Category: House Pony

Nature Friday ~ December 13, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 64 Comments

Wilson We made it to another Friday. Is it just me or are the days leading up to the Santa Paws visit coming faster and more furiously? With just 2 weeks to go, our poor Mom is going crazy. She’s been furiously working on her Christmas cards and {snicker-snicker} trying to add a few touches of holiday cheer around the Ranch (translate…adding a tiny table tree) as well as taking the House Pony to hospital to visit with nurses, visitors and patients and then taking me to the vet yesterday for a routine checkup. I don’t have the heart to tell her she’s gotta do her Christmas baking this weekend.  Hi, Elsa here.As if last week’s humiliation at the dog spa wasn’t bad enough, like I mentioned I had to endure a vet visit at the new practice that’s closer to the Ranch. Wilson went to see them during their grand opening and Mom was pretty impressed with the whole clinic. Dr. Melberg was super nice but his tech was even nicer and I liked her very much. I’m usually pretty aloof around strangers unless I like them. A lot. And Wilson’s vet tech popped in to give me a special treat. Yum, yum. Don’t tell my Mom, but I could get used to this attention and treat thing. Also, don’t tell my oaf of a brother…he thinks he’s so special and I’ll never be able to live with his big fat inflated head.

New vet

Wilson: {singing} Doh-de-do-dah…humming…good morning, Ninja. How are you this fine Friday the Thirteenth?

Elsa: Umm, ok…but why are you so chipper today? You ready to share some slices of nature?

Wilson: Of course I’m chipper, I didn’t have to go to the vet.  After a great week where I spent a lot of time at the hospital, I can do a few photos. I’m getting pretty good at this multitasking thing-being a dapper chap after being freshly groomed this week as well as providing some interesting pics we found this week. But this week’s pics are a tiny bit unusual in that we’re featuring Christmas critters. How’s that sound?

Elsa: Don’t rub it in on the vet visit. Bet you wanted to feature squirrels dressed up like tiny elves, don’t you?

Wilson: Umm, I’m not going to lie, that would be entertaining, but no. Mum didn’t see any tiny little elves but she did notice a fair number of neighbors who brought out some big critters…and I’m not talking about those noisy inflatable critters. There’s a fair number of them and some blocks seem to be competing for the title of tackiest seasonal garden ever. This house in particular makes my head practically explode every time we walk past it. What the bloody dog is up with those folks?

Christmas decor

Elsa: Oy…I don’t know how you can walk past that house, day after day. Talk about too much!

Wilson: Precisely. There’s so much going on in that garden, and we only got half of it in the frame! That block is squirrel central-there’s a gob of them there but I can’t spot them for all these decorations. What’s a good dog to do? I prefer subtle decor.

Elsa: Blah, blah, blah…ok, I don’t blame you this time. What do you have in terms of Christmas critter photos?

Wilson: Well, as you alluded to earlier, it’s been a hectic week and we didn’t really see a too much actual nature. Everyone in the neighborhood is busy decorating their gardens-some tastefully and others…well not to cast dispersions but others are more like the photo above. But we did have a couple of nice sunsets. Does that count for actual nature photos?

Elsa: Sure, why not. I mean since Mom’s been busy and there aren’t anymore of those obnoxious inflatables, bring on what you got.

Wilson: Mum loves sunrises since we’re always up early but we saw a sunset with some beautiful color for a change of pace. She loved looking through the silhouetted tree limbs to see that pretty color.

Sunset

Sunset

Elsa: Oooh, nice, dude. I remember that evening. It was bright and not too chilly after Monday’s quick snowstorm.

Wilson: Yeah that was something else. The forecast says we may have a couple more quick storms over the next several days. Maybe we can make a snowman?

Elsa: Umm, yeah, no. There’s too much to do before Santa Paws arrives and I don’t want to spend time making a snowman when there are dog treats to bake.

Wilson: Egad, you’re right. Time to be efficient with our time! Well when we’re out on our daily constitutions, we’ll still look for tasteful Christmas decor. First up, I spotted a moose! I mean, a MOOSE…in our neighborhood. What are the odds?

Elsa: Hmm, haven’t seen one of those in the neighborhood, although we did have some deer noshing on the groundcover in our Dr. Dolittle post.

Moose

Wilson:  Whoa…you had real live deer in the garden?? I say, that’s something, considering we live so close to the downtown business center but I’m getting used to seeing hooved critters like these.

Deer Deer

Elsa: Meh…more stuff to store by my way of thinking but at least those guys are quiet. I like peace and quiet. This is the season of peace and these fit the bill.

Wilson: Peace is good. I liked this little bear too. He didn’t seem too threatening toward Mum, me or the snowman he was sitting next to.

Bear

Elsa: {eyes rolling} Threatening? You really are a buffoon, aren’t you? You know it’s not real, right?

Wilson: Oh right, I kind of got caught up in the moment. My bad.

Elsa: Just wanted to keep you grounded. You’re taking this Christmas critter thing a bit too serious. At least you didn’t growl at any of the critters.

Wilson: Mum was quite proud of me, especially where the moose was concerned. I approached it cautiously though because those things can be dangerous.

Elsa: Oh for heaven’s sake. Those aren’t real; there’s no danger!!

Wilson: I’m not taking any changes. I mean, I don’t want you to get your tinsel all twisted like me during our recent photo shoot. Where Mum gets these ideas I have no idea. We hope you all have a sporting good weekend and are able to enjoy a spot of real nature as you’re out and about rushing around finishing up your holiday preparations.

Wilson, Christmas

Elsa: You do know when you pose like that, it gives Mom more incentive to do more photo sessions with costumes?

Wilson: Yes, I do realize it. I’ve also figured out the high value treats flow readily. See, I’m not a complete fool. Nom, nom. Have a great weekend!

Nature Friday

Nature Friday ~ November 8, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 57 Comments

Elsa in snow

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening…in the lane, snow is glistening…a beautiful sight…hmmm, hmmm, hmmm…walking in a winter wonderland. Humming continuing…oh hiya, Elsa here. Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday.We’re once again joining our pals from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others have posted.

You know how often we’re whining about lack of moisture, right? Boy howdy…did Mother Nature finally decide to turn on the faucet. Before the temperatures decided to hover in the mid-20’s, a soft misting rain fell, later joined by wet slushy snow. The snow has barely stopped and Mom tells me the forecast is calling for another 10 inches between now and early Sunday morning. I asked her, where are you gonna put all that white stuff? She just groaned and shrugged her shoulders. Rude!

Wilson: Oooh, oooh, is it my turn, yet, huh…is it?

Elsa: WAIT! Sheesh…talk about ruining a perfectly good intro.

Wilson: But…but I waited while you opened and even let you post the first photo. I’m so confused about the rules for our Friday posts since they seem to defy precedent.

Elsa: Get used to it. Changes are in the air after this week’s ‘happening’ of which we shan’t get into, but I’m sure everyone knows to what I’m referring, so I’ll just leave it at that. And no, this isn’t some sort of Ninja logic…I can’t help but wonder if logic just became extinct this week but this is a pet blog, not some political podcast so let’s just get started. Ok, House Pony?

Wilson: Yeah, I’ve noticed Mum has the sads and wondered if that’s what’s been bothering her. I hope she knows we’re here for her.

Elsa: Of course we are and with your pet therapy skills, I’m counting on you to really step up. I can’t wait four years for her to smile again.

Wilson: I’ll do my part and with your help, we’ll make her feel better even though she won’t to be able to affect the political world around here. Luckily our state passed sweeping changes to codify some of the social issues in the state constitution. But because we’re a pet blog, that’s all we will say for now. Let’s move on to Mother Nature and what she unleashed on us the past couple of days, shall we?

Elsa: You got it, brother. So I already alluded to the heavy wet snow that’s been falling for the past day and a half. I think we had about 6-8+ inches so far. Hard to tell because with that heavy snow, there has been a lot of leaf drop.

Wilson:  Boy, you can say that again. Leaves have dropped along with the temps after they were heavily coated in a layer of white stuff. Sadly, some of that droppage has included lots of tree branches with it. Mum was out at midnight and at 4:00 AM, trying to shake snow off branches and various wires for the past couple of nights. But first, let’s share a couple of pics from last weekend.

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Elsa:  Wow, those seem like such ancient history. Fast forward to just two days later and you have this.

Wilson: Righto. Talk about a huge change.

Snow

Elsa: It sure was pretty.

Wilson: Pretty but deadly. As we were doing our morning constitutional in the dog run, Mum heard a loud crash and walked out front to this scene. A huge limb came down, blocking about 90% of the street. She went over to talk to the guy who lives in the house to see if there was anything she could do to help since she had just obtained the name of a licensed tree trimmer the day before.

Broken tree limbs

Elsa: Yikes! So that’s why she was gone for so long. She told me the guy said he’d talked with the police department and they indicated they would send someone out to clear the street.

Wilson: Mum knew that would take hours, if not days but the Ranch is on a great block and the neighbors came out, one with a chainsaw, and between four of them they managed to cut up and move the pieces out of the street. They worked like beavers taking care of that huge catastrophe.

Elsa: When everyone works together look what they can accomplish that’s positive and divisive. Oops, there I go again injecting a political slant. Sorry. It’s going to be hard to remain objective I suspect and hope people don’t take offense.

Wilson: It’s hard not to but I’ll be here to gently remind to stay above the fray, deal?

Elsa: Deal. I just hope I can keep up my end of the bargain.

Wilson: I’ll be patient and gentle, I promise even if I feel the same.

Elsa: So with the colder temps, it’s making things really interesting. Our Catalpa tree leaves keeps making funny noises.

Catalpa tree

Wilson: You can say that again. It’s been dropping frozen leaves like bombs. Luckily no tree limbs, just tons of leaves. Normally these leaves hang around longer than most but the weather did a major number on the tree. We were lucky, the neighbor across the street, lost a huge limb, just barely missing his car. Everyone in the neighborhood is on high alert and with parking always at a premium in this dense neighborhood, it makes things interesting.

Elsa: I can only imagine. I know Mom had a hair appointment scheduled yesterday and fortunately the hairdresser’s salon in only a couple of miles away so she walked over there and it gave her a chance to see how other people fared. It was a bit of a war zone out there.

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Wilson: Crikey…glad she didn’t take me with her. I’m still not comfortable around garbage trucks and the sound those broken tree limbs must make. I’m grateful to have been spared that outing, though I’m beginning to get a spot of cabin fever.

Elsa: Yeah and my weary bones won’t be happy in icy wet snow either. Mom said she was going to bring out the puzzle snuffle mats so we could exercise our minds. She said something absurd about not wanting us to cause mischief. Mischief? Us? Bwahahaha!

Wilson: Well you know me, if there are treats involved, count me in!

Elsa: {eyes rolling} Of course you are but it’ll be good for some mental stimulation. Let’s leave everyone with a few pretty pics and not just carnage, shall we?

Wilson: Happy to oblige.

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Elsa: Those are lovely, House Pony. I just looked outside, and it started snowing again. But we hope whatever you do and wherever you are, we hope you are safe and warm while still enjoying all that Mother Nature provides us. To those who share Mom’s current inner anguish, please know we are with you in spirit. Let’s continue to be supportive to each other.

Hugs and tail wags 🐾

Nature Friday

Nature Friday ~ October 4, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 63 Comments

Elsa

Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our hosts, Rosy and Sunny from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others have shared. Elsa here with the latest scenes from around the Ranch. I’ll be joined by the House Pony who, as it turned out, had a successful batch of visits at the hospital. There may be hope for that lummox yet.

Wilson: {ignoring the snark} Hello, mates. Like my sister said, we’re here to share slices of nature we’ve seen. As Mum mentioned in our last Nature Friday post, the plan was to take in some leaf peeping over last weekend. Along with 87,000 of our closest city friends {sarcasm}. You probably saw the photo Mum posted earlier this week. In Mum’s voice, “what. a. cluster.” It was a good thing she was with good friends otherwise she may not have survived without making a fuss. After days of all the local TV stations telling everyone to get out and see the glorious colors on what was billed as prime leaf viewing, guess everyone heeded the advice because there were thousands of them lined up for miles and miles. Mum had never seen as many Teslas and trucks, some of whom got their side mirrors ripped off when they stupidly carelessly parked on the road to the summit of Guanella Pass. Bloody fools!

Leaf peeping

As you can see, it was quite the line heading back toward Denver. They were told there were hundreds of cars ahead of them and it took 3 hours to drive a mere 3 miles. But it was a gorgeous day and all they could do was sit in queue and ooh and aww at the beautiful changing colors.

Guanella Pass

Elsa: So tell me more about this Guanella Pass. I know Mom knew a bit about it but I’m not familiar.

Wilson: As it happens, I have some interesting info about Guanella Pass which is located about 56 miles west of Denver in the Front Range in southwestern Clear Creek County, near Georgetown. It was named after long-time road supervisor and commissioner, Byron Guanella.

The pass provides a route between Georgetown in the valley of Clear Creek to the north and Grant in the valley of Geneva Creek, a tributary of the North Fork South Platte River, to the south. The pass is traversed by the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway. The road provides a link between Interstate 70 to the north and U.S. Highway 285 to the south. [source: Wikipedia]

Elsa: Hmm…learn something new every day. What’s the scoop on the trees and why are they so special?

Wilson: Glad you asked. Colorado is known for its Aspen trees (also known as quaking aspens). They are native to colder climates which is one reason they do well in this state. Did you know that Colorado averages the highest number of peaks in the lower 48 states and has more thicker concentrations of these trees than anywhere else in the U.S. They do well in Colorado because of their ability to sprout new growth after large wildfires – of which there have been many in recent years. It is usually the first tree species to re-colonize a burn area. Aspens however are more fire resistant than other native trees such as the various kinds of evergreen trees. Aspens have a unique ability to the photosynthesis process in the white bark, while most trees carry out this process in their leaves. That means in winter once the leaves have fallen and snow begins to fall, the tree continues to produce sugar for energy which helps provide a food source for deer, elk and other animals. And finally, aspen trees cluster closely together because they clone themselves as roots sprout new trees and share an identical genetic makeup, making them extremely large organisms. Even though there may be multiple clones in an aspen grove, the grove’s leaves turn at the same time.

Elsa: Hmmm, you don’t say? I knew they were one of the largest organisms in nature but didn’t know the part about  genetic makeup turning the leaves at the same time. So what else you got?

Wilson: What I got is some great photos while everyone waited to get through the gridlock. While Colorado is known for its  bright ribbons of gold, Mum and her friends managed to see some spots of orange and red. Check out this gallery of pics:

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Elsa: Gosh, no wonder there were so many people catching glimpses of those trees and shrubs. You gotta love the humor of the locals with that sign. Mom initially laughed but after waiting 3 hours to reach US 285 to head back to Denver, she kinda lost her humor. She said she’s never seen it that congested before.

Wilson: Can you blame her? Everyone was jonesing for their ‘Instagram’ moment and not really appreciating the beauty of nature. She was irritated that too many people were looking down at their devices rather than enjoying the scenery. How is it that people watch TikTok instead of enjoying being in Nature? I just don’t get it.

Elsa: There are so many reasons to not be able to understand humans and what they seem to value. I mean you and I would be running around sniffing up a storm and enjoying it all.

Wilson: Seems like a wasted opportunity. I do have one more local image to share…some mutant squash Mum and I encountered on our walk the other day. I thought it was a starfish at first.

Squash

Elsa: You’re right, that is weird. For the record, I’m not eating that.

Wilson: Oh no…me neither. Can you believe it? Me not wanting to eat something. That has to be a first.

Elsa: Egad, Mooommm, Wilson must be sick, he didn’t want to eat that squash!!

Wilson: Oh come on…it’s not that unusual.

Elsa: Ha! Don’t make me laugh. So…anything else you want to share?

Wilson: Well no more beautiful changing leaves but I did want to let everyone know that even though it was delayed a bit following a deathmatch between a couple of contestants which messed up the bracket, it’s Fat Bear Week. You can vote here.

Elsa: Oh for crying out loud…you’re promoting Fat Bear Week {paw smacks forehead}? This is not some sleazy tabloid, dude.

Wilson: I’m quite serious. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Alaskan bear. I’m rooting that 128 Grazer will repeat.

Elsa: Oh jeez. Forget voting for a fat bear. Instead, enjoy this week’s Halloween scene from just around the corner from the Ranch. A skellie watchdog is better than some old fat bear. Have a great weekend and enjoy walking about in nature. Get out there and really savor it.

Wilson: Savor? Is there food somewhere I don’t know about?

Elsa: Oh for heaven’s sake…I just can’t. Have a great weekend enjoying nature.

Halloween

Nature Friday

Live, love bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 27, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 52 Comments

ElsaWelcome to the last Friday of September. It’s been yet another week of record-breaking temps and they are expected to continue for at least the next ten days. Oh joy. And for the record, it was 93ºF (33ºC) yesterday. If you think those temps are above average, you’d be right-in fact approximately 18ºF above average. We’re now up to 63 days of above 90ºF temps. Elsa here, along with the House Pony who is headed for his third visit at Lutheran later this morning. Mom thought getting him cleaned up was pretty much like steer wrestling and vowed to never do it at home again nor would she groom both of us on the same day. I tried to tell her I was good without the trim but would she listen? No. So I say, you get what you reap. Sore back, tough noogies. She mopped up puddles and hair for a good hour. It was pretty awful.  Anywho, let’s get this party started.

Wilson: Hello mates. As always we’re joining our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others posted. This week we’re showing off photos from our recent trip to Southern Colorado to visit Mum’s Dad and her sister who also came for a visit. While it’s been hotter than bloody blue blazes, there was one day of pleasant temps with a nice shower at Grandpa’s. Things were noticeably green and we even saw a spot of snow on one of the peaks on the Wet Mountains to the southwest.

Snow on Wet Mountains

Elsa: Boy that snow sure looks inviting though I imagine in January or February, we’ll be singing a much different tune.

Wilson: No doubt. But that was nothing. Here we were headed back from our early morning walk when all of a sudden, we ran into these guys on the hill. Mom said she’s never seen deer in the nearly 40 years of visiting. Antelope yes, but never deer. I wasn’t quite sure just what to make of those creatures with those impressive antlers.

Deer

Elsa: They sure didn’t waste a lot of time waiting around for introductions. They boogied up that hill and were gone in a flash. I’m still surprised Mom managed to capture a few shots on her cell even if they aren’t great images. It was chilly that morning (43ºF/6ºC) and Mom’s fingers were kind of cold but she managed to whip out her cell phone lickety split. I, for one, was most impressed. I noticed you sure were gawping at them.

Wilson: Like Mum, I’d never seen anything like that. Usually we just chew the fat with the horse across the street from Grandpa’s house. They come a-running whenever we drop by. This time though, I didn’t bark at them. Mum seemed chuffed about that.

Horses

Elsa: Of course she was pleased. Nobody wants to be woken up at oh-dark-thirty in the morning by a bunch of hooved ninnies. You forget how much that distinctive bark of yours carries. That sound resembles two pots being clanged together and known as ‘pot-casse.’ It’s often what some people  dislike about sheepdogs.

Wilson: I. beg. your. pardon. We need to have a large voice when protecting sheep or kids.

Elsa: I can guarantee that people don’t want to hear your version of security protection early in the morning. Beside your voice, what else you got to share, dude?

Wilson: On the day it rained at Grandpa’s house, the sniffs were something else. I was in olfactory nirvana, I tell you. It was Mum’s keen eyes that kept me from checking this rattlesnake skin more closely. She closely checked it out but wouldn’t let me near it. She can be such a killjoy at times.

Snake skin

Elsa: {shudder} I’m with Mom; no reason to get close to those things. You know they’re poisonous, right?

Wilson: {gulp} Poisonous, you say? Umm, good thing we continued down the road. Besides, I had to check on something. And this time I got lucky.

Antelope bones

Elsa: I know you said you just wanted to ‘decorate’ our front garden since it’s Halloween season but eww, ick. Too sunbleached for my taste buds. Besides, I doubt you know how to decorate. For Halloween or any other holiday.

Wilson: Oh little one…you cut me to the quick.

Elsa: Oh please…you grabbed that section of the spine because you thought you could get away with it. I’m not stupid, you know. Mom is on to your chicanery and you blew us both away when you dropped it when she gave the command. We figured you’d try to hang on until she pried it from the jaws of death. She’s still blown away that you dropped it immediately. Why I’ll never know, but you sure impressed her. Usually she whines about how stubborn you are.

Wilson: How many times do I have to say it…I am not stubborn, I’m a sheepdog.

Elsa: Whatever lets you sleep, House Pony but the rest of us know.

Wilson: {miffed} I daresay, you’ve gone and hurt my feelings. Guess I’ll just wander on the prairie and contemplate the complexities of life on the open range.

Pueblo West vistas

Elsa: {eyes rolling} Ha…if only you’d go wandering. {changing topics} So the neighborhood is beginning to look a bit tacky, between all the political yard signs competing with loads of Halloween decorations popping up. I heard you growled at certain elements at this house.

Wilson: That’s not true. I just had this weird feeling I was being watched.

Wilson - Halloween

Elsa: Once again you have ever so deftly demonstrated you are an oaf and a complete moron.

Wilson: Umm…thank you? Anyway, we’re going to feature one Halloween scene each week just to show everyone how gah-gah folks from our neighborhood are when it comes to decorating for Halloween.

Elsa: Judging from the early signs, we should have plenty from which to choose. Time to wrap us this week’s post, bucko.

Wilson: Right, before closing, we want to let everyone know we’re thinking of all who has been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Stay safe.

Sending prayers

Elsa: It’s heartbreaking. Here in the West we’re ever so parched while the East is getting hammered. Mother Nature is super cranky.

Wilson: Ay, that she is. We hope everyone has a nice weekend and takes time to search for the beauty nature provides us every day, whenever we look for it. We are hoping to do some leaf peeping in the high country to escape the heat. How about your plans?

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ September 23, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 66 Comments

WilsonToday’s smile is soooo Wilson. Now I understand that it’s the motion detector in him that causes him to end up following me even if I’m just grabbing a glass of water. Wishing you loads of quiet times this week. Happy Monday!

Monday smile

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 20, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 49 Comments

Elsa in the PlumbagoHiya peeps, it’s me, Elsa…here to welcome you to the last Friday of the summer, 2024. Woof, woof…hallelujah! As always, we’re joining our friends Rosy and Sunny from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to click on the link to see what everyone else has posted. Let’s bury this season and show some of the beauty of Nature this week from around the neighborhood.

You can’t imagine how excited we are to finally have a week of pleasant temps and pretty blooms. None of that veggie junk this week! Now let’s get started. Take it away Wilson!

Wilson

Psst…yo buddy, you’re up.

Wilson: Huh, wha…yawning, oh good morning. Sorry I was just resting my eyelids until my introduction. Alright then, let’s get cracking, shall we?

Elsa:  It’s about time. I was beginning to think I’d have to get this party started.

Flowers, zinnia

Wilson: Sorry, about be a smidge late-it’s still dark when Mum gets up and I really was just resting my eyes.

Elsa: Yeah right. So that’s an interesting flower. What is that?

Wilson: It’s a Zinnia that Mum planted from seed in a pot by the front door. She wasn’t sure if they’d germinate since the package of seeds was a few years old but like all the seeds she plants, she stores them in the refrigerator. Apparently that keeps them viable, even if not all of them germinate.

Elsa: Ahh, I see, using up space in the fridge that otherwise could be used to store tasty fresh toppers for us, eh? Hmm, I’m not sure I totally approve, I mean, we could have more space for tasty morsels for us. What do you think?

Wilson: Come on, mate…you’re always saying Mum’s needs to have a hobby, and it’s only a small glass container that she keeps in a jar by the door…

Elsa: STOP! No singing tunes from your fellow country-compadres.

Wilson: Ahem, let me assure you, I am as American as you are, born and breed in Missouri but fine, yes, I do like the chaps from Liverpool. So do a lot of other Americans, I might remind you.

Elsa:  Fine. Sheesh, so touchy first thing in the morning. Looks like somebody got up from the wrong side of the cuddle bed.

Wilson: Not at all, I just wanted to point out the facts here. Not everyone is a conspiracist or fact denialist, okay?

Elsa: Boy…man…what a stickler, dude.

Wilson: Well it seems like everyone on the news is blathering on about some absurd thing. I mean, I even heard that some people are saying pets are supposedly being  eating by people and we know that’s just crazy.

Elsa: Yeah, I heard that too. People…what can you do with them?

Wilson: We just have to set the record straight. Over and over. And people think I’m stubborn!

Elsa: Well I hate to break it to you, but you kinda are, but let’s debate that some other time. What else have you got?

Wilson: Well here’s another Zinnia from that pot. That bright orange color is screaming autumn all over it, I say.

Flower, zinnia

Elsa: WHAT, I CAN’T HEAR YOU, THAT FLOWER IS TOO LOUD!!

Wilson: I say, young lady, I do believe you’re trying to spin me up, aren’t you.

Elsa: Hee, hee. Just pulling your leg, House Pony. But you got to admit, that’s one brightly colored flower.

Wilson: It sure is. Here’s another one. It’s another volunteer and one that delights Mum whenever or wherever it shows up. She planted a pink Snapdragon years ago and they are such vigorous reseeders so she enjoys it when it pops up, especially when the color is so different from the original. She’s never seen this color combination at the nursery. Just goes to show how important pollinators are in nature.

Flower-snapdragon

Elsa: Whoa…looks like a floral rainbow going on there. That’s so cool.

Wilson: It sure is. And here’s another pretty you might say is screaming autumn-the simply marigold. Mum always plants some seeds next to her tomatoes to keep the crawly things away. Too bad they don’t seem to work on the squirrels. They’ve been noshing on her big tomatoes though they don’t seem to bother the potted cherry tomatoes. We still have a jillion of those buggers.

Flower-marigold

Elsa: I hope you don’t have pics of veggies. I just want to see flowers, okay buck-o.

Wilson: Right, I shan’t bore you with any veggies this week. What do you think of this photo?

Flower, aster

Elsa: Now we’re talking. I think that’s an aster. And look, a bee is working it’s magic in the center of it. Asters are synonymous with autumn.

Wilson: Mum and I could hear them as we walked past this lovely. I wanted to help her stage the photo but she shooed me away so I wouldn’t be tempted to snap at them as they flew about.

Elsa: Maybe if Mom let you get bit, you might learn. But I’m doubtful. For being such a smart dog, you are a bit of a knothead about some things.

Wilson: I beg your pardon. I am 100% Old English Sheepdog, not a drop of DNA has any knots…

Elsa: {interrupting} Oh brother. Come on, dude…just get with the program and show us what you got.

Wilson: {refocusing} Ahem.. Well I do have another beauty for your pleasure. This is a lovely bed of Dahlias that Mum and I walked past a couple of days ago. They sure are stunning.

Flower-dahlia

Elsa: That’s a lovely shade of coral. Says autumn to me.

Wilson: Yes, autumn is beginning to make appearances. Even some leaves are beginning to change. Take a look at these Viburnum leaves.

Autumn leaves

Elsa: Ahh, so that’s what that shrub is, eh? Hmm, did not know that. You’re getting pretty good at naming these plants. I mean before you know it, you’re gonna be a Master Gardener.

Wilson: Not likely, I understand the program frowns on sniffing the plants.

Elsa: Good point, but at least you’re learning who’s who in the garden.

Wilson: I try. Here’s another plant that speaks autumn with its coloring. This is Coreopsis, also known as large-flowered tickseed. Did you know it’s also a member of the aster family?

Flower-coreopsis

Elsa: I did not. It sure is cheerful looking.

Wilson: Speaking of cheerful, you know how Mum is always on the hunt to spot new garden art. Check out what she found yesterday. She giggled out loud when she saw its face.

Yard art-donkey

Elsa: Hee, haw…opps…sorry I couldn’t refuse. I’ll be seeing the real McCoy this weekend when we go down to see Grandpa and Mom’s other sister who is spending a few days in Colorado visiting. We’ll be walking across the street to say ‘top of the morning’ to the donkeys that live near Grandpa. Won’t that be fun?

Wilson: For you maybe…I’m not much of a fan. They’re awfully large and I’d rather say hello to the bunnies than those monsters.

Elsa: Wuss. I’m all in…just think of it as a fun outing-who knows, maybe Mom will let you drag off a bone of some poor critter who bought the farm.

Wilson: Bones? Umm, well now you’re talking.

Elsa: Hee, hee…note to the ladies…the way to a man’s brain is definitely through his stomach. Just a little tidbit from the Ninja.

Wilson: Excuse me, I’m still here, sister. I’ve got one more photo that shows we’re transitioning nicely toward autumn. Skellies.

Halloween-skelly

Elsa: Oh for crying out loud. Seems kinda early to be bringing out the Halloween decor. Or as Mom would say, “no Halloween decorations just yet…it’s still summer and I haven’t finished my margarita yet!”

Wilson: I know-we’re slowing seeing more and more Halloween decor already. Humans are hilarious, aren’t they. Can’t wait until the next big thing.

Elsa: Yeah, they’re always wishing their lives away. Unlike us dogs who live in the moment. Well, I’ll give you props, big guy, nicely done. And no veggies.

Wilson: Well like they say…Bob’s your uncle. We hope you have a great weekend and check out all the flora that’s out. Even if it’s a veggie or a fruit. Cheerio, mates!

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ September 16, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 73 Comments

Monday smileHappy Monday, peeps. Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Time to get back to it…whatever ‘it’ is for you. Over the past eight months, I’ve been observing Wilson to get a good idea what makes this boy tick and realize he is constantly in training for the lazy dog triathlon. I mean…just look at two of  his best events.

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We hope you have a splendid Monday and an even better week doing your best.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 13, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 58 Comments

Elsa in the PlumbagoHiya, everyone. Welcome to Nature Friday where we’re joining our furry friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on their link to see what others have shared.  While it may be Nature Friday, it’s also  Friday the 13th [cue the creepy music for the superstitious]. Elsa here to explain a little of what all this Friday the 13th superstitious falderal about before we share a few slices of nature from our neighborhood?

Well…Friday the 13th has been thought to be an unlucky day ever since Norse times.  One explanation suggested the reason of the number 13 being unlucky as the ill-fated dinner party of 12 Norse gods in Valhalla. The trickster god known as Loki (who had not been invited), arrived as the 13th guest. He tricked the blind Höðr, son of Odin, to shoot Balder with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. The myth goes on…with Balder’s death, Earth became dark. As the whole Earth mourned, the number 13 began to be viewed as an unlucky day. It might be easy to see why this caused everyone to go gah-gah crazy about the number  and consider it unlucky. It sure was for Balder.

The unlucky nature of Friday the 13th also has roots in Christianity with the arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, by officers of King Philip IV of France as the origin of the Friday the 13th superstition, but the origins are murky. There are also connections to Hispanic and Greek culture as well and I could go on but then we’d never get to the nature part of this post so let’s just leave it there. Whether you believe that Friday the 13th is unlucky, I got a post to write, so do you own thing, ‘kay? Just don’t walk under any ladders or let a black cat cross your path today and you should be fine. With apologies to cats…sheesh, doesn’t seem right to  discriminate against black cats…but here we are. So, House Pony…waddu got for us today?

Wilson: A bonny day to you, little one. Well I thought today might be a bit different…

Elsa: [interrupting] Different-how so? Do you mean we won’t add to the already 61 days 90ºF and above this summer? Well hallelujah…

Wilson: What I meant was we’re not showcasing flowers today, but instead taking a look at vegetable gardens from around the neighborhood.

Elsa: Wha..wait a minute-that sounds lame.

Wilson: Au contraire, sister. Nature is everywhere when you look around…I just thought we could look at something a little different. Just have an open mind, would you?

Elsa: Hey, it’s your parade. I just call ’em like I see it.

Wilson: Well tell me you don’t see beauty in these garden images? Note to readers, that’s not rain drops but supplemental watering on some of those plants. We have kind of forgotten what rain looks like in our area. Sigh.

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Elsa: Well…maybe…okay, I guess I see your point. But there’s nothing there that I’d eat.

Wilson: Now, now…as you like to remind me, not everything in life is about eating. Egad, I can’t believe I’m saying that but think of it as a good thing to expand your horizons, Ninja. Besides, you don’t eat flowers either.

Elsa: Who’d have thought you’d be so philosophical? I mean, who’d have thought you, of all people, would be so reflective. I’m impressed.

Wilson: Excuse me, I’m a sheepdog, not a ‘people’. There’s more to me than just being a pretty face.

Elsa: You can say that again…

Wilson: I resemble that remark!

Elsa: You would. Got anything else?

Wilson: Ahem…as a matter of fact I do. You know how Mum likes garden art. Well when she was off celebrating her birthday earlier this week with our Auntie Cheryl, they were sitting in Cheryl’s backyard and Mum spied this little fella. Isn’t he just as cute as a sheep can be?

Yard art sheep

Elsa: Umm, only you’d think a sheep was cute. I’d have to inspect and sniff it in person before I went there.

Wilson: Balderdash! I haven’t sniffed it but still think that little fella is adorably cute.

Elsa: To each his own, I guess.

Wilson: That’s what makes art so interesting. Mum also found this picnic area for squirrels yesterday. I was naturally appalled….I mean, setting up a picnic table for tree rats is, is {stammering} just all wrong!

Picnic table

Elsa: Oh I dunno, maybe we should think of it as more for birds than squirrels. Reframing that thought makes it more palatable. I can’t believe anyone would seriously entertain accommodating squirrels. I mean, I just can’t.

Wilson: I know just what you mean. But then Mum found this little drinking fountain of love and I softened my thoughts, if you can believe that.

Heart shaped drinking fountain

Elsa: It’s a nice touch to end this week’s post. Although I wasn’t a fan of the idea of showcasing vegetable gardens, you ‘done good,’ Land Hippo. Well done.

Wilson: Why thank you…glad you enjoyed something different for a change. I know how you struggle with anything that’s not part of your deeply ingrained routine, so I appreciate it. Well, sister…you have anything on your agenda this weekend?

Elsa: Beyond the normal, nope. While today is hosting a nice cool front moving through the region, it’s back to adding to the 90ºF list for the next few days before more autumn-like temps start in earnest. I think there’s a Oktoberfest festival near the Farmer’s Market this weekend, so maybe Mom will swing by to check it out. Having been to the real Oktoberfest in Munich, she’s not expecting much but it’ll be something. Whatever you do, we hope you enjoy your weekend omp-pah-pahs as you take in all the beauty Nature offers. Prost!

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 6, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 55 Comments

Changing leavesWelcome to the first Friday of September. With a flip of the page on the calendar, we’re now seeing the golden glow of the promise that autumn is on its way, set to arrive in less than 3 weeks with nature beginning to transition. Hallelujah! As always, we’re joining those two adorable pups from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on their link to see what others have shared.

Elsa here and as you can see above, some leaves are beginning to change a bit. Our early morning walks have been crisp and we’re loving it. As you may recall, we went to visit our Grandpa for his 94th birthday last weekend and boy was it fun! So let’s get this party started and share some of the amazing sights we encountered.

Wilson: That’s right little sister, we did see some amazing things. First off I went on an honest to gosh sniff-ari! Boy, I had no idea sniffing could be so much fun. Look what I discovered…the remnants of some critter (probably an antelope). Doggone it though, Mum wouldn’t let me get too close to the bones but just inhaling their scent was amazing. I wanted to carry one of those bones with me but Mum said no way.

Wilson sniffing

Elsa: Thank goodness. The last thing Grandpa would appreciate is some nasty chewed up bone in the house.

Wilson: Well it would have been better than some of the things I discovered along our walk. These burs were everywhere and they kept sticking to my ankles and paws and they even stuck to Mum’s paws too.

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Elsa: Even I had a couple in my paws but when I met the ‘neigh-bors’ I didn’t mind one bit. Mom was really surprised how excited I was while you just barked at them and wouldn’t even get close enough to introduce yourself. So rude, dude!

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Wilson: Erm…I’m not used to meet fellow ponies. The little lizards were more my type…and I enjoyed chasing them although I didn’t even get close to introducing myself.

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Elsa: {eyes rolling} You are such a moron. We had such a good time hanging out on the patio with the family who were more than happy to rub my ears. What a great trip! And Mom never gets tired of the view of Pikes Peak. Some  grasses were a beautiful golden color while other areas were lush and green. Mom thought the area was much more verdant than here in Denver since they had experienced a few recent rain showers. Thankfully we finally received a lovely shower early Thursday morning. I was bunny hopping to start out our walks because it felt great. Mom says the weekend forecast will return to summertime with 90’s  making a comeback and dry conditions for this next week. Ugh-way to bring us back down to earth, Mom.

Pikes Peak

Wilson: Once we returned back home after our visit, we started noticing how things are starting to look somewhat autumnal in the Mile High. One thing that’s decidedly not autumnal was a blooming lupine which really shocked Mum. They typically bloom in the spring. What the bloody…

Lupine

Elsa: The squirrels are going bananas because of all the acorns falling everywhere.

Acorn

Acorn

Wilson: Squirrels?? Ooh, maybe I’ll get lucky and catch one because they’ll be too busy collecting nuts. A bloke can only hope.

Elsa: Don’t hold your breath, House Pony. They’re doggone wily and downright devious and sure as heck aren’t interested in meeting up with the likes of us.

Wilson: Bollocks! And here I was hoping…

Elsa: Down ace..don’t get your knickers in a bunch. We will have to use our superior brains if we want to catch any of those guys. That and hope that Mom doesn’t reel us in. But…if you zig and I zag, maybe just maybe…

Wilson: Hmm, you’re giving me something to think about plot over the weekend. While I’m creating a plan we’ll leave you with one last photo from our neighborhood. Mum had never seen this colorful welcoming post but was quite chuffed when she did see it. It seemed so friendly. Have a great weekend and don’t forget to notice little things like this when you’re out and about. Have a great weekend.

Welcome sign

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark 🐾