{Whispering} Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our hosts, Rosy and Sunny from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others shared. Elsa here with the latest skinny from around the Ranch. I wanted to start today’s post before that numbskull messes it up like he did last week. On the one hand, it’s still pretty dark early in the morning so pardon me for whispering-don’t want to wake up the kraken. On the other hand, it’s dark and by getting up early to beat that fool, I’m missing out on my beauty sleep. The things I do for this blog.
Anyway, this has been a whirlwind busy of a week…
Wilson: {yawning and smacking his lips} Huh, blurp…uh, what’s going on…where am I? I’m up!
Elsa: {rolling her eyes} Dude, you interrupted me. I was laying the foundation for you to open up with this week’s post. You’re awake? Your bedhead looks pretty gnarly, House Pony.
Wilson: Umm, yeah…I haven’t had a chance to brush my hair yet but thought I was hearing you talk to someone. So…is it kosher for me to start now?
Elsa: If you must. Go for it.
Wilson: Well, when you put it like that…this week we are joining our friends…
Elsa: {smacks paw against her forehead} You fool, I already took care of that.
Wilson: Right, okay, then I presume it’s ok to start sharing photos?
Elsa: Yes!! Sheesh, I don’t know why I…ugh…you just can’t get good help. Go already!
Wilson: {shaking off the annoying little sister’s comment} As I was just about to say…it’s been quite the week. You managed to eat more mail again, including Mum’s ballot she just received. You seem to be on a mission to send her over the edge.
Elsa: Maybe I was just irritated that she took you on a separate, longer walk after our initial sniff-ari. Besides, did you see it was 6 pages long? Sheesh, Mom’s busy and doesn’t have time to investigate all those citizen initiatives on the ballot. She just wants to make sure her vote for President is counted. The ballot was too long, I was just shortening it for brevity’s sake.
Wilson: We dogs are a smart lot, but Mum said you’ve lost the plot, little sister.
Elsa: Get over yourself. Besides, it was good for Mom to get out and see the world. Even if it’s the construction zone formerly known as downtown. Whoa, what a cluster. If it makes you feel better, I felt bad that she had to endure the crazy trip. She took the bus downtown to avoid the outrageous parking fees on what was a very nice autumn day (we’re hoping autumn temps will now dominate the landscape) but had no idea she was going to have to be plunked in the middle of such a major construction zone and would need to walk about on foot to get to the election board.
Wilson: Well you should feel badly. Without wheels, she was forced to wander hither and yon, back and forth, to get around all the construction on the mall (they’re resurfacing it and there was loads of heavy excavation equipment and workers directly traffic) in order to get over to the election office to obtain a duplicate ballot. She was too cautious to take photos of all that chaos with uneven surfaces, holes and the like and that wasn’t the kind of nature she wanted to share anyway so when she realized she was going to need to walk home, she walked along Cherry Creek which runs parallel to downtown. She discovered the creek was clear, but it was littered with all kinds of trash. That 3+ mile walk home was pretty depressing. Here’s a gallery of some of what she saw.
Elsa: Whoa…the first couple of pics looked pretty good. The golden light was nice, everyone loves seeing ducks and things seemed all hunky-dory.
Wilson: Right, but the longer she walked, the more depressing and filthy it got. Despite multi-million dollar lofts on the east side of Cherry Creek, there was a lot of trash in the creek. Broken bottles, wrappers and even a chair. Come on humans…do better for our planet. Mum has never seen it like that before.
Elsa: I couldn’t agree more, brother. I see she got a decent shot of Confluence Park where Cherry Creek and the South Platte meet. Surprised there weren’t more people hanging out-it used to always have people playing in the water, kayaking and throwing sticks for their dogs in the past.
Wilson: Why would anyone want to deal with the traffic, construction and trash?
Elsa: I see your point. So now to the portion of our post where you gleefully get to post the latest Halloween scene from around the ‘Hood. I know this will make your bum wiggle with joy.
Wilson: I truly have found this neighborhood really gets into the whole Halloween decorating thing. It’s puzzling to me. This first photo is what is known as Halloween central. People from all over the city come to see this yard which has dozens of skellies including a lot of animal skellies. They change up the scene, usually weekly. Can you imagine dressing up all these guys every week? The latest theme-Olympic, is complete with flags from France (the most recent host to the summer Olympics), USA and even the Olympic flag with the iconic rings. They even went to the trouble of getting placards for the various displayed competition events which included a some gymnastics scenes, judo, swimming, table tennis and wrestling. Everytime we walked past it Mum finds another thing she’s missed before. She stands there in awe some days. People drive or walk by taking photos and shaking their heads in awe. Humans are truly odd.
Elsa: That’s an understatement. So big guy, anything on your agenda this weekend?
Wilson: Just the usual dog stuff. Chase squirrels, nosh on treats and cuddle with Mum. It’s been quite crisp in the mornings and I have found she appreciates me blanketing her and keeping her nice and toasty.
Elsa: {under her breath} More like being pinned down and unable to move a muscle.
Wilson: Huh, what’s that you say?
Elsa: Oh nothing. Whatever you do, we hope you’re able to enjoy a lovely autumn weekend. Our forecast is calling for snow in the southwestern part of the state with Wolf Creek Pass already getting some yesterday. Naturally Denver remains a brown spot. Sigh.
Wilson: Maybe if we’re lucky, we might get a drop or two of rain in the city with a couple of inches of snow in the nearby mountains. Hope springs eternal.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Bring. On. THE. Rain!!! Rite Elsa an Wilson??? Mee-yow Miss Monika Cherry Creek started out purrty…..poor creek! Iss furry sad that sum Human’ss think of Mother Earth as a dumpin ground 🙁 This iss our Home!
***nose bopss*** BellaDharma an **blowss kissess** BellaSita Mum
We sure could use some. We haven’t had any moisture since early September. Things are crunchy dry.
Love your dogs
Thank you! And thanks for swinging by the Ranch. We 💙 visitors.
Loved the bit about the ballot! Great pics, as always.
Thanks Sue. It’s funny now, but was a bit stress inducing until I got ahold of the Election Board and Secretary of State’s office. #ohthatdog!
Good for you for going more than the extra mile so you could vote! I wonder what vitamin or mineral deficiency has Elsa eating all your mail!!! (Just kidding.)
I can’t help wondering about that myself. She has a lot of quirks but the mail noshing is one of the strangest!
It really is unusual. You have to wonder what that’s all about.
I think the messed hair look is a winner for Wilson. He looks like a male dog model this way, and I’m sure he knows it 😉
As for Elsa, you go girl! Fight the power! I’m so sick of all the political mail that happens this time of year. They promise to cut the fat and then they spend a small fortune on mailers!
Have a great weekend kids
The mailers are the tip of the iceberg. The phone calls are endless. And people wonder why I’m so vehemently opposed to citizen initiatives that back some ridiculous self interest to get on the ballot and bombard you with flyers, texts, and phone calls. Why do we even have a state legislature if people are going to bypass them in favor of this ad hoc legislative action? Mom dropped her ballot off yesterday and hopes that now that she’s voted, there will be a reduction at least in the calls/texts. Good political campaigns get updated lists of folks who haven’t turned their votes in yet and will move on to the low hanging fruit. Hope springs eternal. 🤞🏼 Have a great weekend!
You’re right, the system is sick with redundancy and serves as a reminder as to where our tax dollars DON’T go. We the people might be in need of a remake . . as in Woe the people.
Hope your weekend is just the right temp
The problem with the ‘system’ is it only serves those whose self interests are fed with all those piles of money. Talk about gluttony. There are two interests here that need a remake-the moneychangers who seek even more power with which to boost their bottomline with and the low information voter who will believe anything without really looking at what furthers the power structure from the very people who brought it to their attention. It’s quite the sick symbiotic relationship and the country as a whole suffers from these two factions.
George Carlin wasn’t wrong when he spoke about the appeal of such a system to the dim witted. Let’s face it, this entire election process is easy to root for if you are of the belief that it’s a sporting event. You have your side and you can behave like a complete moron and be catered to as a result.
If only there was a way to educate those low wattage voters so they aren’t swayed by the special interests and make better choices for government. Sigh.
But . . . but . . . but . . there’s WWE and MMA and NFL and beef jerky!! So much beef jerky!
🤦🏼♀️ That makes for a compelling argument to eat less meat, doesn’t it.
It really does.
Well nice of you to want to shorten Mom’s ballot so it’s less writing to do but I guess THAT plan didn’t work out! Sometimes our good deeds just aren’t recognized are they!!!
Hugs, Teddy
You’d think she’d be more appreciative of my helpfulness. BOL
I’m with you, politics have been crazy the last month or so…I can’t wait for it to be over!
One of the things I’ve noticed lately are all the sheer number of yard signs lining roadways. It’s the worst I’ve ever seen. Having worked on numerous campaigns we were always told, yard signs don’t vote-people do. Engage with them, don’t litter highway exit and on-ramps. Here’s hoping you can peacefully manage the next 17 days. 😉
Sounds like quite the excursion. Glad you had beautiful fall weather to soften the blow of the construction.
Excursion…uh-huh…that’s one way of putting it. 😵💫 I have never seen as much construction and road maintenance in all the years I’ve lived here. Course if the city had properly maintained them all along, they wouldn’t have to start over from scratch. but that’s a whole ‘nutter issue. Have a great weekend celebration. Sending loads of love your way.
Java Bean: “Ayyy, that gives new meaning to ‘spoiled ballot’ …”
Indeed it does, Bean.
Xena: We say, “Keep America Beautiful!”
Chia: I say, “Give a hoot, don’t pollute.”
Lucy: Thank you, Miss Monika, for going to all the trouble to get another ballot! Elsa! Stop eating the mail!! Please.
Our Mom has voted since the 70’s (yeah, she’s THAT old) and isn’t going to let us dogs stop her. We wish more people felt like you, Xena and Chia.
We do try to keep things fertilized, too!
👍🏻
I hope you get to chew up lots of ballots! Oh my, y’all are gonna get snow??? Yikes!
Well…only ‘certain’ ballots. 😉 Snow for the high country, not in the city. But it’s pretty chilly today. Mom got out the lap blankets for when she watches her hockey game tonight.
I guess you weren’t happy with any of the candidates. 🙂
Apparently! 🤣
Well, that gives new meaning to “the dog ate my homework!”
It sure does! And regrettably it’s been a phrase I’ve repeated more than once lately.
We feel your pain re: waiting for some rain to come around here too. I guess Elsa chewing your ballot is “election interference” … very unfair!
Bwahahaha…election interference. Love it. This dog has eaten more mail in the past two weeks that I ever thought possible. She’s worse than Elon trolling my social media feed. 🤣
The skill dog was fun. Sorry for all the mess in the river. Your other shots were beautiful. Thanks for sharing your quest for another ballot.
Mom deliberately didn’t put in all the details about getting the duplicate ballot. It’s humorous today but yesterday walking over 11 miles, not as much. 😉 Mom was heartbroken seeing the beautiful riverwalk so contaminated with trash. People are just so thoughtless.
I can imagine yesterday not as much. 😁 Sad to see the effects of lazy people.
Lazy yes, but probably worse, more entitled.
That is a better word. Entitled.
That condition has sadly become endemic in our society.
So true, Monika.
Eating election ballots is better than eating homework. It is a great dog skeleton. Wilson and Elsa’s dialogue was a delight to read.
Thanks, Thomas. Mom is getting a lot of mileage out of telling people, “the dog ate (xyz). She thinks it’s funny. I think she’s slandering me.
Have a good weekend, your friends…
Elsa and her House Pony brother 🐾
It is amazing how much the scenery can degrade when you take a walk…so very sad.
Looks like it’s going to be a wild weather weekend here too!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny(and Beth)
The litter was appalling and left Mom feeling very sad. Mom had an appointment this morning and tiny 4 drops of rain. Sure hope it does better than that-we need the moisture. But it’s quite chilly. If we do get any moisture, I’m sure lots of leaves will blow away.
Mom says a lot of those people in the million dollar places feel entitled and like someone else should pick up after them. It is sad. Nelson wants you to know he ripped open and chewed up two 8×10 photo frames and some business cards for Mom last weekend when he was left home with Bailie. Then to top it off, he left the destruction in Bailie’s big dog bed. What is it with the boys??? We know it wasn’t Bailie. Have a nice weekend and send the snow over here, we would love some.
Uh oh…head shaking…Nelson, we thought you were better than that. Guess you got bored, eh?
You could be right about the entitlement angle. Denver has grown so much over the past 5-8 years and people from all over the country have settled here. I guess they just don’t realize the thing that attracted them to move here is what they’re ruining with their trash. Sigh.
I just love these skellie dogs! I would get one but Chester would be scared of it. He does have a costume this year for the first time. How sad that such a beautiful area is getting trashed. We have a park by us that was getting dumped on until the metroparks took it over. now it’s really nice. I hope yours has the same fate. Have a good weekend and hugs to those sweet pups!
The skellies are really something and some are very well done. We’ve noticed more than a few that have skier themes. Must be lots of old skis out there. 😉
Thank you for going the distance in order to cast your vote, Monika. You’re going to have to get a lock box to store your mail in! Hope your weekend is a beautiful and restful one. 💚
Our Mom is a naturalized citizen and takes voting extremely seriously. She’s been voting since she was first eligible back in the 70’s. She said she wasn’t going to let a…and I quote…cellulose eating mutt ruin her record. 😁 Talk about harsh! BOL
👍🏼
What a miserable visit to get a duplicate paper….construction, obstruction and then a pretty waterside walk spoiled by rubbish in the water.
At least ‘Halloween central’ is kept tidy!
It was quite alarming to see all the rubbish in the creek. If our Mom lived in that toney neighborhood, she’d be having people get out there and picking up all that trash!
Have a good weekend, Helen.
I just bet she would!