Category: Weekends

Nature Friday ~ October 24, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 64 Comments

GhostiesGood day, mates, Wilson here for this week’s edition of Nature Friday. As we typically do, we are joining our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang for their weekly blog hop. Don’t forget to click on their link to see what other folks have shared this week. We hope you’ve been enjoying autumn this week. Our temps have been much more seasonal and we even had a couple of days that started with a light frost. But don’t worry, we still managed to find some lovely blooms still hanging out around the neighborhood. Let’s get started, shall we? My Mum will be joining us shortly.

Wilson: So just to set the record straight, that intro photo above is not documentation of a bunch of ghosties, no siree. Those were garden sheets that uprights place over their tender veggies to protect them from the first frost since April of this year. The frost did not appear to damage tender veggies in our garden as our tomato plant is still covered with little tomatoes in various stages of green, yellow, orange and red, right Mum? Hel-lo, Mum?

The Mum: I’m here, just pouring a second cup of coffee. Good morning, Floof. I didn’t bother covering our plants, hoping they would go quietly in the night. But, they are still pretty vigorous considering the cool temps at night. I’ve been removing any new blooms and new shoots but clearly they’re not paying attention to the signs of their pending demise. I’ve been sharing little baggies of tomatoes for the neighbors. While I’ve enjoyed their tastiness this summer, I’m so tired of eating tomatoes at every meal. I did bring ‘Figaro’ indoors and happy to report he is sitting in a fairly sunny corner settling nicely in his new home. I’m hoping the fruit will ripen soon so we can enjoy a few for breakfast.

Wilson: Gee Mum, you sure are pampering them. I saw you adding organic fertilizer as you tucked them into their new spot and you even tidied up the pot and saucer so it looks nice and free of all cobwebs in the draining saucer and you even wiped down the leaves to remove the garden dust from the several windy days we experienced recently. It looks great in its new home and hope you will have some figs soon because I know when you do, I’ll get a bite or too as well.

The Mum: You’re nothing if not optimistic, aren’t you, House Pony? So what else do you have to share for us today?

Wilson: We’ve been so focused on finding flowers I’ve kind of lost track of Halloween decorations. That first cold snap was followed by a very windy day. Here I was humming to myself, admiring my luxurious fur coat, minding my own business when all of a sudden this guy nearly attacked me. He was whipping around like a  Life Alert commercial (“Help I’ve Fallen and Can’t Get Up”™️). Hope you can understand why I growled at him? Those fingers really creeped me out!

Halloween Halloween

The Mum: You did indeed. I had to chuckle reassure you that you were going to be fine. We walked past and everything worked out fine {giggling}.

Wilson: It wasn’t funny, Mum. He scared the bejesus out of me. I mean…how dare he sneak up on me like that and try to grab my fabulous floofness. I know you have wanted me to pose nicely once he got upright to show there were no hard feelings, but I wanted nothing to do with him. Not then, not now. Ever.

The Mum: {chortling} I understand, buddy. But you got admit, it was a little bit funny, right?

Wilson: {straightening his furs out with a good vigorous shake} Ahem…don’t give up your day job, Mum. That was decidedly not funny.

The Mum: I’m {giggle} sorry, sweet {hahaha} boy. {gaining her composure and clearing her throat}. I don’t mean to laugh but it was a comical scene. But hey, {changing the subject} on the plus side, you managed to find more pretty roses for us.

Wilson: {lightbulb as a nice memory began to form in the back of his brain} Ah yes, some pretty roses. They are hanging on nicely as the weather begins to advance into more autumness.

Pink rose Rose White rose

The Mum: They sure are beautiful and you found some real lovely specimens. We should enjoy them while we can. They will be going away soon enough for a winter snooze. Speaking of winter…that day we experienced all that horrible wind which brought down branches and limbs all over the metro area, the nearby mountains were experiencing snowflakes. I-70 was closed in both directions at the Eisenhower Tunnel on Monday and I think the mountain corridor received around 4-6 inches over the past few days. While the ‘Hood remained dry, we know that white stuff will likely be reaching us soon enough.

Wilson: And just because I know you and a couple of our readers enjoy their sunny faces, I found a sunflower.

SunflowerThe Mum: Aww, thanks, Floof. Appreciate you thinking of us.

Wilson:  My pleasure, Mum. So did I hear something about seeing Miss Sydney over the next few days? Uh oh…that can only mean one thing…you plan on floof-ifying my furs and turning my now grey paws paddles back to white. While I’m no fan of the bath, I do love Miss Sydney and will try my best to be a good boy. Or at least one that isn’t too much of a bucking bronco. Heh, heh.

The Mum: {blushing with embarrassment} Thanks, buddy. I do hope you are good. She takes such good care of you turning you into a handsome fella which will get you primed and ready for visiting our friends at Lutheran soon. They’ll be so excited to see you. Maybe you’ll even wear a bit of a Halloween costume when you visit.

Wilson: Bite your tongue Mum. Don’t you know, us “Fabulous Floofs” don’t require a costume to look good-we’re perfect just the way we are. But I will be excited to see all my friends. Friends means treats and ear rubs. So what’s on your agenda for this weekend? Got any special plans? Whatever you do, we hope it’s a wonderful weekend!

Nature

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 12, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 55 Comments

WilsonGreetings 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.

Baby squirrel
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.

Common Whitetail Dragonfly

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.

Spider web

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.

Wilson
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.

Reblooming irises

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.

Goose

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!

Strawberry in autumn

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.

Nature

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 5, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 58 Comments
Wilson
Watching Nature on the telly-those seem like fairly large dogs

Hello mates and welcome to the first Nature Friday post of September. Wilson here to share what I’m seeing in Nature this week. As always, I’m joining those two cute pups 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.

This week’s temps were warmer than last week’s, but not horrible. Days are warm, nights are crisp and we have a diverse offering for today’s post.

It’s was a crazy week made crazier by Mum. She has been scurrying around swabbing decks and other stuff that probably should have been done in spring and it’s causing me some major heartburn. She keeps saying everything is going to be fine, but seriously, who trusts someone with wielding a mop or pushing a vacuum around. OMD…a dog cannot relax in this kind of environment. I move from one place to another to avoid that noisy soul sucking machine and it’s like she’s stalking me with that vacuum wand. Anyway, please be patient with us as we’ve not had a lot of online time visiting blogs but hope to get reasonably caught up soon. But if anything goes wrong or if you don’t hear from us, be sure to assign blame on her because I’m never at fault…only fabulous. Despite what she may imply with her snide comments about paw prints on the floors and nose art on the front door.

So like I said earlier, it has been a little warmer this week but not overly unpleasant. I have my paws crossed this is summer’s last hurrah and that she’s ready to move aside for our favorite season, autumn, which officially arrives in two weeks and three days, but who’s counting and we’re beginning to notice subtle signs that a new script is in the works. Just take a look at some of a couple of indicators that things are in flux.

Changing Leaves

This tree is from down the street. Those spots of gold make for a nice contrast with the green leaves, wouldn’t you agree?
Changing leaves

While not near as vivid, this Honey Locust is across the street from our house, and we’re seeing little spots of yellow appearing in the upper canopy.

Another sure fire sign that the seasons are beginning to change are oaks trees with their little nuts, i.e. acorns. I’ve always dreamed of noshing on them and just a couple of weeks ago, that tree was covered with them and there were gobs of them on the ground. This week, there were only a couple left on the tree and nothing on the ground. No doubt the hoodlum neighborhood squirrels stocked up before I had a chance to snack on them. Interesting side note…I found out acorns provide food for birds, rodents, beers, even deer, so I ask, why not a Floof? You know, just as a quality control thing. Plus they make some lovely craft items, if one is interested in that sort of thing. I know Mum has collected them in the past for making wreaths and holiday ornaments.

Acorns

The Mum: Good morning, laddie, how’s it…

Wilson: {interrupting} Oh hiya, finally decided to join us, did you?

The Mum:  Well I was trying to find something I misplaced…sorry I’m late. But I see you managed without my help.

Wilson: I can’t believe anything around here is misplaced. You’ve been on a crusade to put things where they belong or even purging it. Did you find what you were looking for yet?

The Mum:  No, not yet, but I’m sure it’s gotta be around and I’ll continue to hunt.

Wilson: Just don’t hunt with the vacuum, okay, Mum? That thing scares the devil out of me, not that there’s any devil in me, but you know. That’s just an expression, mind you. I don’t have to remind you that I’m totally fabulous and a very good boy.

The Mum: Yes, you’re a good boy though I’ve notice a certain stubborn streak emerging of late that…

Wilson: {interrupting} GASP!! I am not stubborn, I’m just strongly devoted to keep doing what I’ve been doing. Besides, my clock is on a different wavelength from your artificial time table.

The Mum: Oh, different wavelength, is that what it is? That’s one way of describing it.

Wilson: Oh I’ll admit, I was nice and comfy on the patio a few times watching the world go by while you were in gardening mode and I was merely not ready to come back in the house.

The Mum: I’ve learned it’s not a good idea leaving you to your own devices. While I was trimming the iris leaves, I noticed you ran across the street to give a certain squirrel the what for. Remember? We had a long talk about that.

Wilson: Talk? Harumph…you put me in time out inside the house as I recall.

The Mum: Well you know the saying, if you do the crime, you have to do the time.

Wilson:  {ignoring the squirrel transgression} Umm, not to change the subject, but I noticed last week’s showers and this week’s warmer temps sure made for some pretty flowers. I mean, just look at this pretty Morning Glory. Is that some gorgeous color or what?Morning Glory

The Mum: Indeed, nature knows how to showcase its own.

Wilson: Another sign that autumn is upon us is the annual ritual of people planting Chrysanthemums. This cheery yellow one caught my eye. They’re pretty but they don’t smell as great as they look.
Mums

The Mum: Yup, you know when mums are planted, autumn can’t be too far away. Being scented isn’t the only reason to plant pretty things in the garden.

Wilson: Yeah, but my own preference is to have both a great scent and pretty blooms. Nothing wrong with that, is there?

The Mum: No, I totally understand. But mums are one of those autumn plants that seem to want to look better than they smell and that’s okay too.

Wilson: Says the person with about a third as many olfactory cells than most dogs have. Suit yourself.

The Mum:  Right…what else do you have? Did you see any critters this week?

Wilson: As a matter of fact, I did encounter a crawly thing with huge eyeballs that seemed to be taking in all sorts of scenery. I do know he kinda startled you but then once you overcame the surprise, seemed transfixed by his eyes and the tiny little hairs on all his legs. Didn’t you say you thought that was a harmless wolf spider?

Spider

The Mum: Yes, I think that’s what it was. I’ve seen several of them hanging out this summer. The early wet conditions seemed to activate the arachnid population around the garden. I’ve been pulling webs off the water spigot and around the base of pots on a twice-a-week basis. They’re great for keeping harmful insects at bay and are not dangerous. I read that they have 8 eyes but the two prominents ones were the ones I was mesmerized most by them. It was pretty cool. So what else do you have to share today?

Wilson: I noticed a Sorbus tree, known as a mountain-ash in North America and a rowan in the UK. An ornamental, smallish tree is in full berry mode which will keep a lot of birds fed this winter.

Mountain Ash

The Mum:  When my kids were very small, they planted one for me one Mother’s Day and it was a favorite addition. I’ve often wondered how that little guy has fared.

Wilson: Well that’s it for this week. We hope everyone has a great weekend and are able to get out and enjoy nature first hand. Enjoy!

Nature

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ August 29, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 63 Comments

WilsonWell, 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.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes 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.

Strawberries

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.

Ripe fig

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

Figs

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?

Nectarines

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.

Pumpkin

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.

Rose

Nature

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ August 8, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 70 Comments

WilsonWelcome 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.

Gladiolus Gladiolus Gladiolus 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.

Dahlia

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.

Sunflower Sunflower

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.

Monarch butterfly 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!

Nature

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ July 25, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 54 Comments

Sunrise - Boulder

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.

Wilson - wishing well

Bunny - BoulderWalking 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.

Mount Sanitas - Boulder

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.

Tennis balls - Boulder

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.

Buddha - Boulder

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?

Horse mail box Donkey yard art - Boulder

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?

Wilson - Boulder

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.

Artichoke - Boulder

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.

Mama deer with babies - Boulder

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.

Nature

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ July 18, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 56 Comments

Birthday balloonsAs John Oliver says…welcome, welcome, welcome. Wilson here ready to share slices of nature as I join our pals from the Adventures of the LLB Gang‘s blog hop. Make sure you check the link out to see what great posts and pics are shared. Now let’s get on to some of what we encountered this week but first I want to extend best birthday wishes to sweet Rosy who turns 8 this weekend and Chia who continues celebrating her birthday month. Happy Birthday, girls. I’ll be turning the ole Lucky 7 on Sunday so let the good times roll. Let’s paw-!

It’s been hot, but some of the summer flowers are loving it. Check out these two pics of a particularly vigorous trumpet vine we walk past all the time.

Trumpet vine Trumpet vine

As you can see it was a bright sunny day (which made it hotter).  Hallelujah, eh Mum? So have you recovered from blowing up those balloons yesterday?

The Mum:  Oh lord, talk about a lung workout. They are meant to be blown up by hand using a special straw and not to be used with helium. Talk about being gassed! At any rate, I thought they would provide a nice celebratory vibe for your birthday weekend.

Wilson: 2025 is sure whizzing by us. For those of you who need something to look forward to, there are 66 days until autumn officially arrives. While I know it’s never good wishing your life away, we’ve been checking days off on the calendar.  In addition to these trumpet vines blooming their little heads off, daylilies are front and center around NW Denver gardens. Just look at these beauties.

Day Lily Day Lily Day Lily

The Mum: Whoa…those are gorgeous. You can never go wrong having lilies in your garden.

Wilson: Right you are on that, Mum. They are real showstoppers in a summer garden if you’re not into pots of annuals for summer color. I’ve been noticed Hollyhocks are blooming nicely too. Check this bright pink one out!

Hollyhock

The Mum: They are quite lovely, House Pony. Nice find.

Wilson: If you like those Hollyhocks, you’re gonna love the ever popular sunflowers that are having a go in summer gardens all over our neighborhood. They look especially stunning against a crystal blue sky. And I like that you managed to capture a happy bee flying from one flower to another.

Sunflowers

The Mum:  Thanks, buddy. Glad you liked it. Neighborhood birds are enjoy the sunflowers too as are your arch nemesis, the ever opportunistic furry critters you despise…squirrels.

Wilson: SQUIRRELS!! Where? Let. Me. AT. THEM! I’ll make sure they don’t take seeds away from birds!

The Mum: Easy Hoss, just relax. I’m sure there’s plenty to go around…

Wilson: {interrupting} There’s never enough when it comes to squirrels, they’ll eat anything they can get their grubby little paws on…you of all people should realize that.

The Mum:  I’m so tired of fighting them, and I’m hopeful the electronic anti-squirrel device I recently ordered keep them at bay. I mean just look at the newest bloom on the everbearing strawberry plant. That little guy needs far more protection than a bunch of sunflowers that are quite abundant.

Strawberry

Wilson: So you’re saying to choose my battles wisely? That’s probably good advice across the board. I’ll try to keep that in mind, but if I find them in my garden, mark my words…they will not go unchallenged.

The Mum: {rolling her eyes} Whatever-you know how I feel about the whole think. So long as neither of us get hurt by you launching me into space on our walks like a kite. Deal?

Wilson: Hmmm, I think I’m good with that but may backslide on occasion. Just wanted to know when it comes to squirrels, it’s literally a moving target. Full disclosure and all that.

The Mum: Fine, I’ll take my chances and hope for the best. So what else do you have?

Wilson: Well I notice this gigantic stalk coming from an agave plant on yesterday’s walk and was blown away by how tall it was. I’ve never seen one that tall before! It reminded me of a palm tree.

Agave

The Mum:  It really was something to behold. I’d never seen one that tall either and just had to take it’s pic and it obliged nicely. It looked especially regal with that blue sky.

Wilson:  And lastly we have a few photos from our immediate garden. The first  tomatoes ripened and they were mighty tasty. Your fig plant is doing nicely too and the two little figs seem to be doing well. The plant in general has put on a bunch of new leaves and it looks very healthy overall. It will be fun watching those babies ripen.Tomatoes

Fig plant

The Mum: Yes, I’m very jazzed about them and hope they continue to do well. Well that about wraps it up for us. We hope you’re able to experience some of nature’s many gifts firsthand. Have a great weekend-stay cool. We plan to do lots of celebrating for Wilson’s birthday.

Nature

Live, love, bark!  🐾

Nature Friday ~ July 11, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 63 Comments

Wilson, HydrangeasGreetings 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.

Full Moon
[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.

Wilson ~ bath
Ugh, another bath!
Wilson ~bath
Here I am getting blow dried. Mum uses the ear hoodie but I still let her know how I felt about it anyway.
Wilson ~ bath
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.

Wilson ~ EMTs

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.

Wilson, Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

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.

Rain storm gif

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!

Nature

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ June 20, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 63 Comments

Heat advisoryWelcome to the Summer of Hades, 2025 edition. Bloody hell…who turned the blinking heat up?? We are under a heat advisory for the next few days. Good thing my fur coat was groomed last week but I’m still panting up a storm to cool myself down and Mum is sweating like a pig. Neither of us do well in heat and I have to make sure she stays well hydrated. Heck, we both have to stay well hydrated since unlike many areas of the country, ours is what’s known as ‘a dry heat.’ I don’t give a squirrel’s patootie, the bottom line is it’s been ungodly hot.

Wilson here. For those who need a bit of inspiration in the “this too shall pass” category, there are ‘only’ 94 days until autumn arrives. You can count on us keeping track of that number as it goes down. I know there are many of you enjoy summer and extol the virtues of extra sunlight to which I say, “Bollocks-you can have it!”

The Mum: Wilson!! Easy with the language, buddy!

Wilson: Whaaat? I’m just stating facts, Mum. It’s miserable out there. {grumbling} Bloody Summer Equinox…you can have it.

The Mum:  My goodness…you’re sure getting very worked up. We’re going to have to soldier up, do the best we can and hope this heat dome breaks up. It’ll mean our walks will likely be starting at oh-dark-thirty…i.e. 5:00 AM. I’m yawning just thinking about the uncivilized hour.

Wilson: I’ll be ready, Mum. So let’s get started with this week’s slices of nature…it’s all about trees. We’re joining our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to click on the link to see what others have shared. Before the heat set in on us, the mornings were heavenly perfumed by the scent of all the Littleleaf Lindens that are in bloom across our neighborhood right now. Their fragrance is absolutely intoxicating. Don’t the flowers look like Lily of the Valley?

Linden Trees

Linden Trees
American Linden Tree-a grand shade tree

The Mom: It’s one of my absolute favorite trees. I inhale deeply on our walks enjoying that fabulous fragrance once they start blooming.

Wilson: It’s a lovely tree, Mum but what about the Popcorn tree?

The Mum: Popcorn tree? Oh, you must mean the Catalpa tree which is also in bloom.

Catalpa tree

Wilson: I dunno, Mum…it looks like popcorn all over the sidewalk to me.

The Mum: Yeah, it does rather look like popcorn on the sidewalk. Catalpa trees are kind of messy but they’re great shade trees and those blooms are beautiful when you look closely. Just make sure you don’t look too closely, you might inhale a bee!

Catalpa flowers

Wilson: They sure are messy trees. All those orchid-like blooms all over the sidewalk and then those long, cigar shaped seed pods will start falling, from autumn through winter. The blooms and seed pods from the large specimen across the street always manage to land in our yard in addition to our own. Remind me why you planted it?

The Mum: When the city made me take down the Silver Maple, they said they’d replace it with another shade tree. I applied for a Honey Locust which they did plant, but for some reason, they threw in a Catalpa as well as an Oak tree. Lots of leaves, flowers and acorns to deal with. The squirrels don’t seem to mind. They seem to love all the trees that are messy. Me, not as much.

Wilson: Hey, I try to do my part keeping the squirrels at bay. I can’t help it if you don’t want me chasing them..

The Mum: Well they tend to run out in the street and you’re all too eager to follow them. There’s been another flowering tree that’s currently in bloom and it’s also a beauty..

Wilson: That’s right, Mum. It’s a Japanese Tree Lilac. Those creamy white flowers fill the morning air with a luscious scent. This is a modestly small tree but seems to do well in Colorado. We’re starting to see and more of them around the neighborhood.

Japanese Tree Lilac

The Mum: It’s a real beauty for sure. But what about that fabulous cherry tree we walk past every day? It ripened earlier than any of the other cherry trees in the neighborhood. The owner even said if we could reach the fruit at the top, it was ours.

Cherry tree

Wilson: Well I’d have been up for it but don’t think you could have reached the top fruit without a ladder and then we’d have to carry a bucket with us then wash and pitt them once we got home. You told me you did that once and it was pretty much an all day project.

The Mum: Yup, it sure was. Pitting was the pits-no pun intended. But the jam sure was yummy. I might consider making peach jam later in the summer but cherries are a lot of work and we’ve been pretty busy with hospital visits and rescue work.

Wilson: Speaking of busy, there was the rescue picnic over the past weekend. We were unable to attend but it sure looked like a fun event. Lok at all those sheepies! And we managed to raise about as much as we raised last year for the rescue. Everybody had a good time even if it was somewhat warm.

OES Picnic 2025

The Mum: Yeah, maybe next year we can attend and you can run around in a beautiful setting with loads of other sheepdogs.

Wilson: Oh that would be so posh, Mum. I do hope I can attend.

The Mum: Well we’ll see. Well, that’s it for this edition of nature. We hope you all have a lovely weekend and we pray everyone stays safe and hydrated this weekend and especially don’t overdo it. But if you’re out, please try to savor the wonders of Nature.

Wilson: Meanwhile I’ll be wondering why Nature has to be so doggone difficult and likely making plans to visit Yellowstone National Park and lying near the air conditioner vent. We hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Wilson

Nature Friday badge

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ June 6, 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 44 Comments

WilsonGreetings mates, Wilson here for the first Friday of June and the 157th day of the year. Today we’re doing something different as we join our friends at the LLB Gang for this week’s edition of Nature Friday. Trees have leafed out but blooming flowers really haven’t changed, Mum has noticed the only thing new has been the direct result of our weather. It was the second week in a row where rain showers fell nearly every day. In fact, yesterday’s afternoon walk around the neighborhood saw us getting soaked. Again. What the bloody dog? Mum knows I don’t like rain on my fluffy white head but there she was dragging hustling me along to try and find some cover under the trees.

So what does all this rain mean? Well things are green and lush. So much so, grass seems to grow overnight. And so do the weeds. And if you haven’t guessed by now, Mum is highlighting the weeds this week {eyes rolling}.

Yes, you heard me right…bloody weeds. I’d think she was in the sun for too long yesterday before the clouds and rain rolled in after working in the garden all morning, pulling two bins full of weeds. She said it’s the yang aspect of Nature and she thought we should see the other side of what happens when there’s lots of moisture. Not that we’d ever object to moisture, mind you…but weeds? Come on Mum, just admit it…your brain is fried and you’re suffering from writer’s block.

The Mum:  Good morning, House Pony. I see you’ve set a somewhat negative stage for today’s Nature Friday focus on the reverse side of Nature. When you usually have a lack of moisture, plants struggle. But give them even just a little spot of rain and voila!…they are transformed into a scene from Little Shop of Horrors where gardeners swear they are hearing the baritone wail of Levi Stubbs (of Four Tops fame)  who was the voice of Audrey in the movie-Feed me Seymour.

Feed me Seymour

Wilson: Ermmm, didn’t mean to cast dispersions, Mum, but seriously…weeds. That’s the best you’ve got? Surely there’s gotta be something far more exciting, not to mention far more visually pleasing.

The Mum: Sorry, it’s just reality. You can water the garden like crazy and it’s so-so but even with a tiny little rain sprinkle and poof, instant greening up and lushness.

Wilson: Well, ok…if you say so. I still stand with my observation that you might be suffering from a spot of writer’s block but let’s move along. Some of these weeds universally vex us all summer long, rain or not…like the bindweed and spotted spurge but some of the have grown to gargantuan dimensions like the prickly lettuce and that plant that resembles hemlock which is a member of the carrot family.

Prickly lettuce
Prickly lettuce-wear thick gloves when removing this bad boy.
Hemlock
Poison hemlock, a member of the carrot family.
Argemone - Prickly Poppies
Argemone – Prickly Poppies, another weed that requires thick gloves for removal
Spotted Spurge
Spotted Spurge loves getting between flagstone pathways
Bindweed
Bindweed sheltering other assorted weeds

The Mum: I swear that bindweed is going to be the death of me yet. I have yet to be able to eradicate it and the recent rains have acted like nitrogen fertilizer. Oh sure, the ‘morning glory-like’ blooms are pretty but this weed will strangle the life out of everything around it.

Wilson: It looks quite innocent but I noticed it went from just a few blossoms to an entire carpet of them. This weed may be your Waterloo, Mum but mine are the foxtails that typically show up along sidewalks waiting for unsuspecting dog legs and paws to attached their bloody barbed seed awns.

Foxtails

Foxtails

The Mum: As I was researching foxtails for this post, I noticed “wall barley” (sometimes called false barley), is very similar in appearance and can’t be 100% certain if what’s pictured is actually foxtail or false barley. Either way, you’re right saying these seed awns can be not only dangerous to dogs but depending where they’ve entered a dog, can be lethal if not promptly and fully removed.

Wilson: I will chew on my toes if some piece of grass gets stuck which apparently is some sort of code to dog mums that something is stuck between our toes/pads and needs immediate remediation. I swear even if I just look at my feet, you’re all over me examining me with a whole battery of combs and other grooming tools to remove any offending bits and bobs. I appreciate it but you descend on me like grasshoppers/locusts from the Dust Bowl and that’s somewhat terrifying.

The Mum: Trust me, the alternative would be much worse. It’s for your own good.

Wilson: It’s funny how things us dogs dislike are always accompanied with that phrase. Anyway, I’m glad you’re obsessed on guard for them. And because I’m a benevolent floof, I had you take a photo on our walk for this morning’s post-dawn walk of a white lupine in bloom. We have the purple and pink variety in our garden but had never seen a white version before. It’s rather pretty and a nice offering for Miss Rosy after all these lame weed pics.

Whether you’re suffering from writer’s block or have loads of things to write about, we hope your weekend is full of joyful exploration and discovery of both sides of Nature. Have a great weekend.

R-White Lupine

Nature Friday badge

Live, love, bark! 🐾