Wilson: {Yawn} Good Friday morning everyone-as you can see I’m a bit slow getting started after a very busy week but wanted to welcome you to another installment of Nature Friday where we join our friends from the Adventures with the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to check out what others have shared.
Well, the calendar page turned yesterday and we’re now in full blown spring mode. Hope you had a wonderful May Day. We spent the day catching up after celebrating National Pet Therapy Day the day before. It was a bit overwhelming for both me and Mum. Mum learned a valuable lesson (though she wasn’t a bit surprised at realizing it). She knows I struggle with a large group of overly excited people wanting to meet me for the first time as well as their excited pups all trying to get up in my grill. I’m afraid I was less than hospitable with a couple who didn’t seem to understand it’s too overwhelming for me. Here’s a fraction of the approximate dozen number of dogs who participated. Mum stopped trying to take photos because she was concerned about my reaction and couldn’t get the whole gang in the frame.
Wilson: Mum, I sure hope we don’t have to do a group thing like that again any time soon. I was so stressed, all those dogs wanting to be so close, I mean, I was just a wreck.
The Mum: I know sweet boy, I’m so sorry and promise I won’t put you through that again.
Wilson: Whew-thank you…I was a total wreck and am so grateful you decided to let me to visit with the nice folks in Medical Records instead of participating in the dog conga line upstairs on the floors. For the record, I do not conga.
The Mum: Totally understand. I enjoyed meeting with Records as well and you were a big hit. We’re adding them to the other stops we make before our regular floor assignments. Let’s change the subject and focus instead on all the beautiful signs of spring we encountered this week, shall we?
Wilson: Happily. Well it’s official- spring has definitely sprung. We had a few days of gentle showers with coolish temperatures and things are greening up nicely. The trees in particular really have enjoyed the moisture. It looks like the cherry and apple trees were particularly thrilled and I can’t wait until I can taste the fruit first hand, later in the year.
The Mum: Flowering trees have indeed been quite lovely. Check out this Eastern Redbud. I just love their bright color.
Wilson: Does it have fruit after blooming? You know I’m a big fan of fruit.
The Mum: Umm, no, in fact, I often forget about these trees after they bloom-the tree is unusually nondescript once it’s finished blooming. It’s a shame too, they so pretty when they bloom.
Wilson: Well that’s unfortunate. I’ve noticed the tulips are just about finished blooming too and what a lovely year it’s been for them. This has to be the absolute prettiest one we’ve seen.
The Mum: You’re so right, I so love walking past that house and especially enjoy that beautiful variety. It’s so delicate looking and the color is so pretty.
Wilson: It sure is, Mum. I noticed your favorite lilac bush is blooming. It’s not quite as lush as it was last year when you created today’s header but it’s still gorgeous as is the second bush right next to it. What’s nice is they aren’t the usual purple-ish color we usually see.
The Mum: Their fragrance is deliciously amazing, too. What else do you have to share?
Wilson: I started to notice some Hedgehog and Prickly Pear cactuses that are starting to bloom. I’m not getting close enough to sniff at those guys but they sure are fascinating to see.
The Mum: No doubt they provide valuable cover for tiny garden mice and small birds from various neighborhood predators as well as an interesting change from our usual blooming landscape.
Wilson: When we walked yesterday, this bright patch of Golden Alyssum sure caught my eye. Talk about a cheery look on a somewhat cloudy day.
The Mum: It sure was an exuberant sigh.! And they smelled sweet too.
Wilson: How come it’s okay for you to sniff flowers but you fuss at me when I do?
The Mum: The difference is that I don’t ‘leave‘ a message on them after I sniff.
Wilson: Oh yeah, I do try to leave a note. But, in all fairness, I’m just telling other dogs how beautiful the flowers are. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing.
The Mum: {eyes rolling} Right. You might be able to fool others, but not me.
Wilson: Doggone it, I was hoping you wouldn’t see through me so easily. But I am doing better about leaving little messages, especially since you’ve pointed out it’s against the rules. I know you don’t appreciate it when dogs leave messages on our flowers and I respect that when we’re walking. Weeds are a whole different category though. Especially when they pop up in sidewalk cracks. I don’t have to remind you I’m doing a public service then, right?
The Mum: Umm, if you say so. Got any other photos to share?
Wilson: A couple; here’s a shot of some elm blossoms. Usually you only notice the little round seeds that blow all over the place, but you’ve never noticed the flowers that produce the seeds before. Aren’t they fascinating? I’m going out on a limb by saying I think it’s going to be a good year for elm seeds.
The Mum: Yes sadly, I’m think you’re so right. Which leads me to chat about the subject of Silver Maple tree seeds. Since you’ve been noshing on the flowers against my wishes, I’ve noticed the past couple of days that you’ve graduated to now snarfing up the seeds. You have to stop doing that, you hear?
Wilson: You mean those aren’t little green crepes? I mean, the flowers tasted like truffles so I just figured they were crepes.
The Mum: NO, THOSE ARE NOT LITTLE GREEN CREPES, you dingleberry! What is wrong with you?
Wilson: Umm chill, Mum.
The Mum: You are going to be death of me yet with what you find tasty. Elsa only ate things like reading glasses and socks.
Wilson: Maybe that says you’re not feeding me enough. I mean, the vet may be pleased with my nice trim physic but I’m a growing boy and growing boys need lots of calories to maintain.
The Mum: I give up.
Wilson: Oh Mum, don’t be so uptight. It’s not like a tree is going to sprout in my tummy is it? How about we end with a nice pretty blue flower. Blue flowers always make you smile to forget. I think this is some variety of forget-me-nots. I think it’s pretty, how about you.
The Mum: Yes, House Pony…it’s a lovely shade of blue and the two tone color of the leaves add to its beauty. Sigh. It looks like the sun is returning to the Mile High City for the next few days. It’s a gorgeous morning with crystal blue skies and will be in the 60’sºF…totally perfect for checking out all the beauty Nature has to offer this weekend. We hope you have a great weekend and do try to get outside to enjoy it.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Lulu: “Our Dada’s Mama and Dada were here visiting us for three weeks (they’re home now) and his Dada kept scratching my ruff and telling me what a good therapy dog I would be. I think I might get a little scared in a strange place with a lot of people, but I like the part about getting lots of skritches …”
Oh Lulu…you’re a natural. Hope you had a great visit with your Grands. Have great weekend.
Oh, Wilson, sorry that was a bad time for you at that therapy event. You would think that peeps who have therapy animals would realize that space it s needed for so many, even if they don’t!
Your springtime blooms are more than gorgeous! What special lilacs! Our lilac is blooming, but it only puts out two or three flower heads. We think it doesn’t get enough sun, because there is a small elm tree, a dogwood and the weeping cherry tree blocking a lot of its light. Maybe we need to dig up some of the shoots it makes and plant them in full sun.
Have a great week!
I knew spring would show up eventually. We had terrible storms here all night and then it was an overcast morning but good for running. It has remained overcast throughout the day but that’s okay with me.
As for Wilson, nice and easy does it me boy. Some people need to learn when to give you your space. I know it’s tough because you’re so handsome, but there’s a time and place, yanno?
The lilacs look sumptuous!
I hope everyone is enjoying this spring weekend on the ranch.
Both Wilson & I do better with ‘nice and easy.’ Some people just don’t understand you don’t go running up to a strange dog. 🤦🏼♀️
Glad you enjoyed the spring flowers. It’s a pretty time of year. Especially if there’s no hail! LOL
Nope, and you’re right, they just do not get it.
Ugh! Hail. I once suffocated in a hail storm. I was out running and the skies opened up and it was hail. Firstly, the stuff pelts you, it hurts! Then it completely surrounds you, and it’s one of the most surreal feelings, to be drowning and you’re not immersed in water. Thankfully I was wearing my windbreaker and so I used it as a makeshift tent until the hail subsided.
Ugh…hail is a real buzz kill. There’s nothing you can do but watch the carnage. And when the temps are warm…look out Nellie. Worst hail stones I’ve ever seen were when it was a warm day. I’d much rather freeze my tail off! Stay safe on your spring runs.
Awful.
I did and I would rather never, ever do it again. Not ever.
I’m with you on this mama. Gracias!
I’m happy to hear Spring has arrived somewhere.
Sorry, you probably have a few more weeks of near-spring, eh?
Dear Wilson ~ we’re sad you were stressed during your visit, we think you’re a No. 1 therapy dog for sure, and it’s just that sometimes there’s probably way way too much stuff going on all ’round you! Do tell your lovely Mom that she has shared the most beautiful flowering pictures ever ~ why we can almost smell their fragrance from there to here. The lilacs, a favorite, we so miss them. You enjoy your weekend, paw back and relax, curl up to Mom. Enjoy!
Aww, you’re too kind Ann. Luckily he’s forgotten any stress from that outing (he’s comfortably snoozing beneath my chair as I’m trying to catch up on an overloaded inbox with the occasional dream wimper). And I’ll confess, the event was a bit much for me as well.
So glad you enjoyed the photos. It’s a beautiful time of year and today has blue bird clear skies which will highlight all those luscious lilac bushes. They always remind me of my great grandmother, a favorite relative. Whenever she hugged me, my senses were filled with the scent of lilac. Have a great weekend. Enjoy Kentucky Derby Saturday!
That House Pony of yours is a mighty special guy! SO are all the amazingly gorgeous Spring flowering plants and trees around you. Makes Mom wish she’d planted some perennials years ago so she could enjoy them every Spring. She often buys bouquets for inside the house! Thanks for sharing photos of all the beauty you enjoy there.
Hugs, Pam
Thank you-that’s so sweet of you to say. It’s clear that I’m somewhat biased. 🤣 Glad you enjoyed some of the beauty spring is unearthing right now. This weekend should be perfect weather wise so we definitely plan on getting outside to enjoy it. Hope you will as well.
Sorry the housepony experienced anxiety. The two of you did capture some pretty spring time beauty, though. Enjoy your week.
He wasn’t the only one. I’m not very good in those chaotic settings either. We do much better bringing smiles (well he does all the work, I just drive) to folks like at Medical Records. They thoroughly enjoyed his visit. It’s going to be a gorgeous spring weekend and we plan to enjoy it. Hope yours is fun and enjoyable. Hugs and tail wiggles.
All the tree blooms and flowers, especially that tulip are so beautiful. Sorry that meet and greet thing wasn’t your kind of thing. My sisters would not like it either but I love that kind of thing. I’m a super chill guy and enjoy crowds and meeting new friends. Have a good weekend!
Thanks, Nelson. Yes, you’d be the ambassador of chill. It was a bit overwhelming for me as well so I understand how Wilson felt. He enjoyed himself when we visited the Records department-they loved him and he loved them. Here’s wishing you a pawsome weekend.
I’m sorry that big crowd got in you space Wilson but your Mom won’t let that happen again. Those sure were lots of pretty flowers.
Thanks, Terry. Crowds are uncomfortable for me too so I cut Wilson lots of slack. Have a great weekend.
The flowers and blossoms are beautiful. We’re just about in the same place around here. Our lilacs just started blooming this week. I don’t blame Wilson for not wanting to be in a crowd, but he must be a real treat when making his rounds.
Thanks Dan. Spring is such a beautiful season of renewal-what’s not to love about that? He’s quickly become a hospital favorite. I swear there are people who ‘joke’ they want to take him home with them. But I know they are serious! 😆 Have a lovely weekend.
Beautiful blooms. Our lilacs are just starting to open. XO
Thanks, Ellen. The lilacs are so pretty and we love their fragrance. Have a lovely weekend.
Hi Wilson. I would have been the same way. I understand what you were going through, even though I know I wouldn’t be any good as a therapy dog. Now Chia, I hate to admit, is very empathetic with my folks, so she just might. XOX Xena
The flowers are all so beautiful. The last cactus picture…I have that kind in my back yard. I was out yesterday raking all the dead leaves out of the indentation where they grow, and they repaid me with tiny little needles in my foot and finger.
Thanks, it was a lot of chaotic energy for Wilson as well as me. Glad you enjoyed the flowers-so very sorry about the cactus biting you. O-u-c-h. Hope it doesn’t impact your weekend!
Nope, a tiny one is still in my finger but it doesn’t hurt any more, LOL!
Uh oh…sounds like you need to soak it in warm salted water-it makes pulling them out so much easier. Good luck.
Thanks, I’ll try that!
Good luck.
welcome spring
Yes, it’s more than welcome after a cold ugly winter. Hope you have a great weekend. And thanks for stopping by. We 💙 visitors.
🙂
Monika and Wilson, that was a lovely tour. Yes, snarfing tree seeds is not a good idea. I’m so sorry Wilson got nervous at the event. That photo of him with the Admin folks is precious. The flower photos were great. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Thanks so much, John. We are always grateful when you take one of our tours. That event was a little much for him and me-luckily he’s resilient and while it took him some time to rejuvenate, he’s his sweet floofy self eager to meet more folks. Enjoy your weekend-hope your weather isn’t too severe. Stay safe.
Your comments on mine aren’t showing up at my place again. Stupid WP. So I’ll just check back because I don’t know the problem.
Well phooey. Yeah WP is beginning to be most annoying lately.
Wait! It just showed up. What a mystery
Yay! Some times the WiFi is slow and then it’s like the system has a momentary stroke. Happens here too. Very frustrating.
Sometimes the WiFi runs slow like it’s having a mini stroke and then it mysteriously appears. It happens here too. So frustrating.
Must be the answer.
The pictures are so beautiful! But not as beautiful as Wilson! He just radiates sweetness! Lucky medical records department!
Aww, you’re too kind. Thank you! Hope you have a terrific weekend.
Everything is gorgeous (including the House Pony!). You have to love spring. The color is so needed after a winter of neutral colors.
Thanks, Kate. Spring is the season of renewal and especially welcome after winter’s blah looks. Here’s hoping you and the kitties have a terrific weekend.
So many gorgeous spring flowers and blossoms Monika and Wilson, what a treat to see! 🩷🌸 We wish you both a blessed weekend and send smiles and love across the miles 🤗❤️🐾 xxx
Aww, you’re so very kind, Xenia; thank you so much. Spring is such a lovely time of year and we love how nature underscores the renewal of life.
Wilson, I’m a city so natch, I don’t like crowds. But mom won’t let me out ever in all my 18 years…so…I can imagine how awful that was for you. XX
Gosh Mom…you should catch my typos. I’m a KITTY…not a city. Gosh.
Giggle, giggle. Have a great weekend.
These mums are soooo controlling, aren’t they?
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
Oh my goodness…so much Spring flora that we can’t pick a favorite.
We hope you have a very relaxing weekiend, sounds like quite a busy week you’ve both had!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny (and Beth)
Aww, thanks, guys. There’s lots to like this time of year. Hope you guys have a great weekend!
Look at all those good doggos! As an introvert, I can definitely relate to Wilson’s stress. I’m sure one-on-one pet therapy is wonderful with him.
Thanks, Lisa. He gets so protective of me especially when some dog comes galloping toward us, so he kinda gets freaked out. It was a bit chaotic with all those people and dogs but I know the visitors and staff enjoyed themselves. Have a lovely weekend.
Lots of pretties in bloom! I beg to differ about eastern redbuds being non-descript after bloom. Look closely, they are covered with green heart-shaped leaves… 💚 they are all about love! 😉
Have a great weekend. 😎
Good point. I have only viewed them as a short tree with lots of crossing branches. I’ll make a point of looking more closely. These days more reminders of love is a good thing! Enjoy your weekend.
💕
Beautiful photos as always. I will probably post pictures of my peony bush this weekend. It is absolutely glorious this year! Makes me smile each time I walk out the door.
Thanks, Debra. Peonies are my absolute favorite so I’m looking forward to seeing yours (mine are slow to bloom because of the partial shade but when they do, oh my-lovely)! Have a great weekend enjoying a terrific weekend.
we love the furgetmenot… it means always something so special and we think about those we miss when we see it… happy flower tree furryday to you
Thanks-they really are charming and have a wonderful message in those pretty blue flowers. Have a great weekend!
Lovely header….and what a cheering display of flowers!
Sorry that Wilson was stressed…..he seems to be a one to one chap to be at his ease. Probably being the centre of attention helps too….
Thanks, Helen. He can be overly protective of me and gets concerned when someone rushes toward us. He doesn’t mind a few people around but the energy level at this event was way too intense for us and a few others. We now know how to navigate it safely and with as little stress as possible. And on the plus side, we made new friends we can visit in the future who appreciated the visit. Have a marvy weekend.
What a sweet boy.
He truly is. I’m so lucky to have found him.