Papa to retire from whiffle ball

On Sunday 9-20-09, after a summer on injured reserve Papa Sullivan returned to the mound to quiet his critics. They claim he was hiding from his nemesis Connor ( Casey at Bat) Colburn. After a warm welcome from his fans he took the mound to face the mighty Connor. The challenge facing the aging pitcher was to get the WONDER BAT out on three straight pitches.

Well after much trash talk and a few side bets Papa threw his first pitch , a fast ball strike, the crowd roared "fraud,fraud". Next pitch was a knuckle ball, because WONDER BAT hates junk and can't hit it, strike two. Now the crowd was silent , but Wonder Bat was his usual confident self, still trash talking. Papa knows WONDER BAT likes to pull everything to left field so his next pitch was inside on "THE BATS" hands. Oh my gosh he made contact, but right into the hands of the catcher Kory Colburn who tagged him out. An argument started about that not being a real out on three pitches but after review the play stands as called!!!!!! The wonder bat now humbled by the old veteran pitcher has to make good on his bet to bow whenever he is in the presence of

"Papa ruler of Appleton Wood Farm" for the next week. After the game Papa announced his retirement and stated there will be no rematch EVER!!!!!!!!!

Ascoli Piceno Italy

Ryan has arrived in Ascoli Piceno, Italy to study for three months. Besides studing he will be teaching an English class to grama school kids. Melissa and Ryan are going to try to team up and have her students work with his through the internet. I hope to get him to post updates here also.

Well summer is almost over. We had so much rain late spring that our gardens didn't dry until the end of July and everything we planted just washed away. We did have some success with potatoes about 50lbs. and they taste great. Our grape vines are two years old now and should start to produce in another two years. The chicks are 3 months old and should start laying eggs
in 4 to 8 weeks. Fiddles the smallest of our two donkeys follows them everywhere, if they get to far out of sight she brays until they come back into view. We think there are two roosters and 10
hens . Billy the Belgian is about 17.5 hands high (6ft) and almost 1800lbs. He thinks he is a golden retriever, loves to visit with people and help with the chores around the barn( you know how hard it is with a 5yr.old helping you ,try it with a 1800lb 5yr.old) Billy has been saddle broke and is very gentle to ride. We have just started working him with a harness and hope to have him pulling a cart soon.
Ryan will turn 21 on Sept.3rd and is off to Ascoli Piceno, Italy to study for a semester on Sept.6th. He will start a blog if you are interested, so please send your e-mails to him or follow on face book.

Best wishes from all of us at the farm

Chickens are here

12 Chicks arrived on friday the 22nd. All are well, were keeping them very warm until the weather heats up. They should start producing in about 8 to 10 weeks. I expect to be suppling
McDonalds soon after.

Col.Lyle M.Shelly

Grampy passed away this morning around 7:40 am. He was and always will be a great inspiration to all of us. Always the first to answer a call for help, he was never judgmental and responded with a smile and laugh. He will be missed and forever cherished. Surely he is already enroute to his next duty station to do what he does best, lead, after he locates the Mess Hall of course!
REST IN PEACE

Uncle Geoff's Texas trip

Blog followers, Uncle Geoff is off visiting again!!!!!! Please click on his icon under blog followers for an update . His is the good looking red head in front of the Queen's flag. Also the Appleton Wood Farm chicks will be here in May, Eggs to follow !!!!!!!

Grampy's 88th birthday

On February 27, 2009, retired LTC Lyle M. Shelly turned 88 years old.  Gramp is an inspiration to us all.