It’s Friday again and the calendar appears to be zooming along toward the end of the year. With only 54 days left in 2025 (and only 48 days until Christmas), I’m getting a bit stressed especially with the holidays looming. But let’s revel in nature today.
As we do on Friday’s we’re joining the sweet pups from Adventures of the LLB Gang for their weekly blog hop. Be sure to click on the link to see what others have shared. Wilson here. My goodness, with so little time left this year, and with so much going on, this message about nature and patience are a bit at odds. But if we’ve learned anything from walking around our neighborhood and noticing the little things, it’s that this Emerson dude gave good advice, don’t you think? Today is a twofer because we’re also joining Dan over at No Facilities to honor fellow blogger, Cee Neuner on what would have been her birthday. Cee passed away earlier this year and used to host the “Which Way Challenge.” Today also happens to be Dan’s birthday and because he’s a favorite of ours, we wanted to share an autumn flower in bloom in her honor since we have no bridges to share. Apparently Cee loved bridges and in this day and age, bridges are more important than ever. Happy Birthday Cee and Dan.
Wilson: We hope this bunch of Black Eyed Susan’s might be a good homage.
The Mum: Hopefully Cee will enjoy it. While I never participated in her blog hop, Dan spoke so highly of her and he’s one of our favorite bloggers who takes remarkable photos in addition to being a very talented writer with several published books and has introduced me to some very talented folks.
Wilson: Right-o Mum. Happy birthday to both Cee and Dan. So…I’m not sure if any of you knew for certain that ‘we’re’ early risers. Mum has always been a morning person from the days when her were kids were little to when she went to college while working full time while being a single parent. Me, I just get up because I want to be close to Mum. As a floof, I’m rather fond of enjoying an extra 40 winks any time of day, but especially in the early morning hours.
The Mum: Good morning, lad. Saying you enjoy snoozing is a bit of an overstatement but seeing you like this tends to bring a smile to my face and heart. I love it when you’re this cute.
Wilson: {blushing} Aww, Mum, don’t embarrass me. I was just resting my eyes while you were howling about some hockey game. Sheesh, the noise you make…oh.my.goodness. I’m sure your favorite team can hear you through the TV!
The Mum: Are you saying I’m loud? I tend to think of myself as more of an engaged fan.
Wilson: “Engaged fan?” Is that what it’s called? Ok, whatever gets you through the night. Anyway, while it’s dark when you get up, we are still able to take walks early on and I can leave you presents in the fallen leaves still pretty easily. It’s crisp and I know we’ll be going later as the temps continue to warm, but I’m enjoying you having to really dig in low light conditions to pick up after me. There have been some fairly breezy conditions lately so leaves are falling into nice little brown piles…perfect for camouflaging my nice little brown pile. Heh, heh, heh.
The Mum: Ahem…please don’t remind me. I’ve noted that you do have a knack for finding the deepest piles of leaves and/or longest bits of grass or weeds to do your business. It never seems to fail.
Wilson: You know what they say…the way to Carnegie Hall is through lots of practice.
The Mum: I don’t think there are any concerts at Carnegie Hall for what you’re particularly adept at. Just saying.
Wilson: Gosh, you cut me to the quick, Mum. Anyway, let’s share some of the interesting sights we came across this week. First off, this scene from the morning after Halloween. Look at the orange and green on those peppers mixed with a skeleton bone in the pot. The person who lives there seems to have ‘your’ kind of humor. That top pepper reminded me of a Halloween classic…candy corn!
The Mum: Hahaha…good one, House Pony. Never let it be said, you don’t have a sense of humor. Now that frost has hit the area a few times, things in the garden take on a whole new perspective.
Wilson: Even birds gather in groups to watch from their high vantage points. Makes you wonder if these guys had a quorum for their meeting. We don’t usually see such a gathering on houses around our house-they’re usually in trees but this is a new neighborhood we visited recently.
The Mum: Back in our neighborhood, as you may recall we brought Figaro inside to keep him safe from frost. Things seemed be going well and then all of a sudden, he must have looked outside, took one look at the falling leaves and decided to follow suite. Awk…poor Figaro. I guess the spot I put him in wasn’t bright enough (apparently just like me) and replicated the outdoor scene. Just look at that pile of leaves! Gah!
Wilson: On the bright side, there are lots of buds on some of the bare branches so I hope that’s a good sign. We’ll keep an eye on him and see how he does in the studio window which faces south and provide sufficient light.
The Mum: I was pretty heartbroken to see all those fallen leaves and hope with a little patience he’ll recover. On the other side of the coin, right on cue, my Christmas cactus has begun blooming. I think they must have mislabeled it-it really seems to be more of Thanksgiving cactus because it always starts budding around the first of November. Hopefully it will bloom throughout both holidays. It’s a pretty pop of color in the kitchen window when things tend to be dull and brown outside.
Wilson: The milkweed is in full bloom and its gossamer silk catches the light nicely. It means there’ll be ongoing food for butterflies next spring.
The Mum: It was almost iridescent in the morning light-I could see it shining from across the street.
Wilson: Lovely Mum, just lovely. But what is this? Isn’t it a bit early to start selling Christmas trees?
The Mum: I was a bit concerned when I first spotted the chain link fencing around the historic old Elitch Garden carousel earlier this week. The next day signs appeared so while I breathed a sigh of relief, I began scratching my head at the early appearance. Even if you’re counting down the holiday shopping season, nothing says ‘get on with it’ quite like a Christmas tree lot. Yikes!
Wilson: Indeed. Well that’s it for this week. Any big plans for the weekend? The weather, while being a bit cooler, still should be nice and hopefully we can get outdoors to check out what Nature is generously gifting us this time of year. Maybe even a critter or two…paws crossed. Have a great weekend and don’t forget to look for what Nature provides us…when we just take the time to look.
Lice, love, bark! 🐾
Good morning. I should have visited yesterday because you have reminded me I should have brought in my poinsettia. It was very cold last night. Hope your week goes well. Hi to Wilson for me.
Thanks for stopping by, Jen. Hope your poinsettia is doing well. Wilson sends sheepie hi’s to the kitties.
Happy Saturday! The weekend is sadly almost over, but thanks for the smiles today! Wilson, your mum is right . You look adorable when sleeping. 🙂
And your mum is a big hockey fan, I would say. She needs to make sure they hear her cheering them on. If it wasn’t for her loud cheering, they may not have the motivation to win. 😉
Happy Saturday! Glad you enjoyed the smiles. Yeah, Mum is a HUGE hockey fan and the neighbors always know when its game day. The guy who lives across the street loves to talk hockey with her. Between the two of them, they are quite the pair. It makes it hard for a guy like me to not be disturbed but I am nothing if not a pro at chill-axing, hockey notwithstanding. 😁
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
I love your Tails. What a cutie. Your pictures are perfect to honor Cee, too. She loved dogs, too.
Hi Marsha, thank you for swinging by the Ranch and hope your birthday was equally as lovely as Dan’s. We were happy to honor your friend, Cee.
I get your issue with the coloring of the leaves. One time I was searching for a Chester gift in the leaves, and another lady walked by. She said hello and I told her what I was doing. Then there were two ladies searching in the leaves. GAH it took about five minutes when I spotted it. Heaven forbid I should leave a mess, I cleaned it up and picked up half the leaves that stuck to it as well. Honestly. I noticed too that people don’t even make a pretense of waiting for Thanksgiving anymore. Halloween hits then it’s full on! I confess, I have bought several presents already.
That’s too funny-way to organize a search party! LOL The older I’ve gotten, I’ve discovered by eyesight isn’t all that great in low-light conditions and with Wilson, I’m now starting to kick leaves away from his bum end before the ‘gift’ drops. Anything to keep him from the ankle deep leaf piles. I’ve seen Christmas decorations since the middle of September! I have no problem with people shopping to avoid the rush (and availability) but decorations in September? Umm, hard pass. Enjoy a lovely weekend and give Chester a nice ear rub in between his playtime with his Bunny.
Wilson my friend, nobody does napping quite as effortlessly as YOU do! That skeleton in the garden was a little weird but then Halloween brings out the “weird” in a lot of us. My Mom’s “Christmas Cactus” blooms on its’ own time schedule – sometimes in the middle of summer – sometimes not at all – Mom calls it a “WHATEVER Cactus”. Love all the photos as always!!!!
Hugs, Teddy
Aww, thanks, Teddy. Yeah the addition of bones to a flower pot with the pepper plant does seem a bit ‘non-mainstream’ doesn’t it? Whatever cactus?…oh my gosh, I snorted out loud with that description! You’re too funny. Have a wonderful weekend enjoying autumn.
I wrote a big comment which got tossed out, then this comment went to last weeks post, just delete that one please…Argghhhh!
Anyways I enjoyed seeing all your nature and hope your fig picks up soon. My Christmas Cactus bloomed in mid September! Now there is nothing but leaves. I am going to prune it back and cover it for 12 hours a day (needs darkness) to encourage another blooming maybe by mid winter, early spring. I used to have a huge one that would bloom 2x a winter, due to where I kept it, in a cool, unused bedroom.
Oh gosh, so sorry for all the problems. I check my spam folder, there was nothing there. I wish I knew why that happens with WP but have no idea. On long comments, I try to remember to copy before I hit send. Sometimes it works, sometimes I get a message like you already said that. Ugh. I paste and add a space and then backspace to try to trick WP. Sometimes it actually works. Other times I want to slit my wrists with the aggravation. Here’s hoping the weekend turns out great.
It’s very pretty in your part of the world and yes, Mr. Cal also loves to go on walks and leave his “deposits” in the places where it’s hardest to find/pick up.
Thank you. It must be something in their DNA. All of my male dogs have done that but Wilson is an absolute master at it. 😵💫
Here’s to enjoying a great weekend!
Nice Christmas cactus. It is definitely too soon for a real tree. It will look like Charlie Brown’s tree by Christmas. Have a nice weekend. XO
Thank you. That cactus is so beautifully festive-I’ve loved it for years.
You’re so right, cut trees will be all dried out.
Have a super weekend, Ellen.
Those are such wonderful photos and Wilson, you sure do look relaxed!
Thanks, Terry. Wilson know just how to do relaxed. 😂 Hope you and your feline crew have a great weekend.
Beautiful homage mama.
Now I have it in my head. Figaro! Figaro! Figaro! Fiiiiiigarooooo!
Christmas trees already? No. Nope. No way.
Here’s to the weather turning comfortably brisk and not downright stupid cold, but I know, I know . . it’s not up to us what we’re gonna get and okay, I DID complain a ton about the heat sticking around so there’s that.
Have a great weekend peeps
Many thanks, Marc. You’re too kind.
I’m hoping Figaro’s set back is just a seasonal adjustment. Let’s just hope the weekend is comfortable. They say a cold front is moving in with highs in the 40’s. But like you said, it was a stupidly hot summer and I’m certainly not tired of wearing sweaters yet. Have a great weekend!
Let’s hope, fingers crossed.
Yeah when it starts dipping it usually keeps right on dipping but I’m with you, I am okay with sweaters. Or blankets.
…or 80 lb. floofs who seem quite happy to keep me warm. Course I won’t be able to move, but I’d be warm. LOL
Hahaha! That counts!
Wilson looks so soft and snuggly, can I join him on the couch!?
Thanks, Lisa. He is a major floof! I’m sure he’d love another lap to cover! 😂 Have a great weekend.
Yup. Nothing beats a Ball ‘O Dog snoozing on the furniture.
Ball o’dog. Bwahahaha!
love your photos as always….thank you for looking out for me and rescue dogs. One day they will be close enough. I need a poodle
LeeAnna
Thanks. You’re so welcome on the poodle front. I totally understand. Have a great weekend.
Glorious sights captured on camera!
Aww, you’re too kind, Carole. We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
We’ve followed Dan for a while now; he’s an amazing writer and we enjoy his blog very much. He takes great photos, too. I didn’t know Cee but apparently she was quite beloved in her circles. We always enjoy finding new to us bloggers and try to learn something from all of them. Mum is very excited about the Christmas cactus blooming but think it’s the earliest it’s begun yet. We just hope it goes well into December for festiveness. Mum’s not sure if she’ll be able to put up a tree this year as she’s getting ready to move and will be trying to get settled. We’ll see how that goes-she’s no spring chicken and know the move will be hard on her physically. Have a terrific weekend.
Java Bean: “Ayyy, sofa snoozes! You can bet I got in a lot of those when we came home from Murrieta.”
Charlee: “BIRDS!!!”
Getting sufficient rest is key to good health, Bean. Research has been telling us that for a while. For kitties like Charlee, Chaplin and Smol Oona, watching episodes of bird TV in between naps makes for a double dose of good health. We hope all the Oceanside Animals have a pawsome weekend!
I’m not sure what variety of fig you have, but I think a period of dormancy is a natural response to shorter days, and is a required rest in prep for the next growing season. Maybe google care for you cultivar to check?
Have a great weekend!
Whew, that’s good to know. I’m not sure what variety it is (there wasn’t a tag with it. it was a Mother’s Day gift but my daughter assured me that it was hardy for our zone). That said, I was sure to bring it inside out of abundance of caution. Our altitude can be vexing for gardeners. We hope you have a great weekend.
Our Christmas cactus is also a Thanksgiving-Christmas-Valentine’s Day cactus. We get our money’s worth out of it! 🙂
I guess so! Way to economize. Have a great weekend, Kate.
Wilson: “Engaged fan” definitely has a different meaning depending on your perspective lol! I’m a morning person myself. I cannot sleep once I wake up, and that goes for the rest of the day. Nap-time just doesn’t happen for me, but you look so comfy on the sofa, I did manage a yawn in your honor. Figaro will recover…more light on the way! Love the Thanksgiviing Catcus. We have a Christmas Poinsettia that has lived for a couple of years now, and it fortunately “recognizes” all four seasons when it comes to growth spurts. Our local Christmas Tree lot starts setting up the week before Thanksgiving, so we’re almost ready to see it “pop up” outta nowhere. A beautiful Fall weekend wish for you and the Ranch!
Thanks Bruce. Mum is one of those over the top fans when it comes to hockey and she gets quite ‘animated’ whenever she watches a game, and not just for her team.
Mum is so used to waking up early it’s just second nature now. She’s had that cactus for probably 20 years or longer. I think she bought it in December trusting the labels description that indicated it was a Christmas cactus but the longer she’s had it, even if it seems to flower around Thanksgiving. This year it started setting buds even earlier. It’s fine though, it brightens her spirits as the season start to be more drab brown with each passing day. We hope you have a ‘furbulous’ weekend!
Ah, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro. You’re breaking your Mum’s heart. BOL, was that funny? XOXXOX Chia
Those look like a gaggle, er, flock of pigeons. I bet they’d all fly away if me and Wilson barked real loud! XOX Xena
I couldn’t find fall placemats at the Dollar Tree yesterday because all they had out was Christmas stuff! Agh!
Thanks for the sympathies, Chia. As for Xena…I don’t bark at birds of any kind. I don’t even bark at my nemesis…it spoils the element of surprise, Xena.
Yeah, the Dollar Store is full on Christmas now. Thanksgiving is so in the past as far as marketers are concerned. Color us sad, about that too. Have a great weekend!
Mommy just got back from Hobby Lobby with a haul of fall stuff they had half price! (Thankfully, so halloween costumes for us!) And thanks for the tip, Wilson! XOX Xena
👍🏻
Wilson! What a beautiful floof he is! Did your mum call you a house pony? I think you are just a little big-boned boy.
If it’s just past Halloween, must mean Christmas tree time. Ugh. No. Please, no.
Thanks for dropping by, Lois-we love new visitors. Yes, Wilson is affectionately known as the resident House Pony. Big boned doesn’t quite seem to do it justice.
We’ve seen Christmas decorations up since late September (we’re talking about you, Costco!). It’s just too early for us, too. Besides who wants a real tree all dried out come the first of December? We hope you have a wonderful weekend and thanks again for swinging by.
A lovely tribute to Cee, Monika. I feel for Figaro. If it is any consolation, the fig trees around here are dropping their leaves like crazy. Looks like a length of light situation to me. (But what do I know) Your Christmas Cactus looks terrific.
Thanks, John. That’s somewhat comforting especially since I found 3 new leaves that fell since last night. It is setting new buds so hopefully that’s a good sign that its overall health is good. That ‘Christmas’ cactus blooms shocking pink flowers and is such a nice pop of color especially since November tends to be so drab even on sunny days.
We hope you have a great weekend!
Poor Figaro!
They are selling christmas trees here, together with all the usual useless tat. People here get double pay in December – to help them pay the bills in January – but most of it goes to pay the tat merchants.
The double pay thing is interesting. Sadly there is no shortage of useless stuff being sold here too. This week I received a whole catalog from Amazon of ‘stuff’ they were hawking. Umm…no thank you. Luckily yesterday was recycle day and into the bin it went.
Have a terrific weekend and please give all the Thugs a nice ear rub from me.
I love that photo of Wilson “resting his eyes” on that pillow. When we bought the couch we have in our family room, we walked away from several suggestions, telling the saleswoman that the arms were too tall or too hard for our dog to lay her head on. You have to have priorities.
I love the photos, especially the milkweed. You captured that so well.
Thanks for joining us for the 1Day4Cee challenge. I know she would love the Black-eyed Susans (I know I do). I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend. I know it’s still Friday morning, but start now.
Many thanks, Dan. It always cracks me up to see his head on a pillow, especially when he rolls on his back with feet in the air and snoozes. Too funny. I know exactly how that conversation with the furniture salesperson went. I bought my current car because of the cargo area and needed to make sure there was enough space for all the dogs to be comfortable on trips to visit my dad. LOL
Have a great weekend (which in our minds begins today). Happy Fri-Yay!
Thanks! Yes, the weekend has begun.
What lovely peeks of Nature. Our pawrents don’t wake up quite as early as yours Wilson, but we don’t let them sleep past 6am. What a pretty Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus….We’re still waiting for ours to bloom!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
Thanks, Rosy and Sunny. Mum starts her day at oh-dark-thirty. Personally I think it’s unnecessary but that’s her jam. She thinks she’s sleeping in if it’s 6 AM even if it’s still dark outside! We hope you guys have a wonderful weekend.
Your furiend,
Wilson 🐾
We don’t know Dan or Cee, and will have to check that out later today. Have you noticed how many people complain about their dogs waking them up to early all the time? Like you, we have a very early riser Mom who has to toss us all out of bed every morning. I don’t think we have ever woken her up! At least we know now that another dog, aka, you, has the same issue. Enjoy your Christmas cactus. Our late cat bro Bert killed ours, sadly. Have a fun weekend!