Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others posted. Elsa here. Can you believe it, there are only 60 days left in 2024?? My heavens, where did this year go? This week’s post is what I’m calling the “Last of the Mohicans” since there’s not a lot of flowers left after we experienced a hard frost yesterday morning. While we’re glad the days have turned toward more seasonal autumn temps, it was a bit of a shock to the system to walk in such chilly conditions. Mom even drug out our coats as it we received a couple of drops of moisture and the wind chill was pronounced.
Wilson: Ooh, ooh, please let me show a photo of that, okay?
Elsa: Go for it, House Pony.
Wilson: I rather enjoyed wearing my coat and you looked quite fetching yourself.
Elsa: I was more impressed that you and I walked together so closely. We start out next to each other these days for our walks but then you peel off to go ‘water’ a tree or some other poor piece of nature. It’s just so weird, even Mom commented on how we’re doing next to each other. I guess after nearly 11 months, I’m getting better about accepting you as a brother and not nearly as timid.
Wilson: Gosh, you’re right. I hadn’t noticed. I’m always so focused on my surroundings and keeping my eyes peeled for squirrels.
Elsa: I figured as much-you tend to forget I’m around and bump me when you plow through. I’m getting better about letting you go first but Mom has started making you wait until I clear a doorway or other narrow pathway.
Wilson: I’m sorry, it’s not intentional to bump you, I just tend to be a bit wound up. Maybe with this walking next to each other thing will become more common and I’ll get used to not being a bulldozer.
Elsa: Hope springs eternal. My balance reflexes are a tad teeter-y. But I know Mom’s got my back so behave yourself, dude. Okay?
Wilson: Right, I’m trying hard to be less excitable. So did you notice the red leaves have started falling in big numbers?
Elsa: Sure did. Mom was oohing and aahing the whole walk. Show everyone just how much moisture we received. What was it, 12-15 drops?
Wilson: Right…it wasn’t much. The forecasters who said we may receive a spot of snow were wrong but they tell me now we may receive a few inches on Monday.
Elsa: Well…can’t wait for that…oh wait…yes I can. These past couple of chilly mornings have made the ole bones just a tad creaky and I’ve enjoyed taking over your cuddle bed.
Wilson: I’ve noticed that but I tend to occupy it on the afternoon/evening shift. Mum said she needs to find another one but has no place to put it since there are beds galore throughout the house. Guess for now, we’ll just have to share it and I’m on board with that.
Elsa: Thanks, I appreciate that. So what else have you got?
Wilson: Well like you said, it’s getting a bit sparse on flower blooming. Our neighbor had a few gorgeous roses but he must have cut them because they were gone late yesterday afternoon. Our Canadian shrub roses look fairly pitiful with only a few bracts blooming. This was the best of the lot and I’m only showing to for Rosy.
Elsa: You’re right, pretty pathetic. Hope Rosy doesn’t hold that against us.
Wilson: {gasp} Sweet Rosy would never do that! She’d just smile and be gracious as always. We do have a couple of tomatoes that survived the frost but I think Mum is going to ash-can the plant. They likely won’t taste very good. I know she’s going to miss noshing on fabulous tomatoes. The ones in the grocery store seem to be pretty flavorless.
Elsa: I wouldn’t know…they’re veggies and when it comes to veggies, I only willingly eat green beans and broccoli.
Wilson: Oh, you’re missing out on a lot of tasty morsels and I’m happy to take your portions for you. You hear that, Mum? Give Elsa’s tomatoes and fruit snacks to me. She said it’s okay.
Elsa: {eyes rolling} Egad, you are shameless when it comes to tiny morsels.
Wilson: You can never have too many tidbits, I say.
Elsa: {moving along} Well I see there are still a few snapdragons blooming. They are so resilient.
Wilson: They certainly are! So are the Zinnias and now that the temperatures are cooler, the Pansies have started to bloom too.
Elsa: Those pansies are cute. I’m kind of over the Zinnias and marigolds, they’re looking way too bedraggled.
Wilson: But the Plumbago has come alive with rich mahogany leaf-color. There are just a few blue flowers now but the Plumbago is giving the maple trees a run for its money.
Elsa: Well I for one hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween. There were no trick-or-treaters last night so it was peaceful and quiet. Good thing, I’d have given them a piece of my mind like I did with yesterday’s creature where I barked yelled “Boo!” to on our walk. Try to scare me…get over your bad self!
Wilson: I for one appreciate you standing up for me. Now that we’re through Halloween, we can focus on Thanksgiving. I’m salivating just thinking about all the yummy food that will be served…
Elsa: {interrupting} There you go again, thinking with your stomach.
Wilson: What’s wrong with that?
Elsa: I. can’t. even. begin. to. explain. it. Suffice to say we hope you have a great weekend and are able to get out and enjoy the return of nice weather and hope you find one of the beautiful sights Mother Nature provides for us. Enjoy celebrating Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) this weekend.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Java Bean: “Ayyy, I am not sure I would want to get that close to that tall scary thing! But on the other hand I do kind of want to pee on it, so …”
Snicker…the ultimate power over monsters!
I gotta say, a “spot of snow” almost seems okay. Maybe it’s that it sounds so much more sophisticated than simply saying a shitload of snow, not sure.
As for Wilson, his exuberance is one of the many charming qualities the boy possesses. And I am duly impressed that Elsa is showing just how adept she is at team work, not that I’m all that surprised because the girl has it going on.
As for Plumbagos . . I had no idea such a thing exists. And such a beautiful thing at that.
No visitors for Halloween here either so I took ALL the candy and brought it to work. It was only one big bag, just in case. But it’s better if it doesn’t live here because then it forces me to eat it. Bully. Candy is SUCH a bully.
Thank you for the kind comment. I must confess, taking in Halloween loot to work is the one thing I miss about those days. LOL The Plumbago is one of the nicest ground covers around. Never picky about its soil and get on just swell with little water, it’s beautifully green throughout summer, gorgeous blue flowers appear in late August/September and then the leave turn a gorgeous shade of mahogany…Ijust love this 3 season plant.
The kids are doing fairly well co-existing these days. I hope they both continue on the path of good will and peace.
I had exactly three butterfingers and two million dollar bars, the fun size of course. And that is probably that for my candy intake for the season.
Yeah, it’s a beautiful plant. All that AND so agreeable, truly nature’s pride and joy I tell you what.
I believe!
Glad to see the weather is finally behaving 😀
It’s at least seasonal. Now if Mother Nature could deliver some moisture.
Good Saturday Morning!!! Aww, those few stragglers that are still hanging on are lovely! Thanks to my hooligans and the wild critters, I don’t have any flowers left in the back yard. The nandinas (sp?) under the front window are pretty during the summer, but I hardly see them any more. Sam used to do such a good job keeping everything looking nice before the dementia took over. 😢 But I’ve always had a black thumb. I’m surprised Zen’s shamrock hasn’t croaked yet.
I’m glad Elsa and Wilson like their cuddle bed! The Z Kids would rather rest on the floor – or next to me on the couch – than on a dog bed. I still have one of the two LL Bean dog beds that I bought when Callie and Shadow were youngsters. I put new covers on it and bought a new second bed from Molly Mutt to match. What do these two do? Chew holes in the covers! I finally just gave up. And the cooling mats I bought in May? They walk around and over them, but refuse to sleep on them. I guess I spoiled them letting them sleep on Sam’s side of the bed at night. 💚💜
Good to hear from you! There are a few plants that I do well with but historically my efforts trying to grow herbs have been dismal. For some reason, I can barely keep them alive-probably because I’m so stingy with watering. That said, I’m always surprised when annuals manage to defy nature with the early frosts. Dandelions are so resilient (in fact I haven’t bought any in years-all of mine are volunteers from the previous years with a bit of hybridization from pollinators).
How funny your pupsters chew the corners of their bed covers. Makes you wonder what that’s all about. Around the ranch, it’s just socks that seem to fall to the jaws of death! LOL Have a great weekend.
You both look fab in your nice warm coats on a frosty morning. We didn’t have any trick or treaters either and I was quite happy about that…..Mom and Dad said THEY would take care of the leftover candy! We have lots of red leaves down too – our yellow, orange and red maples have dumped 90% of their leaves even though our temps have been close to 80 – WHERE IS FALL???? We think this next week will be a lot cooler. I’m ready. My coat is nice and thick and my BIG layer of fat will protect me!!!
Hugs, Teddy
It seems like each season gets weirder and weirder as the planet struggles with temperatures. A lot of leaves have fallen but it seems like every third day or so, a whole new crop of them are on the ground. At this rate, I’ll be raking until…December! Have a great weekend and enjoy some cooler temps.
Autumn is so pretty, here, too! Those sure were hardy blooms that you captured after the frost. We saw all the patio pots get cut down, and the dahlias went to their hibernating place in our cellar. Some larger pots will get v=cleaned out later, they have perennials in them so they can take the frost. I first collect the seed heads and spend winter deciding where to put them in the spring!
Thanks for the fun stroll you two!
Our autumns tend to lean more toward gold than orange or red with a couple of exceptions in the maple family. Whenever I’ve been back east, I’m constantly marveling at the red and orange of autumn. Soooo beautiful. You’re so industrious dealing with dahlias. While they are very pretty, there’s no way I’d dig them up and replant next spring. I can barely trim all of irises and grumble the whole time I have to do that chore. Raking on a large lot makes maintenance chores so much more tedious. Thanks for dropping in; we always love visitors. Have a great weekend-don’t work too hard!
Beautiful leaves. And very cool Halloween and Day of the Dead decorations.
Thanks Ellen. It would appear autumn is in full swing now. Count us as fans. We were so over summer.
WOW, you two have wonderful coats on! You sure found lots of interesting things and tomatoes on the vine are such a bonus find. The leaves sure are pretty!!!
Thanks-they keep us dry and cozy. Mom keeps yammering on about our feet being wet but we hope she doesn’t consider rain boots to go with the jackets! Have a great weekend.
Love those coats! Also enjoy seeing flowers hanging on in the fall, those look really good and not as scraggly as you’d expect at the end of the season.
Thanks, Lisa. You’re too kind. Things are getting a bit too long in the tooth in the garden. LOL
Those gorgeous leaves made us smile!!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
Thanks, Rosy & Sunny. This is our favorite time of year. Here’s to a pawsome autumn weekend.
We’re all with Wilson on those veggies and fruits. This morning we had butternut squash and okra with our meat and egg. Yesterday we shared a tangerine and an apple, too, but Mommy ran out. I hope she runs out to the grocery soon! XOX Xena
You guys eat so healthy. Elsa has never liked fruit and is very picky about veggies. She’s far more discriminating about meals yet happily will nosh on mail, socks and eyewear. She’s such a weirdo! Here’s hoping your Mom replenishes the produce soon!
I still like seeing the flowers. It is also nice to see Wilson and Elsa more or less getting along. Thanks for the stroll. Looks delightful with a little warm weather. We are still in the 90s but 80s are around the corner.
Thanks, John. You probably wouldn’t have enjoyed this morning’s 28ºF! We delayed our morning walk because it was just too chilly for Elsa (and me-LOL). Here’s hoping the temps moderate quickly for you. 80’s & 90’s in November seem all sorts of wrong. Have a great weekend.
I was wrong. Today it hit 80. I thought that was going to be tomorrow. Well, anyway I’ll take it. Yeah 27 degrees might be a little low.
😉
😊
“Can you believe it, there are only 60 days left in 2024?? My heavens, where did this year go? ” – I totally agree.
Glad you had some moisture there, even if it comes with cold. Here, we haven’t had a single drop of rain for more than 6 weeks. 😒
Have a great weekend,
Pit
Thanks, yes it’s hard to believe the end of the year is just around the corner. We’re way down on receiving moisture but we’ll take what little we can. It hadn’t rained since early September so I know what you mean. Course it’s not still in the upper 80’s/90’s, thank heavens! Hope you and Mary have a great weekend.
We had rain last night. It was enough to wet everything and that’s it. We haven’t had rain for over a month and that’s unusual for us. September-October are usually rainy times. I thought the rose was just fine. Lovely color!
Thanks, Kate. That Canadian shrub rose is super tough and I always enjoyed that bright pink shade. Here’s hoping you have a terrific weekend.
What a wonderful share! Love the flowers that refuse to give up. And we’ve had a few, too. The reds were not as prolific as I like but then, when they were, I was stuck at home, sick, so I guess I just missed them!
I no longer have trick or treaters, either. A few years ago they were so sparse that I have started doing the ole turn off the porch light – I don’t buy the candies anymore… wasn’t good for my own butt!
Have a marvellous weekend!
I hear that-when I was still working, I could always off-lode at work (co-workers will just about anything!). It’s always interesting to see what manages to be protected enough to fling their noses at Nature and still bloom. And I;’m always especially grateful when they do. Have a great weekend!
Yeah. That’s a great way to get rid of them!
I love that. Nature is fascinating.
Thank you! Finally celebrating with my daughter for her 25th birthday. Doing a sushi/bookstore outing.
Best wishes to your daughter on her special day. Enjoy some sushi for me.
Thank you. Can you imagine? We waited one week to celebrate because our favourite sushi joint was closed for vacation until today. I call today and it is now closed until they find a new location. We are SO PISSED! (read disappointed) Now we have to try ou a new joint. Oh well.
Will do!!
Well phooey! Hope you find some place suitable and have fun celebrating.
Big time phooey! Ariel said I wanna DIIIIIIIEEEEEEE
She was SO looking forward to Sushi Moo-Shi! Dammit.
Well, that was a quick change round in the weather!
No trick or treaters? Did the neighbourhood ghoulies in the gardens put them off?
Weather in the Mile High can turn on a dime. We’re used to it but boy it was quite crisp early in the day. Like coat and glove crisp. I think because the local merchants in Highlands Square sponsor a big parade and treat give away, people don’t go out to homes as much. In the 20+ years I’ve lived here there have been very few trick-or-treaters. I also closed the gate so that likely deterred any passersby though I never heard or saw anyone out. So glad we’re through Halloween but now expect people to rush straight to Christmas decor. Ugh. Have a great weekend!
we love the decorations… why we can not have it for the whole year? and you still have tomatoes? wow!!! happy furst november weekend to you
Just a few. It’s been unseasonably warm throughout October so I’m not surprised they’re still producing. I’ve cut back the clusters that I know won’t mature so the plant doesn’t have to work so hard producing those. Happy All Saints Day. Have a great weekend.
So glad to hear the pups are doing well together, even time-sharing a favorite bed. Fabulous. We had a very warm Halloween in PA, 80 degrees. A neighbor does a big and noisy Halloween thing, music and all. As soon as the trick or treaters were gone they took down the Halloween stuff and starting blasting the song “All I want for Christmas.” Argh. Their tree will be up very soon I’m sure. So much for Thanksgiving.
Oh for heaven’s sake! Jeez, why do people rush the seasons? Have a great weekend enjoying the present.
Really…taking down all the Halloween decorations on the night of Halloween and starting Christmas prep. Phew. What’s wrong with a little Thanksgiving celebration in there first??
With a bit of a break. Period!