Category: House Pony

Nature Friday ~ October 10, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 60 Comments

Welcome to today’s edition of Nature Friday. Today is day 281 in 2025 and there are 82 days left until 2026 arrives. Gosh, where has this year gone? As we always do, we’re joining our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Wilson here with today’s mishmash edition of sights from around our neighborhood. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others posted about nature this week. Mum was grateful to find enough time in a busy week to snap a few pics, but nothing is really cohesive. Let’s get started, shall we?

Wilson: Oh Muummm. Where in the bloody heck is that woman…

The Mum: {panting out of breath} Sorry, I was preoccupied and just now realized I was running late. Sorry, House Pony. Forgive me?

Wilson: Hmm, let me think…o-kay. Just don’t make being late a regular thing, ‘kay Mum?

The Mum: Yessir. Me thinks someone is just a tad full of himself but let’s see what you’ve got.

Wilson: Well let’s open with a couple of critters who stopped by. Normally I wait until it’s fully dark to have an evening potty break, but the other night I decided to go out at dusk. I thought there might be a squirrel out there (like I always do) so I completely missed the bunny hiding in the dark foliage and low light. Mum has been saying that I’m beginning to resemble a muppet with hair in my eyes, maybe she’s right. I did not see this little guy at all, even when he moved. Mum thinks he might be our strawberry thief. He sure blends in to his surroundings, doesn’t he? If it hadn’t been for his twitching ears, she probably wouldn’t have been able to see him either because he blended in so well.

Rabbit

The Mum: Silly boy…didn’t you hear me whisper, “see the bunny?” You’ve got to stop being so fixated on squirrels. And speaking of squirrels… last week we shared a pic with acorns but this week I managed to capture one of the little hoodlums that usually eat them. He was raising cain for interrupting him when I walked near the Catalpa tree. Noisy little bugger.

Wilson: Well he wouldn’t be so chatty if I’d have been there, I can tell you that. Cheeky little devil.

The Mum:  I’m glad you weren’t outside then. That little guy was quite the taunter and I know how that would have bothered you,. Stick to watching the bunnies, Floof.

Wilson:  Sorry, can’t make that promise. He comes in my yard, there’s going to be some WWF action. But enough about him. So I see you finally found a patch of pretty leaves. Seems like autumn is continuing to take its sweet time showing up this year. What’s that all about? Most of this tree was green except for this clump of leaves.

The Mum: It’s been rare seeing the leaves change but this bright spot of color stood out nicely. Leaves have been slow to change and a good share have simply turned brown. It was another pleasant week of cooler temps with a light shower one day. The remnants of that shower showed up in a couple of pics.

Wilson: I see the tomatoes are still producing fruit.

The Mum: I have enjoyed fresh, tasty tomatoes for the past few months but to tell the truth, I’m tired of eating them twice a day just to keep up with all of the new ones ripening and have started removing flowers since it’s unlikely for them to mature before the first frost anyway. I gave away a couple of bags this week too. Next year I won’t plant multiple plants which should help. Every year is always an adventure when you garden, and I learned that there’s a limit to good things. There’ll be lots of rich organic material for next year.

Wilson: ‘Figaro’ seems to have enjoyed the moisture. The fruit is slow to ripen and with it being late in the growing season, it will be good to bring it indoors in the next few days and keep me company.

The Mum: I have so enjoyed watching ‘Figaro’ grow over the summer and think he will be a nice edition to the indoor garden as well.

Wilson: So what was that funky weird green thing we saw yesterday on one of our walks? It looked like a piece of a green leaf but then it moved and it startled me.

The Mum: Silly boy, that’s an insect known as Microcentrum rhombifolium, commonly referred to as a greater angle-winged katydid. They are widespread throughout the world except in Antarctica and live in trees and shrubs. As insects go, they’re kind of big reaching anywhere from 50–65 millimeters (2.0–2.6 in) in length and are rhombus-shaped. I usually don’t see them since they camouflage themselves nicely by looking like leaves. You generally see them in late summer and they should be considered a ‘backyard buddy’ as they prey on garden pests like aphids and do some pollination as well. While they do eat leaves, any damage is mostly negligible since they tend to move on quickly leaving little damage. They are an important segment of the food chain providing food for birds, frogs or other garden critters. Katydids are gentle bugs and harmless to humans and are not poisonous. They make a “ticking” sound with two or three  syllables. “Kat-y-did, kat-y, kat-y-did” and while they have a pair of leaf-like wings, they are unable to fly.

Wilson: Hmmm, What a fascinating bug. So glad it wasn’t another toxic thing like plants you’ve focused on lately. I didn’t hear it making any noise but given that it didn’t stick around after posing for us, but I’m sure I would have liked enjoying a little tune before checking it out more closely.

The Mum: He probably would have not been impressed with your ginormous nose getting all up in his grill once he saw you investigating him. You tend to frighten off little critters.

Wilson: It no doubt due to the squirrels’ telling malicious lies about me. Critters should realize  I’m a harmless floof.

The Mum: I think the squirrels have every reason to avoid you and doubt they are spreading any lies.

Wilson: {interrupting} But Mum, bugs and bunnies avoid me like the plague.

The Mum: Well, you are so much bigger than they are and it’s natural to avoid potentially threatening creatures.

Wilson: Well I mean them no harm, I just wish they’d let me get close enough to sniff them and then they’d know I could be a wonderfully fabulous friend.

The Mum: {chuckling to herself} It’s not very likely but you can always hope. So are you doing anything exciting this weekend?

Wilson: I’m meeting one of your friends who just recently moved back to Colorado from California so I’m excited about making a new friend. Other than that, I’m open for new adventures in this glorious season called autumn. We hope you have loads of fun and are able to get outside and enjoy some of the finer aspects of autumn.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 19, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 51 Comments

Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we’re joining our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang for their weekly blog hop. Wilson here and it’s been an interesting week. Mum tricked me by taking me into taking a ride to the dog wash place but they were closed which meant she had to take me back to the house to endure Chinese water torture treatment (aka a bath). Have I mentioned I. don’t. like. baths. At least at the dog wash I’m restrained and elevated which makes it easier for Mum. At home she has to contend with me trying to escape every 3 seconds and she has to bend over…a lot. Naturally I’m going to turn into a bucking bronco. Good thing Mum is wise to a lot of my usual tricks and was only able to escape just once. I did manage to get her completely soaked and it took her longer to mop up the bathroom than to actually bathe me. Heh, heh. This of course was necessary because this is my week spending time visiting patients, staff and visitors at the hospital. Yesterday was quite busy-I saw nearly 50 people before I even went to our assigned floor.  Of course I love all the attention and the treats are pretty doggone good too. Mum keeps telling people I can’t have a lot of treats because I tend to lose focus. I just blink at her like I don’t understand what she’s talking about. It seems to work out nicely if I do say so myself. I managed to make a bunch of new friends and we ended up staying twice as long as usual. I became BFF’s with the security guards in the emergency department and they had me pose for photos for them. I did so many photos with nurses and hospital visitors that I may need to hire an agent.

But enough about me, let’s get to the nature we saw this week, eh?

Wilson: Chrysanthemums are exploding with color around our neighborhood and these red beauties caught my eye. Just look at all those blooms!

The Mum: Those mums are beautiful and can see why they caught your eye. This is definitely the time of year where these flowers truly shine in the glorious golden light of September.

Wilson:  You’re right, Mum, the light this month makes even flowers passed their expiration date like this oversized sunflower look good. Mum loved it, even if it’s droopy.

The Mum: You are correct there, House Pony. I think if we’d have received any of the forecasted rain instead of only very loud thunder, it might have been more perky. But I did like it and viewed it from all angles.

Wilson: You’re so weird Mum. I mean when I stop, I at least sniff. You just stand there and look at flowers. That’s so lame. I just don’t understand why looking is enough for humans.

The Mum: Are you kidding me? The magical light this time of year is enough to look in awe and appreciate the light as well as the form.

Wilson: Whatever floats your boat, Mum. So what’s the story behind this zinnia? I heard you squealing about it and when you came inside; you looked proud as punch. Looks like they were splashed with paint.

The Mum: Well I planted this new variety of zinnia seed called Confetti. It’s taken all summer long before any of the ‘confetti’ actually showed up. You can see a couple of pink ones in the background. All the flowers were only solid colors but no confetti so I was somewhat disappointed, even though the few flowers that displayed the confetti part were a lot less exciting than the picture on the seed packet. It was underwhelming by comparison but I’m grateful at least a few finally germinated even if it was somewhat subdued.

Wilson: When we were out walking before our hospital shift began yesterday, we noticed this little vertical garden just down the street. Look at this cute little pumpkin…just hanging there…waiting to be picked. It’s the first time since the owner installed that steel arbor that had something like that grow. Going vertical in a limited space seems brilliant.

The Mum: It was a clever use of the narrow ‘hell space’ that rarely gets used effectively. And a plus is there’s no misshapen form from the bottom from laying on the ground. Win-win.

Wilson: Nice, Mum. A couple doors down the street we found this youngish Ginkgo tree. The city has begun including them in the inventory of trees used to replace the troublesome silver maple trees as a different option for city landscapes. Ginkgos are large shade trees that are resistant to wind and snow damage. They have a distinct and unique fan-shaped leaf but are a slow growing tree that requires at least 6 hours of full sunlight and well watered and well drained sites. Native to eastern Asia, they are like living fossils as they’ve been around for 290 million years.

The Mum: I find these trees quite fascinating with those interestingly shaped leaves. This one is slowly starting to turn golden. It seems like the changing colors of leaves is a bit slow this year, at least in the city. Oh sure there are some spots showing up in the tree canopy but nothing really suggesting that autumn will officially arrive next week. It’s been a strange prelude to this magical time of year. In fact, I was surprised to see this Stella de Oro daylily blooming. It’s often called the perfect perennial because of its many wonderful qualities (beautiful flowers, drought tolerance and the ability able to withstand heat stress, and its low care requirements). It maybe a  miniature daylily but it packs a big punch in a city landscape.

Wilson: While it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, it is quite toxic for cats so be careful if you plant it in your yard and you have a kitty that likes to stroll through the garden looking for mousies.

The Mum: That’s interesting-I did not know that about its toxicity to cats.

Wilson: Well that’s it for this week, Mum. We hope everyone has a great weekend and are able to get outdoors to experience this fabulous time of year.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

 

Nature Friday ~ September 12, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 55 Comments

Greetings mates. Wilson here ready to share bits and bobs of nature that we encountered this week. As always, I’m joining the blog hop hosted by the Adventures of the LLB Gang’s. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what great posts and pics were shared throughout Blogville.

Not to set off an alarm, but I realized there are only 111 days left in 2025. That means there are just 104 days until Santa Paws arrives. Yikes, I don’t know how you feel about that, but I know it’s got me and Mum starting to panic. But let’s focus on how beautiful nature has been this week.

Wilson: While the temps have been warm, they haven’t been too hot (unless you were standing in the sun for any length of time). Warms days, coolish nights…the perfect weather for ripening all those little tomatoes. Mum picks one or two every time she goes outside. Our street was all in a dither last week when a baby squirrel apparently fell out of the large maple across the street. Poor little thing-just a wee baby. It wasn’t doing so great and even my squirrel despising Mum went to help a group of compassionate neighbors rescue it and its sibling. She was told there were three babies, but she never saw the other one and their mum seemed to be MIA. We heard the shrill call of a hawk on Sunday and decided that it was likely responsible for this guy falling trying to avoid becoming an entree and he fell. We managed to coax the other baby down the tree and we put them both in a little box for a young couple who took pity and insisted on taking them up to a wild animal rescue in Boulder. We all agreed they were pretty young. This little guy was pretty week and likely dehydrated. We left some water out and he at least opened his eyes after licking some from where he stumbled and spilled the containers. Another neighbor even put out some bread bits but he wouldn’t eat. I was thinking he was too young and most likely hadn’t been weaned yet to survive. As you all know I’m no fan of these little varmints but felt badly for the baby.

Wilson named him little Sherman

The Mum: I was surprised at all the attention those two little guys received from people in the neighbor. Most of the time they hardly ever look up from their cell phones but were very engaged on saving these babies. It almost restores my doubts about humans especially given the news this week. Not only was Charlie Kirk assassinated, there was a mass shooting at nearby Evergreen High School, the shooter shot a couple of classmates and turned the gun on himself. Many students were injured in the melee trying to escape. This world is becoming a crazy place.

Wilson: We were out walking around and came across this pretty dragonfly on the sidewalk. Turns out it was an adult female common whitetail dragonfly most likely hunting for mosquitos, their main food source. Mum had never seen one before and was fascinated with her appearance. The male’s abdomen is all white, while the females have those white dots running along her sides.

The Mum: We love any insects that hunt mosquitoes.

Wilson: Right-o, Mum. So I wonder who or what left this web all over these leaves? The water droplets really highlighted the web after you watered the garden.

The Mum: It sure was quite the sparkly view and caught my eye.

Wilson: You sure have been keeping your eyes open for spiders this summer. It seems like there’s been more than usual. But because they help control some nasty insects, we don’t mind them so much. Hey, how about this pretty Sweet Autumn Clematis vine?  Native to northeastern Asia, this lovely plant is part of the buttercup family and was introduced into the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental garden plant,. It’s naturalized in many of the eastern states and is considered an invasive plant in north and central Florida as well as some other eastern states. It had a delicate scent to it

The Mum: At first I thought it might be jasmine but the scent was barely perceptible so I figured it had to be something else. It sure was pretty though.

Wilson: Indeed it was, Mum. That was a good walk but nothing like the one we took after our meeting at the hospital this week. You took me to an open space area not too far from the hospital and we got to walk along the trail. I even got to see some riders with their horses. This pointing pose says it all but it was nice walking along the little stream on such a beautiful day.

Halt…who goes there?!

The Mum: I noticed you made no attempt to check out the water.

Wilson: I presume that was just a rhetorical observation. You know perfectly well that I’m not a water dog.

The Mum: {chortling} Yeah, I’ve figured that out. But you should try it sometime. It’s not like a bath. Besides, who knows, you might find a fish or a frog…also known as interactive toys.

Wilson: Also for the record, I don’t do toys, Mum.

The Mum: Lighten up laddie. I do know that…you need to unclench, ‘kay?

Wilson: Well, I just wanted to make it perfectly clear. So what did you think about the reblooming irises we saw outside the hospital before our meeting? I thought you said you had some but I don’t recall them reblooming…come to think of it, did they bloom in the spring?

The Mum: I think they did, but you’re right they didn’t rebloom. The one’s at Lutheran were pretty and just like ours. They caught me off guard. I do love me some irises and the fact that these rebloomers makes them such a lovely addition to any garden.

Wilson: They were indeed pretty but I got to admit, I was more excited to see another garden goose dressed up. This must be a ‘thing’ because it’s the second one we’ve seen recently. They’re so funny and make me tilt my head.

The Mum: You’re right House Pony…they are funny. I love gardeners with a sense of humor. Naturally, I’ll be on the alert to see more of these quirky garden art pieces.

Wilson: Whatever makes you happy, Mum. I can tell we’re getting closer to autumn and I didn’t even have to check a calendar. Apart from more spots of gold in tree tops, I noticed the strawberry plant is changing colors. Just look at those reddening leaves!

The Mum:  That is another good sign. Ten days and counting  so color us happy. Looks like that’s it for this week. Both of us hope you have a fantabulously awesome weekend and are able to get outside to see how nature is morphing into autumn.

Wilson: Woof! That means ‘yes’ in dog. Have a great weekend.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ August 29, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 63 Comments

Well, well, well…here we are again on a Friday and it’s been a lovely (if not extremely hectic) week with fabulous weather with lower temps. I daresay it’s been downright wonderful, with small showers nearly every afternoon or evening this week.Yay! In fact most of our photos for today have raindrops on them. No matter, neither Mum or I melted and were grateful for the moisture. We have been thrilled that the temps were in the low 70’sF (21C). At least the sun stopped being stuck on broil but figure summer will no doubt return but at least we were granted a few days respite. In the meantime, we’re gonna enjoy it while the getting is good. And as always, we’re joining our friends from the Adventures of the LLB Gang’s blog hop. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what great posts and pics were shared throughout Blogville.

Wilson: This week we’re doing a Farmer’s Market kind of nature thing since our veggie garden is in full harvest swing. Mum always plants a couple of tomato plants and this year they’ve been doing quite nicely. Just look at those little red beauties.

The Mum: I had some reservations about those tomatoes at first, as they weren’t the usual variety I normally plant but with all the hot days and ‘coolish’ nights, they are ripening quicker than I can eat them. And they are quite tasty, if I do say so myself.

Wilson: Harumph…well it’s certainly not like I got a chance to nosh on any. How come you don’t let me be quality control, eh, Mum?

The Mum: Hmm, not sure why I haven’t offered any to you. I have given you multiple strawberries and you seem to have enjoyed them.

Wilson: Good thing you took a photo of those berries when you did because they were gone the next morning. Seems as though some little critter ate my berry!

The Mum: Now, now…it wasn’t your berry per se but I share your disappointment as I was hoping for a fresh strawberry snack myself that morning with breakfast.

Wilson: Excuse me, you at least have thumbs to obtain snacks. Pardon me if I’m not very sympathetic.

The Mum: My goodness…stop waxing on about a single little strawberry. What else have you got?

Wilson: After enduring such a huge gastric loss, I guess I can share a bit of exciting news about your fig plant who continues to do extremely well. I think I need to host a naming content for this little guy. Every sports team in the country bids out their stadium/arena to corporate interests so I’m officially accepting name suggestions. Best treat…err most popular name wins. This guy is doing so well I can’t just keep calling him ‘the fig’ any longer. He’s nearly fully ripened. We must fill this opportunity and name this dude. And the good news is it won’t cost you a shilling. So leave your name suggestions in your comment.

And at last count, there are about a dozen little nubs waiting to join this ripening bad boy in my belly!

The Mum: I’m not sure you’ll be getting a fig, but I might be persuaded to share a tiny taste with you. How’s that sound?

Wilson: Sheesh, Mum, you’re getting pretty stingy in your old age. I thought Farmer’s Markets were supposed to be more community minded, as in sharing all the harvest.

The Mum: {purposely ignoring the snark} Speaking of community minded as in sharing…look at this basket of nectarines shared by a nearby neighbor who placed it on the sidewalk with a note to enjoy their bounty. How sweet was that?

Wilson: Very sweet indeed. As well as generous. I note the sharing aspect of that neighbor, maybe you should be willing to share some of your figs with a certain floof. Just saying.

The Mum: Let it go, House Pony. On another neighbor’s yard, I’ve noticed that garden that we walk past every day on our walks. Their front yard is covered with a Little House of Horrors style vine that’s spreading all over the place. And this guy is starting to get big. He’s going to make a lovely Jack-o-Lantern.

Wilson:  What a lovely shade of orange. I guess this neighbor is preparing for the whole pumpkin spice season which was launched this week.

The Mum: I heard that Starbuck news. What can I say? I’m sure corporate America will figure out interesting ways to jump on the bandwagon, creating heaven only knows what kind of food, drink, snack or candle fragrance.

Wilson: I’m good with plain ole pumpkin myself actually. For our final photo, we offer a beautiful rose especially for our friend, Rosy. Mum took this pic shortly after an early morning shower a couple of days ago and oohed and awed all the way home about it. Yes, it’s pretty, but I was more interested in what’s for breakfast. We wish you all a very wonderful weekend. Our family is going to have a family reunion with all 5 generations attending to celebrate Mum’s dad’s 95th birthday. I know there’ll be lots of treats there. This year they are doing a Mexican food with margaritas theme to celebrate with him. Ole! Please pass the tacos and don’t forget to have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend. Finally, may your college football team have a splendid season opener.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ August 8, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 70 Comments

Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our friends from the Adventures of the LLB Gang’s blog hop. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what great posts and pics were shared in Blogville.

This week we’re taking a different approach to our post since Mum and I are sick of whinging about the relentless heat. You’re welcome. I told her, I’m done with it and we should focus on something lovely  that Nature is providing instead. Instead we’re going to yammer on about the August full moon which is called a red “Sturgeon Moon,” said moon due to arrive tomorrow. So what is a red Sturgeon Moon, you ask?

Wilson:  Aren’t you glad I’m here to explain it. Just call me your favorite science floof. The best explanation goes something like this: The same atmospheric conditions that provide those vibrant sunrises and sunsets are the same conditions that makes the Sturgeon Moon red. Since the moon is low on the horizon, its light passes through a thicker layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters shorter wavelengths and allows longer red and orange wavelengths to impact the moon’s appearance, providing its reddish hue. This particular full moon will likely be extra red here due to smoke from various wildfires throughout the state. That smoke has impacting our air quality all week long. The full moon phase generally lasts for about three days, and begins tomorrow with this month’s full moon arriving at 3:55 a.m. ET on Saturday. It will be full on both the 9th and the 10th. Some geographic areas will refer to it as the “Corn Moon” or “Harvest Moon” which coincides with ripening corn and the start of the harvest season. Mum always calls those big red full moons a harvest moon. 

The Mum: Well, look at you Mr. Science Dude. Nicely explained. Sadly none of the moon pics I have do the term justice. I understand a Sturgeon Moon is especially important for indigenous peoples as it reminds them of the interconnectedness between nature and their communities.

Wilson: That’s right, Mum. Anyway, we could try to capture a photo this weekend.

The Mum: I’ll definitely give it my best shot, House Pony. I understand you have a few photos of flowers that are coming into their own right now. Why don’t you show us what else you’ve got.

Wilson: Ooh, I’m so glad you segued to the flowers we captured this week because are there some real beauties. Check out these Gladiolus.

The Mum: I never think about planting these bulb standouts…until they start blooming and then I tell myself…next year.

Wilson: No worries, Mum. Some good neighbors seem more than willing to step in and share their beauties. Those same neighbors had some lovely dahlias, too! This one is practically iridescent on the outer edges.

The Mum: Yes, they were truly gorgeous. It’s not likely I’ll ever plant any Dahlias because I’m too lazy to dig them up, wash the tubers and then store them in the garage. And even if I did go to that effort, I’d probably forget them the following spring. Things tend to be forgotten in the depths of the nooks and crannies in the garage. I’m still looking for a 5/8″ crescent wrench that I know I have but just can’t seem to find. Every other size is right where they are supposed to be, but the 5/8 inch one is MIA. Sigh.

Wilson: Ahh, so that’s what you were doing the other day. I think I heard some grumbling about a lost tool. You know if it’s even remotely near a treat, I could find it. Just saying if you want some help, my sniffer is pretty good when it comes to finding things if treats are involved.

The Mum: I’m sure you could, buddy. You do tend to be helpful like that. {changing the subject} So what else do you have?

Wilson: Well I came across some sunburned flowers that sure were pretty.

The Mum: Sunburned? Oh Wilson lad, you crack me up.

Wilson: Well that first one seemed like nature put a low SPF sunscreen on the flowers because it’s not too burnt, but the second one is well beyond the bronze stage, in my humble opinion.

The Mum: Hahahaha. Well I ‘ll give you an “A” for your interesting observation. Sunflowers actually can come in a variety of colors (i.e. yellow, shades of orange and red, white and even green)  although most of them found in our neighborhood are the bright yellow variety.

Wilson: You mean they aren’t sunburned? Hmm…guess I have a bit to learn about flowers. Well, the one thing that we can both agree on is that they are rather lovely. And the birds sure like them.

The Mum: Oh yes, birds are pretty crazy about sunflowers, no matter what color they are.

Wilson: Well that’s it from me. We had a visitor to the front garden but he didn’t want to stay for long. Mum said she hasn’t seen many of them and spent a lot of time trying to get close enough to actually be able to see him. A beautiful Monarch butterfly! He was enjoying the nectar from the blue flowers of the plumbago. Isn’t he grand? I named him Felix and hope he comes back.

Mum, Felix and I hope you have a terrific weekend and are able to get out and check all the wonderful gifts Mother Nature provides us, like this month’s full moon and garden visitors. Cheerio mates!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Work Like a Dog Day ~ 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 27 Comments

We don’t generally post on Tuesday but today is one that really applies to Wilson which is why we’re joining our friends at The Cat Blogosphere for “Work Like A Dog Day” today. This celebration is held every August 5th. Drop by their monthly calendar for all manner of cool celebrations and announcements.

While this is strictly an unofficial holiday, we think it’s important to celebrate all the hard work that working dogs like herding dogs, hunting dogs, rescue, service and in our personal case, therapy dogs who work hard, providing help and cheer for their humans. Please notice that the House Pony takes his daily contributions quite seriously.

Happy Tuesday peeps!

Nature Friday ~ August 1, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 53 Comments

Welcome to the first day of August. I’m going out on a limb here by saying I think it’s going to be a hot month and I’m not talking about a certain fabulous floof strutting his stuff on a Parisian runway. With less than two months until the  blessed day of autumn’s arrival, Mum has ramped up her whinging even more than usual. Can’t say as I blame her but…hello…look who’s wearing a  fur coat? Not her. Mum only managed to take a few photographs from around our garden this week but I will forewarn you about not having very high expectations as they’re not particularly special but it seems to make the chief biscuit maker happy, so let’s relish a brief moment when we managed to get out of the house, shall we?

Greetings mates. Wilson here. I know, I know…we’re like a broken record but I think anyone who has been caught in this summer version of Groundhog Day, you probably can identify. The 90’sF are returning and these temps tend to limit our outdoor times unless absolutely necessary. The hot weather makes people grumpy and Mum is no exception. Early this morning, she stubbed her foot on a tray that holds my food and water bowls and gosh…you would have heard the the most horrible imprecations imaginable floating in the air. Even I blushed and I was half asleep. Well enough of that, let’s join our furry friends from the Adventures of the LLB Gang‘s blog hop and hope Mum is civilized today. Be sure to check the link out to see what great posts and pics are shared around Blogville.

The Mum: {grumbling under her breath and shuffling her feet into the room} Yawn…’morning House Pony. Are we doing this heat thing again today? What’s the forecast for today?

Wilson: Now Mum…you’ve got to let it go. We’re all sick of it but for all that’s holy, let’s just focus on the…ahem…paltry selection of flowers we found this week, shall we?

The Mum: {more grumbling} Whatever. I’m just hoping the coffee kicks in soon to improve my disposition.

Wilson: {softly whispering under his breath} Amen.

The Mum: What’s that you say?

Wilson: {pivoting} Oh nothing. I just realized we neglected to include one photo from our time spent in Boulder. I must say, that weekend seems like so long ago. The variety up there was such a delight.

The Mum: Yes, Boulder was truly lovely with an enchanting variety of plants we don’t often see in our neighborhood. Take a gander at this Crocosmia. Isn’t it fabulous? With those colorful flower clusters on branched stems, it can flower from early summer into early autumn. It belongs to the iris family and were you aware that their genus name comes  from the Greek words krokos, meaning “saffron”, and osme, meaning “odor.” Apparently the dried leaves give off a strong scent of saffron (the spice derived from Crocus that’s been immersed in hot water.

Wilson: Hmm, fascinating and like you said, quite beautiful. Lately I’ve noticed garden annuals are in full bloom. Our zinnias planted from seed are flowering into nice pops of color in their pots and I’ve notice that the marigolds have come back with a vengeance this year. Looks like you’ll be busy deadheading them or we’ll have to host an Indian festival to Lord Shiva soon.

The Mum: Well, they’re cheery and bright and not the worst thing to volunteer in the garden.

Wilson: Right-o. They’re as cheerful as the Coreopsis (also known as Tickseed) that have popped up in a few unexpected places. Just yesterday I saw a small patch in the Plumbago that’s also begun to bloom.

The Mum: I’m a huge fan of the Plumbago and it’s really thick and luscious this year. The blue flowers are beginning to bloom and in a few weeks, the leaves will start their morphing into a gorgeous shade of mahogany. I know I wax on about it, but I truly love Plumbago since it isn’t picky about its growing conditions and makes for an easy to grow ground cover.

Wilson: I noticed you found a quirky scene on our early walk this morning. I’ve heard of vertical gardening but this kind goes beyond that, don’t you think?

The Mum: I had to chuckle when I saw those plants growing in the rain gutter. Apologies for the overcast skies. Smoke from wildfires in Utah and Arizona are clouding up our normally crystal blue skies.

Wilson: You humans have a strange sense of humor. Lastly I thought I’d share how our little fig plant is doing. The two little figs seem to be doing well and the plant has really started to leaf out. You get so giddy whenever you go outside and check on it. It’s exciting to see you enjoying them as well as seeing them doing well. Well done, Mum.

 

The Mum:  Thanks, House Pony. I’m can’t wait until they ripen. Well, that’s about it for us. We hope you are able to enjoy little glimpses of nature around your neighborhood.

Wilson: Cheerio, mates. But before I go sashaying off, I have to share the award I earned from Lutheran. I’m still somewhat new to the pet therapy thing but I received this little trophy to acknowledge that I had completed than 20 visits this year. Actually it was 26 but who’s counting. The next category is 50 or more visits. While I did not attend the event in person (they tend to be filled with a bit more canine energy than I can comfortably handle, but Mum brought it home so I could pose with it). Getting the dogs to pose was a bit like herding cats but everyone enjoyed a good laugh about it.

Have a pawsome weekend!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ July 25, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 54 Comments

We managed to make it to another Friday and we’ve lots to show you from a recent trip to Boulder, where Mom’s son lives. He had shoulder surgery and needed a caretaker to help him out while his partner was out of town. Well, color me happy…a road trip AND a visit to one of my favorite peeps. Wilson here to share photos from our time in Boulder with Mum. As always, we’re joining our friends from the Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to click on the link to see what else was shared in this week’s Nature Friday blog hop.

My first walk around the North Boulder neighborhood took me up to the base of Mount Sanitas. It was a lovely morning looking in either direction at sunrise. But getting up there was where the real fun was. I got to see scads of bunnies. Oh my dog…they are EVERYWHERE. The neighborhood hardly had any squirrels, which was very disappointing. I wished for lots of squirrels at our neighborhood wishing well before we left. Once again, they spray painted the dried allium blooms vibrant color. Whoever grants the wishes must have been on vacation because I only got to see two squirrels in Boulder. I felt somewhat swindled but know my chances are loads better near our house.

Walking up toward Mount Sanitas, the clouds were busy dotting the sky. What an incredible view-both looking up as well as looking down toward town.

At 6,863 feet (2,092 meters), Mum was a tad winded since the climb is kinda of steep. One trailhead is just a mile from the downtown district where college students and tourists congregate in the many restaurants, pubs and other fascinating hang-outs.

One of the neighbors prepares fresh baked goods that she sells at a tiny  pittance of their value especially in this toney part of town where million dollar plus homes are the norm. At the edge of the street near her driveway, she has the equivalent of a ‘lending library’ for dogs. Mum was touched by this sweet tribute, its message of love and sharing. When she showed that pic to her son, he told her that’s the lady who bakes and sells her treats to people from all over the area!  They had a good laugh about that but I missed the joke. And come to think of it, the scones were missing too. Hmm, this a second gyp on this trip not that anyone is particularly keeping score, mind you…but…

The Mum: {interrupting} Wilson, sweet boy, you know perfectly well that baked goods aren’t for dogs and besides, I gave you lots of dehydrated liver treats on your walks. There’s no reason to feel gypped, House Pony.

Wilson: I’m not so sure about that Mum, you should know it’s particularly problematic when I hear my tummy gurgling…

The Mum: {interrupting again} Your stomach is always growling. I swear you must have either hollow legs or 7 stomachs!

Wilson: And that’s a problem because?

The Mum: {ignoring the question by changing the subject} So what else did you see on your walks?

Wilson: Around the corner from the box of tennis balls, we found a beautiful Japanese garden, complete with a really nice statute of the Buddha.

The Mum: It was a very serene walk highlighted by this statute and garden. It was the first of of some noteworthy garden artwork we passed. Do you remember this mailbox and donkey?

Wilson: No…erm neighhhhhhh {dog snicker}.

The Mum: Oh my…was that your attempt to deliver a Dad joke? I wouldn’t give up your day job.

Wilson: Harrumph. That was kind of harsh. Perhaps I shouldn’t be so compliant near busy intersections by poing so nicely for you,  Mum? What do you think of that?

The Mum:  Errr, let’s not get hasty now. You wouldn’t want to endanger yourself, especially at busy intersections, now would you?

Wilson: Good point. I’d probably lose my floofy head and run out into traffic in a panic. Doggone it…score one for Mum logic.

The Mum:  It’s not about scoring anything, I just want you to stay safe sweet boy. What else do you have for us today?

Wilson: Well, I know you enjoyed these strange ‘flowers’ at the first dinner your son fixed. You said these steamed artichokes were quite tasty. I, on the other hand with my incredible floofy discernment, favored the salmon skins that were barbequed and served with them. Yum, yum…I think you need to start buying a package of those salmon filets soon. Just saying.

The Mum: My son is an amazing cook (and gardener) and we work well together with 3 hands making dinner on a lovely evening on the patio deck. Artichokes, salmon and a nice salad made for a tasty meal. The appetizers were equally tasty. I am going to hunt from some of that lemoned beet hummus. It was soooo tasty.

Wilson: Well my favorite part of our 3 days in Boulder (other than being with your son) came on the last day. I made friends with some very strange looking dogs. But we all were polite and they mosied on down the street, undisturbed by me. Not sure if the neighbor’s dog felt the same since he was barking up a storm but no one can say I was a nuisance while visiting that ‘Hood.

The Mum: At first I thought they were garden statutory and then the two babies kissed each other and then began nursing on mama. I’d never seen young fawns in person so it was a real treat for me as well. Mama seemed a tad nervous and said, “enough breakfast, let’s go, you little hooligans.” They were just a couple doors away from my son’s house and when I mentioned them to him he was not quite as excited about their visit as I was. They apparently scale fences and nosh on the fruit trees, elderberry bushes and planted veggies. Luckily the resident dog, Junie, is ‘Johnny on the spot’ keeping them at bay but folks generally aren’t glad they come around.

Wilson: Umm, Mum…wouldn’t that be Junie on the spot? Not that I’m overly picky, but…

The Mum:  Oh Fine. Junie on the spot then. There…are you happy now?

Wilson: Happy as a clam at high tide, Mum. We’ll leave you with our best wishes to have a terrific weekend and hope you get out and enjoy some beauty around your neck of the woods.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ July 14, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 56 Comments

Happy Swelter Day, er I mean Happy Monday. Today I, the majestic Floof is bringing you a special public announcement. Call…I can help you get the compensation you so richly deserve. Speaking of what I deserve, I gotta dash to file a writ of habeas corpus on a bag of chicken jerky my own Mum is not dispensing fast enough. The nerve! Harrumph.

Have a super Monday and stay as cool as you can. Our forecast calls for 98ºF (36C) so we were out even earlier than our normal early morning constitutional since it was almost 70F at dawn. Gonna be a scorcher so we’re hunkering down with AC, lots of treats any plenty of cold fresh water. Stay safe and well hydrated.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ July 11, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 63 Comments

Greetings from the Ranch, mates. Wilson here, joining our friends from the Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to click on the link to see what else was shared in this week’s Nature Friday blog hop. It’s been a busy week for us that started out wet (more on that below) and we managed to receive a couple of small wet showers too. Otherwise, it was hot, as in triple digit hot. Yesterday was July’s full moon, known as the “Buck Moon,” so named as male deer (bucks) begin growing new antlers. July’s full moon is also known by other names such as Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, or Salmon Moon, depending on the various cultural associations with the month of July. Mum can’t help but wonder if the full moon period might explain some of the severe and extreme weather that’s been happening all over too. Just last night after consecutive days of very hot temps, our neighborhood received a shower that may have weakened the tree across the street enough that a large branch came crashing down last night on our poor neighbor’s car.

[Not my photo]
As you can imagine, Mum was pleased about the wet, but as you can tell by my expression below, it wasn’t as appreciated by me. I hate baths and this week my mum drew the short straw to get me ready to visit with staff and patients at Lutheran rather than the groomer. I don’t understand why Mum doesn’t seem to realize I don’t like baths. I mean, it’s written all over my face! And for the record, I wasn’t even that dirty.

Ugh, another bath!
Here I am getting blow dried. Mum uses the ear hoodie but I still let her know how I felt about it anyway.
Here I am in all my glorious floofness, ready to go visit peeps.

The Mum: Oh come on, House Pony-it wasn’t that bad. But in order to get treats and attention from all your nurse friends, patients and visitors, the hospital requires each dog to receive a bath before visiting them.

Wilson: That may be the rule, but I still don’t like it. Although now that you mentioned it, everyone must have picked up on the abuse I suffered because there were LOTS of treats being dispensed and many “atta boy” ear rubs.

The Mum: Yes, I did notice that. I also noticed you tend to forget what you’re supposed to be doing and get a tad unfocused. Maybe next time don’t be such a pill in the tub and you can make folks happy and be well rewarded for it, eh?

Wilson: I’ll keep that in mind the next time, Mum. For starters, I sure did like meeting all the EMT’s buzzing around the Emergency Room. They know right where my ears like being rubbed.

The Mum: Well enough about all your abuse hard work, what kind of nature photos do you have to share with us?

Wilson: Well, I’m glad you asked, I’ve noticed the hydrangeas around the neighborhood are in full bloom. Boy, are they ever pretty, even if they don’t have much of a scent.

The Mum: Oh look, they have floofy heads like you do!

Wilson: By jolly, you know, you’re right, Mum. I hadn’t thought it until now. I’ll bet they really enjoyed the shower we received. I know you were practically giddy and raced outside to protect your fig plant. The rain came down hard fr several minutes and small hailstones also fell and I know how much you’ve been babying that guy.

The Mum: Well, it has a couple of baby figs growing that I didn’t want to lose, so yeah, I ran outside and moved it under the covered patio. It rained a little bit yesterday as well. Certainly not as hard but I’m sure that plant loved every nourishing drop of rain. You can water three, four times a day in the heat but a few drops of rain will give it everything it desires. It was as if overnight, new leaves emerged on it. You know I think I need to give it a name. Got any ideas on what to name it?

Wilson: Hmmm, how about Bob? He kinda looks like a Bob. {excited butt wiggling}

The Mum: Okay, Bob it is then. Well that’s about it from us. Wilson, Bob and I hope you all have a good weekend. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the folks in New Mexico and Texas after horrific flooding took place  this week. Mother Nature is definitely on a rampage this summer but we still urge everyone to get outside to enjoy some of it. But be safe, will ya?

Wilson: Yes, please be safe and enjoy all the beauty nature shares with us this time of year. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to chase a squirrel or two.

The Mum: Wilson! Knock it off. Just tell folks to have a wonderful weekend.

Wilson: {sighing} Fine. Have a good weekend and if you just happen to see a squir…

The Mum: W-I-L-S-O-N!!! Enough with the squirrels. If you don’t behave, I’m going to have to put you in time out with NO TREATS. You got that, lad?

Wilson: {eek} Righto. Have a great weekend!

Live, love, bark! 🐾