Good morning peeps. We hope you had a good weekend and are enjoying improved temperatures. With 32 days until the official arrival of Spring, things are starting to show signs that temps is moving in the right direction after a seemingly endless winter for many. We saw our first daffodil blooming on Saturday right before attending the rescue fundraiser at Kendra Scott’s. Wilson was quite the guest and seemed to enjoy all the attention and treats. He even tried his hand with herding after his appearance but was somewhat disappointed with the results. He said, “those doggone difficult creatures showed him no respect.” You can judge for yourself if the sheep disrespected him.
Welcome to the last Friday of January. As always, we’re joining our friends over at Adventures of the LLB Gangfor their weekly nature blog hop. Be sure to check out what everyone else has shared.
Well goodness gracious…what the bloody hell is with the weather? Winter Storm Fern sounded like such a nice name and who goes on a rampage like she did when they’re named “Fern?” That beast showed her true colors and pounded most of the U.S. mercilessly. If she didn’t dump a load of snow, she hammered people with sleet and/or ice. We were very sorry to hear about all the misery she caused and hope people are getting their power turned back on and settling in cozy, warm laps. Mum heard there’s another potential snowstorm coming to the east coast but we hope the weather forecasters are wrong and it’s not nearly as bad as they are saying it might be.
Wilson: It’s been cold here this week but nothing like it’s been around Blogville. When the sun is out though, it’s most welcoming and it melted nearly all our snow. There still are some frozen places along the creek. Mum kept me out of the walking lineup until midweek for which I was mostly grateful. Even if I was antsy and kind of annoying, I think she was trying to keep me safe and warm. It’s just boring being inside all day long.
The Mum: I know it’s hard for you when you have to be inside but if it’s too cold for me all bundled up, I know it’s too cold for you. I’m just trying to look out for ya, buddy.
Wilson: I appreciate it, Mum, even when I don’t like it. My potty breaks were a bit on the fast side because of the cold at the beginning of the week. I thought when you took me for a ride, things were going to look up and then I realized as soon as we pulled up, you were taking me to the groomer. What the dawg, Mum? I thought you were my friend. Harumph.
The Mum: Sorry, House Pony. You were getting a bit funky but now you’re all nice and floofy, you smell amazing and are nicely trimmed up. I didn’t let her steal all your furs. As we drove to the groomer’s shop, I couldn’t help but notice the wide open spaces. This stretch was pretty windy which likely sped up the melting and although it was 40F (4C), it felt much colder with the wind. Still it was such a pretty day with those sunny blue skies that I didn’t mind.
Wilson: Of course you didn’t, it wasn’t your furs being stolen.
The Mum: Oh puleez…she didn’t take that much off-you still have plenty of floof. It’s clean now and smells heavenly.
Wilson: {grumbling} It’s humiliating. Luckily Sydney is nice to me and everyone was very supportive.
The Mum: Oh for heaven’s sake, you are such a drama queen. Has anyone told you to ‘grow a pair.’
Wilson: {blinking and then rolling his eyes} I have a certain reputation to maintain. Sadly I am a Maligned Floof with a case of anxiety.
TheMum: {eyes rolling} Whatever. So what else do you have to share besides these overly ridiculous claims surrounding your latest grooming session?
Wilson: Well, since we missed several days of walks along the trail, we finally were able to take photos of one of the underpasses that has a pretty amazing mural late in the week. I kind of like this mural, the colors morph from one color to another. It rather looks like it’s a gigantic dragon in segments.
It looks like an eye watching me walk through the underpass.Is that another eye watching me?
The Mum: It really is a statement piece. I wish I could show it in its entirety, not just in the segments to really show off how well each color blends into the next.
Wilson: The colors are pretty cool and it sure beats looking at plain old concrete walls or graffiti. I like it when cities incorporate interesting art into their infrastructure.
The Mum: Yes, you’re spot on, House Pony. It breaks up winter drab nicely.
Wilson: Well that’s it for me this week. Next week I will share a different kind of artwork by the legendary Camille Pissarro whose exhibit is being shown at the Denver Art Museum. Pissarro is known as the father of the Impressionist Movement and his landscapes are truly incredible.
The Mum: Sounds like a plan. We hope everyone stays warm and safe this weekend and that the weather doesn’t impact your ability to enjoy nature. We also hope that power is fully restored to all those folks who’ve been impacted by the ice storms. Be safe and have a great weekend.
Wilson: Yes, what Mum said. If you’re planning on something special this weekend, leave us a comment and tell us what you’re doing. Enjoy this last weekend in January. If you need some good news, just remember, there are 48 days until Spring officially arrives. With each passing day, I think we’ll all be giddy for when it arrives.
It’s Friday and you know what that means…it’s time for another edition of Nature Friday where we join our friends from at Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others shared for their Nature Friday blog hop. Wilson here with a light version of the Nature we encountered this week since we really didn’t see much beyond what we’ve shared before. I mean how many gorgeous sunrises can you stand, huh? Well this one was quite a showstopper with a sliver of the moon showing, but still. Anyway, Mum’s been busy trying to finish unpacking the studio and arranging it so the large space is efficient and easily accessible but she is struggling with moving furniture around. I think she’s come to realize she isn’t a spring chicken anymore. She got another bright idea yesterday that will require more moving. I can hear the sighs, grunts and groans already. Good thing I know how to help.
The Mum: Good morning, lad. Are you trying to blame me for a shortage of nature photos this week?
Wilson: Ooh, hiya Mum. Nope, no blaming, just stating facts. You’ve been busy and we didn’t have a lot of different encounters with the landscape unlike the pics you’ve already posted from the past month. Critter-wise, mostly we’ve only seen Canadian geese-thousands of them in fact. Apart from them being everywhere when we walk through the golf course area, they are just flat boring. Honk, honk, honk. Don’t they ever do anything beyond honk?
The Mum: Good question; if they do, I sure don’t know what, if any redeeming qualities they have, that would be considered share worthy. We did see a few mallards earlier this week after last week’s snow had melted but they weren’t all that keen on our presence and skedaddled quickly. But watching them float around on the canal was very peaceful and there were some interesting reflections on the water from the branches. But the landscape is more than colorless this time of year. Just drab brown everywhere with lots of wind. There’s another high wind warning for today and proposed power cuts for northern Colorado.
Wilson: Yeah, those ducks were boring to me and they weren’t interested in how fabulous I am. Now if squirrels were swimming in the canal, they’d have my full and undivided attention. Heck, I might even jump in the water.
The Mum: Ha…that’ll be the day. You avoid water like the plague and I can’t believe you’d jump into the water, even for squirrels.
Wilson: {protesting} Now Mum, you know I’m totally obsessed into checking out squirrels and will follow them wherever they go. I don’t know why but there’s something quite captivating about those scurrying little troublemakers.
The Mum: Yeah, I do know. All too well. This week the sheepie stubbornness was on parade, front and center. So much so, that you and I had to have a couple of heart to heart conversations. What’s up with that, anyway?
Wilson: [nonchalantly rolling his eyes] I have no idea what you’re talking about. I mean, just look at this devoted, compliant face of a good dog. I mean, ‘who’s a good boy?’ Huh?
The Mum: Don’t give me that “I’m such a good boy look. You conveniently forgot to mention it took several minutes to get you in this pose. You acted like you were deaf.
Wilson: Umm, I don’t think it took more than the usual pocket of bribes treats.
The Mum: Uh-huh. You can say it, but that doesn’t necessarily make it true.
Wilson: {deftly changing the topic} Well, will you check this out! On our daily morning walk, we sashayed past a particular house on the way to the Ralston Creek Trail and I noticed you said out loud…”what the…” and promptly turned me around to go back and confirm what you thought you saw. You know I have a pinched nerve in my neck, right?
The Mum: Oh puleese…you weren’t hurt and seemed more than happy to check it out. I was blown away that this rose bush had started budding out. I know it’s been super mild with temps in the 50’sF and 60’sF (10C – 15C) but it’s WAY too soon for deciduous plants to start setting buds. I mean winter officially started less than a month ago and we haven’t had much in the way of winter moisture…but dang.
Wilson: It is rather surprising and of course, with all the windy conditions, even more shocking. I don’t know what to make of it, Mum.
The Mum: Me either, House Pony. It’s definitely alarming. But there’s not much we can do but supplement water for the new trees that were planted recently to make sure they get sufficient moisture to establish themselves, even though the landscapers assured us they were dormant. Hope springs eternal, right?
Wilson: Right. Not to change the subject, but I’ve noticed you’ve been checking for quirky garden art on our walks now that we have an established route that we take every day. Hopefully we’ll find more otherwise this is going to be a rather dull neighborhood compared to some of the original stuff we were used to seeing.
The Mum: Yeah, but I did have to laugh out loud when we walked past this house. So what’s up for your weekend? Got any plans, buddy?
Wilson: Beyond catching a squirrel…umm, no nothing overly special. We may have a birthday party for your granddaughter who turns the Big 3-0 next week. That out to be fun. What about you readers? Anything? Whatever you do (and I hope staying safe and warm is included in your weekend plans), we hope you have a fantastic weekend that includes checking out nature around your ‘Hood.
Holy cow, we’re heading quickly toward the middle of the month…how in the world did that happen? In some ways January has been speeding by and in other ways seems like a slow crawl. The national news makes it seem like an endless Groundhog Day. Different day, same old headlines. Such is the contrast when you reach a certain age, I guess.
Wilson: We hope you had a fantabulous weekend. Mum attended a celebration of life from a former beloved partner of the law firm she worked at for nearly 25 years. He had been a champion for women in the legal biz and just a downright amazing human. It was great for her to catch up with folks from decades ago, including one who was a neighbor of hers in the old neighborhood as well as her favorite attorney at the firm. R exemplified the concept of kindness, dignity and competence. It was wonderful catching up with folks and celebrating the life of one of the best attorneys. Rest in eternal peace, Mike. As a long time pilot and aerial enthusiast, Mum is sure he is flying high and free now.
The Mum: As we normally do on Monday’s, let’s start this week out with a couple of smiles. Wilson said he could identified with both of them (though he thought it was ridiculously crazy to chase after a toy, but a tiny morsel of a crumb…but that’s a whole other ballgame; he did say he’d dig to China if it meant he could retrieve crumbs) . Of course whenever there’s anything food related, he will put his paw of approval on the post. Have a wonderful Monday and an even better week overall. Sending out January hugs and tail wiggles to you all. We plan to enjoy a warm up after last week’s slice of winter.
Finally, let’s take a look at the life of Farley, the sheepdog from For Better or For Worse. Wilson definitely could identify with this day in Farley’s world. He likes to keep those days at a minimum and reminded me that there’s always something he could do with me, even if it means getting his paws paddles caught up in my feet upending me and sending me splatting on the street. I’m ok, just a bit sore. The expression on his face though was priceless. He had a “what the bloody hell are you doing down there?” Guess I need to give you a Wilson healing slurp to get you up and moving.” Which he did. Silly boy.
Here’s hoping you stay upright and have a terrific Monday.
Happy 2026, peeps. We made it to a new year. We hope you had a safe and happy celebration and didn’t disturb the neighbors too much with stupid fireworks. It was kind of noisy in our neighborhood with a couple very loud boomers but they didn’t last too long and they don’t bother me much beyond going into SWAT mode thinking someone is trying to get into our house. At least they didn’t last into the late night like they used to in our old neighborhood. So that’s a plus. Luckily I’m didn’t get too stressed about the loud noises but made sure the perimeter was secure, just to be on the safe side. I just don’t understand humans and their obsession with disturbing a perfectly nice evening. Don’t they realize they are traumatizing pets and people who suffer from PTSD? I just will never understand why they do it.
Since Mum is kinda boring, she chose to watch a hockey game instead of ‘partying’ with me. She had the nerve to wake me up a couple of times with loud cheering. Her team continues to have the fewest home losses and they gave the opposing goalie, who Mum despises, a real shellacking and when they scored the first 4 goals in 5 minutes she was, let’s just say, very animated. Hockey is a big deal for her anyway but to beat that goalie was particularly satisfying.
Is this what you call celebration?
Wilson: So much for any big celebration action.
The Mum: I dunno, I was pretty excited celebrating that game. It was definitely a nice way to end 2025. But the celebration noise didn’t stop there.
Wilson: You’re so right, when we went for an early morning walk the next morning, there was all manner of squawking cheering by the local golf course residents-Canadian Geese. Whew…what a blooming bunch of noisy birds. I’m sure glad we don’t live on the golf course and have to endure that racket every morning while they’re standing about milling in the breakfast line. Sheesh. I imagine all manner of gossip while waiting for breakfast.
The Mum: Amen, House Pony. That photo shows just a sliver of the noisemakers. We are realizing they are very noisy in the morning and are grateful they have chosen the golf course as their concert hall.
Wilson: That’s a concert? Hmm, not exactly my kind of music since we just walk through the golf course on the Ralston Creek trail. And speaking of trail, just check out this habitat hut the park folks created for critters. We still haven’t seen any but with these huts, there surely has to be some around. I was not exactly primed for posing, choosing instead to keep an eye out for my personal nemesis of which I’m always on alert for spotting now that I’ve seen a couple. Where there’s one, there are probably a jillion just waiting to be chased by the jaws of death.
Wait…was that a squirrel I saw over there?
The Mum: Argh…you and your squirrels. So, we received a teeny amount of snow this week and there were a couple of cold nights and thus cold enough to freeze the edges of the creek.
Wilson: I don’t know why those frozen parts captivated your attention. Here we were walking along at a nice clip and you drag me over to one of the bridges that span the creek just to take a photo. Good grief-for dog’s sake, Mum.
The Mum: I just wanted to see the frozen edges up close. And then I noticed a tree trunk that suggests there may have been beavers around at some point. That’s a pretty exciting thought, though I suspect we won’t be seeing them up close since they’re pretty stealthy. Still, it was very cool.
Wilson: The things that crank your handle, Mum…are obviously well beyond my comprehension. I notice you are constantly scouring the creek. What in the bloody blue blazes are you looking for?
The Mum: Well, trash for one thing. I feel compelled to dispose of trash we encounter in the bins along the creek and then I’m also checking for signs of critters. I’m fascinated with the natural world, plus I would guarantee there are likely coyotes around with all those geese and perhaps some deer, so it probably is prudent to keep my eyes open as we walk through these semi-wild areas. I’m just trying to keep you safe, buddy-that and picking up after careless humans.
Wilson: I appreciate you looking out for me and nature’s best interests but I can take care of myself.
The Mum: No need tempting fate. Beside, I prefer seeing you pose in this natural world rather than us being a statistic in it.
I’m getting the hang of this climbing up thing, aren’t I, Mum?
Wilson: Well, when you say it like that, I guess it makes sense. Just yesterday there was a sensational story about a suspected mountain lion attack and fatality in Larimer County of a lone hiker who may have been attacked.
The Mum: Trust me, Mum knows best and I’ll continue to be careful especially while walking through the dense vegetation in the habitat area. We want to enjoy nature, not be its victim and it’s my job keeping you safe. So what’s on your agenda now that we’re in 2026.
Wilson: Nothing planned for this weekend, maybe entertain a friend who may drop by, but mostly just learning more about our area and checking it out.Whatever you do, we hope 2026 has started out on the right foot and you have a wonderful weekend. Happy New Year!
Well, we’ve gone and done it…managed to survive 2025 (presuming we can get through the next two days but we’re trying to be optimistic). It was a bit touch and go there for a while but look what doggedness will do for you.
I’m personally not into the whole resolutions thing and Wilson seems to echo my sentiment telling me…and I’m quoting here…”None of this New Year/new me bollocks. Last year I was floofy and fabulous and this coming year I’ll be floofy and fabulous.” Period.
Well ok then…I guess he and I won’t be having that conversation reviewing/reiterating the house rules. Though I still will continue to try to enforce cajole the barking rule. Wish me luck.
Since we’re not party animals it’ll just be the Floof and me ringing in the new year. I personally will be taking a hard look at went well last year and reflect on how it lines up with my goals. None of that resolution thing but we will try to be hopeful for 2026 and hope however you ring in your new year, it’ll meet all your resolutions/expectations. Best wishes for safe and Happy New Year from the Ranch, erm…Barn. Happy Monday.
Limited decor but happy to have enjoyed a small tree
{Yawn, s-t-r-e-t-c-h} Here we are after spending a quiet day in our new home. Not sure why but Mum overslept this morning (she didn’t do a lot of much yesterday after having her son and partner for a little brunch-sadly without images…clearly the time she’s been away trying to get us settled in has left her a bit deficit in proper brain function…i.e. she forgot to take photos) but I nudged her out of bed with my legendary “quilt” move where I jump up on the bed and smother her. But enough about her shortcomings, I love still her. It was a good day for just hanging out, getting chin scratches from the visitors and a great walk along the creek. I’ve reminded Mum the best way to settle in to the new home is to take loads of walks liberally enhanced with loads of treats for making me feel more comfortable in the new environment. We hope those of you who celebrated the Christmas holiday had a day that was merry and bright with lots of tasty snacks and good cheer.
Today we’re climbing back into the blogging saddle and joining our friends at Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to check out what others shared for their Nature Friday blog hop. While Mum is trying to open her eyes with a second cup of coffee, let me share a few of the things we’ve seen over the past three weeks since our big move.
Wilson: First up…here’s the ‘before’ reveal. A real hellscape and something that had Mum wondering what was she thinking. But despite being a bit OCD about stuff being in its proper place, she put her paws in front of one another and made daily progress. Notice how hard I am working snoopervising the move in.
Wilson: A real mess, right? And that was just the downstairs! It was worse upstairs. Well, I’m happy to report her doggedness has paid off, everything downstairs has now been put into its proper spot and you can actually walk about without stubbing a paw on a bin or box. Thank dog! The language I’ve heard over the past 3 weeks has been shocking and I’m not one to blush.
The Mum: Hey, that’s not fair…I noticed you howled a couple of times yourself.
Wilson: Oops, hi Mum. Thought I was doing a solo today. Ahem…sorry about that characterization. Since misery loves company, Mum reminds herself that this is a community that’s still under construction and more folks will begin to move in and enjoy the move in process that we had {snicker}. We already met the couple at the end of our lane. Mum shakes her head-those folks have managed to complete all manner of projects since moving in (i.e. painting their garage walls as well as painting the garage floor and power-washing all the mud from the sidewalks. They make her back hurt just watching these two eager beavers. I tried to make her feel better by saying there are two of them and she’s only one person. Sadly, she hasn’t been overly dissuaded about her feelings of inadequacy (she continually refers to it as slug-ness) so I’ve reminded her that envy is the thief of joy but she usually just stomps upstairs with an armload of things for the studio, grumbling with each step.
The Mum: You’re right about the theft of joy. I’ll try to do…
Wilson: {interrupting} Well I say a good place to start would be to bust open those presents of treats for me that Santa Paws delivered and stop being so stingy with dishing out the goodies he left me. And for heaven’s sake, be grateful for all you’ve done and accomplished. Sheesh, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
The Mum: I’ll try to keep that in mind. Obviously the dude in red thought you were a pretty good boy this year and not just a pretty face.
Wilson: Well I could have told you that but you were too busy being consumed with thoughts of inadequacy. At any rate, enough about the move…we could fill volumes but I have a few photos from the neighborhood around us to share.
The Mum: Yes, you’re absolutely right. What have you got for us, House Pony?
Wilson: Well, my daily walks are a veritable sniff fest. I’m beginning to think I might even be part bloodhound who’s tracking a burglar. It’s. been. awesome!
The Mum: Yes, I’ve noticed you are enjoying sniffs along our regular route. Haven’t seen as much wildlife as we’d hoped yet for but the wildlife habitat that we walk through might have provided more than just the thousands of Canadian Geese we see/hear along the trail. But there have been loads of dogs, walkers, bicyclists that we’ve passed and it has been interesting seeing so many dogs in strollers with elderly owners pushing them along. The demographics of this neighborhood range from little ones to seniors and is a nice mix of folks.
Wilson: Somehow I don’t see you being able to push me anywhere. We are both entertained with the vegetation, mostly dried grasses (the best sniffs) and downed logs along the creek which is very dry as we’ve experienced temps in the 60’s & 70’sF since after the day we moved in when there was 4 inches of white stuff on the ground making the move quite the challenge. We’ve been told the gravy train of unseasonably warm temps will run out this weekend and temps will be back in the normal range-30’s & 40’s with the possibility of some accompanying moisture. We can only hope. The sunrises have been spectacular and I can’t help but recite the old adage…”red skies in morning, sailor take warning-red skies at night, sailor’s delight.”
The Mum: The sunrises have been pretty spectacular. The above photo was taken the first morning we woke up in the new house and has been repeated numerous times during last week’s power outages amidst the hurricane force winds. Christmas was the most unusual we’ve ever experienced-it was 70F (21C).
Wilson: Well I know you’re constantly grossing about it being too dry but I’ve enjoyed these fair weather temps. You’ll get no complaints from me.
The Mum: You and a jillion others around the region but skiers and environmentalists continue to worry about the unseasonably warm weather.
Wilson: Well, I say we enjoy it while we can. January and February are coming up and they are the coldest, driest months. But there’s still lots to enjoy.
Flying geeseStill water
The Mum: Indeed, for a few days this week, I couldn’t help but wonder if the mallard couples may have blown away because we hadn’t seen any in the canal along on the trail this week.
Wilson: It has been mostly quiet on the trail, with only a few of the many Canadian Geese populating the nearby golf course.
The Mum: Here’s hoping everyone has a great last weekend of 2025 and a Happy Kawanzaa. We’re looking forward to ushering in a New Year next week. Which reminds me, guess I’d better get cracking on putting up shelves this weekend to better utilize the remaining time in this year and to pack up the Christmas decor now that we’ve enjoyed our first Christmas in the new house. Have a great weekend.
Wilson: And don’t forget to enjoy every single minute along your own trail.
It’s a foggy, grey morning in the 303 and while we’re slow getting our brains to work, it’s Nature Friday so we’re still going to join our friends at Adventures of the LLB Gangfor their weekly blog hop. Wilson here. Mum and I have been c-r-a-z-y and it’s not going to end any time soon but, as you can see, I’m working hard to help her out. {yawn, snore}
Let’s see now, Thanksgiving in the US is next Thursday. As you can imagine, I’m very excited about a day celebrating food. Woof, woof! My tail is simply giddy about it. {wiggle, wiggle} Anyway, let’s show what we managed to find in Nature around our ranch.
Wilson: The weather has been simply amazing all week long until today. We’ve enjoyed temps in the 70F’s (21C). Today our high will likely be in the low 40’sF with a potential for showers. I’m not keen about the wet but Mum says it’s welcome since we haven’t had any moisture since early September.
The Mum: Good morning, Floof…I share your blunted enthusiasm for today. With our foggy and grey skies, it felt good starting the day on the down-low rather than busting a gut dashing about. I don’t know about you, I just wasn’t into hustling out first thing this morning. With all the online difficulties I’ve encountered, I just didn’t have the bandwidth. In case you don’t follow us on Facebook or Instagram, our Instagram account was hacked and it’s been hell trying to wrest control over it. I have changed passwords daily but the low-life gremlin comes back in the middle of the night and switches it again. He keeps trying to sell a 2020 Honda. All fine and good but why not sell it on your own doggone account if its legit, which it probably is not. So if you do follow us, please accept our apologies and for heaven’s sake, don’t click on any links(if you’re so inclined you can report it as well). Of course we’ve contacted Meta repeatedly since they hold the keys to both platforms and all I’ve heard is crickets. Not surprising there. But enough energy on that. Suffice to say our picture taking is somewhat slim this week because I wasted way too much energy trying to fix it.
Wilson: Naturally I’m quite distressed when my Mum is unhappy but I don’t have thumbs and probably less computer savvy than she has (and, let me just say for the record, she doesn’t have a lot and will readily admit she’s a Luddite when it comes to her computer). We’ve got way too much going on to continually fuss about it…do you hear that, Mum? Ok. Let’s get started, shall we. We mentioned in a previous post that the “Christmas cactus” started to form buds and this week a few of them burst into full bloom. It’s such a striking hot pink shade and being in the kitchen window, it seem most happy and is a cheerful presence in the room she’s in a lot-so it makes her smile which makes me happy. We both wonder why it’s called Christmas cactus since it always begins to bloom before Thanksgiving.
The Mum: It’s one of life’s mysteries, I guess. But in this month of thanks, I know I’m very grateful for the shock of color when nature is at its brownest. With leaves falling everywhere and windy conditions, everything is very dry and dusty. Today’s sprinkles may help keep the dust down and this potted beauty will warm our souls.
Wilson: You’re so right about that, Mum. Were you as surprised to see some Globe thistle on our walk a couple of days ago as I was? This plant, native to southern and eastern Europe, from Spain east to Turkey, Ukraine, and Belarus, and western and central Asia east to Mongolia, is sparingly naturalised throughout various locations in Canada and the US. The blue color is quite pretty but it doesn’t particularly enjoy a sniffer like mine. It poked back but not so bad that I didn’t adhere to its subtle warning.
The Mum: Yes, I was pretty surprised. We were walking along at quite a clip and the sight of it took a moment for it to register in my little pea brain. I had to backtrack to photograph it. Blue being my favorite color, I always have to stop and admire blue flowers.
Wilson: Yes, you confused me by going back. I’m used to moving forward but I can see why you wanted to capture it. Let’s just call it like it is…pretty.
The Mum: I noted in previous posts the Christmas tree lot is now stocked with inventory and suspect it will open this weekend. What the actual…there just are no words. While they all look nice and fresh now, given our above average temps are up by as much as 15 degrees above normal, those babies are going to have a hard time staying green through the whole Christmas season. I haven’t had a cut tree for decades and nearly fainted at the price tag on closeup of the 5 footer. Is that a ‘normal’ price? I hope you can see the tag easily enough. If not, it says $79.99…almost $16 buckaroos a foot. Seems very high to me, but what do I know. I know prices are high everywhere for all sorts of things, but like I said, it’s been years since I had a live tree…in fact it’s been years since I put up any tree. I hope this year will be different but the next two weeks will determine that.
Anyone else notice some brown needles on the left side?
Wilson: Oh be still my beating heart. Look at all those trees that I could ‘water!’
The Mum: Down dude…notice the fence? That’s specifically up to keep the likes of you (and Christmas Grinches) at bay. You can only look from afar to appreciate. Got it?
Wilson: {sigh} Jeez, Mum, you’re taking all the fun out of the holidays. Well that’s it from me. I guess it’s time that we hit the trail and go for a nice long walk. We hope you have a great weekend and are able to get out and enjoy a spot of Nature. It’s good for your mental health to make time for it. Let us know if you’re doing anything fun and if you’re ready for Food Appreciation Day.
Well here we are again on a Friday. With forty-seven days left in the year, we continue to zoom toward the holidays in break neck speed. As always, we’re joining the crew at Adventures of the LLB Gang for their weekly blog hop. Be sure to click on the link to see what posts were shared by others. Wilson here and can I just say it’s been an interesting week. We’ve been lucky with our weather, it’s been, in a word…gorgeous. Mild autumn days and not too chilly nights. I think I could get used to the low 70’sF (around 22C). It’s been somewhat breezy most days, blowing leaves all over the place but I haven’t minded. It’s glorious and it’s autumn so it’s to be expected, right? Mum continues to remove leaves from under our covered front patio porch several times a day and said we could use some moisture-it’s been 2 months since any wet stuff fell so things are fairly dry and dusty. My once beautifully white paddles (also known as paws) are a lovely shade of grey. Do I care…heck no. Mum keeps trying to remove those little pieces of grass and leaves from sticking to my furs which means sessions with a brush. That part I do care about and hope she stops and soon. I’m fabulous enough without her fluffing me up.
Wilson: {continuing} Like I said, windy conditions are making good at disbursing leaves all over. But there still are a few trees that seem reluctant to let go of autumn, most notably the Bradford pears. They will keep shedding leaves for probably another month. Our neighbor has a pair in his front yard and Mum sometimes grumbles when they finally fall all over her sidewalk when it snows. Nothing like shoveling the sidewalk when the first snowflakes of the season arrive and its half full of Bradford pear leaves. But they sure are pretty. Just look at their color when most trees are down to their branches!
The Mum: Those Bradford pear trees scream “GOOD MORNING WORLD!” every day when we walk past the old Elitches theatre on our morning constitutional. It’s a perfect autumn scene made even more perfect by the morning quiet before the city wakes up in earnest.
Wilson: Another colorful specimen is this Scarlet Firethorn tree. Looks like the birds who stay here during the winter will be well supplied with a nice batch of berries.
The Mum: That firethorn ranks right up there in color with this Japanese Barberry Bush-another screamer.
Wilson: What? I can’t hear you, that bush is too loud.
The Mum: You’re too funny, you know that, House Pony? So we had some interesting astrological sightings this week. With the Beaver Moon appearing recently we were also treated to some spectacular Aurora Borealis showers over the past couple of days, I never thought I’d see them in person here with our dense neighborhood tree canopy but my son sent me pics a few pics he took from just north of the the Boulder city limits. The colors were incredible and did not disappoint. I loved seeing the tiny white stars showing up in the dark skies. When you live in the city, you get used to not seeing a lot of stars because of light pollution in a metro area so when you’re in an area that has little or no competition, it’s always a wondrous sight.
Photo courtesy of K. M. SamsonPhoto courtesy of K. M. Samson
Wilson: Pretty cool celestial happenings, Mum. With just 41 days until Christmas, the local neighborhood tree lot is getting ready to ramp up for the season. Although we posted about this lot showing up a couple of weeks ago, does anyone else find this signage somewhat ironic? “Fresh Christmas trees” in November…hahaha. While they haven’t begun to display trees and wreaths just yet, but I think not, at least not this early in the season. They are beginning to put out lighted spheres out that were very pretty when they had them last year along with a nice ‘herd’ of log moose and reindeer. It’s nice and festive especially as our landscape continues to get browner and browner.
The Mum: Speaking of moose and reindeer, do you see any other critters this week on our walks?
Wilson: As a matter of fact, I did although I have never seen one of these before, either in Colorado or Missouri. What the dog is that thing?
The Mum: Silly Floof, it’s just more of unusual garden art that amuses me. This one is in the form of an alligator sunning himself on a low wall. I can’t wait until it’s covered in snow. Now that will be a sight!
Wilson: Harumph…well I for one don’t plan on encountering it, not with that set of choppers.
The Mum: Don’t worry, this guy can’t hurt you. It did made me chuckle though. You know how much I love finding these unique pieces of garden art around the neighborhood.
Wilson: You’re so weird, Mum. Well that’s it for us this week. Hope you’ve taken time out of your busy holiday preparations to get outside and enjoy Nature, Northern Lights and the unusual. Let us know if you have any unusual plans. From both of us, we hope you have a ‘furbulous’ weekend!
It’s Monday and for both of us, it came way too quickly.
The Mum: Good morning, House Pony…what have you got planned for today?
Wilson: {lip smacking, snorf, burp} Umm, extensive sleeping with intermittent snoozing, some yawning, a bit of stretching, relaxing, a few dreams with a bit of leg twitching.
The Mum: Whoa…I see. Sounds like you have a busy day planned.
Wilson: I’m wondering how I’ll be able to fit it all in.
We hope you have a great Monday. Don’t overdo it, ‘kay?
Welcome to the last Friday of January. As always, we’re joining our friends over at 
It’s Friday and you know what that means…it’s time for another edition of Nature Friday where we join our friends from at 
Well, we’ve gone and done it…managed to survive 2025 (presuming we can get through the next two days but we’re trying to be optimistic). It was a bit touch and go there for a while but look what doggedness will do for you.
Wilson: A real mess, right? And that was just the downstairs! It was worse upstairs. Well, I’m happy to report her doggedness has paid off, everything downstairs has now been put into its proper spot and you can actually walk about without stubbing a paw on a bin or box. Thank dog! The language I’ve heard over the past 3 weeks has been shocking and I’m not one to blush.
It’s a foggy, grey morning in the 303 and while we’re slow getting our brains to work, it’s Nature Friday so we’re still going to join our friends at 
Well here we are again on a Friday. With forty-seven days left in the year, we continue to zoom toward the holidays in break neck speed. As always, we’re joining the crew at 
