The Mum: Good morning, House Pony…I see you’re bright eyed and bushy tailed today, erm not so much bushy tailed since you don’t really have much of a tail but you certainly are getting bushy. We’ll need to remedy that soon. So, what do you want to share first?
Wilson: Hello Mum. Glad you could join us. I hope that’s not a clue that bath is in my near future. I noticed you were a bit slow getting up this morning. You ok?
The Mum: Not commenting on the possibility of a bath today. Oh yes, I’m fine, just a bit tired-I went to bed late again last night and it’s beginning to catch up with me after logging nearly 44 miles through yesterday. I also spent a lot of time doing some serious gardening. It was lovely having you snoopervising the gardening. You’re good company, buddy.
Wilson: Thanks, Mum. I love hanging out with you keeping an eye out for the squirrels while watching the natural world. Looks to be a warm and pleasant weekend with temps back in the high 80’sF (29C). The neighborhood Farmers Market reopened last weekend and I’m sure there will scads of pedestrian traffic. You sure planted a bunch of stuff-are you expecting to feed an army with all the veggies?
The Mum: Hardly, only a couple of tomatoes, herbs and hopefully lots of lettuce since I really need to add more greens to my diet. The biggest and most fun part of this week’s gardening was receiving and planting a Mother’s Day gift from my daughter-a zone hardy fig tree (though I’ve decided I’m hauling him inside when the weather turns…even though it’s rated Zone 5 hardy with winter protection). I noticed yesterday it already has a formed a tiny little fig! Sorry about the blurry pic, I was just so excited I couldn’t keep the camera focused in my glee.
Wilson: You were pretty excited about that discovery, almost as much as you were to see a bumper crop of strawberries forming. I’m especially looking forward to be your quality control officer-I love berries!
The Mum: There are loads more this year from last year. We might even have enough for a salad, presuming we can keep the critters out…
Wilson: {interrupting} I’ll definitely do my part-it’s no problem. I would welcome the chance to keep the squirrels away.
The Mum: Umm, appreciate the help offer…but remember we just want to dissuade them from poaching, not hurt them.
Wilson: Hurt? {looking very innocent} Not me, Mum.
The Mum: {eyes rolling} Right. So what else did you want to share?
Wilson: There has been such an increase in all the different kinds of plants we’ve encountered along our walks. Here are some of the more unusual ones.
The Mum: Clematis are also beginning to bloom. It was one of the plants I added to the front garden and am looking forward to it’s unusual color-purple and bright pink. I’ve struggled keeping them alive in the past so have my fingers crossed.
Wilson: You just need to make sure the roots are well shaded with mulch and providing adequate water while it gets established.
The Mum: Yeah, I had a few on the wrought iron pergola years ago but neglected to keep the roots well shaded.
Wilson: There seem to be a lot more hydrangeas around the neighborhood and one in particular is an unusual color.
The Mum: Isn’t that one a total showstopper from a friend’s garden? Just look at that rich deep color.
Wilson: It’s quite lovely, Mum. While the rest of the neighborhood has had loads of irises blooming, yours are just now starting to bloom. And what beauties they are!
The Mum: Poppies are also blooming and we found these pretty pink colored ones. They really dress up a poppy garden and are so striking compared to typical orange Oriental Poppies that are so prevalent around the neighborhood.
Wilson: Another beauty, Mum. Well I wanted this to be flora and fauna post but we haven’t gotten to the fauna part yet. But I think it’s going to be well worth the wait.
The Mum: Earlier in the week I met up with a friend who recently moved back to Colorado and met her sweet pet therapy poodle. You, Charlie and his mom walked around the Crown Hill park that’s west of us. It was a cool, windy day but it was great fun to see the nesting turtles (sorry, didn’t get a pic because I didn’t want to disturb them) as well as loads of red-winged blackbirds. They usually fly away whenever you get close to them but this guy stayed even as I moved slowly to grab a quick pic. He was guarding the waste receptacle and made me smile.
Wilson: Nice, Mum. It’s always a good moment when critters let you capture their picture. But come on, let’s show the cutest pic of some Canadian fluffs. How cute are they?!
The Mum: {squeals} They were totally adorable and mama didn’t freak out and try to chase me. I was just leaving a parking lot from a class I had taken last weekend and slammed on the brakes to see if they’d let me get close enough to photograph. I was rewarded with their little peeps and cheeps and soft fluffy bodies. So cute!
Wilson: Those babies are so cute and a lot nicer when they’re little. Their mums are quite protective but I guess everyone was either very hungry or trusted you enough. Speaking of hungry, wasn’t that a class to learn how to decorate cookies?
The Mum: Umm, yes, but that topic is for another post. Never fear sweet boy-you’ll definitely be my quality control officer for that project as I slowly work to restart up my dog treat business.
Wilson: Oh Mum…you just made me the happiest wiggle-butt around! How soon can we get started? Oooh, oooh, I’m just so excited. Imagine getting to sample tasty treats…
The Mum: Uh, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Between the rescue and therapy visits, I have a lot on my plate but will see how to slowly get back into it. Trust me, you’ll be the first to know when it gets off the ground and until it does, you’ll get to sample treats. How does that work for you?
Wilson: Are you kidding, I’m breathless with anticipation! Well that’s it for today’s post. To all our US friends, we wish you a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend where we honor all deceased men and women who served in the military. Many people will also pay their respects to all deceased family members as well. We just hope you are able to get outside and enjoy some of all the beauty Nature has to offer while paying your respect.
“That Nation which respects and honors its dead, shall ever be respected and honored itself.”
– Brevet Lieut.-Col. Edmund B. Whitman, 1868
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Wowsers!! What a beautiful walk and a big WAHOO for strawberries!!!
Thanks! Seeing those all those berries made our mouths water. I’m going to have to guard them from the stupid squirrels as well as a certain fruit loving floof. 🤣
Quality control? Does that mean what we think it means? Maybe your Mum needs more quality control help?? Aww, those baby geese look yummy, er I mean, sweet…or savory…drool. (I think it’s supper time.) XOX Xena and my pack
It does indeed. Are you guys applying for an internship? 🤣
Lucy: Yes!
Chia: Yes, yes, yea, yes!
Xena: Umm, can I bring my Mommy?
😁
Lulu: “SQUIRREL!!!”
Java Bean: “Ayyy, if only we could climb trees!”
Stranger things have happened, Bean.
Love all the bright colored flowers, so very cheery! Those rotten Canadian Geese are adorable for a very short time and then they turn into the creatures that are not only very mean to people and pets, they ruin walking trails with all their poop, and there are way too many. They have actually allowed hunting them a couple times because there are so many. Mom says they should all go back to Canada where they belong, LOL! Have a wonderful weekend.
You’re so right, grown up Canadian Geese are complete menaces. We never get to see the babies, who are cute and fluffy. It’s too bad they grow up. Just like squirrels-another menace. 😉
Hope your howliday weekend is safe and splendid.
Another in a series of beautiful nature pictures. Love the variety of subjects in your blog. Did you say 44 miles this week alone? Wow! I hope you get to rest and smell the roses over the weekend.
You’re too kind…as always. This is a great time of year as nature renews itself. Come next month when the heat arrives, things will quickly chance-till then we’ll going to enjoy it as much as we can. Yup, 44 miles through Thursday. We’re averaging about 6-8 miles a day. Some days, if it’s not to toasty, I can hit 10-yippee.
Wow, you have some GORGEOUS flowers!! I especially love the deep purple one!
Aww, you’re too kind, Sierra. Thank you-appreciate your comment. The darker purple, the better, I say! Have a great ‘howliday’ weekend. Sure hope there’s some rain in it-we can use it in my neighborhood. I know folks out east are saying they’ve had enough hail/rain. Stay safe and enjoy a long weekend.
It’s been raining a fair amount here lately. I’ll gladly send you some! 🙂
We’d gladly accept!
Beautiful blooms and cute baby geese. XO
You’re too kind, Ellen. Thanks. Have a terrific holiday weekend.
The flowers are so beautiful. Wilson, you’re a good pup to help mum out in the garden. I’m sure she appreciates the company. I hope you all have a nice long weekend.
Thanks, Dan. He was a surprisingly good boy in the garden and didn’t even try to escape despite lots of distractions. Sometimes he surprises me. Enjoy the ‘howliday’ weekend.
WOW, those flowers sure are pretty and your feathered friends are sure cute Wilson. I hope you and Mom have a fabulous weekend.
Thank you, Terry. You’re always so kind with your comments. Hope you and the kitties have a lovely holiday weekend.
Ooh, gorgeous iris and peonies. I was astonished that the black-purple iris has not a speck of yellow or white on it, pure beauty! Have a lovely weekend, you two. 💕
Thanks, Eliza. Yes, it’s so gorgeous with its deep saturated color. They’re my favorites in the iris garden. Here’s hoping your holiday weekend is full of beautiful nature.
Thanks, we might actually see the sun! 😊
Outstanding. We’ll keep our paws crossed for you! 🌞
Planting gift….always fun to think it will last.
Indeed. My daughter knows my tastes in plants all too well.
Today, I got into stopped traffic. I was about the 10th car in line and I wondered what was going on. Then I saw a group of Canadian geese. Looked like two families complete with goslings. I was so pleased that all traffic stopped to let them cross. No one honked to scare them either. Warmed my heart.
Maybe humankind still has a soul. Have a great holiday weekend, Kate.
“snoopervising” haha😀 Chester supports a dog treat business!
I’ll have to remember that when quality control gets bogged down with too ‘much work.’ We may need an intern!
Sounds like you guys have been busy enjoying nature…best time of year for it, IMHO. Have a good holiday weekend!
Thanks, Lisa. It was a good week with pleasantly moderate temps. I know things will heat up soon-till then we’re gonna make the best of it. Here’s hoping you have a splendid ‘howliday’ weekend.
Lots of beauty around your area!
And those goslings are cute for sure. We have a LOT of them in town here, we even have signs up to be ware not to run them over…and yes they DO cause traffic jams sometimes, LOL!
Many thanks, Meezers. We rarely get to see the goslings so this was a treat. The parents are cantankerous so we try to avoid them. Have a lovely weekend-hope your Petcretary doesn’t have to work the whole weekend.
As always, a walk with you and Wilson is a feast for the eyes … thank you!
You’re too kind, June and Mom. Thanks. Wishing you a peaceful and safe holiday weekend.
A fabulous tour of the flora and fauna, Monika and Wilson. I wish we could grow the flowers that you can. Our spring heat fries everything, and the lack of a winter freeze prevents bulbs from getting the proper rest. My favorite shrub is the Rhododendron, which we had tons of back East. They just can’t make it here. So I’ll have to be content with your fine tours.
Thanks so much for the kind comment, John. Trust me, we’ll be joining you in the frying heat soon enough (we just won’t have the humidity that goes with yours). Rhododendron fascinate me-they’d never survive in my arid garden and I’m unwilling to have thirsty plants, but when I saw that one, I had to take a pic of it. Hope you and the fur-kids have a great howliday weekend!
ooh the peonies… we have none here… but we hope some will come out… happy weekend to you and the mama..
They are my favorite late spring flower-so pretty with a fragrance to die for! We hope you have a Wiem-alistic weekend.
awe, so much growing around your place. Gotta look long and hard to find color here a few miles East of you. A fig! so exciting, love to see things growing. Let me know if it’s hardy here, my neighbor in MD had an enormous fig tree loaded with fruit. LeeAnna
Thank you! That fig is rated to survive to -10ºF but I’m going to bring it inside for the winter, just in case. The fact that it’s already sprouting made me practically giddy. Have a lovely weekend.
Well, that was a wonderful spring flower tour! Thank you! I had been watching the Chelsea Flower Show on BBC, but so disappointed….all tv presenters and ‘celebrities’ with a few glimpses of the plants!
Sadly it’s an Instagram world. People forget to enjoy the natural world for itself without a weird need for likes. Have a lovely weekend, Helen.
What a beautiful Spring update! I always love seeing all the gorgeous plants in your neighborhood AND your own garden. Thanks for sharing all that beauty since SOME OF US (like yours truly) have a semi-green thumb and old age has forced me to reduce the gardening work to just having pots of things on the deck and porch! Anyway, sounded to me like bushy Mr. House Pony is about to get a trim – good luck with that……!
Hugs, Pam (and Teddy too)
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah the resident floof gets a much needed bath and trim in a couple of weeks. Since hurting my back I just haven’t been able to do the calf wrestling thing. LOL. Have a wonderful holiday weekend.