Category: Weekends

Nature Friday ~ October 18, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 59 Comments

Elsa on sofa

{Whispering} Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our hosts, Rosy and Sunny from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others shared. Elsa here with the latest skinny from around the Ranch. I wanted to start today’s post before that numbskull messes it up like he did last week. On the one hand, it’s still pretty dark early in the morning so pardon me for whispering-don’t want to wake up the kraken. On the other hand, it’s dark and by getting up early to beat that fool, I’m missing out on my beauty sleep. The things I do for this blog.

Anyway, this has been a whirlwind busy of a week…

Wilson: {yawning and smacking his lips} Huh, blurp…uh, what’s going on…where am I? I’m up!

Elsa: {rolling her eyes} Dude, you interrupted me. I was laying the foundation for you to open up with this week’s post. You’re awake? Your bedhead looks pretty gnarly, House Pony.

Wilson, bed head

Wilson: Umm, yeah…I haven’t had a chance to brush my hair yet but thought I was hearing you talk to someone. So…is it kosher for me to start now?

Elsa: If you must. Go for it.

Wilson: Well, when you put it like that…this week we are joining our friends…

Elsa: {smacks paw against her forehead} You fool, I already took care of that.

Wilson: Right, okay, then I presume it’s ok to start sharing photos?

Elsa: Yes!! Sheesh, I don’t know why I…ugh…you just can’t get good help. Go already!

Wilson: {shaking off the annoying little sister’s comment} As I was just about to say…it’s been quite the week. You managed to eat more mail again, including Mum’s ballot she just received. You seem to be on a mission to send her over the edge.

Ballot

Elsa: Maybe I was just irritated that she took you on a separate, longer walk after our initial sniff-ari. Besides, did you see it was 6 pages long? Sheesh, Mom’s busy and doesn’t have time to investigate all those citizen initiatives on the ballot. She just wants to make sure her vote for President is counted. The ballot was too long, I was just shortening it for brevity’s sake.

Wilson: We dogs are a smart lot, but Mum said you’ve lost the plot, little sister.

Elsa: Get over yourself. Besides, it was good for Mom to get out and see the world. Even if it’s the construction zone formerly known as downtown. Whoa, what a cluster. If it makes you feel better, I felt bad that she had to endure the crazy trip. She took the bus downtown to avoid the outrageous parking fees on what was a very nice autumn day (we’re hoping autumn temps will now dominate the landscape) but had no idea she was going to have to be plunked in the middle of such a major construction zone and would need to walk about on foot to get to the election board.

Wilson: Well you should feel badly. Without wheels, she was forced to wander hither and yon, back and forth, to get around all the construction on the mall (they’re resurfacing it and there was loads of heavy excavation equipment and workers directly traffic) in order to get over to the election office to obtain a duplicate ballot. She was too cautious to take photos of all that chaos with uneven surfaces, holes and the like and that wasn’t the kind of nature she wanted to share anyway so when she realized she was going to need to walk home, she walked along Cherry Creek which runs parallel to downtown. She discovered the creek was clear, but it was littered with all kinds of trash. That 3+ mile walk home was pretty depressing. Here’s a gallery of some of what she saw.

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Elsa: Whoa…the first couple of pics looked pretty good. The golden light was nice, everyone loves seeing ducks and things seemed all hunky-dory.

Wilson: Right, but the longer she walked, the more depressing and filthy it got. Despite multi-million dollar lofts on the east side of Cherry Creek, there was a lot of trash in the creek. Broken bottles, wrappers and even a chair. Come on humans…do better for our planet. Mum has never seen it like that before.

Elsa: I couldn’t agree more, brother. I see she got a decent shot of Confluence Park where Cherry Creek and the South Platte meet. Surprised there weren’t more people hanging out-it used to always have people playing in the water, kayaking and throwing sticks for their dogs in the past.

Wilson: Why would anyone want to deal with the traffic, construction and trash?

Elsa: I see your point. So now to the portion of our post where you gleefully get to post the latest Halloween scene from around the ‘Hood. I know this will make your bum wiggle with joy.

Wilson: I truly have found this neighborhood really gets into the whole Halloween decorating thing. It’s puzzling to me. This first photo is what is known as Halloween central. People from all over the city come to see this yard which has dozens of skellies including a lot of animal skellies. They change up the scene, usually weekly. Can you imagine dressing up all these guys every week? The latest theme-Olympic, is complete with flags from France (the most recent host to the summer Olympics), USA and even the Olympic flag with the iconic rings. They even went to the trouble of getting placards for the various displayed competition events which included a some gymnastics scenes, judo, swimming, table tennis and wrestling. Everytime we walked past it Mum finds another thing she’s missed before. She stands there in awe some days. People drive or walk by taking photos and shaking their heads in awe. Humans are truly odd.

Dog skellie

Elsa: That’s an understatement. So big guy, anything on your agenda this weekend?

Wilson: Just the usual dog stuff. Chase squirrels, nosh on treats and cuddle with Mum. It’s been quite crisp in the mornings and I have found she appreciates me blanketing her and keeping her nice and toasty.

Elsa: {under her breath} More like being pinned down and unable to move a muscle.

Wilson: Huh, what’s that you say?

Elsa: Oh nothing. Whatever you do, we hope you’re able to enjoy a lovely autumn weekend. Our forecast is calling for snow in the southwestern part of the state with Wolf Creek Pass already getting some yesterday. Naturally Denver remains a brown spot. Sigh.

Weather forecast
Image courtesy of the DenverGazette.com website.

Wilson: Maybe if we’re lucky, we might get a drop or two of rain in the city with a couple of inches of snow in the nearby mountains. Hope springs eternal.

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 20, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 49 Comments

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

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

Wilson

Psst…yo buddy, you’re up.

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

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

Flowers, zinnia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elsa: Boy…man…what a stickler, dude.

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

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

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

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

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

Flower, zinnia

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

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

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

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

Flower-snapdragon

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

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

Flower-marigold

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

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

Flower, aster

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flower-dahlia

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

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

Autumn leaves

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

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

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

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

Flower-coreopsis

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

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

Yard art-donkey

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

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

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

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

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

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

Halloween-skelly

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

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

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

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

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ September 13, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 58 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elsa: You can say that again…

Wilson: I resemble that remark!

Elsa: You would. Got anything else?

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

Yard art sheep

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

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

Elsa: To each his own, I guess.

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

Picnic table

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

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

Heart shaped drinking fountain

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

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

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

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Happy 6th Barkday

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 70 Comments

Elsa: It’s a Saturday and with me posting here, I hope you aren’t freaked out. Yeah, I know, it’s weird but there’s a good reason. Today is the House Pony’s 6th Barkday. Mom asked me if I wanted to host a ‘paw-ty’ and being the sweet girl I am {giggle, I know, I could hardly stop guffaw-ing even thinking about it), I agreed.

Wilson Birthday

Wilson: Aww, you love me…she actually loves me. {butt wiggling} Thanks, Ninja.

Elsa: Whoa, whoa, whoa…umm, let’s not go all Sally Fields on me, ok? I’m still just a tad leery of being in close proximity around you. I mean, you know…boy cooties and all. This is probably the closest I’ve been next to you in a while so just be grateful. But don’t get any bright ideas like this is gonna be a ‘thang’ cuz I’m a Ninja and well, we Ninjas live in shadows. Got it? That’s why Mom can never get a good pic of me-I blend in too well and you rarely, if ever, see any details in my face.

Wilson: Oh, I thought it was because Mum’s not the best photographer around {mom wincing but nodding her head in agreement}. Well, I still appreciate your efforts and the good wishes. You’re making me feel loved and that’s all that matters. So…wanna come to my paw-ty and nosh on the goodies Mum’s making?

Elsa: Umm, yeah, no. I was taking a nap when Mom asked me if I wanted some watermelon and I actually turned up my nose.

Wilson: Blasphemy! How can you turn down such a tasty treat? Mum used her doggo cookie cutters and everything and had watermelon juice running down her arms. I mean…come on! It’s a paw-ty!

Elsa: Nope, it’s hot and those candles kinda wigged me out so paw-ty hardy, pal. You like the attention…go for it!

Wilson: Well if you insist. Let’s see…I guess I’m supposed to make a wish, right?

Wilson Birthday

Wilson: {continuing} Umm, let’s see…I want this wish to come true. I know, I got it! I want treats all weekend!

Elsa: {eyes rolling} You’re not very original, are you?

Wilson: Well, what else would you suggest? I mean, Mum already plays with me, she takes me for pawsome walks around the neighborhood, and she is making sweet potato jerky which I just know I’m going to love. And…and…she’s making pupcakes for later this weekend…I mean what else could a guy possibly wish for on his…

Elsa: {interrupting} Do you ever equate the good life with something other than food?

Wilson: {gasp!} Without food?! {head cocked} What’s the point of that? That doesn’t sound very fun.

Elsa: Whatever…you do you, ok? But while you’re at it, please make it a great birthday, okay? I’ve got street cred that needs to be preserved. Don’t want anyone to think I can’t do birthday celebrations.

Wilson: I promise. And thanks for the birthday wishes. Now, let’s cut up that watermelon and get this paw-ty started.

Wilson birthday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ July 19, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 41 Comments

Wilson & ElsaWelcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our friends from the Adventures of the LLB Gang  for their weekly blog hop. There are 64 days until the official arrival of autumn, but who’s counting?  Sorry we’re late posting. Mom gets easily sidetracked and said she had some things to take care this morning. Elsa here with slices of nature from around our ‘Hood. Like everywhere else on this blue marble, it’s been hot and unlike many areas, our neighborhood remains dry as a bone.

Wilson: Bone? What…where…did you get a fresh bone? How come I didn’t get a bone?

Elsa: Here we go again. Yo, “Hoover,” it’s an expression. I didn’t get a bone; there. are. no. bones, I’m just describing the moisture situation. Or lack thereof.

Wilson: Whew, I was afraid that maybe I missed something to nosh upon…ok carry on.

Elsa: {eyes rolling} Well, it’s that time of summer where bad grasses come out and stick to everything…socks, furry legs,  paws, well you get the idea. Mom had to pull some of those nasty things off both of our ankles and feet and several of them managed to weave their nasty little selves into our back door mat. They’re a real pain to remove since they’re like Velcro with barbed ends. We’ve written about these rotten things before. Well dude, I’m here to tell ya they haven’t gotten any less evil. Let’s take a gander at Foxtails first. Yikes, they have a gajillion seeds that are stickier than Gorilla Glue…just waiting for some unsuspecting chunk of fur to attack like Velcro.

Grasses

Guess Nature decided Foxtails weren’t bad enough, so she decided to create goatgrass.  This one is particularly troublesome for us dogs and can cause all sorts of problems.Grasses

Wilson: Yeah, one those guys hitchhiked on one of my legs when I was sniffing for the perfect spot to relieve myself and I had a devil of a time trying to pull that bad boy out. And I thought the weeds and bugs were bad in Missouri.

Elsa: Oh trust me, Missouri does not have a monopoly on bad weeds. Luckily Mom is neurotic very conscientious about anything that sticks to our furs. Which is a good thing, unless of course, you’re the one at the end of a slicker brush.

Wilson: Egad…don’t remind me {shivers}. Count me in the ‘not a fan’ category.

Elsa: Down Wimpy…let’s talk about some nice things. Hibiscus flowers are in bloom right now. Talk about striking and BIG. Did you know they are part of the mallow family. The leaves alternate, ovate to lanceolate, and can be toothed on the edges. The flowers are huge, rather trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals. They can range in color from white to pink, red, blue, orange, peach, yellow or purple, and are approximately 4–18 cm (1-1/2 to 7 inches) across. Dried hibiscus is edible and is often a delicacy in Mexico. It can also be candied and used as a garnish, usually for desserts. Contrary to popular beliefs that the flowers or petals are what is being eaten, it’s actually the calyces (that part in the center of the bloom). Even your big fat head looks small by comparison.

Hibiscus

Wilson & the hibiscus

Wilson: Hey, that’s not nice. There’s nothing abnormal about the size of my head; I just needed to see how it smelled.

Elsa: Well, you do have a large head and nose, you can’t deny that.

Wilson: Like I said, I’m perfectly sized for a sheepdog.

Elsa: Oh, you mean B-I-G? Whatever. Did you notice the new lawn art in the ‘Hood? At least I think they’re rather new-ish.

Wilson: I did. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of those things. It seemed clear they weren’t squirrels or rabbits, but I wasn’t sure just what they were. They were quiet and didn’t move one bit. Such stealthy creatures.

Flamingos

Elsa: Oh my dog…you are such an idiot! Those are lawn art statutes, you bozo. Jeez…were you standing behind the door when they were handing out brains? {smacking a paw against her forehead}

Wilson: Well, I’ve never seen anything like that, and you shouldn’t be so judgmental.

Elsa: You’re right, sorry. But for the love of all that’s holy…I can’t believe how literally you take things. Anyway, let’s share our last photo for this week. Mom seems obsessed with heart shaped things lately and she seems to often be in the right place at the right time and found this new heart. She’s walked past this corner garden lot for years and the owner is always switching things out or otherwise updating the plants. Looks like she decided to install a heart-shaped succulent space. I kinda thought it was kind of sweet.

Heart shaped succulent garden

Wilson: Cute little hen and chicks.

Elsa: Whoa…look who’s got the Mister Green Jeans impersonation down pat.

Wilson: Hey, I’m not just a handsome face. So what’s everyone doing this weekend? Mum said she’s attending the Open House for the new Lutheran Hospital which opens in two weeks. She attended the ribbon cutting ceremony last night and says I’m gonna love visiting the new facility. It’s amazing and will be incredibly modern and state of the art updated compared to the old hospital. Hopefully I can visit the nurses and staff on practice runs soon.

Elsa: Paws crossed. I need some quiet time where I don’t have to explain everything to you. You can be quite exhausting at times. Whatever you do, we hope you’ll take some time to look for all the cool things Nature gifts with us. Have a great weekend, peeps!

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! ,🐾

Nature Friday ~ May 31, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 59 Comments

Nature FridayWelcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday. It is really the last Friday of May? Yikes, how in the world has this month zipped by so quickly? Elsa and the House Pony here with a special edition of Nature Friday where we’re going to share photos of Mom’s recent trip to the Iris Farm. As always, we are joining our pals from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what other posts were shared.

Elsa: Ok House Pony, let’s see how you do this week. It’s going be different from our usual bevy of miscellany from around the ‘Hood since we’re only going to be featuring photos from Mom’s visit last weekend to the Iris4U Farm in the heart of the city How do you feel about that?

Wilson: I’m quite the affable chap so it’s no problem for me. We talked about this at our weekly editor’s meeting. I’m chuffed to feature pics of those beauties which Mum says that this year’s crop are the prettiest she’s ever seen.

Elsa: Well, if you okay with it. I thought maybe you might find it limiting since you tend to be a bit on the wild side.

Wilson: I am decidedly not wild. I am merely a youthful sheepdog who is most enthusiastic about life.

Elsa: Uh-huh. You say tomato, I say to-mah-to. Well, let’s get to it, dude.

Wilson: Mum met up with with her granddaughter and the new baby. I could tell because I could smell new baby all over her when she came home. Mum said she’s becoming quite the little blossom herself. I know we agreed to only share images of the irises, but come on…is her latest documentation pic just the cutest! Woof! and look at that smile and those chubby arms and legs.

Halia

Elsa: Boy, she sure is cute. Sure hope we get to meet her in person soon. She looks like she could use a puppy kiss…or two.

Wilson: I know, right? Well, I know Mum is pretty keen on her and so is everyone else who sees her but I’m sure it’ll be soon. I mean how long can they hold out not sharing her with us?

Elsa: Oh man, you don’t know moms, do you?

Wilson: Umm, I guess not, when you say it like that. Well, let’s move on to the flowers this week. When it comes to irises Mum is always partial to the dark purple ones but the black irises…well she started swooning and banging on so much I thought I’d have to administer CPR.
Black iris

Elsa: Whoa…that’s one very striking and unusual iris. I’m guessing Mom placed an order immediately. She can’t refuse coveting those black ones.

Wilson: She’s been combing through the online catalog and can’t decide but will eventually. Plus I’m sure she’ll go back again this week when the farm should be in peak view. I’m sure she’ll get it or one of the other black ones. There’s nothing like that around the “Ranch.”

Elsa: I can see why she’s so gaga over them. What other notables did she see?

Wilson: Well, let me just tell you. This close-up of one of the more striking ones, hit quite a note with Mum. I mean just look at that color. It just screams fabulous, doesn’t it?

Iris

Elsa: What? I can’t hear you…the color of that iris is too loud.

Wilson: Right! That shock of purple fringing the ‘beard’ was really something.

Elsa: Well I know for a fact that some of our readers are big fans of orangey colored flowers. Got anything for them?

Wilson: Indeed I do. Here are two that were especially lovely and had gorgeous ruffles around their edges. The ‘beard’ on the first one was particularly vivid.

Orange iris

Orange Iris
Elsa: Oooh…pretty. Any other unusual entries? Come on, House Pony, wow me some more.

Wilson: Well, beyond the traditional (yet still quite lovely) varieties, there was this one. Mum thought the contrast in the pale to the striking color was pretty sensational. I can just see her running around ‘oohing and ahhing.’ She probably resembled a bumblebee flitting from one row to the next after some smashing color caught her eye.

Iris

Elsa: Wow, just wow. Now that’s what I’m talking about. What else you got, big guy?

Wilson: There were so many pretty blooms, it was hard to narrow it down. Here’s a lovely pink and purple combo with a shockingly bright ‘beard.’

Iris Elsa: Holy flowers, Batman! That ‘beard’ is very bright!

Wilson: Ay, it sure was. Here are a few more that caught Mum’s eye.

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Elsa: I can see why Mom is struggling trying to narrow down selections from the catalog. With this being the last season Iris4U will be open, there are a lot of decisions she’s going to have to make. I’d hate to be in her shoes.

Wilson: Yeah, she’s going to have to make some tough choices. And this weekend she’s going to be busy getting ready for the annual sheepdog picnic.

Elsa: Oh yeah, that’s coming up soon, isn’t it? There’s lots to do around the Ranch for it and hope that whatever your weekend has in store for you, it’s a weekend where you can get out and enjoy the bounty of Nature as we continue to move toward summer good times. Happy Weekend, folks.

Wilson: Right-o. What she said. ⬆️ Have a super weekend!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ May 17, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 49 Comments

ElsaGood Friday morning everyone…even though it feels like the day is practically gone. Elsa here. Mom has spent several hours trying to fix some of her technology and sort out some issues in WordPress and has been muttering and grousing for the past few hours about how tech is conspiring against her. I’m not sure what’s going on (I’m a Ninja, not Steve Jobs) but she’s pretty exhausted and very frustrated so I’ll apologize for her right up front. Hopefully, she’s resolved the issues and you’ll be able to see our post. As the House Pony says, “Sometimes you’re the dog, sometimes you’re the hydrant.” I think today qualifies for being a hydrant. As always we’re joining the fur kids from Adventures of the LLB Gang for their Nature Friday blog hop. Be sure to click on the link to see what others have shared.

Wilson: Cheerio mates, yes what my sister just said above is quite true. I’m trying my level best to make Mum not so miserable but then some other link breaks, or the passwords needed to be changed and all sorts of falderal and she has been holding her head a lot for the past few hours and moaning. Even tech products that work 99% of the time seem to have abandoned her and been über vexing. Let’s hope she takes a few deep breaths and things will start to look better. In the meantime, how about some photos from around our neighborhood?

Elsa: Good idea, Pony. What’cha got?

Cheesman Park
View from Cheesman Park

Wilson: The weather has been quite changeable since the weekend. It rained all Mother’s Day and put the kibosh on a planned outing to a favorite public garden nearby. But we have managed to make lemonade from the lemons since the flowers are blooming nicely. The Alliums and Poppies have exploded with gorgeous blooms and the bees sure seem to enjoy them. I’ve been tracking those flying bugs and I think I might have figured out how to capture one or two of them.

Poppies

Elsa: Ok, listen. to. your. Big. Sister. Stay away from the flying raisins with stingers! They bite back and, I hesitate to break it to you, but you’re not a Venus Fly Trap. Last thing Mom needs right now is a trip to the vet’s office because you got stung on the nose or tongue. Got it, Bucko?

Wilson: I’ll try to keep that in mind but they kind of remind me of squirrels and I just can’t seem to help myself although Mum’s constant training sessions about self discipline on going after squirrels has shown definite improvement. I want to please Mum so I’ll try extra hard, Ninja.

Allium Elsa: Mom and I have seen those Alliums on our walking route too. It seems to have been a very good year for Alliums and I’m sure the recent showers have been a good thing for them and all the plants in the garden.

Wilson: Mum had wanted to share some images of last weekend’s Northern Lights from some of her Facebook friends and received permission to share them just this morning since she couldn’t see them from our Ranch. Look how amazing they were; talk about a visual treat. These photos are courtesy of  Carrie Back-Edwards from Indian Hills.

Northern Lights
Photo courtesy of Carrie Back-Edwards
Northern Lights
Photo courtesy of Carrie Back-Edwards

Elsa: Whoa, those are fabulous and far more interesting than all the hype associated with the recent eclipse. So what other pics did you guys find on your walks?

Wilson: We came across a blooming cactus that was quite exquisite. Most cactus gardens are kinda boring here but this one particular garden was professionally installed and this little guy is nicely nestled near a big rock. The entire bed is full of xeriscape plants and has amazing diversity and color. This little fella is fairly small and Mum thinks most people probably overlook it.

Cactus

Elsa: Bet you tried to sniff it, didn’t you?

Wilson: Um…I started to, but Mum reigned me in so technically, I didn’t sniff it. But not because I didn’t want to.

Elsa: You and that honking big nose. It’s gonna get you in trouble yet!

Wilson: Can’t help myself. When you have a nose like mine, you are tempted to use it for what it was designed to do. Can I help it if it’s on the large side?

Elsa: Large? Ha, Mom should have called you Jimmy Durante! So what else do you got, big guy?

Wilson: We pass by this shrub rose all the time and Mum was quite surprised to see that it started blooming. Actually she was fairly gobsmacked! It’s far too early for roses to be blooming.

Shrub rose

Elsa: Nice. Again, I caution you about sniffing around this plant. See those thorns. They don’t go well with big noses.

Wilson: Thanks for the head’s up; I’ll keep that in mind. Not too far away from that shrub rose Mum found this beautiful Snow Anemone. The white petals looked like they were illuminated from within. Talk about glow-ey!

Flowers - Anemone

Elsa: Although I know it kind of looks like Mother Nature switched some lights on, it’s probably just a glitch in the metering on the camera. Still, it’s kinda cool. Looks very woodland-ish…something we don’t really have a lot of around our arid landscape.

Wilson: Well that’s it for now. We better wrap this up and post it before the day is completely shot.

Elsa: We hope you are able to get outside this weekend and check around for all the beauty Nature leaves us if we only look closely. Have a great weekend and remember, don’t sniff the thorny roses.

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark!

Nature Friday ~ May 10, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 50 Comments

Wilson & ElsaGood Friday morning. As is our usual MO, we’re joining Rosy and Sunny from the LLB life for this week’s Mother’s Day edition. Be sure to click on the link to see what others have shared.

 

Elsa: Before we get started sharing some of this week’s photos, I personally want to wish our own Mom a very Happy Mother’s Day weekend.

Mother's Day

Wilson: Yes, Mum, I too want to wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day. You provide us both with treats, unconditional love, great ear scritches and belly rubs, and are the best walking companion who happens to be a super duper pooper scooper. In fact, I’ll go one better…I wish all dog mums a Happy Mother’s Day.

Elsa: Yo Big Guy, this isn’t a competition. Those are all implied in my Happy Mother’s Day wish, so stop trying to up your game, okay?

Wilson: Well I just wanted to elaborate just a tad in case Mum didn’t know how I felt about her.

Elsa: Face it House Pony, you’re a brown nose and are trying to make up for being a pill yesterday. Trust me, Mom loves us no matter what we chew up or do. She may be unhappy for a quick moment, but I guarantee you she still loves us, so stop going overboard.

Wilson: You mean she won’t be upset with me because I chewed one of her craft tools when she took you for a separate walk? Whew…glad to hear that. And again, you seem to be a bit colorblind, my nose is most assuredly black, not brown. Just wanted to point that out for the record.

Elsa: Oh for crying out loud. STOP, just stop. I told you before it’s a figure of speech. Now that we’re 300 words in, let’s get on with the post, all right?

Wilson: Just wanted the record to be clear. It’s been a very windy week accompanied by cool temps. Yesterday morning it was a cool 36ºF (2ºC) when we went outside for our morning wee. I didn’t mind it but Mum seemed a tad chilled.

Elsa: She was sleep walking I think. She made sure she had a jacket on this morning. While it’s ever so slightly misting, at least it wasn’t quite as chilly. Neither of us seem to mind (well at least not the cooler temps-but I’m not walking around if it’s raining) but at least we’re not in the mountains where 1-3 inches of white stuff are expected. Over the past 4 of the past 5 years, we’ve actually had a bit of snow during Mother’s Day week so I guess we should consider ourselves lucky.

Spring snow
Spring snow from a few years ago

Wilson: Snow? Hmm, I thought we were over all that.  Well it hasn’t seemed to damping any spring flowers from what I can tell on our walkabouts. I mean just look at this gorgeous lilac bush. Mum said it’s different that the solid color ones we’ve seen over the past couple of weeks. Each bloom is rimmed in a narrow stripe of white and the purple is quite intense. It smells amazing, too.

Lilac

Elsa: Whoa…that’s quite a beauty, dude. I haven’t seen that variety on my route but then I don’t walk the Santa Fe trail like you do. I’m not good with a deviation from the route so probably won’t get to see it before it’s finished.

Wilson: You should try a different route, it’s good to experience new things-trust me. I’m exposed to all sorts of new and look how great I am.

Elsa: Umm, I wouldn’t be going there, Pony. You still get wigged out with large trucks and…

Wilson: {interrupting} Excuse me…those things are terrifying to a country boy like me. I don’t know how you city chaps manage to not freak out whenever a UPS or garbage truck rumbles past. They are quite noisy and they startle my otherwise calm demeanor.

Elsa: Oh brother…just deal with it. As long as you’re with Mom, nothing is going to get you. Chill dude, ok.

Wilson: Well I’m trying, but I don’t have to like them.

Elsa: What’s to like. Just look pitiful and not like some scaredy-cat and Mom will likely give you a treat if you don’t freak out.

Wilson: {wheels turning in his brain} Hmm, treats you say? Ok, I’ll keep that in mind and practice on the pitiful look for the best effect.

Elsa: Yeah, I thought that might make you stand up straight. Yeesh, what a chow hound. What else did you see on your travels?

Wilson: Well the bearded irises are blooming all over the place. Gosh some of them are quite striking. Like this one.

Iris

Wilson: Mum was very excited at this bearded iris from her garden. Most of her’s are in the very early stages since the garden doesn’t get as much intense sunlight. This one is actually a reblooming hybrid that she really likes but that hasn’t performed as reliably as she’d like. Still, it’s rather pretty even if it doesn’t have any scent. What’s up with that?

Iris

Elsa: Hey, do I look like a botanist? I don’t know why some plants have scents and others don’t. I just like the way they look.

Wilson: Well scent is very important to me, I mean have you seen my nose?

Elsa: Good point. That honker was made for sniffing. I’m surprised they don’t use Old English Sheepdogs like bloodhounds.

Wilson: Well we need to sniff out potential predators, so maybe that’s why. Sniff then drive them for forward together. That’s us.

Elsa: {eyes rolling} Look dude, this isn’t a job interview. We’re sharing slice of Mother Nature, okay? What else have you got?

Wilson: Mum noticed this blooming wisteria a couple of days ago. I asked her, “Where’s the leaves?” She assured me they’ll start forming soon. Seems rather odd to me, those droopy racemes hanging down. Mum said they are part of the legume family so naturally I inquired if they are edible but she said the pods and seeds are quite toxic and for me not to get any clever ideas about noshing on them. Luckily this house has a wrought iron fence so it’s not likely pets will mistakenly snack on the toxic parts.

Wisteria

Elsa: There are plenty of things for you to nosh on, you don’t need to sample poisonous things. This next plant is also toxic so don’t get any bright ideas.

Allium

Wilson: These plants are tucked into an overgrown corner of a garden we pass every day and Mum liked that park bench in the back. She thought what a lovely secluded spot. They come in a variety of colors and are quite ornamental. Mum says they’re part of the garlic/onion family and can make us dogs sick if they ingested. She said some species are quite poisonous so I’ll be staying away. Don’t need any stomach upset any time soon.

Elsa: Whoa…you’re actually not interesting in eating something. That’s gotta be a first!

Wilson: Ahem…don’t sell me short. Yes I enjoy food but it’s just not worth a case of diarrhea or vomiting. Not when Mum hands out tasty treats like Tic-Tacs.

Elsa: Hmm, maybe you are trainable! So when you were out on your walks, did you come across these flowering trees?

Chestnut tree

Wilson: Yes, we did see one near the post office the other afternoon. Mum said it’s a Aesculus x carnea..a red buckeye/horse chestnut an artificial hybrid. Mum said it’s a medium sized showy tree with toothed leaves. It’s pretty striking to look at and makes a great shade tree. Those flowers can be messy when they’ve finished blooming.

Elsa: That looks like it for this edition. Nice job, Pony. So what’s on the agenda for Mother’s Day? I heard Mom is going to see the new great grandbaby for brunch tomorrow. I keep asking Mom when are we going to be able to see her and she said soon. She turned one month old yesterday. Kinda a cute little chunk, isn’t she?

Baby Halia

Wilson: She sure is. Mum is nuts about her. I’m not sure just how I’ll react when she starts wailing but I’m sure I’ll be Johnny on the spot, ready to soothe her with a pup kiss or three. I always react to videos of her with a cocked head, with  upright posture and loads of bum wiggles. Crying babies need to be soothed and they don’t call us sheepies Nanny dogs for nothing.

Elsa: You do know she’s not edible, right?

Wilson: Of course I do. But she is kissable and I can’t wait to see and meet her. Mum says soon and I can’t wait. We hope all mums have a wonderful Mum’s Day whether your ‘kids’ have two or four legs. Enjoy your weekend being the center of attention-you totally deserve it. And don’t forget to enjoy some nature over the weekend.

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ May 3, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 35 Comments

Wilson & ElsaWelcome to the first Friday of May where we join those sweet pups from the Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the highlighted link to see what other posts were shared. After a laughter-filled good visit with Mom’s Dad and sister, and just like Arnold Schwarzenegger, we’re ‘baacck.’ It was a bit early as spring on the prairie was just beginning to wake up but with temperatures warming up this week, it’s bound to go into overdrive. Crystal blue skies greeted us every day along with breezy conditions, but it was a lovely visit. Let’s start our tour, shall we?

Mailbox

Elsa: A new neighbor has slowly been getting settled in. They put up this adorable mailbox-one of the nicest in all of Pueblo West. Mom was captivated by it. Wilson thought the post needed to be baptized and I kept thinking, “Ugh…who are these weirdos?” Egad I just hope nobody saw me with them.

Wilson: What?! There was a small message in the gravel that the post was setting on that I needed to respond to…what’s wrong with that?

Elsa: I can’t even begin to respond to those ‘needs.’

Wilson: Well I noticed you left a message along our walks.

Elsa: Yup, I did. It said DON’T PEE HERE, YOU BOZO. Or do you need a translator?

Wilson: {miffed} Well I never…

Elsa: If only that were true. Moving along…the trees were just beginning to leaf out. This is one of a few deciduous trees that my Grandpa has that serves as resting spots for the prairie birds and shades the patio. Mom said the meadowlarks were back with fewer doves this time. The doves have taken over the past couple of years, much to the chagrin of the uprights but everyone seemed happy to hear the meadowlarks chirping their lovely songs. We couldn’t get close enough to take a pic but had to be content with their song. Mom starts to swoon whenever she hears their distinctive trilling. Here’s what they sound like.

Wilson: My heavens, what a charming and delightful sound. I can see why Mum enjoys their calls. She said the Western Meadowlark’s most common call is a “low, bell-like pluk or chupp which they use when disturbed and during courtship and territorial displays” according to the All About Birds website with the males giving “a hurried, excited “flight song” of short-spaced whistles and warbles.” If it makes Mum happy, who are we to interrupt?

Elsa: I know that…it just cracks me up when she goes into “bird frenzy.” More than once while they were all chatting on the patio, she interrupted the conversation excitingly telling the others “ooh, ooh, check out the Meadowlark call” {eyes rolling}. Her sister looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.

Wilson: Well I didn’t notice her sister seem to mind since she never stopped rubbing my ears. Boy was I glad I got to meet her.

Elsa: You are simply shameless. One day you’ll meet someone who isn’t seduced by your oafish large self.

Wilson: I doubt it but until then, I’ll enjoy the attention. I notice you were hanging out near her a lot of the time too.

Elsa: {clearing her throat} Ahem, she was my aunt before she ever became yours. And one of the sweetest dog lovers in the world. I love being around her and her husband and think I filled a vital role since I know they both were missing their dog back in Texas.

Wilson: It’s a good thing we always answer the call to quickly go to service, right mate?

Elsa: Oh jeez…get over yourself, House Pony. Anywho…what else you got today?

Wilson: Mum told me the rabbit brush is beginning to flower  but I was somewhat disappointed there didn’t seem to be any rabbits at home whenever we walked by.

Rabbit brush

Elsa: I suspect its pollen was what made Grandpa and Mom’s sister all stuffed up although there could have been other culprits, like maybe this wild Verbena that was beginning to sprout here and there. It’s a pretty little flower that stays low to the ground and provides a nice pop of color in a tawney landscape.

Wild Verbena

Wilson: How did I miss that one? I surely would have left a message.

Elsa: Ha…color Mom happy about that!

Irish

Wilson: Speaking of color…Mum mentioned that this untraditional iris was something her Mum planted many years ago. It’s quite striking and with the anniversary of her passing this past week, gave everyone a smile between their tears as they remembered her and how she lovingly created her garden over the years. I wish I could have met her, I’m sure I’d have loved her as much as everyone else.

Elsa: Yeah, she was the best, and I’m sure she’d actually have enjoyed you plonking your big fat head in her lap. She was especially fond of Sam who tended her when she went into hospice.

Wilson:  She must have been a very special human. And for the record…I don’t plonk. I gently rest my head in the lap of uprights who seem to appreciate and need my company. That’s why Mum thinks I might be a good candidate for pet therapy. So what was all that falderal about that flying thing? I couldn’t tell what all the excitement was but it sure seemed to entertain everyone.

Elsa: Oh that thing? That was the first Swallowtail of the season. It’s one of the largest of all butterflies and quite distinctive.

Wilson: Mum was very excited and tried to follow it around the patio area. She wasn’t able to get too close before it would flit around and move to another tree so her photo isn’t the greatest and is pretty grainy. But it’s not for lack of trying.

Swallowtail

Elsa: You’ll learn soon enough that Mom isn’t the best photographer anyway but especially with her cell phone. She considers it a victory if she gets a shot that resembles what it is she’s trying to share.

Wilson: Well in all fairness, sometimes a cell phone is all one happens to have at the moment and the only way to document something.

Elsa: Yeah, you’re probably right, but still…some of that documentation is so lame. Like this one, as we were heading back to Denver. You can tell the species, but you couldn’t tell what kind it was. Mom thought it might be a rattlesnake but she wasn’t about to get out of the car to get closer. She cropped it hoping it’d be more clear but alas…another fail. The full size pic looked more like a rope was across the road. She worried that if this guy sunned himself for too long, some big truck would likely run over him. She’s not a fan of snakes, I mean who IS right, but she didn’t wish him any harm. He was pretty long and blended in well to the landscape.

Snake

Wilson: Snake? Umm, I’d have passed as well…

Elsa: {interrupting} That’s rich, I know perfectly well you’d have investigated. You’d have either peed on it or tried to eat it.

Wilson: Well what else can you do with something like that in the middle of the road? I mean, come on…

Elsa: Well they are useful out on the prairie, keeping the mice population down and other small critters.

Wilson: I think this guy might have been napping a bit too much. He missed one in a planter near the front door that Mum and her sister were getting ready for plants.

Field mouse

Elsa: I heard the commotion. Auntie wasn’t nearly as thrilled as Mom was seeing that cute little thing. Mom thought it fell in and couldn’t climb out. It seemed pretty exhausted so she took it out and gently let it escape into the underbrush of a mugo pine. Look at all those hairs standing up!

Mouse

Wilson: I thought I smelled something but didn’t see it.

Elsa: That’s probably why Mom brought out the scissors and clippers when we got home. I heard ‘something’ about you getting a trim later today.

Wilson bath

Wilson: Ugh…yesterday’s bath was bad enough. While I’m  mostly a good boy when it comes to grooming, I’d rather be out walking and checking out Nature, frankly.

Elsa: Well you needed a bath and you might as well get used to it. Mom gets worked up if we get mats or begin to ‘heaven forbid,’ smell like dogs and then runs around collecting all her grooming gear.

Wilson: Oh dear. I didn’t sign up for that.

Elsa: Un-lax, Pony…there are lots of treats involved. And this new self-dog wash Mom found is run by a really nice lady who will make you feel quite special at her adorable shop and dog wash.

Wilson: Yes, but, but..water. I mean…are there enough treats for water?

Elsa: There are, after it’s all over. Trust me. I don’t like baths either but when I smell good, Mom really loves on me. Well, I’m outa here…time for my mid-morning nap. I’ll let you wrap it up, Pony.

Wilson: Roger that, Ninja. We hope you have a fabulous weekend and are able to check out all the posh sights Nature brings us everyday. Cheerio, mates!

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Nature Friday ~ March 22, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 35 Comments

Welcome to Nature Friday where it’s time for us to share a few slices of the emerging spring from around our ‘Hood. As always, we are joining our friendly hosts from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what other posts were shared.

WilsonToday we’re doing things a bit different. Elsa had a major dental procedure and removal of a cyst earlier this week and while she is doing very well, she said she would allow the ‘New Guy’ to to handle today’s post. Wilson was thrilled for the opportunity, with a bit of trepidation but was hopeful he can do a proper job so as to stay in his sister’s good graces.  Take it away, Wilson!

Wilson: Thank you, Mum and Ninja. I’m thrilled (and a bit nervous quite frankly) to be able to host today. Blimey…didn’t get the word until late yesterday so please bear with me. In addition to everything else I’ve endured these past 11 weeks since moving here, I find myself in unchartered waters and umm…well I haven’t decided whether or not I like water yet or not. So I’d be really chuffed if you’d bear with me…

Elsa: Oh for crying out loud…get on with it, you buffoon. You’ve managed to waste 200 words blathering on and I’m ready for my post-breakfast snooze. I know Nike is in Missouri…so Just Do It! Sheesh.

Wilson: {Ahem} Right…sorry…just feeling a bit apprehensive-I know I have some big paws to fill today. Let’s see what we have, shall we?

Elsa: Finally! Go on, get with it, man.

Wilson: So temperature wise, it’s been quite smashing. Pleasant temps, loads of bright sunshine. This is the kind of weather I rather enjoy. Spring is moving along, though it seems a bit slow this year. Trees are just barely beginning to leaf out.

Tree leafing out

Wilson: Mum thought this might be a flowering plum tree. It’ll take a few more days before we know for sure. It makes a keen back scratcher.

Wilson: The maple trees have begun setting their flowers which are littering walkways throughout the neighborhood. They vex Mum because she has to sweep off the patio and front porch frequently but I tried to remind her at least she wasn’t shoveling snow. She agreed with me but Elsa was apparently not amused.

Maple leafing out

Elsa: Brown nose!

Wilson: I beg your pardon…my nose is decidedly black. It’s a hallmark of us sheepdogs and…

Elsa: {Interrupting} Oh give it a rest, ‘Pony.’ You need to stop taking things so literally.

Wilson: Right, I’ll work on that, but blimey…there’s just so much to remember and keep in check. {heavy sigh} Anyway, as I was saying…spring bulbs continue to do their thing and Mum is quite amused by where they sometimes voluntarily appear. This Scilla clearly wasn’t planted there as it showed up between the sidewalk and an adjoining retaining timber. Mum took a bunch of photos yesterday but didn’t realize the lens wasn’t clean so several of today’s photos are a bit ‘smeary’ with our deepest apologies. But it was so bright outside we weren’t able to easily tell while walking along on our constitutional. Mum say; this plant is commonly called Bossier’s glory-of-the-snow or Lucile’s glory-of-the-snow, but she just refers to it as Squill. It’s a perennial from western Turkey that flowers in early spring. Once it’s finished flowering, it will become dormant until next spring. It’s such a lovely shade of blue, much like the skies have been.

Squill

Wilson: Those Squill will become dormant that is, unless a certain rodent, digs it up. There are a gobsmacking amount of these creatures and I’ve quite determined they must be exterminated. Bloody tossers, the lot of them, I say. And they apparently feel the same about me and proceed to race away whenever I get even remotely close (sorry this is another smeary photo). Mum needs to learn to not pull her phone out with her finger over the lens but time was of the essence as they say and she hoped it wouldn’t look too awful when she could look closer at home. Now mind you, I’m a quick, speedy dog but these bloody buggers still manage to escape me. I’ve never even been close to catching them. Mum was not appreciative of my speed…well until she managed to land back on solid ground and resume normal breathing. She said something about agility competition and then grumbled about not enjoying being a human kite. I’ve apologized like a proper gentlemen but these cheeky monsters get my dander up.

Wilson & the squirrel

Squirrel

Wilson: One of smaller trees that’s fully leafed out is Mountain Mahogany. It’s a small but extremely hardy tree barely reaching 16 feet tall and can be found in Colorado, Utah, northern Arizona and Central California. It’s quite dense and slow growing. I avoided this one because of the cactus planted in front of it.  It’s wood is so dense and hard it will not float. If only I could have gotten closer, I’m sure it would make an excellent back scratcher.

Mountain Mahogany
Elsa: What is it about scratching your backside amongst shrubs and low branched trees that you like so much, dude?

Wilson: Oh come on…I’ve seen you do it on occasion yourself. It just feels good.

Elsa: Whatever. When I do it, it’s important. When you do it, it’s weirdly dumb.

Wilson: {Huffing with indignation} Well, I never…

Elsa: If only.

Wilson: {straightening his back and puffing out his chest} I see we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this. Mum says she’s surprised I’m not more interested in the flying visitors of our garden. I told her I’m too focused with my duties on squirrel patrol. She was however gleeful there were several of them buzzing around the blue grape hyacinths which she said have multiplied like crazy from when they were first planted and are now all in full bloom. They have naturalized so vigorously; she’s found some on the far opposite side of the garden. She’s hoping they don’t take over like the Lupines did but she’ll worry about that later.

Bees & grape hyacinths

Wilson: On our daily constitutionals, we pass by this tall guy who always manages to make my Mum smile. He seems to look rather sporting and no worse for wear after last week’s snowstorm. I’m sure I could use his help sorting out the squirrel situation around the neighborhood. They wouldn’t be able to easily escape if we worked together.

Giraffe

Wilson: One of the earliest blooming flowers around here are the Pasque Flowers which typically bloom around Easter. They are part of the Buttercup family (and are native to meadows and prairies in many states and is the state flower of South Dakota. The showy part of the flower are called sepals, not petals. Mum gets quite gleeful when she sees them. I took a quick sniff but it really didn’t do anything for me. The buds and stems are soft and fuzzy though.

Pasque flowerWilson: Well that’s all I have this week. Profuse thanks to my sister for giving me this opportunity as she recovers. Hopefully she’ll be back full stop next week for another go at Nature Friday. All of us at the Ranch hope you have a jolly good weekend and are able to see Nature first hand.

Elsa: Egad you bozo…you forget to mention that Mom won this week’s Teaser contest by knowing where it was, first. Thanks to One Spoiled Cat for the cool badge. Sheesh, I guess I need to do everything myself while you’re lazing about.

Teaser badge

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark! 🐾