Time to fire up the old BBQ because today is Labor Day in the US and its territories where we celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of workers. Always celebrated on the first Monday of September, today we honor labor and union movements (if you work 40 hours or less a week, you can thank unions for that) and the role all workers have made to the strength and well-being of the nation. For many of us, we may have the day off from work and the first holiday of the new school year. Many consider Labor Day as the unofficial last weekend of summer with backyard get-togethers. Wilson is hoping someone will pass the chips or better, a hot dog.
A brief history of Labor Day shows that as trade and labor movements began to grow, calls for a day commemorating workers’ contributions were proposed. Colorado was one of the first five states to enact legislation recognizing Labor Day, with Oregon being first to officially make it a public holiday back in 1887. Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894. Our Canadian friends likewise celebrate “Labour Day” on the first Monday in September.
Historically speaking, it wasn’t all roses and candy to get where we are today. Following the deaths of workers at the Pullman Strike of 1894, Congress unanimously approved legislation making Labor Day a national holiday and it was signed into law by Grover Cleveland shortly after the end of the strike.
We had our family reunion with all 5 siblings and scores of grandkids over the weekend gathering to celebrate my Dad’s 95th birthday. Tacos were a-plenty along with Cerveza and Margaritas, appetizers as well as a customary birthday cake. It was so much fun seeing nephews, nieces, cousins and family friends that I don’t normally get to see. The weather was perfect with mild temps-you couldn’t have asked for a better day capped off by a lovely shower and beautiful rainbow on the way home.
Even though it’s a holiday, it’s still a Monday, which means we’re going to start out the day with a shared chuckle. Let’s hear it for pigeons!
We hope your holiday weekend was great and today keeps the streak alive. Happy Labor Day and Happy 95th to my Dad.
Happy Monday and happy birthday to my beautiful daughter. Love you sweetie and hope your day is as special as you are. I’m so proud of the fun loving, smart, amazing woman, mom and daughter you’ve grown into. Have a wonderful day!
Let’s make having a birthday on a Monday extra special. Let’s do a two-fer because you can just never have too many smiles on a Monday, right?
This is our second fervent wish today that I can’t stress enough.
Wishing everyone a ‘wagnificent’ Monday and may all your holiday and birthday wishes come true. Happy Monday!
After several attempts at trying to introduce the patriarch of the family to the newest editions, we finally were able to put it together this weekend. Five generations convened at my house with a bonus, my sister and her husband from Texas were visiting. I think it was easier to scheduling telephone conference calls with high level executives in multiple time zones across the world but it finally happened-everyone was in good health, good cheer and seemed to enjoy themselves even though it was crowded with so many people in my little house (and in several cases, partners/spouses snapping away).
We hope you had as fun a weekend as we did and all your encounters shared as many smiles. Happy Monday.
Good Friday morning. As is our usual MO, we’re joining Rosy and Sunny from the LLB life for this week’s Mother’s Day edition. Be sure to click on the link to see what others have shared.
Elsa: Before we get started sharing some of this week’s photos, I personally want to wish our own Mom a very Happy Mother’s Day weekend.
Wilson: Yes, Mum, I too want to wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day. You provide us both with treats, unconditional love, great ear scritches and belly rubs, and are the best walking companion who happens to be a super duper pooper scooper. In fact, I’ll go one better…I wish all dog mums a Happy Mother’s Day.
Elsa: Yo Big Guy, this isn’t a competition. Those are all implied in my Happy Mother’s Day wish, so stop trying to up your game, okay?
Wilson: Well I just wanted to elaborate just a tad in case Mum didn’t know how I felt about her.
Elsa: Face it House Pony, you’re a brown nose and are trying to make up for being a pill yesterday. Trust me, Mom loves us no matter what we chew up or do. She may be unhappy for a quick moment, but I guarantee you she still loves us, so stop going overboard.
Wilson: You mean she won’t be upset with me because I chewed one of her craft tools when she took you for a separate walk? Whew…glad to hear that. And again, you seem to be a bit colorblind, my nose is most assuredly black, not brown. Just wanted to point that out for the record.
Elsa: Oh for crying out loud. STOP, just stop. I told you before it’s a figure of speech. Now that we’re 300 words in, let’s get on with the post, all right?
Wilson: Just wanted the record to be clear. It’s been a very windy week accompanied by cool temps. Yesterday morning it was a cool 36ºF (2ºC) when we went outside for our morning wee. I didn’t mind it but Mum seemed a tad chilled.
Elsa: She was sleep walking I think. She made sure she had a jacket on this morning. While it’s ever so slightly misting, at least it wasn’t quite as chilly. Neither of us seem to mind (well at least not the cooler temps-but I’m not walking around if it’s raining) but at least we’re not in the mountains where 1-3 inches of white stuff are expected. Over the past 4 of the past 5 years, we’ve actually had a bit of snow during Mother’s Day week so I guess we should consider ourselves lucky.
Spring snow from a few years ago
Wilson: Snow? Hmm, I thought we were over all that. Well it hasn’t seemed to damping any spring flowers from what I can tell on our walkabouts. I mean just look at this gorgeous lilac bush. Mum said it’s different that the solid color ones we’ve seen over the past couple of weeks. Each bloom is rimmed in a narrow stripe of white and the purple is quite intense. It smells amazing, too.
Elsa: Whoa…that’s quite a beauty, dude. I haven’t seen that variety on my route but then I don’t walk the Santa Fe trail like you do. I’m not good with a deviation from the route so probably won’t get to see it before it’s finished.
Wilson: You should try a different route, it’s good to experience new things-trust me. I’m exposed to all sorts of new and look how great I am.
Elsa: Umm, I wouldn’t be going there, Pony. You still get wigged out with large trucks and…
Wilson: {interrupting} Excuse me…those things are terrifying to a country boy like me. I don’t know how you city chaps manage to not freak out whenever a UPS or garbage truck rumbles past. They are quite noisy and they startle my otherwise calm demeanor.
Elsa: Oh brother…just deal with it. As long as you’re with Mom, nothing is going to get you. Chill dude, ok.
Wilson: Well I’m trying, but I don’t have to like them.
Elsa: What’s to like. Just look pitiful and not like some scaredy-cat and Mom will likely give you a treat if you don’t freak out.
Wilson: {wheels turning in his brain} Hmm, treats you say? Ok, I’ll keep that in mind and practice on the pitiful look for the best effect.
Elsa: Yeah, I thought that might make you stand up straight. Yeesh, what a chow hound. What else did you see on your travels?
Wilson: Well the bearded irises are blooming all over the place. Gosh some of them are quite striking. Like this one.
Wilson: Mum was very excited at this bearded iris from her garden. Most of her’s are in the very early stages since the garden doesn’t get as much intense sunlight. This one is actually a reblooming hybrid that she really likes but that hasn’t performed as reliably as she’d like. Still, it’s rather pretty even if it doesn’t have any scent. What’s up with that?
Elsa: Hey, do I look like a botanist? I don’t know why some plants have scents and others don’t. I just like the way they look.
Wilson: Well scent is very important to me, I mean have you seen my nose?
Elsa: Good point. That honker was made for sniffing. I’m surprised they don’t use Old English Sheepdogs like bloodhounds.
Wilson: Well we need to sniff out potential predators, so maybe that’s why. Sniff then drive them for forward together. That’s us.
Elsa: {eyes rolling} Look dude, this isn’t a job interview. We’re sharing slice of Mother Nature, okay? What else have you got?
Wilson: Mum noticed this blooming wisteria a couple of days ago. I asked her, “Where’s the leaves?” She assured me they’ll start forming soon. Seems rather odd to me, those droopy racemes hanging down. Mum said they are part of the legume family so naturally I inquired if they are edible but she said the pods and seeds are quite toxic and for me not to get any clever ideas about noshing on them. Luckily this house has a wrought iron fence so it’s not likely pets will mistakenly snack on the toxic parts.
Elsa: There are plenty of things for you to nosh on, you don’t need to sample poisonous things. This next plant is also toxic so don’t get any bright ideas.
Wilson: These plants are tucked into an overgrown corner of a garden we pass every day and Mum liked that park bench in the back. She thought what a lovely secluded spot. They come in a variety of colors and are quite ornamental. Mum says they’re part of the garlic/onion family and can make us dogs sick if they ingested. She said some species are quite poisonous so I’ll be staying away. Don’t need any stomach upset any time soon.
Elsa: Whoa…you’re actually not interesting in eating something. That’s gotta be a first!
Wilson: Ahem…don’t sell me short. Yes I enjoy food but it’s just not worth a case of diarrhea or vomiting. Not when Mum hands out tasty treats like Tic-Tacs.
Elsa: Hmm, maybe you are trainable! So when you were out on your walks, did you come across these flowering trees?
Wilson: Yes, we did see one near the post office the other afternoon. Mum said it’s a Aesculus x carnea..a red buckeye/horse chestnut an artificial hybrid. Mum said it’s a medium sized showy tree with toothed leaves. It’s pretty striking to look at and makes a great shade tree. Those flowers can be messy when they’ve finished blooming.
Elsa: That looks like it for this edition. Nice job, Pony. So what’s on the agenda for Mother’s Day? I heard Mom is going to see the new great grandbaby for brunch tomorrow. I keep asking Mom when are we going to be able to see her and she said soon. She turned one month old yesterday. Kinda a cute little chunk, isn’t she?
Wilson: She sure is. Mum is nuts about her. I’m not sure just how I’ll react when she starts wailing but I’m sure I’ll be Johnny on the spot, ready to soothe her with a pup kiss or three. I always react to videos of her with a cocked head, with upright posture and loads of bum wiggles. Crying babies need to be soothed and they don’t call us sheepies Nanny dogs for nothing.
Elsa: You do know she’s not edible, right?
Wilson: Of course I do. But she is kissable and I can’t wait to see and meet her. Mum says soon and I can’t wait. We hope all mums have a wonderful Mum’s Day whether your ‘kids’ have two or four legs. Enjoy your weekend being the center of attention-you totally deserve it. And don’t forget to enjoy some nature over the weekend.
Welcome to the first Friday of May where we join those sweet pups from the Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the highlighted link to see what other posts were shared. After a laughter-filled good visit with Mom’s Dad and sister, and just like Arnold Schwarzenegger, we’re ‘baacck.’ It was a bit early as spring on the prairie was just beginning to wake up but with temperatures warming up this week, it’s bound to go into overdrive. Crystal blue skies greeted us every day along with breezy conditions, but it was a lovely visit. Let’s start our tour, shall we?
Elsa: A new neighbor has slowly been getting settled in. They put up this adorable mailbox-one of the nicest in all of Pueblo West. Mom was captivated by it. Wilson thought the post needed to be baptized and I kept thinking, “Ugh…who are these weirdos?” Egad I just hope nobody saw me with them.
Wilson: What?! There was a small message in the gravel that the post was setting on that I needed to respond to…what’s wrong with that?
Elsa: I can’t even begin to respond to those ‘needs.’
Wilson: Well I noticed you left a message along our walks.
Elsa: Yup, I did. It said DON’T PEE HERE, YOU BOZO. Or do you need a translator?
Wilson: {miffed} Well I never…
Elsa: If only that were true. Moving along…the trees were just beginning to leaf out. This is one of a few deciduous trees that my Grandpa has that serves as resting spots for the prairie birds and shades the patio. Mom said the meadowlarks were back with fewer doves this time. The doves have taken over the past couple of years, much to the chagrin of the uprights but everyone seemed happy to hear the meadowlarks chirping their lovely songs. We couldn’t get close enough to take a pic but had to be content with their song. Mom starts to swoon whenever she hears their distinctive trilling. Here’s what they sound like.
Wilson: My heavens, what a charming and delightful sound. I can see why Mum enjoys their calls. She said the Western Meadowlark’s most common call is a “low, bell-like pluk or chupp which they use when disturbed and during courtship and territorial displays” according to the All About Birds website with the males giving “a hurried, excited “flight song” of short-spaced whistles and warbles.” If it makes Mum happy, who are we to interrupt?
Elsa: I know that…it just cracks me up when she goes into “bird frenzy.” More than once while they were all chatting on the patio, she interrupted the conversation excitingly telling the others “ooh, ooh, check out the Meadowlark call” {eyes rolling}. Her sister looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.
Wilson: Well I didn’t notice her sister seem to mind since she never stopped rubbing my ears. Boy was I glad I got to meet her.
Elsa: You are simply shameless. One day you’ll meet someone who isn’t seduced by your oafish large self.
Wilson: I doubt it but until then, I’ll enjoy the attention. I notice you were hanging out near her a lot of the time too.
Elsa: {clearing her throat} Ahem, she was my aunt before she ever became yours. And one of the sweetest dog lovers in the world. I love being around her and her husband and think I filled a vital role since I know they both were missing their dog back in Texas.
Wilson: It’s a good thing we always answer the call to quickly go to service, right mate?
Elsa: Oh jeez…get over yourself, House Pony. Anywho…what else you got today?
Wilson: Mum told me the rabbit brush is beginning to flower but I was somewhat disappointed there didn’t seem to be any rabbits at home whenever we walked by.
Elsa: I suspect its pollen was what made Grandpa and Mom’s sister all stuffed up although there could have been other culprits, like maybe this wild Verbena that was beginning to sprout here and there. It’s a pretty little flower that stays low to the ground and provides a nice pop of color in a tawney landscape.
Wilson: How did I miss that one? I surely would have left a message.
Elsa: Ha…color Mom happy about that!
Wilson: Speaking of color…Mum mentioned that this untraditional iris was something her Mum planted many years ago. It’s quite striking and with the anniversary of her passing this past week, gave everyone a smile between their tears as they remembered her and how she lovingly created her garden over the years. I wish I could have met her, I’m sure I’d have loved her as much as everyone else.
Elsa: Yeah, she was the best, and I’m sure she’d actually have enjoyed you plonking your big fat head in her lap. She was especially fond of Sam who tended her when she went into hospice.
Wilson: She must have been a very special human. And for the record…I don’t plonk. I gently rest my head in the lap of uprights who seem to appreciate and need my company. That’s why Mum thinks I might be a good candidate for pet therapy. So what was all that falderal about that flying thing? I couldn’t tell what all the excitement was but it sure seemed to entertain everyone.
Elsa: Oh that thing? That was the first Swallowtail of the season. It’s one of the largest of all butterflies and quite distinctive.
Wilson: Mum was very excited and tried to follow it around the patio area. She wasn’t able to get too close before it would flit around and move to another tree so her photo isn’t the greatest and is pretty grainy. But it’s not for lack of trying.
Elsa: You’ll learn soon enough that Mom isn’t the best photographer anyway but especially with her cell phone. She considers it a victory if she gets a shot that resembles what it is she’s trying to share.
Wilson: Well in all fairness, sometimes a cell phone is all one happens to have at the moment and the only way to document something.
Elsa: Yeah, you’re probably right, but still…some of that documentation is so lame. Like this one, as we were heading back to Denver. You can tell the species, but you couldn’t tell what kind it was. Mom thought it might be a rattlesnake but she wasn’t about to get out of the car to get closer. She cropped it hoping it’d be more clear but alas…another fail. The full size pic looked more like a rope was across the road. She worried that if this guy sunned himself for too long, some big truck would likely run over him. She’s not a fan of snakes, I mean who IS right, but she didn’t wish him any harm. He was pretty long and blended in well to the landscape.
Wilson: Snake? Umm, I’d have passed as well…
Elsa: {interrupting} That’s rich, I know perfectly well you’d have investigated. You’d have either peed on it or tried to eat it.
Wilson: Well what else can you do with something like that in the middle of the road? I mean, come on…
Elsa: Well they are useful out on the prairie, keeping the mice population down and other small critters.
Wilson: I think this guy might have been napping a bit too much. He missed one in a planter near the front door that Mum and her sister were getting ready for plants.
Elsa: I heard the commotion. Auntie wasn’t nearly as thrilled as Mom was seeing that cute little thing. Mom thought it fell in and couldn’t climb out. It seemed pretty exhausted so she took it out and gently let it escape into the underbrush of a mugo pine. Look at all those hairs standing up!
Wilson: I thought I smelled something but didn’t see it.
Elsa: That’s probably why Mom brought out the scissors and clippers when we got home. I heard ‘something’ about you getting a trim later today.
Wilson: Ugh…yesterday’s bath was bad enough. While I’m mostly a good boy when it comes to grooming, I’d rather be out walking and checking out Nature, frankly.
Elsa: Well you needed a bath and you might as well get used to it. Mom gets worked up if we get mats or begin to ‘heaven forbid,’ smell like dogs and then runs around collecting all her grooming gear.
Wilson: Oh dear. I didn’t sign up for that.
Elsa: Un-lax, Pony…there are lots of treats involved. And this new self-dog wash Mom found is run by a really nice lady who will make you feel quite special at her adorable shop and dog wash.
Wilson: Yes, but, but..water. I mean…are there enough treats for water?
Elsa: There are, after it’s all over. Trust me. I don’t like baths either but when I smell good, Mom really loves on me. Well, I’m outa here…time for my mid-morning nap. I’ll let you wrap it up, Pony.
Wilson: Roger that, Ninja. We hope you have a fabulous weekend and are able to check out all the posh sights Nature brings us everyday. Cheerio, mates!
Welcome to Nature Friday where we share bits of nature from the urban landscape. As always, we are joining our friendly hosts from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what other posts were shared.
It’s been another crazy weather week with wide swings in the temperatures which have seemed to accelerate spring’s presence. Fifty degree temperature swings are not uncommon around here, especially at this time of year. Let’s see what we have, shall we?
Elsa: First off, on behalf of Mom who has become super forgetful since the birth of her great granddaughter, we need to apologize for not expressing our shock gratitude for being a winner last week on the Teaser. She’s never first to arrive but she was first to correctly guess on April 9th, the day Baby Halia arrived. Naturally she’s been gaga ever since so we hope you don’t hold it against her. Originally she thought it was a photo of a pile of gravel she had delivered many years ago but I convinced her to look for some clues to figure out where that photo was taken. Many thanks to Two Spoiled Cats for awarding her this cool badge. We have our paws crossed she starts to remember things better. {shouting out}…oh Mom…don’t forget to put your pants on today, okay?
The Mom: Umm, for the record, yes, I remembered to put on my pants {eyes rolling}.
Elsa: Whew…anywho…now that we’ve expressed our thanks, I’m gonna wake up the Pony and see what he’s put together for today.
Wilson: {butt wiggling with excitement} I’m here, I’m here…let’s get going!
Elsa: Down Sportor…don’t weird out on me.
Wilson: Well I just wanted to let you know I’m quite bright eyed and bushy…
Elsa: {sighing while interjecting} Ugh…this guy is way too literal, not to mention, way too bouncy. Let’s move along, shall we? What do you have to share first?
Wilson: {giddy with excitement…tail and bum wiggling like crazy} Well, this week Mum installed this cool garden whirligig that she received as a Christmas gift. She had put it away in the garage and forgot about it…mostly because the ground was frozen at the time. But she came across it and decided now would be a good time to install it. It took her a few minutes to figure out the instructions but figured it out. I can stare at that thing for ages. It’s very calming and Mum is hoping it will not only be lovely to passersby but also that it’ll the squirrels from coming in the front garden. Notice the wet stuff. We are grateful Mother Nature decided to gift us a little bit of moisture but hope she is even more generous later today.
Elsa: Erm…o-kay. Whatever cranks your handle. I suppose if it keeps you from going bananas, it’ll be worth it.
Wilson: As you well know, I’m pretty plugged into anything that moves so maybe this will keep me occupied. Otherwise, Mum is going to have to go back to the drawing board.
Elsa: I’m guessing this is the first of many strategies Mom is going to have to employ to keep you from killing her.
Wilson: {protesting and sounding slightly miffed} I’d never kill Mum. I just. am. always. hyper-vigilant about my surroundings.
Elsa: Hyper-vigilant? How about you’re a crazed lunatic?
Wilson: Name calling is not necessary. Besides, I’m the big strong one and must protect Mum.
Elsa: Ha! She’s managed to survive on her own without your help for 87 years so don’t flatter yourself. Just try not to run either of us over, and we’ll all be cool, okay.
Wilson: So…moving along. I thought this week we’d share photos of how accelerated spring is this year. Mum tells me she’s never seen perennials in such an early state of blooming.
Elsa: Yeah, I’ve noticed things in various stages of bloom and I’m not just talking about flowering trees although they’ve been nice. Here are a redbud and crabapple trees.
Wilson: Oh I love that redbud tree and Mum tells me all of us dogs love it too because we always try to potty beneath its low branches. She’s not having any of that and at least with me, she drags me off.
Elsa: Don’t feel special. She does the same thing with me while she’s grumbling something about how she’s not bending over like a gnome picking up after us under those low branches.
Wilson: Oh yes, she said the same thing with me. She was quite testy about it, too.
Elsa: Old people…what can you do but humor them. But I know we’ll both try every time we walk past that house. Angels Norman and Sam did the same thing. Maybe someone can explain to Mom why we do that. I can’t explain it.
Wilson: It’s quite a mystery to me but then I’m the new guy and a lot of things are mysterious to me here.
Elsa: So what’s up with this next pic? Care to explain it?
Wilson: Mum said it’s a mushroom clump and she thought it was rather fascinating. Because of our lack of humidity, seeing clumps like this are fairly unusual. It was quite a fragrant spot but Mum dragged me off again. She won’t let me pee on plants.
Elsa: She mentioned to me she can’t remember the last time so many perennials have started to bloom so early in the season. Mother Nature seems to be playing tricks on us. From poppies to irises and peonies and Bachelor Buttons from seed…I mean, for crying out loud, even some lilacs started blooming. In the middle of April! Say what you will, there is definitely something about this global warming thing. How else can you explain it?
Poppies
Irises
Bachelor buttons
Flowering shrub
Lilacs
Peony
1 / 6
Wilson: It sure seems that way, but I’m a herder, not a scientist so don’t rely on my observations.
Elsa: Boy you can say that again. Trust me, I wouldn’t rely on your thoughts, even if you WERE a scientist. But the absolute wildest thing we saw on our walks from yesterday were some blooming Bleeding Hearts. We were almost to our house and Mom saw them as she walked by. And BAM! she stopped and yelled, “What the bloody dog?!” and walked back to take a photo. I thought I was going to have to revive her, I tell you.Wilson: It’s quite something, that’s for sure. Well that’s it for the flora this week but Mum was super excited that she saw some wildlife as well. It’s not a very good photo since all she had was her cell phone but she was blown away to see what she thinks was a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk in her silver maple tree. They’re not unheard of but seeing one in the city seems somewhat unusual.
Elsa: We need to remind Mom to get an arborist out to trim that tree. The squirrels are playing havoc with new branches and there are lots of old ones that need to be pruned away.
Wilson: Squirrels??? Where, I’ll get them!
Elsa: Down Pony…I said we need to have Mom take care of it. You’ll just create a mess and hurt yourself or more likely, someone else. I know you mean well but I’m starting to grow used to you and would hate to see you get hurt. Besides, I think I used up the entire veterinary budget this year. So let’s agree to let Mom take care of this. Guess that’s it for us this week. We hope you have a great weekend. So dude…are we doing anything exciting?
Wilson: Don’t think so. Mum said something about seeing the baby again. I wish she’d let me go with her…I definitely want to meet her. Mum can’t stop banging on about how fabulous she is and hopefully I’ll get to meet her soon when Mum’s sister comes to Colorado for a visit in a couple of weeks. We hope you have a splendid weekend and are able to get outside and take in the beauty Nature shares with us. In the meantime, we’ll leave you with this week’s image of the little sprout on her one week anniversary.
Welcome to Nature Friday where we share a few slices of Nature from around our ‘Hood. As always, we are joining our hosts from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Please click on the link to see what other posts were shared.
It’s been an exciting and busy week around the Ranch. For a couple of days both me and the New Guy wondered why Mom was gone so much. I mean, what could possibly be more important than us? Elsa here. Well, it turns out our family increased in size. We will now have five, yes FIVE living generations around the Ranch House. How is that possible, you ask? Mom’s first granddaughter gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl (who was just a tad reluctant to leave the comfy womb but who finally made her debut at 12:34 pm on Tuesday). Mom, Dad and baby are all doing well even if they’re massively tuckered out.
Courtesy of Bella Baby Photography
I can say without reservation Mom is over the moon even if she’s not sure about being called a great grandma. I think that means she’s older than dirt but we’ll love her just the same. We can hardly wait to meet this little one. The Pony told me he’s an excellent and very responsive baby watcher. We’ll see but he does seem to respond to crying babies, puppies and mewing kittens whenever he hears them in a video.
Wilson: I say, little sister, does this mean I’m an uncle now?
Elsa: No Oaf…you’re not an uncle. Because this is a G-rated blog, I can’t say what you are but you will be expected to be on your best, furry behavior.
Wilson: So what do WE call this bundle?
Elsa: I was gonna guess Princess, but Mom says her name is Halia which is apparently Hawaiian for “remembrance.” Her name is an homage to all the grandparents who didn’t live long enough to welcome her to this world. She’s going to be so loved by this family.
Wilson: Bravo, I suspect Mum’s dad is over the moon too? He’s very attached to Hailey, the baby’s mum.
Elsa: He most certainly is which means you’re no longer going to be top banana at his house. But I’m positive he’ll still be glad to see us the next time we go down to visit him.
Wilson: I should hope so. I’d hate to think we’ve lost our station. {sniffling}
Elsa: No chance of that, I mean…after all we’re pretty, cuddly and irresistible still so put your British insecurities at rest.
Wilson: Well if you say so…now what else do we have to share this week.
Elsa: Well you can bet your tea and crumpets it isn’t going to be a weather report, though it has been pretty gorgeous outside and Nature seems to be fairly happy. She’s coaxing more blooms out in the garden. What did you find to share, Hoss?
Wilson: Hmm, there you go again with another nickname. Since there appears to be no point in correcting you again, I’ll just continue and share some lovely blooms from around the neighborhood. First up are some Creeping Phlox. They are blooming everywhere in loads of shades of pink and purple.
Elsa: Well everywhere but in our yard. Mom had a small patch of it but it didn’t come back this year. That one is from the guy across the street’s garden. Mom’s going to ask him if he knows why her’s failed to come back.
Wilson: Gosh how sad, I know how much Mum likes to see flowers in the garden. Look at these grape hyacinths we discovered on our walk this week. We hadn’t noticed these ombre colored ones before. How brilliant is that?! Dark on the bottom and lighter at the top. Ours are only one color-be they purple or the blue ones.
Elsa: Whoa…the ones in our garden aren’t ombre colored. That IS pretty cool.
Wilson: Quite right!
Elsa: Some of the flowering trees have started their annual show too. I think these are plum trees. I’ll know more if the squirrels start munching on the fruit.
Wilson: Squirrels?!?! Where? I’ll take care of those rotten buggers.
Elsa: Down Bucko. Don’t get excited just yet.
Wilson: Well you know how I feel about squirrels!
Elsa: Unlax dude. Why not share some of the pretty pink tulips Mom found recently. She’s been looking for tulips that weren’t red for the past couple of weeks and they’re finally out. Yay…maybe now she’ll stop whining about it.Wilson: I can see why she likes them. They are quite lovely. Well, she really doesn’t mind the red ones, but she says she wanted to see other colors. She still hasn’t seen yellow, white or purple ones yet…
Elsa: {interrupting} Gah…don’t bring it up or we’ll never hear the end of it. Let’s move along and share this other tulip instead.
Wilson: Right. So what do you think about this shrub? I think it’s a flowering quince. I checked it out but it was decidedly unfriendly to my nose.
Elsa: I’d be unfriendly too if you stuck that big ole honker up my grill.
Wilson: Ahem, excuse me…I’ve noticed you sniffing at things a lot more since your surgeries. Sniffing is how I process the world around me. I’m still getting used to how differently things smell from my old home. Things here in Colorado are quite different. Some things remain the same scent-wise to humans but I still need to check and make sure. That’s where my nose comes in.
Elsa: And here I thought it was because you’re a nosey-nellie. I stand corrected.
Wilson: I’m going to ignore that comment. Mum has also noticed loads of Creeping Phlox along our daily walks beyond what the neighbor has. It sure is a cheerful addition to a sidewalk path.
Elsa: Here’s another blooming tree branch I found on my walk yesterday. Looks like pink is this week’s showcase color. It sure makes Mom happy when she sees it.
Wilson: Seems only fitting that pink is the week’s theme color. After all, it goes well with the little pink human who arrived.
Elsa: Good one, House Pony. You may actually be on to something.
Wilson: Well I’m not just a furry face, you know.
Elsa: Umm, the jury is still out on that.
Wilson: {ignoring the snarky comment) So Mum showed me this art installation. She waxed on and on about how clever it was and how original but I’m afraid I didn’t get it. Can you explain it to me?
Elsa: There’s no explanation, dude. She just likes it. You have to realize art is in the eye of the beholder and leave it at that.
Wilson: Okay, but it was almost creepy. I wasn’t sure I should sniff it or growl at it. I’m always suspicious of faces with big eyes that don’t blink. It’s a bit unnerving, don’t you think?
Elsa: That’s nothing-you should have seen it when it was wearing a gigantic mask during COVID. Talk about unnerving
Wilson: Oh dear, glad I didn’t see that! I like looking at faces, they usually have a smile, an ear rub and offer me a treat. I’ll try to be on my best behavior whenever I see them. Mum says she’s going to start training me to join the pet therapy dog program soon. She thinks people will love meeting me. And well…if there are treats involved, I’m sure I can do it without any trouble.
Elsa: {eyes rolling} You and your treats. Dude, you gotta be a bit less enthusiastic about eating things.
Wilson: {eyes moving from left to right and back again…mulling that thought over} Why…I’m not sure I understand that but will try to make Mum proud, regardless. Well, that’s it from me. You have anything to add?
Elsa: Other than Mom’s strawberry just set some fruit which made her mouth water, no. I just hope everyone has a great weekend enjoying Spring. I can’t wait to meet little Halia and hope we get to do that over the weekend. Otherwise, we’ll have to be content with enjoying the sights and sounds of spring and hope you are able to get outside and enjoy Nature at its prettiest. Have a great weekend.
Wilson: Yes, what my dear sister said. Happy weekend. And I can’t wait to taste those lovelies.
Elsa: Oh for dog’s sake. Have a good weekend everyone!
Today may be the last Monday of the week (and month) but it’s also the day we celebrate Memorial Day in the U.S. (we encourage you to click on the link for historical background on how Memorial Day came into being). Today is also special for another reason around the Ranch.
Today is my youngest granddaughter’s birthday. It’s hard to believe this young, gifted woman turns 15 today. It seems like just yesterday when she was just a wee tyke who charmed everyone she encountered. Where did the time gone? Happy birthday, sweetie. From a little cutie to a talented, incredibly caring and beautiful young woman, you continue to impress all who know you. Love you, L.
The Head Ranch Wrangler will be leaving for Hawaii in a couple of days to celebrate the wedding of my oldest granddaughter to the love of her life so posts/comments may be sporadic but I will do my best to visit your websites as WiFi and time permits.
All of us at the Ranch wish each and everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day Monday and hope you spend a moment thanking those who paid the ultimate price so that you can remain free.
Happy Fri-Yay and thanks for joining us and our friends Rosy, Sunny and Jakey from LLB in Our Backyard for this week’s Nature Friday blog hop. It may be April Fool’s Day on the calendar, but nature isn’t fooling around as she continues to deliver some lovely surprises associated with early Spring.
It was another week of a bit of everything where the weather is concerned. But nature seems to be at least trying to nudge flowers from their winter beds. After a few days of cloudy days, chilly temps and a little bit of rain, the Ranch Hands and I woke up to glorious clear blue-bird skies. When it’s sunny and clear, all seems right.
While you can see buds on the tree (upper left hand corner) in front of this architectural wonder near downtown, other trees and shrubs are moving full steam ahead. I came across a small holly bush that was beginning to bloom.
And then there are some trees that are hanging on to last year’s bounty left for the birds. Some people don’t find those scenes as interesting as I do but I love that texture.
I think this ‘dude’ is firmly grounded in the perplexed category as he resides next to that tree at a nearby elementary school community garden. It was abuzz with activity this week as garden plots were being cleaned up getting ready for early vegetable plantings.
Daffodils, hyacinths and tulips flash their pretty at a nearby neighbor’s garden that receives plenty of sunshine with great southern exposure. With my large trees, things are still mostly brown in my garden but I can admire others who are lucky to have great sun exposure.
Glory of the Snow or scilla (Scilla luciliae) popped up along one of my walks and it was truly beautiful. I don’t see a lot of these plants but intend to look for some bulbs this autumn when I add to my spring bulbs. Heralding from western Turkey, they are one of the earliest (and in my mind, prettiest) flowering bulbs.
After another busy week, I found myself strolling around in the baby blue grape hyacinths to chill and reflect as I watched the bees happily noshing on the blue buffet. This spot always makes me stop and ponder the beauty of the surrounding plants. These bulbs continue to naturalize throughout the garden, much to my amusement. It’s like nature is moving the furniture around and who am I to argue with her design skills? I’ll save that argument for the lupine that’s beginning to emerge (in the foreground). I removed buckets of them last autumn as its naturalization throughout the garden has gotten far more than a ‘bit carried away.’ I’m hoping to encourage it to live politely rather than invasively, but so far it hasn’t seemed to respond to my criticism of “You’re not freaking dandelions, so stop popping up in every little nook and cranny and give the other plants a break!’
Some of the reseeding annuals from last autumn are beginning to emerge (or are being planted) around the ‘Hood for some early seasonal color. I found some pansies amidst dried leaves and grass yesterday afternoon. Their cheerful faces provided a nod from me because, who doesn’t love those sweet little faces and color in the dried, brown vestiges from last year?
Well, that’s about it from the Ranch for this week. We hope you’re seeing signs that spring has indeed sprung, despite the cycle of one nice day with the next day a visit from mean Uncle Winter. Makes you want to yell “STOP THAT NOW!” But around here we know snow is always a possibility over the next month, so we’ll just try to coexist with it. Have you got any plans for fun this weekend? Me, I’m just going to celebrate my baby sister’s birthday today (albeit from afar until she arrives for a visit later this month). Happy birthday, Kathy. Hope your day is as lovely as a spring day (sans snow). Love you.
Better late than never, right? Sorry we’re late getting this published. This week’s offering is fairly slim/grim as it was doggone freezing and blanketed in snow, making picture taking impossible. I had to put my thinking cap on to share any nature pics that weren’t cold and/or white.
The day before the cold and white set in, I made a quick last minute visit down to my dad’s house with my oldest granddaughter who wanted to spend her day off with him. He was absolutely delighted to see her and hear all about her recent engagement. She brought one of her pooches, Marley, who is one of the most engaging pups around and loves to show off his repertoire of cute tricks. Everyone loves him and my 91-year old dad was no exception.
So let’s get to it, shall we? As I mentioned, I decided to spare you a(nother) post of snow pics (you’re welcome) which meant I had to dig deep into the photo archives for something else. Given that I visited my dad this week, I couldn’t help but share this tiny little blue bird I saw on a previous visit. Isn’t it totally adorable? It captivated me with its striking blue color since there’s nothing like them in the city. The image itself wasn’t all that great since it was photographed through the windows and I couldn’t risk disturbing him by going outside for an up close look.
I had originally thought of sharing some interesting shadow pics I have but then realized they had snow as well, so one little bird is all I can offer this week. Hopefully with a forecast of warmer temps beginning tomorrow, I’ll be able to do better next time.
Before we go, we want to remind you that it’s that time of year again (at least in the US) when we try to alter time change the clocks. Oh the plus side in the minds of many dogs and cats, dinner will be served an hour early, on the other hand, they’ll be losing an hour of beauty sleep this weekend. I hope the sunshine on Sunday is worth it. DST makes me crabbish and takes some time for my bio-rhythms to adjust. #bahhumbug
Well, that’s it from us. We hope you are able to suss out some nature scenes this weekend. Don’t forget to “Spring Forward” for Daylight Saving time Saturday night before you go to bed. We hope the hour less of sleep doesn’t make you too cranky and you’re able to enjoy the sunshine later on Sunday.
