Welcome to April’s first edition of Nature Friday. Today also happens to be Good Friday and Passover began a couple of days ago, so first off, we first want to wish everyone a Happy Easter and send our best Passover greetings to our Jewish friends.
As we typically do for these Nature Friday’s, we’re joining Rosy and Sunny from the Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on their link to see what others have shared for their Nature Friday blog hop.
Greetings, mates. Tis I, the House Pony ridiculously gussied up as the Easter Bunny. The things I do for my Mum. This week we’re going to look at Nature from nearby Boulder since we enjoyed a family get-together with Mum’s son, his partner and the grandbaby last weekend. Spring has begun unfurling itself in earnest all along the Front Range but seeing springtime in Boulder caught Mum by surprise.
The Mum: You bet your sweet bippy, House Pony. I don’t think I’ve ever seen lilac bushes in full bloom in March. Talk about being gobsmacked. Early and ever so fragrant, that delicious sweet fragrance really caught me off guard.
Wilson: That is pretty crazy, Mum. But no crazier than the pear tree that was in full bloom.
The Mum: As I walked their backyard garden I was amazed at the various fruit trees in bloom along with returning vegetables (the artichoke was only a few inches tall so I didn’t take a photo of it), along with other perennials like Columbines. The bearded irises I gave my son early last autumn are doing well in their new home and I may end up getting a few back since the movers neglected to bring the bucket of corms with specimens of the black and soft blue bearded irises I had hoped would accompany me to the new garden.
Wilson: I noticed the Hostas were going gangbusters, too. Those variegated leaves make them distinctive in any garden landscape.
The Mum: I was pleased to see Forget-Me-Nots throughout their garden. Such pretty little blue flowers adding lovely pops of color in the spring garden. I’m a sucker for blue flowers. Kevin said they are going as crazy naturalizing as my lupines did in the old garden.
Wilson: Did you know the Forget-Me-Not is Alaska’s state flower, Mum? Though generally classified as short-lived perennials or biennials, they often act like perennials since they spread vigorously by self-sowing. They tend to bloom from spring to early summer in USDA Zones 3–8, and prefer partial shade and moist soil. With the ongoing drought here, it’s not likely we’ll be adding any of them to our garden any time soon. I know how you are about water guzzlers.
The Mum: You’re right, especially this year where mandatory water restrictions are in place. I’m still mulling over what plants I’ll add and where to put them but did buy a nice deep purple hyacinth and a small peony bush that I hope to plant soon. I’m sure by autumn when spring bulbs will be planted, I’ll have a good idea of where things might go. Working on the overall plan may take some time so I’m not in a super hurry and am excited about various possibilities long term.
Wilson: There were even some lovely tulips in bloom. I know you didn’t photograph the black ones that were just beginning to start forming buds but you fell in love with this pink one.
The Mum: Yeah, I absolutely love pink tulips and would have photographed the black ones if they weren’t still fairly tight in bud. I always enjoy an unusual colors in the garden.
Wilson: You do tend to favor pink in the garden. I mean just look at this beautiful pink apple blossom that really is highlighted against the blue sky.
The Mum: It was nice being in Boulder for the day especially since I’ve been driving back and forth to Pueblo working on the house every other day. I think we’re basically ready for the house to be listed next week.
Wilson: Grandpa was sure delighted with the way it turned out. The new flooring sure turned out beautifully and I know you and all the siblings are hoping a new family will buy it and continue the happy times in that lovely home now that it’s been updated and spiffed up.
The Mum: Yes, the house needs to have a family that will continue the awesome history initially started by our family. We shared so many great meals, spirited conversations and celebrations with wonderful get-togethers welcoming new family members over the years. There is such a positive energy to the home and I wish whomever moves in loads of ongoing love, laughter and happiness.
Wilson: I’m sure someone will be very happy there. And closer to home along the Ralston Creek Trail we saw the creek fill up from the canal you featured last week. Not sure where that water came from but hearing it moving downstream warmed our hearts. It’s been barely trickling for the past several weeks and while we received a tiny amount of rain on Wednesday, it certainly wasn’t due to that. It sure brought folks out to check it out, probably because it’s been so long since it was running. With mild temperatures this week, this is the kind of spring we can get on board with.
The Mum: Well that’s it from us. Do you have special plans for Easter or Passover? However you celebrate this time of year, we hope everyone has a safe and joyous holiday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Greetings mates. While you’re reading this post, I’m at the vet’s office getting my teeth cleaned. Ugh. It may be Pet Dental Health Month but for me, like everyone else…I. do. not. like. to. go. to. the. dentist. Period. Come to think of it, I’m not much of a fan for going to the vet. Wilson here and through modern technology (aka Mum getting her bum in gear to post this), I am likely snoozing while my vet and his assistant are making me have pearly whites again, as you read this. As we always do on Friday’s, we’re joining Rosy and Sunny from the 
Have a Happy Monday and for those of you on the east coast who received more snow over weekend, we hope things warm up soon.
And if kids have been bugging you, here’s a strategy that might help. Stay warm and have a great Monday reflecting on the legacy of MLK.
Well, we’ve gone and done it…managed to survive 2025 (presuming we can get through the next two days but we’re trying to be optimistic). It was a bit touch and go there for a while but look what doggedness will do for you.
Wilson: A real mess, right? And that was just the downstairs! It was worse upstairs. Well, I’m happy to report her doggedness has paid off, everything downstairs has now been put into its proper spot and you can actually walk about without stubbing a paw on a bin or box. Thank dog! The language I’ve heard over the past 3 weeks has been shocking and I’m not one to blush.
We can’t help but wonder if Noah was a factor in putting turkey on Thanksgiving tables but do know Thanksgiving typically ushers in the Christmas season in earnest. Mostly thought of as the low-to-no-stress holiday with food, family and football punctuating this holiday along with a good dose of gratitude. This year however, it’s going to be a bit different around the Ranch as we are preparing to move. It’s been stressful in ways I couldn’t have imagined but we’re taking it as best as we can and trying to keep meltdowns to a minimum. Now on to Monday’s smiles.
It’s a foggy, grey morning in the 303 and while we’re slow getting our brains to work, it’s Nature Friday so we’re still going to join our friends at 
Greetings, mates. Wilson here for this last Friday of October. There are 61 days left in this year and only 55 days until Santa Paws arrives. As we generally do on Friday, we’re joining our friends Rosy and Sunny from 
