DowagerLadyUrsula

Beautiful animals and enthusiastic riders! A good time was had by all. Music is "Country Capers" by the Chicago Country Legends: The Sundowners : ) Comments Welcome

My water conservation efforts sometimes trap unsuspecting insects. I did not know Stag Beetles ( Lucanus placidus or Pinching Bug ) even flew high enough to land in this barrel. I thought they just stayed in the soil eating decaying wood, etc.. Stag Beetles are not really dangerous to humans and I think this one only pinched me trying to hang on. The pinch only hurt for a few seconds afterwards. Next time I will pick them up from behind. You'd think I would know by now. Disney's Bibbity Bobbity Boo : ) Comments Welcome

I can't figure out what street I'm on but I'm in Southeast coming home from my sister's church and on my way to my brother's. As is common, it's raining in Portland :) and I'm guessing it's between 82nd and 122nd & Division and Powell. And the soundtrack of "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil" :) Comments Welcome

I almost always rescue critters that are victims of misadventure in my garden . . . almost always . . . but no, not these guys, Sorry buddy! Vespula maculifrons! The bowl is from a set of Depression Glass mixing bowls. Music is Birchfield's Rabbit by the Evil City String Band : ) Comments Welcome

No better place to eat than home. Cooking for the ones you love. "We Gather Together" from 101 Classic Piano Hymns : ) Comments Welcome

There are no words that adequately express my gratitude (and sorrow) for those who have lost their lives defending the United States of America. May we never forget them. Comments Welcome

Just moved a few bricks to clean up some beds - they're everywhere. Making homes, finding food, raising their young : ) Comments Welcome

A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Pheucticus ludovicianus ) with a song similar to our Robin's song but a little sweeter. The females and young look similar to a Sparrow but with a large beak and a bold white streak from the eye. They live in wooded areas both evergreen and deciduous and like a wide variety of insects : ) Comments Welcome

Visited "the yarn store" with my daughter and was amazed at the colors and textures. Mostly wool from all over the world. It even smelled amazing and it was off the beaten track. Maybe I will start knitting for an excuse to go walk around the store. I thought it needed a better more tranquil accompaniment. Amazing Grace from "101 Classic Piano Hymns" by Steven Anderson : ) Comments Welcome

Orphaned mallard duckling joins the family. Happy Mother's Day everyone : ) Comments Welcome

Remember these? When these "Air Poppers" came out we had several that lasted about 1 year before giving out. This one we have had for about 12 years and it's still going strong. Nothing beats fresh, hot buttered popcorn for watching a good movie . . . right in the comfort of your own couch : ) Comments Welcome

Cleaning out the garage and yard of debris and listening to my Irish musicians . . . Ronan Tynan . . . :) Comments Welcome

I never see this little bird, the tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) but they are quite common all over eastern North America and every Spring he calls bright and early, establishing his territory :) Comments Welcome

Fresh hot coffee. Good Morning. No waiting, no waste, clean and fresh thru stainless steel mesh. To "Grieg's Erotic Piece" on "unknown" piano : ) Comments Welcome

Rocket Dog is as happy as a Pig In Clover! Spring has definitely sprung. Music is Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 1. Allegro" : ) Comments Welcome

Driving west (towards Portland proper) on SE Powell Blvd a few years ago. Beginning near SE 122nd Street, coming up on the right is Rocky Butte. Continuing west on Powell would be (in about 30 minutes) downtown Portland which lies across the Ross Island Bridge and over the Willamette River. Just before crossing the Ross Island, on the left, would be the Original Hotcake & Steak House. You wouldn't want to miss it. Across the river are "Downtown", the West Hills, the Oregon Zoo, and eventually the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Oregon Beaches. Music by Allegretto Brass: Quintet in E flat Major :) Comments Welcome

On a rainy, cloudy morning the cheerful call of the White Throated Sparrow :) Comments Welcome

A full moon this Holy Saturday before Easter. And Old Glory glows to the words of Henry W Longfellow . . . "Paul Revere's Ride" . . . by Hal Holbrook :) Comments Welcome

After a rain storm a Bumble Bee recovers in a jar with some honey. Johnny Mathis sings . . . "On a clear day rise and look around you And you'll see who you are On a clear day how it will astound you That the glow of your being outshines every star You'll feel part of every mountain, sea and shore You can hear from far and near, a world you've never heard before . . . " :) Comments Welcome

Swinging under the Ash tree. First time on the big swing. A little bit scary, but fun. Pleasant memories. Haydn's Serenade from String Quartet in F major, Op. 3, No. 5 is a well-known string quartet. It was long thought to be by Franz Joseph Haydn, but is now attributed to another scholar: Roman Hoffstetter, a Benedictine monk who admired the famous Austrian composer almost to the point of imitation :) Comments Welcome

This bright colored "bug" is a moth, Atteva aurea is the Latin scientific name and as a caterpillar it feeds on the Tree of Heaven. Hence it's common name, Ailanthus ( heaven) Webworm Moth. Luckily, noone cares very much because the Tree of Heaven is an invasive species in most of the US. It survives and spreads rapidly. This moth is mostly harmless to humans in spite of it's bright colors. Except that many individuals show allergic reactions when in close contact with the tree or it's pollen in the spring :) Comments Welcome

Love Love Love :) Comments Welcome

Ha ha ha! You will never be able to ignore this kitchen timer. No more burned cookies :) Comments Welcome

While collecting seeds from Columbine (the tiny black seeds) last fall I discovered a ladybug (or Ladybeetle) and her offspring in one of the seed pods. I am not an expert so . . . I am assuming there is one adult ladybeetle and several offspring in various stages of development. I have not been able to find a similar ladybeetle in any of the guides yet but will keep looking. Watching the adult ladybeetle's behavior it seems almost to be "checking" on the offspring and in some cases, "caring for them". I know I am anthropomorphising here but such interesting behavior! I would not have guessed the adult would lay her eggs within the seed pod or stay around as they hatch. Nature really has intriguing ways. Music is from "Music In The Time of Shakespeare" by Dirk Freymuth, "The Fairie-Rounde" :) Comments Welcome

If you listen carefully this little toad has something to say :) Comments Welcome