Good evening, as April draws to a frigid end here. The good news is it is still daylight at 8 PM despite dense cloud cover and spitting cold rain. Colder and windier than usual? Or just the way ''spring'' is here? I can't even remember, at this point. Mo and I of course must have our three or four daily walks. [We interact with no one.]
Pugs are lazy, snuggly creatures who will sleep 23 1/2 hours out of 24 if allowed. [The other half hour is spent eating or begging.]
So put on your masks, along with your winter layers, especially hat, gloves scarves [wool socks, legwarmers, and windpants], and keeping a mandated six foot spacing---come walk with us. The fresh air is always good, if you don't mind blue fingers and toes.
Many people have been tidying up their clamshell curbs and Mo inspects every single one.
The beach lane is especially dreary in the rain.
I do love dandelions, little sunshines in the grass.
Deeepest blue grape hyacinths, only the tiny bells are pretty.
One of my favorite trees, a very old pink crabapple. This area was first built up in the 1960s; I always imagine that this tree is maybe original, and now 60 years old.
The trunk is so thick and wide, the bark so interesting with its many colors and textures.
Far above on now removed branches, the frills of candy pink bloom, along with the bright red unfurling leaves.
One day we traveled all the way to the koi pond.
I was so pleased to see many of the koi were ''back''--had they been removed for the winter? Or do they shelter under the broad slate now set in the bottom of the pool? It seems the stone is raised and is quite large- 2 1/2' x 3 1/2' ?---and they did disappear and reappear as we watched. Many of the carp are quite large and I suppose, like the tree, quite old. I count 11 or 12 in the photos; there are usually 14, including two or three goldfish sized ones.
The pond was rebuilt last year, and is now quite glamorous, with two lighted elaborate waterfalls that interest the koi not at all.
Nearby we saw the feral kitties, Tuxie, Stripey and Newbie---on this doorstep. Photo blurry because they were far away.
I was surprised to see them there as the owner is quite belligerent and has yelled at me and Mo a number of times, for being there and walking by to see the koi. [Not his koi, either!] He must have a good heart and must feed the somewhat chubby, well-satisfied wild cats.
On a doorstep, pansies and sweet faux Goose, all in pink.
And this kills me, this gorgeous large and valuable stoneware crock that these folks leave out in their garden. Yes, you have seen it before, for years! They never take it inside.
One oddly sad aspect of the virus quarantine is that I can no longer pick up items of interest as we walk.
A nut for my ''odd circles'' collection:
It has been there for three weeks now, is it safe to pick it up?
A penny for my found money jar. It would have made my total 71 cents this year so far.
I also passed up a cute tiny Japanese electronic key-ring toy, I want to say Tamagotchi?, about 1 1/2" oval. It ticked and whirred as I toed it but I had to leave it. I hope the child who lost it came back.
Then home again, home again, jiggety-jig!
Have a good week. Please send me your out and about pics for next week's readers' Out and About. It's fine to take the pics from your back steps or bedroom window.
love
lizzy
gone to the beach....
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I enjoyed this walk with you. Your cute dog has the same interests as my Bounce, including walks, naps and food. I love koi, how nice you have a koi pond to visit. Whose is it? I wonder why that man has yelled at you about walking to see it. Remember, each penny you see says In God We Trust, a good message.
ReplyDeleteLovely original out and about photos.
ReplyDeleteYour 'getting Mo keen for walks' tactic is a scream. Desired result is a certainty.
The crabapple is a really good size. A real treasure with the glorious new leaves and buds in colours that make you feel good just looking at them.
Thank you for the bracing walk. Penny
Your walks are still pretty. Take a baggie with you on your walks, and put your found treasures in it.... wash your hands well upon returning home, and let the baggie sit for a couple days? I don't know. Everything is harder with COVID19 hanging over our heads like a dark cloud!
ReplyDeleteLovely virtual walkies with you and Mo ;)))
ReplyDeleteWe haven't been walking outside but on our treadmill as it has been way too cold and windy...sissies, I know;000
that crab apple tree must be ancient--I've never seen one that large in circumference...
Our old apple tree is beginning to send out a few green shoots...hoping for some flowers this year...
Going to nap after the grocery wars this morning...~ ~ ~ waving from inside Julierose
We are at the mid 70's today! But spring is fickle so it likely wont stay. You should grab a little ziploc baggie, turn inside out, and pick up your treasures then spray with a little bleach when you get home.
ReplyDeleteHoping May will bring warmth and sunny skies, for both our sakes. I think you could safely pick up those little treasures and either keep them outside on your deck for a couple days or wipe them down with disinfectant or isopropyl alcohol and they would be fine.
ReplyDeleteStill so chilly? Gosh, it's almost May Pete's sake, lol. The clamshell curbs are looking quite nice, as is the koi pond. I really like the waterfalls. Yes, I thought someone had previously taken issue with you and Mo admiring the pond. Makes me happy that you don't let it stop you! Ooohhh, and cats!! They do look perfectly healthy and well fed.
ReplyDeleteThat crabapple tree is really something. It looks like it's gonna start talking to you. Wasn't there an old Saturday morning cartoon that had a talking tree?
Hugs to you and Mo!
Kel
I love seeing stuff in peoples gardens/yards like the stoneware crock. Like you though, I'm slightly incredulous because of the worth of the crock! Oh well. People go and purposely buy artisan pots that cost even more. Each to their own! Glad you're still able to get out and about taking your walks. We've had sunshine here. So glad as it does lift our moods just a bit.:)
ReplyDeletePerhaps "Grouchy Man" is a cat lover, doesn't want his feral kitties scared, and doesn't want doggy poo to have to clean up?
ReplyDeleteYes I think his motivation is he thinks Mo will pee on his grass. BUT he has a big ol' hound dog of his own, I was surprised to see the kitties on his porch. And I would never let Mo pee or poop on someone's lawn, certainly I would also clean it up. No one here ever ever doesn't clean after their dog. So his concerns are unfounded and he scares me and Mo for no reason. Not nice.
DeleteI like the clam curbs, but I'd plant moss or something in between, lol. And if you like dandelions you'd LOVE my yard!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI would think it would be okay to pick up things that are washable - wash well in hot soapy water and let dry, or wipe with alcohol or 10% bleach solution? Using a plastic back to pick them up is a good idea though, and wash hands as soon as you get home.
If the koi don't belong to the mean man and you're not walking on his yard to get there, I'd ignore him and not let him scare me! He must have nothing to do but sit and look out the windows!
Spring is very confused here, too. After several sunny and warm days the temperature was only 41 this morning, and we got cold rain (not freezing, thankfully!). The house cats were all spun up and crazy, and granddaughter has been being cranky-baby - teething and frustration, lol. Yesterday she had a crying jag because she couldn't get her fingers to grip the satin-textured washing tag on her blanket and it was making her mad! And then she discovered my ear makes a handy thing to grab... Always interesting!
Take care, I enjoy your walks but want you to keep yourself safe!!