Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our pals over at Adventures of the LLB Gang for their weekly blog post. Make sure you check out the link for other posts.
We were absent for last week’s blog hop as we went to celebrate my Dad’s 92nd birthday for a few days so this week’s offerings are a bit ‘catch-as-catch-can’ with no real theme. But sometimes that works out ok as Nature often can be a benevolent mistress when sharing beautiful sights. We weren’t able to do a lot of looking around this week, between the broiling temperatures and catching up after several days away, but managed to capture a few pics from our trip that just might do nicely.
Different from most trips down to Dad’s house in southern Colorado was the addition of a certain Ninja coming along. She loves my Dad so I thought I’d see how’d she do in the ‘wild’ if you will. New situations for Elsa are always tricky and I’ll admit she was definitely a bit out of her routine element but she handled things far better than I had hoped. Dad’s property isn’t fenced and there are loads of critters weaving across the two acres (ground squirrels, rabbits, quail and heaven only knows) but she stayed close to me, cautiously sniffing the trees, bushes and ground. Norman of course, was his usual self but having two clever dogs to keep an eye on kept me on my toes. I’ve learned to never leave anything to chance when dogs are involved.
Let’s start with meeting the neighbors. Norman loves saying good morning to the donkeys across the road and they seem very keen on him so I wondered how Elsa might do.
She has that “what the &#@% are those things” look to her in this pic, which cracked me up. The guys, however are pros around the dogs and didn’t blink an eye no doubt wondering what the fuss-up was all about as Elsa lost her mind and barked her fool head off. Oh that dog.
Rather than wake up the entire area, after brief introductions, we moseyed along our on walk.
The next morning following a most delightful evening rainstorm, the morning skies seemed to shout “Are ya happy now?”
It was exquisitely beautiful. But it got better. As we started out on our morning walk, the sky kept getting redder and redder with that great cloud cover. After we climbed the first hill, I turned around and this is what I saw.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more intense and spectacular sunrise anywhere. It was just breathtaking.
We all had a great visit, celebrating, eating, laughing, and Zooming with out-of-state relatives. It was one terrific visit for one terrific human. Once we got back to Denver, we noticed a new neighbor moved in around the corner from the Ranch so naturally we had to check them out. The dogs weren’t sure what to make of the new feathery dudes, and the ducks sure aren’t keen on them getting too close, but they quack at us every day when we walk by. They usually are swimming in one of the two small pools as their owners sip a cuppa and watch over them. They wave, I wave and Elsa barks her fool head off. She may never be a member on the Welcome Wagon, but fortunately the duck owners seem friendly. I’ll stop when the dogs aren’t with me to welcome them personally.
It’s bounty time now in the veggie garden. I came home to the potted tomato plants kicking into high gear. The cherry tomatoes have been a regular, heavy producer but it’s outperformed itself this year in the hot temps. They are like little red candies-so sweet, so tasty. The ‘Early Girl’ is just now beginning to ripen. All the fruit seems fairly misshapen as well as smaller than I anticipated so I think this year’s experimental planting likely won’t be repeated next year, no doubt to the chagrin of the neighborhood hoodlums…aka squirrels. Anytime I can irritate that local population, I’m a happy gardener.
Well, that’s it for us. With a break in the heat bubble this weekend, we’re hoping to be able to get out and find more of the amazing sights Nature routinely bequeaths us. A news report this morning indicated the Western US should experience a La Niña winter (colder/wetter while warmer/drier in the Southeast), with Colorado being pretty much the dividing line between the two so we’ll see what this means in the weeks ahead. I’ll be grateful to turn the AC off. Hope you are able to enjoy some of Nature’s finest. Have a ‘wagnificent’ weekend.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
What a beautiful visit…a special birthday, donkeys, horses, ducks, tomatoes…and those beautiful skies! It’s finally cooling off at night here in the high desert!
Thank you. The cool mornings are just paradise, aren’t they? It was in the low 40’s over the weekend. Hurrah!
Hi Monika,
I love the sunrise photo and painting of the dogs and the colours are amazing. Happy Birthday to your Dad!
We had a bit of a scare with Lady this week. She was sick last Sunday and by Monday she was looking really bad and was very weak and barely walking. Had lost her appetite. I ended up carrying her to bed. I didn’t expect her to be with us in the morning, but then there she was the next day and she was back to her usual self and fighting fit. Confusing dog. She is 11 so the years are starting to stack up. Dogs can be very confusing. Then, Friday morning Amelia woke me up to tell me the Queen had died. It’s been sad, reflective and very interesting watching footage etc. I’ve gained a lot of respect for her.
Well, I’d better keep moving.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Many thanks for your kind comment and birthday wishes to my Dad. As I explained on an earlier comment, WP must have had a stroke since it spammed more than 30 comments from multiple readers. I apologize. Just now discovered your various comments. I hope sweet Lady is feeling better now and will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. 💖
Growing up, Mom had a Peking duck who she walked on a ribbon “leash” to the local pet show and who got a blue ribbon! Her name was Mickey. XOX Lucy
We’ve had the very, very best fruits and veggies this year! Some years are so much better than others, especially when I slow down to taste them on their way to my tummy! XOX Xena
we all hope you get the cooler weather (but a second winter?). We’re still fighting fleas around here.
The past couple of days have been delightfully cooler. I’m hoping the 90ºF days are totally behind us and Indian Summer reigns. The cherry tomatoes have been so plentiful this year that I’ve decided to make some homemade sundried tomatoes after tasting some my grandson made. Oh my heavens, they were incredibly tasty and easy to make in an airfryer or dehydrator.
Those sound wonderful! I’ve been making lots of tomato pies (to die for!)
Oooh yum…my mouth is salivating just thinking about a tomato pie! Yum.
What a wonderful visit with your Dad for his birthday…..looks like a beautiful place to spend a few days AND what wonderful photos. Such a beautiful landscape and I imagine the dogs were intrigued by the new animal friends they made! Love that you are using one of the trip photos for your header – it’s just GORGEOUS.
Hugs, Pam
Thanks for the kind comment. It was a lovely few days, for Dad and the Ranch Hands. 💙
Happy Birthday greetings and some of our doggy wags, too!
Amazing sunrise!
Our two would both be barking their heads off…at all kinds of things.
Thanks for the birthday greetings. Elsa’s barking took me by surprise. It was one of those fear barking things, moving backwards with each step they took forward, barking all the while to stay back. 😂I think she was completely afraid of them.
Our Angel MJF was like that, too.
These two we have now seem to like hearing themselves…at times we have to use a bark collar to keep the neighbors from getting angry…and they have a dog themselves. Sheesah:(
Uh-oh…an angel female sheepdog was a ‘talker’ and got me in trouble on more than one occasion when she was outside and I was at work. Luckily retirement keeps those days in the ancient history category. 🙂
Happy Birthday wishes to your dad.
Aww, thanks, Garfield. That’s very kind of you.
💞😃💞😃
Happy 92nd Birthday to your Dad!! How blessed you are to have had him for so long.
Many thanks. Yes, we are most blessed, especially considering Mom passed away last year and that loss just broke his heart. He’s quite a man who adores his family so us coming together for him was extra special.
Happy Birthday wishes to your dad! So cool! LOve your blog and all the wonderful photos. Have a great weekend!
Thank you for that kind comment. 😍
Looks like you and the kids had a great time with the birthday boy, great to see.
And fingers crossed that this break in the high temps goes into overtime.
Thanks, Marc. Yes, we had a great visit, great food and a few great beers to celebrate #92.
I’m so with you on hoping for OT. 🤞🏼
That’s fantastic.
Looking forward to more agreeable weather.
Those Donkeyss are cute…mee has nevurr met a Donkey….
An that sure iss a nice Horsie two….
Elsa yore so funny barkin an woofin at efurryone!
And THE Duckss are gorgeeuss two!
Miss Monika that sunset was speck-taculur! An yore foto with Elsa an Sweet Norman inn it made it even bettur!!
Wee back inn *hot* heet an hue-miditee two…THE Sun has baked our Hydrangea plant an it lookss half dedded….An same fore our Black-Eyed Susanss…
BellaSita been waterin THE wee Garden efurry evenin; not alot butt steady an it was not enuff!
Nature sure iss fickell 😉
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{hugss}} BellaSita Mum
Those donkeys and the horses are always polite and curious about the dog(s) for which I’m grateful. Thanks for the kind words on the sunrise-it was truly breathtaking. We’ve done an almost 50º turnaround on the temps since yesterday. So bizarre!
That sunrise was spectacular. Nice to see your dad doing well. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks John. It sure made my morning and primed me for a multi day celebration. Have a great weekend. Hope it’s getting cooler down your way.
Tops only in the high 90s. So cool.
🤣
😊
What a super photograph of your father…and it sounds like a great trip all round.
Isn’t he adorable? I know I’m somewhat biased but I can’t help it.
It was a great trip with a wonderful reason to celebrate. Here’s to a pawsome weekend to you, Leo and of course the Thugs.
Wow, great pictures of Norman and Elsa’s adventure, beautiful western skies. Happy belated birthday to your dad!
Many thanks. We all had a great time! Hope your weekend brings some much needed relief. 🤞🏻
Thanks, looks like the weather people were right this time!
Hurrah! Enjoy it while you can.
Great post! Thank you. By the way … Happy Birthday to your Dad! 🌞🌞
Happy birthday to the head of the clan! He’s looks healthy and happy (but where are the rest of his cupcakes?) Are you sure those are early girl? Maybe mismarked? Sure don’t look like it.
Thanks, yes, we’re truly blessed that he’s in such outstanding shape. His doctor said he should make it to 100. Hahaha…who knew a 92 year old could move that fast. 😆
Hadn’t thought about the plant being mismarked. Not only have they NOT been early, they are more abnormally shaped than any tomato I’ve ever seen. I just wanted a nice tomato for slicing onto burgers and sandwiches but I may just stick with the tasty cherries and cut them in half to keep them from falling off. We’ll see. My grandson planted a number of heirloom tomatoes so maybe I’ll try one of those.
Happy Birthday to your Dad!! Hope he enjoys many more!!
Beautiful photos, as always!!
Many thanks, Sue. It was so nice spending a few days with him and seeing him so happy with the celebration. Have a great weekend.
♫♪♫Happy Birthday♫♪♫ to your handsome dad. I’m glad you had a great visit.
Aw on the pups. Such fun.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the pups, a smooch to Norman and a big hug to you. ♥
You’re too kind, Sandee. Thanks for the birthday wishes and sweet comment about the dogs. Hugs and tail wags. Have a good weekend.
We are finally having days in the low 80’s and the AC is off for the most part. Nice cool mornings in the high 50’s, low’60’s…absolutely perfect for morning dog walks. I will be happy not to see 90s again until next summer.
That makes two of us. In fact if I never see another 90ºF day, it won’t break my heart!
I’m with you on that!!
Happy Birthday to your Dad! Have a great weekend you too!
Thank you very much! More fall-like temps will make the weekend perfect! Enjoy yours as well.
Happy B-Day to Dad! The shot of Norman meeting a horse is adorable, as is that sunset shot. I can identify with a garden that goes “south” courtesy of squirrels, as well as deer, rabbits, you name it…they ate it!
Thanks for the birthday wishes. The horse was more curious about Norman than Norman was of him. He was a handsome fella. I don’t mind a nibble here or there for the local wildlife except for the squirrels. Those rotten evil jerks really cheese me off. They take a tiny bite and then cast the fruit aside on everything but the strawberries. Those they eat lock, stock and barrel. Little brats! Have a super weekend, Bruce.
You have a great one as well, Monika!
Beautiful sunrise! Happy Birthday to your Dad!
Many thanks for the kind wishes and comment. Have a ‘furbulous’ weekend!
Love the new watercolour of the Ranch Hands! That sunrise is stunning in both photo and painting.
Your dad looks like such a happy guy! How wonderful you get to celebrate with him.
What a beautiful spread with those lovely critters. I am so jealous of your garden. Next year!
Happy Friday to you, Monika
Aww, thank you, you’re too kind. I was so happy to be able to celebrate with him for a few days. Those lemon meringue pie lunches were the best!! 🤣
My pleasure. And I bet you were! Mmmmm Lemon meringue pie lunches? How could you resist?
Well we sure couldn’t. 😋 What a way to go. Between the to die for chocolate cake, not 1 but 2 lemon meringue pies and a dozen gourmet cupcakes, there was a lotta sugar for a few days. But so worth it.
Oh my goodness… As long as your body doesn’t bite back, there is nothing wrong with short indulgences like this, I say!
I’ve been detoxing since I got home. LOL
Hahaha! I bet you have!
And walking several miles a day!
Smart cookie! Errr… 😉
Bwahahahaha! Clever girl. Love it.
😉 🍪🎂🥮
😍
🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
No kidding! I walked almost 8 miles yesterday and over 7 so far today.
Whoa! That is a LOT of walking!
And I’m not done yet today. Just realized I need to go to the post office so will likely surpass yesterday’s mileage. But it’s all good. 👍🏻
Wow. You rock, Monika! I have to get back on track… Fell off and man is it hard to convince myselt to start up again.
That’s hard to believe. You’re the running queen! 👸
Hah! Not really. I have to force myself to run… However, I was actually starting to enjoy it, My knees, however, are not 100% on board.
Happy Birthday to your Dad! So happy Elsa did really well! What a great trip!
Thanks, Caren. We all enjoyed the time away and to see sunrises like that was the proverbial icing on the (cup)cake. 🧁