Happy Friday peeps and welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our pals Rosy and Sunny from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Elsa here and Imma ready to dish the latest from the summer of hell. It’s not that it’s been bad mind you, but for the love of all that’s holy, could it get any hotter? For the record, that’s just a rhetorical question. Of course it can be hotter. Just remember this Ninja life observation, House Pony…”things are never so bad, they can’t get worse.”
Wilson: Oy, don’t tell me that. I was hoping we could maybe catch a break on the relentless hot temps that have played out from sea to shining sea.
Elsa: Sorry dude, I just report the news/weather, I don’t create it. But yeah-no…nature decided she was going to pay us a few days visit with gifts. As in recording breaking triple digits. You know what that feels like on a black dog?!
Wilson: You have my sympathies, little sister. But I’m sure our readers are sick of hearing us whine about the heat. We’re all over it. Mum keeps checking a special calendar she has every day and told me we’re ‘just’ 71 days from the official arrival of autumn. She actually cheers now with each passing day as the number is getting smaller. I’m a dog; I live in the present so it kind of passes over me.
Elsa: Yeah, me too…I’m a big proponent of living in the here and now but think I might be tempted as that number gets a lot smaller. Still it kind of dovetails with what’s going on in the urban garden right now. We seem to be in a bit of a transition. All the pretty late spring/early summer blooms are now history and, at least in our garden, not a whole lot is very pretty or blooming much although I will note the Plumbago is starting to set it’s pretty little blue flowers and Mom even found a couple of leaves that were turning mahogany. She thought it was a few weeks early and couldn’t help wondering if that’s a sign that we’ll have an early autumn. This is after all, a La Niña year. Oh sure, the coreopsis, yarrow and the last remains of the Bachelor Buttons are blooming and the Russian Sage is making a colorful splash throughout the neighborhood but our garden is in a bit of transition now.
Wilson: What the bloody devil is a La Niña year? Is this related to El Niño?
Elsa: Well, I’m glad you asked. A La Niña year is when winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the South and cooler than normal in the North. La Niña can also lead to a more severe hurricane season, as evidenced by Hurricane Beryl that pounded Texas earlier this week and still has a million people without power.
Wilson: Gosh, sounds so ominous. I know Mum has been worried about her daughter who lives in the Houston area and who’s been without power all week long. As of last night, the hope was that the power will be restored by midnight tonight. So what’s the difference between La Niña and El Niño?
Elsa: El Niño is the opposite of La Niña. According to NOAA, during La Niña events, “trade winds are even stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia. Off the west coast of the Americas, with seawater levels increasing, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface. winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the South and cooler than normal in the North. La Niña can also lead to a more severe hurricane season. These cold waters in the Pacific push the jet stream northward. This tends to lead to drought in the southern U.S. and heavy rains and flooding in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
Wilson: Fascinating. Thanks for the meteorology lesson.
Elsa: Hey, that’s what I’m here for. So let’s share the pics Mom took this week. I’m giving her a pass on the few photos because of the heat. I’m not completely heartless.
Wilson: Quite sporting of you, mate. So she and I walk past this corner garden every day. The garden itself is somewhat nondescript as gardens go, it’s a bit wild and jungle-y. And now that the allium have finished blooming the gardener had a brilliant idea to bring some color and attention to that corner space. Mum watercolored it for today’s header. Here’s what it looks like for real.
Elsa: Whoa…that is pretty clever! I see what you mean about the jungle but I do like that ceramic piglet on the bench. And I see there is an Oregon grape (holly-leaved barberry) plant there too, along with some other plants.
Wilson: You know I’ve never noticed that pig statute before. I’m always more interested in the tree rats that live there. Mum always grips my leash tightly as we walked past.
Elsa: Well gosh, I wonder why? Could it be that her shoulders are shot and she’s tired of becoming a human kite?
Wilson: {blushing} Sorry, I just can’t help myself. I am beginning to focus a bit more on the numerous bunnies that have populated our neighborhood. Boy, are they ever fast! And wily too. They deke so much better than squirrels. Even the babies. They could make a kite run much more interesting…er I mean a side hunt.
Elsa: {eyes rolling} Are you trying to kill our Mom?
Wilson: Certainly not. I’m just a victim of canine instincts. But I have to protect my Mum.
Elsa: Protect is one thing…your homicidal critter chasing is something else. You gotta remember you’re a herder, not a hunting dog!
Wilson: I know, I know…but I can’t help it if they jump out in front of me and startle us both, can I?
Elsa: Just focus on sheep, pal, okay and leave the squirrels and rabbits to the hunting dogs. Or better yet, just learn to ignore them. Does that work for ya?
Wilson: Umm, I’ll try. But can’t make any promises.
Elsa: Well, If wishes were horses, beggars would ride, I say. What else you got, House Pony?
Wilson: Well, you know how Mum has been battling the nasty wasps that keep hanging around our solar fountain. Well it’s been good practice because she’s trained her eyes to find bees on milkweed as well as that beautiful globe thistle that’s currently blooming.
Wilson: I’ve been trying to catch bees as well but Mum has managed to deter my laser like moves here as well. Sometimes, she takes the fun out of our walks.
Elsa: Oh lord. You’re gonna get stung and then maybe you’ll learn to leave them alone. They’re the kind of pollinators we like in the garden…like those pretty Swallowtail butterflies.
Wilson: You mean they bite? Crikey…maybe I should rethink biting them.
Elsa: What else you got, dude? Something I hope that doesn’t involve turning Mom into a kite or provides you with a tiny snack.
Wilson: Oooh, did you say snack? Mum’s potted cherry tomatoes are beginning to ripen. She told me under no circumstances was I to go near them. Luckily they don’t really appeal to me so I’ve been good not trying to nosh on them.
Elsa: Mom was so excited to see that little spot of reddish goodness. I think she even drooled a little. She babies her potted tomato plants and works hard to keep the neighborhood critters who shall remain nameless away from them. I think she said they cost about $20 a pound after it’s all said and done. Still, she enjoys them saying there’s nothing half as tasty at the grocery store.
Wilson: Well that’s everything I have for this week, Ninja. I guess we’re gonna be spending a lot of time in the cool comfort of the house which means lots of naps. I don’t know about you, but I’m okay with that.
Elsa: Naps? Oh yeah, put me down for lots of naps in air conditioned bliss. Whatever you do for the weekend, we hope you stay hydrated and enjoy catching slices of Mother Nature early before she gets a head of hot steam going. Have a great weekend!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Java Bean: “Ayyy, just stay sleeping on that sofa, Wilson, because don’t look now but things just got worse! Again!”
Lulu: “But at least the flowers are very pretty!”
It’s too hot to do anything else, Bean. Thanks, Lulu. You’re both too kind.
We wish we could say that it’s hot, Elsa and Wilson. One or two days the heat is on and the other day the temperature drops 20 degrees with rain…But we don’t complain…much…we like it hot, so we keep hoping that Summer really arrives here in our Country😸Granny’s tomatoes are still seedlings, they refuse to grow in this weather🙈Your header is amazing! We like how your mom did it, so colourful. Double COOL Pawkisses for a Happy Sunday to all of you🐾😽💞
Thanks, Stippie and Peachy. Mum loves watercolors and practices all the time. One day we hope she gets good at it. LOL
The tomatoes are loving our hot days and coolish nights. Now have a couple ready to snack on. 😋 Yum. Feel free to send your extra rain and we’ll try to forward our summer temps to you.
We hit 100 one day this week, and the rest of the week was in the 90’s. Way. Too. Hot. My hostas are crispy and my pups turn into hotdogs outside. I do love that yard of beautifully colored flowers!! Wilson, stay away from the stinging insects. I ended up in the ER on the 4th from one of them! Amy
You’re right, it’s waty. too. hot. I’m starting to make progress (at least I think so) with Wilson’s wasp hunting adventures. Squirrels however remain a challenge. Stay as cool as you can.
Dogs will want to chase squirrels as long as there are squirrels. Good luck.
He’s also discovered a burgeoning rabbit population. Nothing like going from zero to 60 in a flash at 5:30 in the morning! LOL
Yikes!
I have a pot of those $$ tomatoes sitting on my deck too. I’ve had 2 so far and they are wonderful. Every year I say I’ll rethink the work as they don’t give as many tomatoes as they would in the ground but in the spring after a long hard winter, I’m so weak! Have a great weekend!
My pots are fairly large and once they start ripening, I have tons of cherry tomatoes. It’s almost too many. But they are so doggone tasty, I can’t help but do it every year. Last year I made sundried tomatoes I had to many and enjoyed them all winter. Stay cool this weekend if you can.
I need a bigger pot!
It has been crazy hot here too and it’s supposed to get hotter next week. Your flowers and art are so darn pretty! Keep your cool!
Thanks, Terry. We’re doing our best to stay cool (at least we have power unlike too many folks in Houston). So glad you enjoyed the flower show. Enjoy the weekend.
My Mom keeps saying the whole country is “hot as Hades” but I don’t know what a Hades is! Anyway, beautiful garden photos and Mom is sorry she didn’t start a tomato plant on the deck in a big pot like she used to……she LOVES cherry tomatoes. Sorry Mom – we’ll just have to get you some at the grocery. BEAUTIFUL photos by the way!!
Hugs, Teddy (and Mom)
Many thanks, Teddy (and Mom) Cherry tomatoes in a pot are so easy and sooo very tasty. There’s no comparison to grocery store cardboard, er I mean produce compared to what you can grow at home.
Too hot at your place, and we thought 90+ was awful…of course around here, when it gets hot the humidity goes way up, too.
Love that colored garden! It sure does catch the eye!
Thanks, I love walking past it every day-it makes me smile. We are fortunate with regard to low humidity. But at those high temps, it seems to be little difference in the misery factor between pizza oven hot and Finnish sauna hot. 😉 Stay cool this weekend.
It was a nice El Niño and La Niña lesson. The cherry tomatoes look nice.
Many thanks, Thomas. It certainly explains what’s been happening lately. Fresh cherry tomatoes are almost as good as chocolate! Almost but boy they are pretty close. 🤣
I really hope your Mom’s daughter gets her power back on tonight!
Stay away from the bees, Wilson, or you will be sorry for sure. Listen to wise Elsa, and yes, be easy on your Mom! 😊
No squirrel or rabbit is worth your sweet mom getting hurt.
Looks like you have it made lying in the A/C. Thats better than hunting squirrels. 😉
Happy Weekend to all of you! Stay cool and I think your Mom should do a Happy Dance as she counts down to the beginning of Autumn. 😊
Wilson: There’s nothing better than hunting squirrels. Just wish I could catch one!
Elsa: Eyes rolling. What. an. idiot.
The Mom: It was 102ºF today, should stay the same for the next several day. Ugh 🥵
Have a great weekend-stay cool.
Hang in there Elsa, he will learn. 🤣
Oooh gosh, sorry! We had a break in the heat the past 2 days and it felt great! But going back up to 94 tomorrow. and the following week. I feel ya! Give me an ocean breeze!
At this point I’d say give me a foot deep snowstorm!
And you would happily build a snowman! 😊
Doggone straight! ⛄️
🤣
Your mom takes the best nature shots. Have a nice weekend. XO
Aww, you’re too kind. She is blushing about your sweet comment. Have a great weekend.
Lovely photos Monika! And nice job explaining La Nina!
Thanks Amy. Guess we need to buckle up for interesting times, otherwise known as La Niña. Have a good weekend.
I found the discussion on the weather very interesting. Also your watercolor of the flowers is beautiful. Thank you for sharing that, Monika.
Thanks, John. Both phenomena greatly impact life these days. We continue to mess with balance and it’s going to bite back.
Thanks for the kind comment about the watercolor-I am pleased you like it. I thought that gardener’s use of spray paint was so brilliantly clever. Here’s hoping you have a good weekend. Stay as cool as you can.
Thank you, Monika. I thought that spray was clever too. We are going to have upper 90s this weekend which we are very used to.
Piece of cake for you guys!
😁
It’s definitely the time of year when those of us in the West start worrying about wildfires. Just the other day there was a “controlled burn” near my house that of course got out of control.
Anymore, I worry about it all year long! There is no fire season any more. It only takes 1 spark and a little wind…just ask anyone whose house was burned down in the Marshall Fire back in December 2021.
The flowers sure are beautiful! The heat is coming our way next week, Chester disapproves. We bought a doggie pool but he won’t go in it. The grandkids will though!
Well at least someone will enjoy the pool. Hang in there, Chester. Elsa and Wilson are right there with you. Stay as cool as possible.
I heard that people finally acknowledge climate change but… they pretend it has nothing to do with human actions. Seems like they’d want to believe the facts as that gives us some control over it… if we mend our ways. Guess not though.
Your pics are great.
oh and the power company is asking us not to use the AC when it’s really hot… OMG give up some profit and build more ways to create more power. They are building 600 apts near our houses, and ALL of them are going to want power.
not good management of resources
Aww, thanks so much for the kind comment. I think Xcel is taking a lot of heat after that recent, preemptive blackout. Far be it for me to defend these money grubbers but personally I don’t think the grid can sustain the demand during these hot days and they’re trying to dial usage back. At least we have power…my daughter has been without power all week and she still has no ETA for when it will come back on down in Texas. Talk about a bloody cluster. Sadly this rush toward density is going to be a disaster. I mean look at transportation…where are all these cars gonna go for all those apartment complexes. With all the increased number of units, no one had an answer for the drivers. And parking spaces…now there’s a joke that’s not particularly funny in my neighborhood after a number of apartments were built. The park blocks away in front of houses because of the parking fees being charged by these mega properties not to mention a non-stop rush hour. 😵💫
I don’t know what I like more, the beautiful flowers…or those yummy looking tomatoes!
We are actually having more rain this monsoon season than we’ve had since moving to NM. But the temperatures sure are toasty!
xoxo,
Beth and the girls
Denver is right at the line for the Gulf Stream-and usually we miss out on the moisture unless we get an Albuquerque low. I keep hoping the monsoons will kick in soon. Everything is getting crunchy brown (unless you spray paint the plants like that gardener did). 102ºF today and will likely be the same until Tuesday. 🥵
Your post could have been mostly written by our mom too. Since the summer solstice day, she keeps saying we are getting closer to winter every day. None of us nor our mom like summer. Now we finally are coming out from under water with our months of rain and flooding right into upper 90’s and humid. Yuck! Nelson is trying to kill our mom too. He is out of his mind for rabbits and his 50 pounds of lunging is hard to hold onto. Mom has strong arms from trying to hold onto his leash. One day, she may be killed or injured by him too. Have a good weekend anyway!
Oh boy, what our Mom would give for a 50 lb. dog (Wilson is just over 90 lb. and strong as an ox)! LOL But yeah, we know exactly what you mean. Mom never has to lift weights after walking us. And all 3 of us think summer is way overrated.
Your fur-ends,
Elsa & Wilson, House Pony and Squirrel Hunter
I discourage chasing bees too. Fun post.
Thanks. So far we’ve managed to dodge the bee bullet. Wasps are a bigger target and easier to track. We hope we don’t have to resort to more strident measures. 🤞🏼 Have a great weekend.
Loved the header!
You must be out and about early to avoid the heat!
Thanks. I thought it was amazing they spray painted different colors on all those spent allium that would just look crispy after they bloomed.
Yes, we’ve been going shortly after the crack of dawn. This morning it was already getting toasty so Wilson’s second walk was cut about half a mile short. I was toast in the heat-I can’t imagine how he felt in a fur coat even if it’s been clipped. At least we don’t have the humidity. Wishing you and the thugs a relaxing weekend.