It’s been a wild week at the Ranch beginning with hurricane force winds over last weekend and a busy schedule but that doesn’t mean we can’t showcase the good, the bad and the ugly that Mother Nature offered. As is customary, we’re joining our friends Rosy & her brothers for this week’s edition of Nature Friday. Let’s see what Nature dished out but don’t forget to check out what Blogville offered elsewhere by clicking on the link.
The wind storm that blew through was devastating around the town. Nearby parks were particularly hammered with several trees downed. It’s heartbreaking seeing fully mature trees ripped up out of the ground or large branches snapped off effectively destroying a tree. I was surprised the silver maple in my front garden wasn’t impacted. Not so far away, it looked like a war zone. Workers removed the broken branch a couple of days ago to assess the damage to the house and front porch. The force that snapped that branch off must have been unbelievably strong.
Evergreen trees with their shallow root balls are particularly vulnerable when high winds hit. My heart was heavy seeing so much carnage laying across the grass and Elsa and I stood there for a long time taking it all in.
These images make you wonder why nature choses one tree but left two others nearby unscathed.
But all was not lost this week despite the damage around the ‘hood. While the peonies and irises finished blooming, new flowers appeared. Mock Orange shrub is in bloom now and its heavenly scent with its beautiful blossoms are impressive.
Deep purple Salvia is blooming, adding bright color to the landscape.
And the ever cheerful Achillea ‘Moonshine’ (yarrow) is beginning to brighten up the garden space replacing spent lupine and poppy blooms. Unlike some invasive yarrows, ‘Moonshine’ doesn’t spread everywhere.
And like the Beverly Hills Cop theme song, the heat is on with 90’s in the long range Denver forecast. With some easing of pandemic restrictions, a day trip to higher altitudes with the Ranch hands may be called for but in any event, after this crazy week, whatever we do, chillaxing will be at the top of the weekend agenda as ‘somebody‘ will be counting down the hours until certain headgear comes off while staying cool. Paws crossed your weekend is great.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Looking good Norman!! 🐾🐾🐾 It is hard to see that type of destruction. It takes so long for trees to mature and then to lose them.
Hang in there, Norm.
You’re almost there.
Paz
Wowzers, I’m sorry for all the damage. Sad.
Thanks, Joann. It is sad, It will take years for the park to recover.
It was windy last week, but not that windy… so I’m glad that calmed down a bit before it got here. We did have the remnants of that tropical depression come through on Tuesday, and I even went out for a walk in it since despite the winds, it was only misting. I felt like Jim Cantore, almost…..
I’d have preferred remnants of a tropical depression than wind. Apart from the destruction those winds wrecked on neighborhood trees, wind makes everyone crabbish. Of all weather phenomena, I can’t think of a single person who likes windy conditions.
I will never forget the freak storm that hit when I was at the ballpark in 2006. The wind gusts that preceded the storm were easily hurricane force and constant for almost half an hour. They were also blowing directly into the open side of the stadium. I was too captivated by the event at the time to be scared of it, but it shredded the entire metro area and I’d be happy if we never had one like that again.
Yikes! Bliss is not realizing how perilously close you may be to disaster.
I hate to see trees cut down. I always think they are very knowledgeable and have seen everything. It is like tearing down a historic building.
When you begin to comprehend all of what they’ve experienced in their lifetimes, it’s even more heartbreaking. Many, many lifetimes gone in one storm. 😭
Sorry about all the damage! Glad you all were safe! Hang in there Norman!
Thanks. It was a wild weather week but things are settled down. It’s just hot now. ☺️
Unbelievable devastation! Hope everyone is safe and no one was near those trees!
It was really something to see. I think there’s some damages to houses but no injuries that I’m aware.
Wow, that Colorado weather is something else. I’ve lived in a lot of places, but most dramatic weather events I ever experienced were all in Colorado.
It’s especially crazy with the wind. Seems like it’s blowing all the time anymore. Another consequence of growth, development and environmental concerns.
Yes, I remember windy days (and nights) at our house when it sounded like a freight train!
Hi Monika, Elsa, and Norman!!! Ducky and I certainly hope that Norman’s headgear comes off SOON as planned!
Ducky had an allergic reaction to something last Friday; and after a weekend of coconut oil applied 3x/day having no effect, I called the vet first thing Monday morning and got her in to see him that afternoon. She got a steroid injection and some antibiotics (to treat the secondary skin infection from all the scratching, licking, and biting), and is now feeling much better, especially since the dreaded cone came off on Wednesday. And the skin is looking much better, too.
Thank goodness she and you are feeling better. 😍Those cones are a pain but really do help with making a bad situation much better sooner.
When Kaci has a stuffie in her mouth, it means that she’s hungry.
Always sad to see trees down…here Danilo has been trimming branches that are overhanging the house as we have had unseasonable high winds.
Let’s hope Norman’s headgear comes off as planned…
Yes, severe storm damage to trees breaks my heart. Thanks for the good wishes. It seems nearly a guarantee judging by his spunk today. 😇
Still arranging the dining room chairs? Could he start writing the definitive dining etiquette book for dogs?
You know, how to take the burden off your human. by taking responsibiility…no..perhaps not.
A bit but depth perception is vastly improved over the satellite dish. ☺️
Hi Monika. I love the heat and sun (it’s been in the 90’s most days) but my little sister Xena can’t take it. XOX and tail wags from Lucy and please tell Norman hi and I hope his cone comes off real soon. I bet we would be friends. (this is still Lucy)
We’re kinda in your little sister’s camp. The heat does not like any of us (black dog, double fur coated giant and a mum who evaporates when the thermometer goes about 80. We’re wusses and have been taking our morning walks at 5:30 when it’s still relatively cool outside. Have a lovely weekend, sweet Lucy.
I’ll have to start waking Mom up at that time if it’s better to walk then! Lucy
Well it is here. Not sure about your house. Luckily I’m a morning person. 😉
Wow, Mother Nature certainly has her extremes, doesn’t she? It’s nice to see the beautiful flowers afterwards at least.
We hope Norman can get that headgear off as planned. He seems such a good sport about it though. ♥
Mother Nature is a bit cranky these days.
Yes, he’s been patient and such a good boy while recovering. But I know his patience is wearing a bit thin. Have a great weekend!
Seems like the storms went just about everywhere in the states. We hate wind storms but haven’t had any so far this year. We usually get the winds in October. Believe me they are cold too. Your flowers are lovely. Love the colour of the salvia and that Yarrow. I think I saw some of the city property near the corner. I thought it was dandelions at first but no it was the same as you showed,
Oh my goodness, we didn’t realize Colorado was part of the area impacted by the storms and wind. It’s nice to the the flowers are still blooming, but we are sorry about the trees….
Norman is looking great!!
Thanks. There have been lots of wind storms around the world this week. Really weird and kinda creepy.
Mother Nature was truly out full force! My goodness how horrible.
It’s been crazy windy here, too and I’m sure there are areas more affected than mine. I have that darn pine tree in front that makes me nervous every time the winds go crazy.
Woot! Let’s go Norman!!
Don’t blame you for being nervous about your pine tree and wind storms.
No need to encourage Norman, he’s chomping at the bit on his own.
I want it cut down. Will have the good excuse that I need to widen my driveway…
Okay… I won’t.
Pssst! Norman! Soon, Buddy…
Cutting down is the easy part, it’s digging out the roots that’s always a bear. Well that and the damage they cause if they fall on the house. 🌲
No kidding!!
That was a seriously crazy wind situation. Too bad it didn’t blow your neck pillow off, N. That would’ve been something.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Good point, Cupcake. No doubt, he’d be most grateful if wind would/could do that!
I’m sure Norman will be happy to get rid of the cone. The wind damage was really quite remarkable. Glad you place was spared
Walking about the neighborhood and seeing the damage really brought a huge level of gratitude to my heart. Feel so badly for those less fortunate. Cleaning up after all that damage is a real challenge.
Yes, Norman is primed and ready for life without ‘headgear.’ Have a terrific weekend.
You as well, Monika.
Nature is life in that its fragility is humbling.
And Go Norman! Hugs to the big guy.
Happy Friday Monika
Thanks for the pup hugs. He’s more than ready to be rid of that contraption. Fragility pretty much sums it up. Hope you have a terrific weekend.
I bet he is!
And yes, nature always reminds us as to just how fragile all of this is.
Salud!
It really is a pity to see all that damage to trees. We had some storm damage, too, but luckily “only” branches twisted off – without further damage.
Have a wonderful weekend, and stay safe,
Pit
When you think about how long it took for those evergreens to get that tall, it’s so heartbreaking. Hope you and Mary have a great weekend. 🌲
So mee was goin mewo on ’bout stuff…butt mee has to meow ferst to Norman!! “Norman yore SO-O adoorabell holdin yore stuffie!!! An waitin fore yore cone to come off!!” Wee ADOOR you here at THE Purrfect Pad!
Miss Monika an Elsa an Norman seein yore fotoss made us sad fore THE treess!!! Wee had terribell windss on Wednesday with Funderstorms an mee was scaredy-cat…..you know UTB scaredy-cat! LadyMew sat with mee an ree-assured mee all wuud bee well.
Wee got off litely butt many placess losted beeuteefull treess like yoress….oh an 2 tornaydowss touched down inn London which iss ’bout 130 miless southeast of here!! An wee saw a funnel tryin to form rite outside when storm hit us at 7 Pee Em…Whew that was close!
Hope yore weekend iss MUCH quietur!
Oh an yore Moonshien Yarrow iss deelitefull!!
***purrss*** BellaDahrma an {{huggiess}} LadyMew
It’s weird, sounds like wind visiting Blogville everywhere recently. Thanks for the well wishes for Norman. Hard to believe it’s been 3 weeks since he nearly left this mortal earth and now he’s chomping at the stuffie to play. Have a wonderful weekend; stay safe, stay sane and keep smiling.
I absolutely HATE the destruction wind can do to beautiful trees…..we have trees – big ones – all around us and I worry about falling limbs but so far so good in the 24 years we’ve lived here (knock on wood). Love the flower photos – our mock orange bloomed about 3 weeks ago I guess. I love that delicate scent……….. I know a certain pup will be happy to “lose the donut” !!
Hugs, Pam (and Teddy too)
Yes, destructive wind is so hard on trees (as if pollution wasn’t bad enough). Mock orange is one of my favorite shrubs and always wish more people would plant them. Such a great scent. You’re absolutely right, Norman is very ready to lose the donut and move on with life. There is so much this big guy wants these days but is restricted from doing anything that involves running around. I keep telling him “Patience, Grasshopper” but he’s not having any of it! Hope you guys have a swell weekend.
Voi kauhistus, so strong storm. It is terrible to see the results, I love trees and feel very sad always seeing them torn apart. At that same weekend here was also quite a storm damaging trees.
Norman is such a lovely boy, looking happy with his toy and soon he will be “free”.
Mukavaa viikonloppua!
Yes, it’s a terrible thing to see a tree ripped up like that. Sorry about your own storm. Planet earth needs trees even more than ever. I’m hoping the cone comes off Monday-poor Norman is so over wearing it and wants to get back to playing again. He carries that toy around with him all the time just waiting for me to throw it which I can’t do until he’s fully healed. Here’s hoping you have a great weekend, too.
the winds blew our patio furniture off, I wondered if we’d survive but like you said, it was bad then it was over…hows baby Norman?
He’s doing well though extra antsy to play and resume his Stormin’ Norman ways. 🐶
I hope the house wasn’t damaged. That is one huge branch! Your flowers are just beautiful. Hang in there, Norman!
There will be some necessary repairs needed, but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Have a great weekend.
oh… it seems I had the intro to yout post today… poor trees…. We hope that the headgear will be history, all paws are crossed for you dear Norman
It’s always so sad when nature damages trees like that. Norman in particularly thanks you for the crossed paws-he’s SOOOOO over the confines of cone-living.
Monika, so sorry to see those beautiful trees yanked out by the roots. It made me so sad seeing that happen to trees along the beach here. I love trees.
Is Norman doing the happy dance yet? Or is he still wearing his head gear? Please give him a hug from us here.
Hope you’re keeping well.
I actually went to our church small group tonight and socialised for the first time in months with them. It was wonderful. Slowly edging my way back into circulation while still maintaining social distancing. It was such a buzz.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Yes, it was just heartbreaking to see them.
Norman will wear the ‘headgear’ for a couple more days, we’re hoping by Monday it can come off.
The new normal probably won’t look like the old normal for quite some time I suspect.
Yes, I’ve heard people using the term “reset” which initially sounded good, but I wonder how many of us are wanting to go back to exactly how it was before or whether we’re wanting to mix it up a bit. There are some things I’ve really liked about it, such as catching up with people on zoom and I didn’t need to get dressed or leave the house. Very comfy but perhaps comfy isn’t a good way moving forward and we need a bit of discomfort get be fully functional again. Wake up. That said, I bought myself a new pair of fancy slippers yesterday to back up the ugg boots. I think they’ve already gone a bit off white. It was a bit of a crazy idea with the three dogs.
Dogs and white just don’t go very well together. I know I try hard but then white clothes barely last more than a few hours with the 4 legged schmutz patrol. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
For the record, I’m not sure we’ll ever be the way we were. ☺️
Yikes on the trees down. So sad.
Pretty flowers.
Norman looks happy, but I’ll bet he’ll be even happier when that cone comes off.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the pups. ♥
Thanks for the pup scritches. Norman is getting very antsy to have the cone off. It’s getting harder or keep him mellow during the day-he wants to play in the worst way. Happy weekend!
Wow- those must have been some strong winds. Lots of beautiful flowers and go Norman!
They were indeed, I heard over 70 mph here and as high as 104 mph north of the city. 😲
Headgear off! Yay!
We’re hopeful. 🤞🏼 No doubt it seems like it’s been forever for poor Norman.
That’s what I thought! It’s been forever!
Norman definitely thinks three weeks constitutes forever. 😊