Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Summoned by the Hummingbirds
I have two hummingbird feeders in my backyard, that I keep filled year-round for the Anna’s who live here. The first two pictures below are from the summer.
But the past few years, I’ve added an extra feeder to the front yard in the winter, to make sure there’s enough food for all when the weather turns frigid.
Earlier this week, I saw a hummingbird hovering around the maple tree in front where I had not yet hung the extra one, willing me to see him. I finally did and hung the feeder.
By the next day it was in use, and I had a front row seat from my office window.
Yesterday there were two at the same time – look closely and you’ll see one waiting on the wing. They’re known to be territorial, but it was civil.
They often perch in the tree before dropping down to eat and I enjoy watching them there, too.
Today, while standing at my window, one came over and looked in, to say hello and thank me for my efforts.
I was charmed, as always, by these adorable and intelligent birds.
~ Susanne
Seeking a Better Cup of Coffee and Fun with AI
I’ve been drinking the dark brew since high school.
Mom would make coffee in the morning before she went to work, and there was always some left in the pot when I got home after school. I heated it up, added cream and sugar and drank it while reading the sports section to see how my team ranked (usually very well.)
It was an electric percolator, white ceramic with blue flowers and I looked high and low to find a picture to show you but to no avail.
So I thought I’d try the new AI image generator to create a picture for what I remembered – ‘old-fashioned-coffee-percolator-corelle-style-white-with-blue-flowers” and got this in return.
Pretty pot yes, but isn’t something missing?
I tried again.
“1970’s electric coffee percolator white ceramic with blue flowers”
At least a spout was added, but the top’s not right and it’s certainly not electric.
Maybe my instructions were too complicated, so I tried to get a photo of the more commonly used pot.
“‘Electric coffee percolator, silver with clear bulb on top”
Ha! That would be an electrifying start to the day for sure.
Okay, forget the picture. I’m sure you remember coffee percolators, which were used for decades before drip coffee machines came into vogue, starting with Mr. Coffee, then followed by one cup coffee makers requiring the use of a pod.
We’ve used that last method for many years, contributing to waste in the landfills, while not obtaining the best cup of coffee either.
I looked for a better way and found coffee machines reaching into the thousands of dollars.
Then I went to my garage and found this old-fashioned stove top percolator, which made great coffee on many camping trips.
We tried it. We liked it.
I looked for an electric version in the stores but couldn’t find one. But you can find anything online and I did. It was delivered last night. Isn’t it cute?
This morning was the first cup in the new pot.
Success!
No pods necessary. We’re experimenting with all kinds of new coffee, grinding the beans ourselves.
Tell me, coffee drinkers: what is your favorite way to brew a cuppa?
~ Susanne
Bright and Beautiful in Bellingham
November is the rainiest month in the Great Northwest, so we have to look at the forecast when planning our local travels. One good day is all it takes and so it was, that earlier this month, we headed north to Bellingham for a few days.
Our travel day would be rainy, but we were promised clear skies and sunshine the next day in Bellingham, where we stayed at our favorite place across from our favorite bookstore.
There was a very mellow sunset through the clouds that night over Bellingham Bay.
The Northern Lights were in the forecast, so I kept a watch from our room. Bellingham is the northernmost town with more than 50,000 residents in the contiguous 48 states; so I knew if it cleared up enough, they’d be visible. But it was getting late and we weren’t willing to venture out to escape the city lights. Even so, I knew the pale greens and purples in the sky were the aurora borealis.
The next morning, we took the boardwalk along Bellingham Bay to Boulevard Park under the promise of blue skies.
Our destination was Woods Coffee, our favorite.
Later, we took the backroads north to the little town of Lynden, the northernmost town in the contiguous U.S., with more than 10,000 residents. Looming above the farmland were the best views of Mt. Baker, bright and beautiful,
and of the North Cascades on the Canadian side.
After lunch and shopping in town, we took a hike in a wooded city park,
before returning to Fairhaven for the night.
Rain returned for the drive home the next day, but we didn’t care. We’d had a wonderful few days away and an entire day of sunshine!
Sharing with Sunday Stills, All things bright and beautiful and #November Shadows.
~ Susanne
Benji and Tiger and the Catnip Kicker Toy
You think they’d call it a Catnip Licker Toy.
Stuffed full of catnip it’s quite tasty to the boys.
But after getting it thoroughly soaked, the hind legs kick in, or in Benji’s case, hind leg.
Tiger enjoyed his too, albeit with moderation and less kicking,
as befits his age.
Happy Caturday from two happy cats!
~ Susanne and Tiger and Benji
What a Difference a Day Makes, One Week in November, Two walks in the Other Washington
Earlier this week we took a walk at Nolte State Park on a rainy day, through the woods around Deep Lake.
We saw all manner of mysterious life forms.
The very next day we took a walk under blue skies and sunshine at Coulon Park. You’d think we were on a different planet.
Both were wonderful.
Welcome to the other Washington.
~ Susanne
Cats in the Shadows
First there was Tiger, a handsome tabby, who helped me start this blog and even became my Avatar.
We thought he was lonely,
after he lost his brother, Shadow.
So we got Benji, who’s been competing with him ever since.
Till he finally overshadowed him.
Sorry, Tiger.
We still love you. And you’re still my Avatar. At least for now.
~ Susanne and Tiger and Benji
P.S. Terri and I both agree this makes a suitable post for Sunday Stills Color Challenge, Brown and Gray!
All the Leaves are Brown and the Mushrooms, Too
Yes, indeed.
It’s that rainiest of months in the Great Northwest and leaves are on the ground, the mushrooms are, too.
I like mushrooms but I don’t pick my own, though they’re everywhere in Seattle area forests and parks.
But I have gone mushroom hunting over the years with my mom, who is an expert. When we’d visit her place on Hood Canal, she’d take us deep into the forest, point out the good ones and show us how to pick them – with a sharp knife, never pulling from the ground. The biggest prizes were the Chanterelles. I’d probably still recognize those.
As far as the ones above, I can’t tell one from another. I’ll leave it to the experts.
For more info on Washington State’s Mushrooms, see: https://stateofwatourism.com/mushroom-foraging-in-washington/
Pictures were taken in my yard this morning while the sky was gray and rain was still falling; I’m sharing them with Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge, #Brown.
~ Susanne
Walking in the Shadows with the Squirrels
On our trip earlier this week, we visited a city park in the town of Lynden and walked under the shadow of big Cedars and Doug Firs.
Nothing unusual about that.
But I was surprised to see a couple of black squirrels playing in the trees; I thought they were rare.
Apparently not!
I saw a couple others recently at Kanasket-Palmer State Park on the Green River.
According to my extensive research – ha 🙂 – black squirrels are not a separate species, rather they’re a melanistic variation, in Washington State, most often a variation of the Eastern Gray Squirrel.
So there you have it.
And I’m sharing with #NovemberShadows.
~ Susanne
November’s Colorful Blossoms
I was surprised to find flowers still blooming this week, not in my garden but in the little town of Arlington, on our way home from Bellingham.
I’ve learned to recognize these darlings – Anemones – a bit spent but still cheerful.
They have the most beautiful center of any flower.
Imagine finding Roses still in bloom, but I did, in the little municipal garden.
These Hydrangeas were in the landscape nearby; I adore them in purple, don’t you?
Finally, it should be no surprise that Christmas Cactus is blooming, tis the season. This one was in the restaurant where we ate lunch.
It was fun to get away for a few days. I may have more to share on that later, but for now I’m stopping by for #The Flower Hour
~ Susanne
Changing Trees of Color on the Street Where I Live
I don’t have to go far to find colorful fall leaves; I just walk to the park at the end of my street and enjoy.
The pictures below are from prior years; I’ll tell you why.
A windstorm brought down the tallest tree on the right late last year.
It was a sad affair. He lay in state for months until they could haul him away.
I thought that array would never be the same.
Maybe not.
The tallest is now on the opposite end, guarding the most colorful in the middle.
But life goes on.
Different, but as gorgeous as before.
Sharing with Sunday Stills, #Leaf Peeping.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 