This fine gentleman has provided many moments of comfort and relief for me and other members of our family.

Dan turned me on to him and also picks up the tab for me.

The healer at Shea and Tatum, Phoenix, Az.

The History and Art of Chinese Acupuncture

HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE IN CHINA

Acupuncture is a very ancient form of healing which pre-dates recorded history .The philosophy is rooted in the Taoist tradition which goes back over 8000 years. The people of this time period would meditate and observe the flow of energy within and without.They also were keen to observe man's relations with nature and the universe.There were many sages of this period, but the most legendary was Fu Hsi, who lived in the Yellow River area of China approximately 8000 years ago.By observing nature, he formulated the first two symbols, a broken line and unbroken line. These symbols represented the two major forces in the universe - creation and reception - and how their interaction forms life.This duality was named yin-yang and they represent the backbone of Chinese Medicine theory and application.Fu hsi then discovered that when yin-yang fuse, a creative action occurs, and this gives birth to a third aspect. Fu Hsi then pondered on how this triplicity occurs eight times and this led to the eight trigrams and then 64 hexagrams of the I-Ching (Book of Change). The I-Ching shaped the thinking for years to come and every influential book on Chinese Medicine is based upon its fundamental philosophy.

The primitive society of China is divided into two time periods- The Old Stone Age(10,000 years ago and beyond) and the New Stone Age (10,000-4000 years ago).During the Old Stone Age knives were made of stone and were used for certain medical procedures.During the New
Stone Age, stones were refined into fine needles and served as instruments of healing. They were named bian stone - which means use of a sharp edged stone to treat disease.Many bian stone needles were excavated from ruins in China dating back to the New Stone Age.

The most significant milestone in the history of Acupuncture occurred during the period of Huang Di -The Yellow Emperor (2697-2597). In a famous dialogue between Huang Di and his physician Qi Bo, they they discuss the whole spectrum of the Chinese Medical Arts. These conversations would later become the monumental text - The Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine). The Nei Jing is the earliest book written on Chinese Medicine. It was compiled around 305-204 B.C. and consists of two parts:

1. The Su Wen(Plain Questions) -9 volumes - 81 chapters The Su Wen introduces anatomy and physiology, etiology of disease, pathology, diagnosis, differentiation of syndromes, prevention, yin-yang, five elements, treatment, and man's relationship with nature and the cosmos.
2. The Ling Shu (Miraculous Pivot,Spiritual Axis)- 81 Chapters The Ling Shu's focus is Acupuncture, description of the meridians, functions of the zang-fu organs, nine types of needles, functions of the acupuncture points, needling techniques, types of Qi, location of 160 points.

Approximately 1000 BC, during the Shang Dynasty, hieroglyphs showed evidence of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Bronze needles were excavated from ruins, but the bian stones remained the main form of needle.

During the Warren States Era(421-221 B.C.) metal needles replaced the bian stones. Four gold needles and five silver needles were found in an ancient tomb dating back to 113B.C. The Miraculous Pivot names nine types of Acupuncture needles.The Historical Records notes many physicians practicing Acupuncture during this time. Another milestone for this period was the compilation of the Nan Jing (Book of Difficult Questions). The Nan Jing discusses five element theory, hara diagnosis, eight extra meridians, and other important topics.

From 260-265 A.D., the famous physician Huang Fu Mi, organized all of the ancient literature into his classic text -Systematic Classics of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. The text is twelve volumes and describes 349 Acupuncture points.It is organized according to the theory of: zang fu, Qi and blood, channels and colllaterals, acupuncture points, and clinical application. This book is noted to be one of the most influential text in the history of Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture was very popular during the Jin, Northern,Southern, Dynasties (265-581A.D.). For generations the Xu Xi family were known as the experts in the art of Acupuncture.During this time period important texts and charts enhanced knowledge and application.

Acupuncture experienced great development during the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) Dynasties.Upon request from the Tang Government (627-649A.D.), the famous physician Zhen Quan revised the important Acupuncture texts and charts. Another famous physician of the time, Sun Simio, wrote Prescription with a Thousand Gold for Emergencies (650-692). This text includes data on Acupuncture from various scholars. During this period Acupuncture became a special branch of medicine and practitioners were named Acupuncturists. Acupuncture schools appeared, and Acupuncture education became part of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279),the famous physician Wang Weiyi wrote, The Illustrated Manual on Points for Acupuncture and Moxibustion. This book included the description of 657 points. He also casted two bronze statues on which meridians and points were engraved for teaching purposes.

The Ming Dynasty (1568-1644) was the enlightening period for the advancement of Acupuncture. Many new developments included:

1. Revision of the classic texts
2. Refinement of Acupuncture techniques and manipulation
3. Development of Moxa sticks for indirect treatment
4. Development of extra points outside the main meridians
5. The encyclopedic work of 120 volumes - Principle and Practice of Medicine was written by the famous physician Wang Gendung
6. 1601 - Yang Jizhou wrote Zhenjin Dacheng Principles of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. This great treatise on Acupuncture reinforced the principles of the Nei Jing and Nan Jing. This work was the foundation of the teachings of G.Soulie de Morant who introduced Acupuncture into Europe. 

From the Qing Dynasty to the Opium Wars (1644-1840), herbal medicine became the main tool of physicians and Acupuncture was suppressed.

Following the Revolution of 1911, Western Medicine was introduced and Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology were suppressed. Due to the large population and need for medical care, Acupuncture and herbs remained popular among the folk people, and the "barefoot doctor" emerged.

Acupuncture was used exclusively during the Long March (1934-35) and despite harsh conditions it helped maintain the health of the army. This led Mao Zedong,the leader of the Communist Party, to see that Acupuncture remained an important element in China's medical system. In 1950 Chairman Mao officially united Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine, and acupuncture became established in many hospitals. In the same year Comrade Zhu De reinforced Traditional Chinese Medicine with his book New Acupuncture.

In the late 1950's to the 1960's Acupuncture research continued with - further study of the ancient texts, clinical effect on various diseases, acupuncture anesthesia, and acupuncture's effect on the internal organs.

From the 1970's to the present, Acupuncture continues to play an important role in China's medical system. China has taken the lead in researching all aspects of acupuncture's application and clinical effects. Although acupuncture has become modernized, it will never lose its connection to a philosophy established thousands of years ago.

My son Greg Rye runs a chiropractic clinic in Loveland Colorado and also offers acupuncture. He is studying the art and has taken classes as well as read many books on the subject.

Jeff- the go to man

Dan and Jeff at the wonderful sea food resturant, Chinooks in Seattle

at the helm

Dan is the man.

sleepless in Seattle

The house in the center is the location for the film of the same name.

Fallowing in our wake

The wake of our good ship,SUNSHINE, May 15, 2009.

Mt. Rainier

A Thursday morning view May 14, 2004

Companion traveler with Dan.

TLC-Ramona Karen

TLC-Ramona Karen

May 8, 20009
Court, Glenn, Ramona at Cassia's party

TLC-Ramona Karen

May 8, 2009

"Oh, the places you will go.

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you chose."

-Dr. Seuss

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Court, Glenn

I owe eternal thanks and praise to Court for creating this blog.Court is the greatest!!!!!!!!!

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Celebrating family

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Celebrating family

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Ramona,Court,Dan, Cassia

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Ben, Cassia, Sam

Future scholars

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Ellen, Cassia, Court, Randy

Wunderbar!

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Celebrate

Greg, Cassia

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Ben and Dan

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Grandparent's pride and joy!!

Donna, Cassia, Glenn

Cassia's circle of honor

May 8, 2009

Is she a great young lady, or what?

Cassia's circle of honor

May8, 2009

Randy,Cassia, Ellen

May 8, 2009-Cassia Lane

May 8,2009-NUFF SAID

May 8, 2009-NUFF SAID

May 8, 2009-NUFF SAID

May 8, 2009-NUFF SAID

May 8, 2009-NUF SAID

University of Colorado-May 8,2009-NUF SAID

Gullik Nelson Rye-1915

My father, Gullik, right and his brother,Peder,at either the Opheim or Sundem home near Hills, Minnesota.

In the days when horses were not a leisure time endeavor.

Sulkies in our lives

Our three year old Angela Ann along with Tam, our beloved tri-color collie ,were participants in the annual turkey day parade in Worthington, Minnesota in 1957.

Five hundred turkies driven down the street followed by hundred of parade floats and bands.

I had built the sulky from two bike front wheel forks and a one piece chrome kitchen chair with broom sticks inserted in the hollow chair ends to form a shaft for Tam to be hitched up. Also,in those days you could find a harness maker to outfit the dog.

I was the debate and drama teacher at the high school and thought it was best to go incognito.

My friends said, Glenn, don't act like a clown. I said, whose acting?

Westworld Scottsdale

The minature horses drawn sulkies with everone aboard in proper English dress was a joy to behold.

It harkened back to a day when one the farm near Hills, Minnesota we had a home made one of our own drawn by a big work horse of the day. Once,my sister Vivian, fell from the seat and held on running as fast as she could, finally regaining her seat.
In Californa we made another one from two stolen light weight motorcyles that we purchase from the police department. Unfortunately, I do not have access to the photos ,if they do exist.

I was having lunch with my son, Dan, and told him about these sulkies and he said that he had just talked to his brother, Randy, whose home backs up to a large county,city and state open area in Fort Collins, Colorado and he had just seen one sulky go by in the large open area of trails.

What goes around, comes around!!

Westworld-Scottsdale

Last month Ethel and I attended the minature horse show.

My kingdom for a horse.

Westworld-Scottsdale

Earlier this year Ethel and I attended the Arabian horse show and later on the minature horse show.

My kingdom for a horse, my kingdom for a horse.

Westworld-Scottsdale

WestWorld of Scottsdale
WestWorld is a premier, nationally recognized, user-friendly equestrian center and special events facility serving our community and target market visitors.
The calendar of events provides lots of opportunities to enjoy a variety of activities and events at WestWorld in Scottsdale, AZ.

Earlier this year Ethel and I visited the Arabian Horse show and later the minature horse show.
My pictures in the arena didn't come out but outside was what I believe to be a Shetland pony for sale for $1200.

My kingdom for a horse.