At the Park and Along the Way

My dogs are bullies. 

Keith and I have to spell P.A.R.K. and we can't spell 

W.A.L.K. any more, because they know what that means!

When they decide it's time we need to go, they start following me around and 

staring at me, or nudging me.  Lilly is the WORST. 

I had some errands to do early this morning, then came home to get the bullies. 

Happy now, because we are at the park. 

(Sorry for the date, but I need to leave it on the little point and shoot for a while) 

It was 50 degrees out, with the sun in and out of clouds, but... there was a cold wind blowing. 

We have walked at the park so much that I can identify the parts of the path in our pictures! 

You know we have to stop and check the pee mail. 

Many times. 

The Basehor community gardens share space in the park, and the public works department has been over to do the tilling for the season. 

That mulch smells good! 

Two weeks ago today, benches were installed at each of the turns on the new track. 

This is the "old park" side.... and in the distance, the new park with it's big walking trail.  There are only young trees on that side.  2 and a half trips around the old park is one mile, but as near as I can figure, one full circuit of old and new is equal to a mile, and that's what we try to do daily. 

Sometimes, Lil wears out.  Then we go home. 

We saw this little guy on our way.  He was trying to hit the milk bar. 

Mom kept walking (see how dirty my window is?) 

Our pastures have greened up nicely in Leavenworth County. 

The sun came out (and I rolled the window down)... and she was STILL walking. 

He finally got to drink for a few minutes. 

While their friends watched. 

A meadowlark was watching, too. 

When we got home, I took a few pictures out the back door. 

It amazes me how the birds can rest on the wires. 

This dove was waiting for a chance at the feed.  There are VERY few starlings coming down because of the grackles, cowbirds and red-wings. 

But there's the starling behind her. 

I took the one feeder down today, and removed the suet cage. 

I did put a little feed out. 

I'm going to see how things go for a few days without putting the 

feeder up.  I had long since taken the second winter feeder down, and the nyger feeder, because 

the finches won't come with the big birds here. 

Tomorrow is a work day at the Ag Hall of Fame, so I am going to go 

over in the morning and clean for a few hours, preparatory to our 2016 

opening. 

I hope to take some pictures while I'm there. 

Everyone have a great weekend! 

Jester's First Walk

It wouldn't be such a big deal, but Jester did not get to go for walks before. 

The kids were always busy.  They took good care of the dogs, but they were busy. 

I have noticed these last two weeks that when I say 

"C'mon let's go!"... both dogs know I mean let's get in the car and go somewhere. 

They load perfectly and they ride either together in the back seat, or one rides 

shotgun. 

So... we went to do an errand, and then we went to the park! 

We'll be getting rid of the retractable leash that came with Jester, they are 

dangerous.  Jester was so excited he did not stop and smell the pee mail, 

and he had to go potty when he got home.  

Lilly did not get short with him, either.  I'm so proud of her. 

We stopped several times so he could check things out. 

Lil stopped, too... she was hoping to see some squirrels. 

I was very dismayed to see these at the back of the park, and I'll keep an eye on them in the future. 

I don't know that they are the same but...

Last weekend, the folks from Idaho Pug Ranch had a meetup with 

Stanley and Murphy, the goldendoodles. 

Little Greta, from the Ranch... was running and playing with Murphy and Stanley, and having a great time.  Her mother saw her eat a brown mushroom of some kind.  Within seconds, she was vomiting terribly, and went into shock.  Sadly, they lost her yesterday morning after three days in a coma. 

I don't know that these are the same ones, but they struck fear in my heart.  There was a good-sized patch of them, and I'll be careful to get the dogs past this spot in the future. 

This sad scene greeted me this morning when I went to fill the bird feeders. 

Blood and feathers, after our storm last night. 

I have seen only one cat in this neighborhood in the almost six months we've lived here, and 

that was last week, across the street.  I pray it doesn't come in the yard when Lilly is out there. 

I have the game camera out there right now and will leave it out until evening, and perhaps all night. 

I am trying to learn how to use Keith's big Nikon camera, with the long lenses. 

I have a long way to go, but I'm trying!  I hope to catch one in the air soon! 

Tomorrow I'll be out at the old house without the dogs, rolling the rest of the 

floors with Kilz.  We need to get outselves in gear and get that place rented! 

And... it's this guy's 55th birthday today!  Unfortunately, he's spending it at a 

conference in Junction City, and will be back very late tonight.  He has a cake waiting, even if he 

just wants a bite of it.  

It was son Brandon's birthday, too... he would have been 23 today.  How I wish he were still here to celebrate and eat cake! 

September is Here

We just can't believe September is here already.  It seems like we 

just moved!  So much has gone on this summer, with Keith sick, Abby dying... 

working on the old place... the time has flown. 

We are expecting our 10th grandchild on the 15th... however, this is a month 

filled with family birthdays, so it will be fun to see when she comes. 

Little Hayley Kay will join her big sister Brynn Allison and 

parents Andrea and Nick. 

Speaking of Andrea, the beautiful fall wreath she 

made for us for Christmas is now hanging at the front door. 

It's a beautiful wreath, is it not? 

I need to fluff it up a little tomorrow. 

The kennels at friend Valerie's where I spent so many happy hours this summer with 

the puppies are empty now, and they have moved to Michigan.  Valerie will be back 

in three weeks or so to meet the movers and get everything loaded up... they will move the kennel runs. 

I miss those beautiful dogs! 

In the meantime, I am helping her out still, and went over to put the trash cans out tonight. 

Jester's coming has put Lilly's nose out of joint... she is NOT happy to be sharing her home and her mommy and daddy with another dog again. 

So... this afternoon... we spent some US time at the park. 

Reading the pee mail...

Enjoying the sunset...

Our red girl glowing in the sunset.  

Beautiful!

In the barrels in the front, where the petunias reigned all summer... there were actually also 

some New Guinea impatiens.  Now that the petunias are failing... look at the impatiens!  I think I 

am going to plant two barrels with just impatiens next year. 

The coleus is still going strong... but the pot is too small, and it falls. 

Oh, did I ever learn from this planting... next year... look out! 

More coleus, bigger pots! 

Happy National Dog Day!

In honor of all our canine friends out there...

Happy National Dog Day! 

We celebrated, Lilly and I, this afternoon at the park. 

"It's about TIME we got out of that house, Mom!"

It's been so hot the last five days, that Lilly has only been outside for 

short breaks. 

She was really glad to get in the car just to go anywhere!

When we get there, we have to carefully read the Pee Mail. 

Again

And again.

Sometimes, it's slow going around the park.

But we manage, don't we, Lil?

Skies were blue, though it was still hot.

Though the park is still green...

The Basehor community garden plot has burned up in the heat. 
Someone dumped a load of mulch right on the fence!

Someone was watching us as we finished up our walk. 

And on the way home, these two friends were lazing in the sun 

There were two other horses, a bay and a buckskin in the pasture as of a week ago, but I have not seen them now for 7 or 8 days.  

It continues hot here, but the humidity must be less today, 
because it was not oppresive out. 

I hope all our canine friends are having a wonderful
National Dog Day. 

Treat your pup today!

(and thanks to everyone for the wonderful birthday 
wishes I was swamped with yesterday!)