Hello mates, we’re back even though we’re not quite 100% caught up from last week’s busy schedule. Mum thought this week would be great but we had an emergency situation with the sheepdog rescue that required her and others to jump into action to try to save a 4-month old puppy who was at a shelter. That old saying “it takes a village” was never more true as a handful of volunteers from up and down the Front Range sprang into action to save the pup named Herman. As he settles into one of our star foster homes over the next few days (this is sheepdog #317 he’s managed to help find a new home over the years and is the same guy who fostered the beloved Norman), I’ll try to provide updates on his status. But today, we’re all about some Nature. Finally, even if it’s somewhat slim.

You may recall that we missed last week’s blog hop. Mum and I were just too exhausted after loads of visits at Lutheran and while Mum is still a bit spent from yesterday’s sudden mad dash, 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 in Blogville.

So during one of Mum’s many trips doing the things mums do, while she was at a stoplight she noticed this decorated utility box. She chuckled out loud that someone had artfully painted the normally ugly boxes. It’s good to see that some people can dress up less than pretty things we’ve come to accept as part of modern living. She only wished they’d have signed their work of art.

The Mum: ‘Morning lad, yes, I really did like the dressing up of an otherwise ugly utility box. If you can’t bury it, I say decorate it!

Wilson:  Hmmm, we dogs usually say if you can’t bury it, pee on it but to each his own, eh? It is quite the artistic expression but not nearly as lovely as what Mother Nature doles out with a flick of her wrist. Take for example this Queen Anne’s Lace. Normally thought of as a common weed, it fits so nicely near the water wheel when it slowly rotated with water but was taken out of commission late last year. We walk past this garden daily and while it’s sad the water wheel no longer is operational, it was nice to see plants filing in around it. This common plant botanically known as Daucus Carota, is also called wild carrot. The leaves are finely divided and lacy with leaves between 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long, that alternate in a feather like pattern that separate into thin segments. The flowers are small, dull white, and clustered into flat, dense umbels (flower clusters that resembles an umbrella). They often are pink when in bud and may even have a pink, reddish or purple flower known as the “ruby” in its center, once fully opened. As seeds develop, the umbel curls up around the edges and develops a concave surface. With rough hairy, stiff stems, Daucus Carota is readily distinguished by a mix of the feather like leaves on solid green stems with roots that smell of carrots and often have a single red flower in the center which blooms to attract insects. Did you know that it looks very similar to poison hemlock but differs in having purple mottling on its stems. As you can imagine my Mum won’t let me stick my snooter anywhere near that plant but it is pretty with that wooden wheel in the frame.

The Mum: I really do miss the soft gentle sound of water pouring on each subsequent arm of the wheel as it rotated, but glad they didn’t remove it altogether. The wood has such beautiful texture and the Queen Anne’s Lace looks pretty around it. I’m sure those seeds on that wooden plank provide food for birds and insects.

Wilson:  Food…oh my gosh, where!?!

The Mum:  Relax House Pony. Sheesh, I definitely should have named you Hoover.

Wilson: But Mum, I’m a hungry boy who works hard and thus needs lots of nourishment.

The Mum:  Care to explain the need for the “power naps?”

Wilson: It’s a well-documented fact that sleep is critical to maintaining good health.

The Mum: Uh-huh. Still not every crumb, seed or piece of lint you find is good nutrition.

Wilson: I’m going to ignore that last statement only because I have some pretty photos to share. I’m sure our readers will side with me on the need to eliminate  things found on the ground.

The Mum: I don’t know, I’m sure they probably would prefer you to be svelte with a well-defined waistline where excess pounds don’t weigh down your joints.

Wilson: {grumbling} Just a word of advice to all you good readers…don’t try to out-logic mums but guess they know a thing or two about what’s good for their fur-kids.

The Mum: {smiling} I only have your best interests at heart. You may think all three of your stomachs need to be filled but that’s not quite accurate. What else do you have, nature wise?

Wilson: Ah yes, Well I found that fabulous hibiscus. Just look at that gorgeous bright color that looks amazing against a bluebird Colorado sky.

The Mum: It truly was gorgeous and the blooms were over-sized. The flowers nicely contraste with the dark green leaves.

Wilson: It’s a favorite of mine too. So pretty. But I found some nearly as pretty coneflowers near the same spot as that Hibiscus. Known as Echinacea, it is part of the daisy family and has a long history of use in traditional medicine by Indigenous peoples for treating infections, pain, and wounds, and has now gained popularity as a herbal remedy, especially for cold symptoms. Once early European settlers noticed indigenous people used it successfully, they began to develop their own uses. Modern use began after a Swiss herbal supplement maker was told that Echinacea could be used as a cold prevention remedy by Native American tribes who lived in the area of South Dakota.

The Mum: It’s such a cheerful looking plant and yes, I often add Echinacea if I’m starting to experience the sniffles and sometimes it works well to reduce symptoms or even eliminate them completely. I’d much rather use something that is plant based than something like an over the counter remedy like Sudafed which practically takes an act of God to obtain it from behind pharmacy counters any more due to it being a component in the production of methamphetamines.

Wilson: Plant based is probably better for you, Mum. I personally have never sick goat and they eat plants all the time. Have you?

The Mum: {winking} Ahh yes, I’m sure that’s it.

Wilson: Hey, I’m not just a pretty face. And speaking of pretty, how about this gorgeous geranium.

The Mum: It’s a beauty for sure. We don’t generally see two-toned geraniums like that one and I just had to take a photo of it.

Wilson: It’s just lovely Mum. And for anyone like us who might be jonesing for a visible sign that autumn is just 31 days away, I share this tiny little sliver of hope that perhaps heralds the end of this summer of hell soon. Cheers for a great weekend and remember to try and get out to see what Nature has shared with you.

Live, love, bark! 🐾