As quickly as they come, they go…
Those colours, the vivid hues, the dancing leaves in the breeze, letting go and fluttering down. A reminder to me that life is short, too short for the good it seems, too long for the evil. I started my day yesterday, like every morning, walking the cats, they were hunkered down in the leaves, blending into the yellows, browns and oranges, scanning for chipmunks when a large brown dog came running over the hill, and it started to chase after Rocket. Groot froze, his cloak of invisibility was obviously working he said as the dog ran past him a few feet away as he lunged after Rocket who would have given flash Gordon a run for his money. In a split secound I thought if I catch this dog I will kill it, no remorse, no regrets, it is threatening me and my cats. I made a run towards it and I must have scared the shit out of it as I yelled “Get your fucking dog off my property!”( In case the owner was in hearing distance..0_0…) and it ran like hell away from me. We heard chuckling later, “Oh, that’s where my dog went…” It is a good thing I don’t possess any superpowers….whole civilizations would be gone…:) We did find Rocket, luckily not 45′ up a maple like last time when it took us two hours to get him down, he ran around the house as I was panicked looking for him and Mike got him inside as he was crying frantically at the door. I love dogs, our Basenji Asha traveled with across North America multiple times…we never let her run loose anywhere.
Imagine the outrage of a parent if a 100 lb dog started chasing their child…yeah…Different priorities, “So sorry” the text said. Not the best way way to start your day. We had an ashes scattering ceremony to attend later so we were sad already, add mad. I’m not too fond of humans today, except the one we were saying goodbye to, he was too good to have gone when he did. Atilla would have found some Monty Python humour in me chasing away the dog arms flailing and I tried to keep that in mind as I fantasied of different ways of torturing irresponsible dog owners;)
We drove past the brilliant hued countryside, saddened by the drying swamps, marveling at the beauty of Fall. It was a beautiful ceremony at the Frontenac Dark Sky Preserve that Ingrid put on for the man she loved and I was deeply touched by her devotion. He wanted his ashes scattered there. There were kind talks and memories from friends and acquaintances, and a song…♫♪♫ Always Look on the bright side of life♪♫♪ that many sung and whistled along to. That was so Atilla. We drove home quietly, remembering a wonderful man and how many lives he touched in so many places. Loss and grief, everyone experiences it in different ways. No way is right, or correct, there is only how you do it. We need to remember that, especially those that love to pass judgement on people. Zip it…Ha! Me included;) Just don’t get me started on dogs today, but maybe it’s not the dogs but the humans who own them. Ha!
I did promise a ray of sunshine-sunflowers! They just make your heart sing when you see them! I was hoping for more birds, a few finches fluttered away but I did see some butterflies!
We did get a bit of rain, not enough, but it’s a start! Some droop came out of the sumac leaves! They are so red! I put a bird feeder down by a very red sumac, we had orange and yellow maples in the background as well. To photograph the birds with so much colour was a delight!
Sometimes you have to use your imagination! Been trying to lure the Blue Jay down there but no success so far! Right now the variety of colours of just the maples is mind boggling, maybe I’m easily amused;) Let it be so!
I had a walk out before the weekend wedding next door madness descended upon us to admire the colours and quiet along the road. It’s been the noisiest Summer ever.
Not many bugs, mostly Common Bumblebees on the asters and a few Western honey bees. Did find a wonderfully camouflaged brown beetle and a bright green fly as well!
I am thankful for the beauty that surrounds us, it reminds me every day that we have so much, so very very much.
Back at the house we’ve had all kinds of very furry caterpillars wandering about over the leaves. So pretty when the raindrops were covering them!
I need to get my macro tubes out and try for some close ups of the raindrops on the leaves. They magnify the veins underneath! The leaves won’t be blowing too far anytime soon! I should be careful what I say! Ha!
After the rain we had a beautiful visitor slithering along through the grass! I called to Mike to come out and look! A beautiful Eastern Milk Snake! Amazing patterns and colours! Just goes to show how much can wander by unobserved unless you are out there watching!
Isn’t this a beauty! The milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum), is a species of kingsnake! These snakes tend to be secretive and remain hidden. When threatened, a milk snake will usually first try to escape. If cornered or harassed, it may vibrate its tail and strike energetically, though they are non-venomous, have only tiny teeth and their tails lack a rattle. Unless frightened, milk snakes move slowly. They are often fairly docile. Milk snakes are mostly nocturnal, especially during summer months. They are primarily terrestrial and attempt to blend in with ground litter. However, they are able to climb and swim.
Milk snakes are opportunistic eaters. Although the diet of adult milk snakes primarily consists of rodents (such as voles, mice, and rats), they also have been known to consume a variety of other animals: birds and their eggs, other reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
What a wonderful world! I’ll leave it at that! Be thankful for everything you have, loved ones, a full stomach, a place to rest safely, our world can be a treacherous place, it is changing so quickly, full of fear, anger, but there are so many kind humans out there. Sadly we had to say goodbye to one of the better ones yesterday, but maybe we can strive to try to be just a bit nicer, kinder, OK Atilla, I’ll work on it! Monty Python rules! Ha! Saludos amigos-Hasta pronto.
