Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join the pups from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Elsa here. Well you can blame Mom for this week’s post since she’s been whining about the drab color lately. Nature said, ok, you don’t like drab…how’s about we change the palette to white? Good grief! And then she doubled down and turn off the heat. It’s been freezing, in fact, it’s been so cold, we haven’t been able to go for walks. Heck, I barely want to go pee but here we are. Yesterday we finally were able to go for a walk around the neighborhood to check out the updated color palette.Umm, Mom…not sure this is an improvement. Just saying.
Wilson: Well I jolly well was happy to be able to stretch my legs and see what I’ve missed at the various canine bulletin boards. Wow, can you believe people were walking their dogs in the snow and cold? Crikey.
Elsa: So that’s why Mom has been shaking her head. Walking a dog in sub-zero temps seems cruel to me. We even saw several dogs without coats or snow boots. Mom said that was not going to happen to us. She got creative with snuffle mats and a new gadget to entertain and exercise our brains. She’s constantly thinking about keeping us occupied…but mostly out of self-defense. I don’t do well being bored and will stand in a room and let her know in no uncertain times that I’m displeased.
Wilson: Boy was I glad for this wobble bowl. Mom smeared pumpkin, canned dog food and yogurt all up and down those knobs and because it’s bowl shaped it rocks. It took me forever to snarf up all that delicious spread. Way to go, Mum!
Elsa: Even as picky as I can be about stuff like this, I didn’t mind ‘working’ for the reward of that tasty spread. Wish the darn thing wouldn’t walk all over the place though.
Wilson: Mum said that’s the point. We had to ‘think’ about how we were going to get those tasty snacks. I don’t know about you, but I was tuckered out and enjoyed a nice nap after all that work.
Elsa: Well I wouldn’t want to do that for extended times, but it helped while Nature turned our world into a deep freeze. Can’t remember the last time it snowed for a solid day and a half although some of the snow dribbled down to flurries. It wasn’t the most snow we’ve received, probably only about 7 inches or so, but it was super dry. The cold must have squeezed out all the moisture.
Wilson: Could be. But the past couple of days the temps finally got out of the cellar and we were able to walk in reasonably comfortable temps with the appropriate snow wear. Neither of us are keen to paddle about in those snow boots, but Mum insisted. She said it’ll keep ice balls from forming in our pads. You know she always has our best interests at heart.
Elsa: That may be but I hate those bloody things and I’m gonna let her know my displeasure by making it hard for her to get them on me. It took us forever to get dressed and then she had to bundle herself up. That’s when I get impatient and try to make her to fall down. Heh, heh. I’ll show her.
Wilson: We really should cooperate more so that we can start walking sooner.
Elsa: Oh yeah…hmmm, guess I better rethink my strategy so it’s more in our favor.
Wilson: Right-o, Ninja!
Elsa: So Mom loves encountering Canadian geese, though I swear, I have no idea. Those fat birds aren’t very friendly and the poop everywhere. But she almost always takes photos of them and there were a bunch of them out on the lawn at the Mullen House, an assisted living area nearby our Ranch. They stomped all over the snow leaving tracks and yelled a lot at us.
Wilson: I was fascinated watching those strange creatures and was torn between staying or moving along to catch up with latest gossip at the various doggo bulletin boards. By golly, it was a hard decision for me but when they took flight and honked their displeasure that we interrupted them, it was an easy decision to move along.
Elsa: Move along? Ha…that’s one to sugarcoat it. Mom practically had to tie an anchor around you to keep you from trying to chase them! Why do you think she only caught the tail end of them taking flight? It’s because she was trying to hang on to you while fishing her cell phone out of her pocket and stay upright. You have an interesting way of interpreting reality.
Wilson: What? Can I help it if those geese were afraid of me? I’m not responsible for how they view things, am I?
Elsa: {eyes rolling} You know you should become a politician…the way you parse things, you’d be good spinning things.
Wilson: Erm…I don’t think that’d be a good vocation for me. I already have a terrific job being a pet therapy dog. Let’s just leave it there.
Elsa: I’m telling you, man…you could be the James Carville of the canine world. We continue to be shocked at every turn since January 20 but know Mom couldn’t take any more political news that sucks the oxygen out of the country and underscores the meanness of some humans. What else you got from our walk?
Wilson: We walk past this beautiful Queen Anne house that is always fascinating any time of year, especially in autumn and winter. From the large trees surrounding the beautiful architecture to the sights and sounds of nature in the city, it always provides an interesting view. This home is listed on the national historical registry and is known as the Heiser House. Built by saddle maker Hermann Heiser in 1893, the home is fully restored with an incredible stained glass front door. Mum told me she’s toured the inside of this home and it’s just as gorgeous and tastefully updated with modern touches. I’m just sure there’s a squirrel or two in that yard. That turett would make a great place to scan the yard for those little buggers. Do you notice how much the evergreens absorbed the melted snow from this southern exposure pic or how crystal clear the blue the skies were? It was a gorgeous afternoon, even if temps were only around freezing.
Wilson: Here’s a photo of the front entrance showing the front door stained glass taken ove the late summer.
Elsa: I can see why Mom likes to walk past that house. It truly is something to behold. Well that’s it from us. We hope you like the new palette. Judging by news reports where snow fell all over the South, I guess Mom will be careful what she wishes for in the future. Her granddaughter from Houston sent her this snowman pic from their yard. While they’re from Colorado originally they now live in the Houston area and people were insane about the snow.
Wilson: No doubt snow and cold in Houston were a real eye opener for folks, but probably not as much as the 10 inches that fell in New Orleans. Folks down in the South aren’t familiar with the ways of cold and snow but we heard kids enjoyed a free day from school to sled down hills on cardboard boxes. Well that’s it from us. We hope everyone has a safe weekend and can enjoy some of the beauty Mother Nature provides us. We hear she’s planning on delivering more snow, but at least it won’t be cold as it was this week. Have a jolly good weekend!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
P.S. Mom apologies in advance in case there are problems with this post. In its quest to irritate the snot out of users, the latest update has things really screwed up and Mom had to hunt and search and hunt again to find things that used to be easily located (like categories, the save button, you know simply things like that). When you have a laptop with a trackpad instead of a mouse, you have to scroll down to find %$#@ up and down to add photos, change formatting and even the save button. It was maddening. She continues to think it’s a way to make everyone switch to that hell hole known as the Block editor. What a cluster!!
We all need friends when we are depressed..
And there’s no better friend than a dog who will cheerfully be there for you.
Java Bean: “Ayyy, it is nice to be outside, sí, but it is also nice to be warm inside and licking food out of a bowl. I could definitely deal with that when it was so so cold out.”
Lulu: “You don’t want to get close to those big tuxedo birds, guys. Rumor has it they have an attitude problem …”
Boy do they ever, Lulu. Even our tough as nails mom avoids those hostiles! It’s too cold to be outside much but we’re looking forward to next week’s warming forecast. It’ll be back on the road for us!
Your fur-iends,
Elsa & Wilson 🐾
Your mum is good to put those sweaters and boots on. They might be uncomfortable but they keep your feet safe. I hope you get a break from the cold.
Thanks Dan. I think we will. In April! LOL
You have such a wonderful mum! She takes good care of you and protects you from freeezing! It has been quite the COLD week! 🥶
Yay for the wobble bowl 🙂
And Yay for temps rising so that you all could stretch your legs!
Ooh Wilson, yes, Elsa is right you could be a politician. 😂 But a therapy dog is MUCH better!
That is a beautiful house. Thanks for showing us!
Happy Saturday! Have a wonderful weekend and Stay Warm!!
Thanks, she tries hard; guess we should keep her. 😉 Yesterday it was 51F, today it’s 19F and snowing. Hope you have a great weekend. I think Mom has to go out and shovel. Again. BOL
Your fur-iends,
Elsa & Wilson 🐾
Haha! Yes, you should definitely keep her. After all the work you put in to train her. 😉
Yes, its 19 degrees here to today! But not snowing, you can keep that! Tell your mom to be careful shoveling, she will be ready to come in for a hot drink and to rest with you two. Snuggle up to her to warm her up! 😊💕
It’s snowed all day long. Several shovelings and Mom has called it a day. She made some cinnamon rolls this afternoon. Yum…yum.
~Elsa 🐾
OMG! That house is gorgeous! I envy your mom being able to tour the inside! I LOVE old houses like that!
Wilson, don’t even think about becoming a politician! I know Elsa is going to do an eye roll with this but – you, like Norman and Sam before you – already have the perfect job as a pet therapy dog!! We need more of you in this world! And politicians with heart and compassion for their constituents instead of greed for our money (what little we may left).
Thank you. The Heiser House is really something special. Mom even thinks it’s more amazing than the Molly Brown House. Since it hasn’t been in subsequent home tours, she feels very fortunate when she gets to tour them. For now, she’s content to walk past them most days. Yeah, you’re right, Wilson does have a good job. He’s way too nice to be a politician this day and age. Have a great weekend.
Beautiful photographs Monika, so good you were able to enjoy a walk in the winter sunshine 🌞 Wishing you all a blessed weekend and hope you stay warm and cosy ❤🐾 xxx
Aww, aren’t you kind. Thank you! Have a lovely weekend.
Well we love the post and we also have a sincere HATE for Block Editor, but the photos are fabulous and the “conversations” are fun and while we don’t even know what a track ball is we can imagine it’s a pain in the tushie! I hope Mom never gets a wobble bowl for me…….I’d have food all over the place in no time! Tee Hee
Hugs, Teddy (with Mom supervising)
My laptop doesn’t have a mouse-maneuvering is done with a trackpad. It took a while to get used to but now I can’t imagine mousing. The downside is I can’t left or right click like you can with a mouse. It’s snowed all day today and I’m so over shoveling and decided to make some cinnamon rolls for a nice treat this afternoon. Brrr, it’s cold outside though. Hopefully we’ll warm up next week. 🤞🏼
A group of 20 geese leave 870,000 turds on the ground
So true. They are a golfers nightmare and they love golf courses. All that nicely well taken care of turf is just too irresistible apparently.
Nice photos. I am glad your mom keeps you warm and amused. XO
Thanks. In a lot of ways, it’s self defense-we can be a handful, especially when we don’t get our walks. Hee, hee.
Those were all wonderful photos. It’s been way too cold here too, we’re ready for Spring. Hey, that LickiMat sure looks interesting! Have a fun weekend!
Thank you, Terry. You’re very kind. Those Lick mats have been a godsend and will be used this weekend since the yo-yo weather will continue. Today reached a fabulous 51 degrees. Tomorrow calls for snow and a high in the 20’s. Sigh. Stay safe and warm.
That bowl is such a great idea, and yanno, I have a few humans I know who could do with something like this. Just saying . . .
Snow is everywhere, officially. Or okay, maybe not officially but with the way this winter has been going so far, it really does feel as if Mother Nature’s palette is content to stick with the vanilla icing. Ugh.
As for Wilson, no politics. Maybe . . and I say maybe . . a consultant like Carville. He can keeps his paws out of the fray whilst bringing some much needed class to the political world.
What a house!
And sorry to hear about your computer issues. I tell you what, I have been lucky about it thus far but I realize that one day, the Block is probably going to win out. No likey.
You’re so right-after the day I had, I may have to resort to a lick mat myself and would definitely benefit from some self-soothing!
These ‘updates’ WP springs on people with no notice gall me. You wake up one morning and realize you have to spend hours trying to figure out what the devil ambushed you in the night and how to adapt to it. A little notice with tips would have been nice. I engaged with the Happiness folks; they acknowledged my concerns and said they’d give the developers my feedback. I’m not optimistic but there are others who are riled up as well and they’re aware of the craziness with having to multi-click in order to post a comment. Time will tell whether it changes anything. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Snow is on the way. Maybe a good day to bake some bread and see where else the country will be disrupted. 😈
The best thing about days like that? They end.
I tell you what, all this ‘Happiness’ and yet who exactly is happy with the finished product? I mean, outside of the Happiness Gang, which sounds like a Buddhist cover band.
I dig WP just fine for free. If I ever had to resort to Block Editor, I think I would just write. No pics or tunes, just text, because the format is unwieldy.
Mmmmmm, fresh baked bread sounds like a great idea. Have a great weekend and be safe mama.
Buddhist cover band?! Love it. Your writing always slays me. Just finished a round of shoveling. It’s still dark but very quiet. Makes me forget about yesterday in environs like that. Have a great weekend, Marc!
Haha!
I do my best.
Ugh to the shoveling. It’s all so pretty . . . until the shoveling happens.
Wow, I’m three days late in replying to this! I had a nice weekend, hope yours was great mama.
So glad you had a good weekend. You totally deserve it!
🙂
I’d love to tour (and maybe live in) the Heiser House. We also got about 4 inches of snow here, and it closed down everything for a couple of days. Fortunately (or not) it was over a weekend. Wilson, it’s wonderful that your job is being a therapy dog. I bet you do a fantastic job of it, too.
I’ve been using WP Block for years now and have loved it until recently. It has been acting wonky and there is no phone support. Hey, I may try going back to the kind you’ve got and see what happens…in the meantime, if you switch to block, I’d be happy to walk you through using it. It’s really great once you get used to it.
Appreciate the offer. I tried Block twice and hated it both times. I could never make things look they way they did when I created them (you know…the behind the scenes stuff). I understand upgrades to deal with bugs, but to spring things on users with no advance notice really cheeses me off. I spent about an hour with a Happiness Coach online after bitterly complaining to the support folks. They were very patient with a user that was miles past the redline stage and I actually learned a couple tips. They said they’d forward my concerns and feedback to the ‘developers.’ I told them to tell the developers to take a long walk off a short pier’ but only after the fixed things first. 😉
Bwahahahaha!! Long walk off a short pier…
😂
We have treat puzzles; we have to slide things and push open little boxes with our schnooters…I, Dalton am pretty good at it; Benji has mastered the easier ones but the bigger harder one…well. let’s just say sometimes I come over and get the treats that he missed, BOL!
We have a few homes like your beautiful one you showed us too. Things certainly could be very ornate back then!
We keep getting snow on top of our existing snow…so *she* has to go out every day to clean it up. Good exercise, But we prefer running through it! Benji more than Dalton, but Benji has way longer legs, teehee! We’ve gone from highs at about 4F to 19F…almost warm, BOL!
We haven’t resorted to puzzle dispensers, only the snuffle mat and now the wobble bowls. The sure seemed to drain the pent up energy when we were sequestered because of the cold. Today’s walk was downright balmy, clocking in at 49F. It only lasted a little while since the sun is low and clouds have begun to form. Looks like our next round is on its way. Mom will be thrilled to shovel over the weekend. 🤣 Hope you and your Mom have a great weekend.
I loved the post today, Monika and you did it in spite of WordPress goofiness. Snow in the South is a whole different animal. I like those tilt lick ’em bowls. They look like a bigger challenge than the mats. These two love their mats and puzzles but sadly they are way too good at cleaning them out. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks, John. I think those bowls are a lot more energy depleting than the mats. ‘Some’ dogs think they’re clever by picking up the mat and shaking the treats out. Here’s hoping the weather warms up down your way. Have a great weekend.
We had 50s today and warmer weather forecasted later. Some rain in the forecast too. (we need it)
It was 51F here today. Tomorrow snow and 20’s. Let the yo-yo weather begin. Again. 😉
We are looking at a high of 60 today. Looks like the freezing temps will. be gone for a while. Of course we moved here on March 9th five years ago and it was 27 so I’m not going to say the low temps are gone forever.
I think those freezing temps backtracked to Denver. It’s 20 right now and snowing. 😆
Aw. That is a shame. Well, sooner or later it is going to be spring
Yes, I figure in about 2 and a half months or so. 😉
Ha ha ha. Very perceptive. 😊
That is, if we’re lucky! LOL
Yes,there is that. 😁
It has certainly been quite the week, most of which I’m happy to see in the rear view mirror. 😉
Boy, you got that right! Here’s to good weekend.
Lots of fun stuff this week! Snow, cold, wobble balls, and Word Press “enhancements”. I hope your weekend is warm and stress free.
Thank you. A reduction in stress would be most welcome. I wonder if those wobble balls work on humans? Have a great weekend. 💙
Interesting treat toy, I tried a treat puzzle toy with my cats…with mixed results!
I’m sure cats are just more sophisticated than dogs. Why work for food when they can have minions dispense it readily for them. Snuffle mats and these bowls have been a godsend during inclement weather.
I have had so many problems just trying to set up a WP that I’m just about to give up! The temps have been crazy down here too, with single digits at night and only upper 20s to low 30s during the day! Here’s hoping the temps start going up soon!!
I can understand your frustrations. I felt that way when I first started. Originally I tried Blogger and decided WordPress was MUCH easier. They do have good people to help you resolve issues, I’ll give them that. I couldn’t get any support from Blogger.
Only 54 days until the official arrival of spring. LOL The sooner we get through January, the sooner we’ll have better temps. Stock Show ends this weekend so if tradition is any indication, things should definitely improve. Stock Show week is ALWAYS miserable weather wise. Have a great weekend.
What a beautiful house! I love the turret. It’s finally getting a little warmer here, in double digits at least! Time to break out the flip flops!
Thanks, it’s one of the coolest in Victorian era homes in the city and it’s very close to our house. It’s been in the 20’s & 30’sF and as is typical in Colorado, we’ve seen folks wearing shorts with puffy ski jackets. I’m not sure they don’t know how silly they look. LOL Have a great weekend!
No, please no block editor, never! Mom prefers to use her cordless mouse over that pad thing as it is much quicker and correct for her. As for Canadian Geese Mom hates them and always tells them to stay in Canada where they belong. They cause so much trouble around here it’s not funny. We all love the cold and even when it it below zero we keep asking to go out to play, just for ten minutes or so, but we like it. No coat or boots needed. We only get snow/ice balls if it is wet snow and then mainly in our furs not our paws. When it was -20 we did have to put on shoes, but they felt good. Send us some snow, ours is almost gone and we would love a big load of it. Happy Friday!
I’m with you guys. I tried the Block editor a couple of times, I was convinced if I ‘had’ to use it permanently I’d either end up in prison or quit blogging. As it stands now, I’m seriously considering the later. This is too much nonsense-I’ve got better things to do than fight with a platform that is non responsive AND arrogant. And pay for it on top of it.
You’re so right, Canadian geese are not friendly creatures. In fact once they realized coming here is like being on vacation with a great supply of food and temperate weather.
Both poodles and sheepdogs get ice balls in their paw pads. It can be extremely painful so boots are a necessity.
We’ll happily share any extra snow we receive. Have a great weekend!
Resisting block editor here. I tried it and found it difficult. With new updates, I now have to do multiple clicks to respond and different blogs (even within WP) are different. The cold weather also makes me cranky! 🙂
I’m sure that switching to the Block editor had a role in the rising crime rate. I tried it a couple of times but had to go back. It was so maddening. I’m so irritated about having to do multiple clicks to comment. Sometimes I’ve typed 4 or 5 words before I realize and have to go back, click AGAIN and retype. It’s sooo frustrating. Have a great weekend, Kate.
All I can add is “me too!”
You know what they say, ‘misery loves company.’ 😉
Thanks Helen. If only I could get them to do something helpful for a change like that. I’m so upset about this latest change. I spent over 3 hours trying to write a post that normally would take about 45 minutes and getting more angry with each word or action I tried to perform. I have to scroll up and down constantly to do anything since I use the laptop’s trackpad. Jeez, you’d think WP was trying to be as arrogant as Google or Facebook. It’s bad enough they foisted that hideous Block editor on people, now they’re trying to beat Classic users into submission. What they’re going to do is make me say go pound sand, I’m not blogging nor will I any longer pay for the privilege of being constantly irritated. It’s just crazy.
That said, yesterday’s blue skies were just exquisite. I just love that bluebird blue sky after storms. I hope we can enjoy a couple of nice days before the next storm hits.
The makers of those lick mats/bowls say licking is a natural soother so maybe the Thugs wouldn’t be too aggressive with them. 🙂
Have a good weekend.
Too cold here for much besides potty breaks for a couple days. Love the Lickie Bowls. I one around here once…haven’t seen it in ages. But Gracie eats all her meals from a Lick Mat. Slows her down a little, but mostly it keeps here from licking the floor for 10 minutes after a meal, hoping for who knows what. Now she just licks the mat until there’s nothing left, and probably quite a few minutes past that. But better that than the floor!
Oooh, I may need to do that for Wilson who eats too fast even with a slow feeder bowl. What a great idea! Here’s hoping the weather improves steadily across the country.
Gracie loves the lick mat. It doesn’t reduce her eating to tortoise speed, but it helps. We are up to 31 degrees here today. Feels downright tropical.
I’ll keep that in mind. Tropical is right. It got up to 49F here but the temp is starting to drop as the sun is low. Also clouds are building up; looks like our next storm is starting to form. Sigh.
Hang in there….spring will come eventually.
Yup. ‘Just’ 54 days. 😉
I wonder how long that wobble ball would last with the thugs…..they’re not known for their patience where food is concerned.
The photograph of that house with that vivid blue sky behind was super….
I just wish the techies would stop making life difficult with their wretched changes…..they could shovel snow, for a start if they want to be useful.