Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Heavy Sky and Hummingbirds to Cheer
Today the sky is heavy with smoke and the air quality is poor due to the wildfires. So I wondered – should I share pictures of today’s sky? Or last week’s pictures of hummingbirds? I opted for both and hoped the latter would cheer me up.
You may remember I bought a new feeder – the one on the left below.
It took a few days but I’m happy to report…
the hummingbirds approve.
Hoping for rain to douse the fires and wash the sky clean.
~ Susanne
Share this:
A Hike to the Waterfall in the Green River Gorge!
We finally did it – took the trail down to the Green River Gorge for a close up look at the waterfall. It was a first for me though not for my husband; he spent a lot of time here in his younger days, back in the last century.
We’ve driven by many times before, often stopping for a look from the one lane bridge above.
But this time we paid the $5 to take the rickety stairs down to the falls below. I admit I was hesitant; it’s a place where young people gather in the summertime. But summer was nearly over so there were few others out as we made our way to the bottom.
I’m so glad we did. The views were tremendous.
And yes there were a few young ones swimming under the falls – I envied them. Look closely and you may see them.
We walked carefully on the trail around huge boulders strewn about and worn smooth,
and rested near quiet pools before heading back.
The Green River Gorge is a hidden gem known mostly to locals, near the small town of Black Diamond. The area is full of history – just across the street you can take the trail to Franklin Ghost Town which we did earlier this year.
~ Susanne
Share this:
Isn’t Orange Wonderful?
Yes it is! In fact it’s one of my favorite colors. So for Sunday Still’s Photo Challenge I thought I’d share some orange flowers beginning with the fragile yellows at one end of the spectrum and marching towards red at the other.
Tiger Lily 
Poppies
And that’s enough orange for one day.
~ Susanne
Share this:
Summer Harvest and Little Green Apples!
As summer is winding down I have to admit there wasn’t much to harvest from the garden this year. The strawberries were disappointing and their bed has already been stripped to be given to something more worthy.
There were only a handful of raspberries, a few green beans and surprise potatoes from last year.
I planted the tomatoes too late and have only eaten one so far – the rest remain stubbornly green.
I should be disappointed but I’m not for there are apples!
I must have been five or six when I first climbed a tree to get little green apples, barely ripe, tart and juicy. And I’ve been spoiled ever since, for no other apples ever tasted as good.
So I planted a tree a few years ago and waited patiently for apples to grow.
The first year there was one. The second year there was none.
But this year the little tree is sagging with apples and I picked them small and green, with a hint of red, before they could fall to the ground.
They are as good as I remember. 😉
~ Susanne
Share this:
Ohanapecosh! A Day Trip to Mt. Rainier
I’m lucky to have Mt. Rainier National Park in my backyard – close enough to make a day trip whenever the mood strikes. Yesterday it did and we headed south to Ohanapecosh.
The Ohanapecosh River is perhaps the most beautiful river in the park, originating from the meltwaters of the Ohanapecosh Glacier on the southeastern slopes of Mount Rainier.
Here we stopped at the campground for lunch and to revel in its glorious color,
and to watch the young and the brave jump into its cool waters.
Afterwards we went to the Grove of the Patriarchs for a look at some of the largest and oldest trees in the park. The trail down to the river was easy, then we crossed the wobbly suspension bridge one by one.
Fortunately the crowds stayed by the river while we went ahead mostly alone, into the solitude of the Grove of the Patriarchs, one of the nation’s outstanding examples of old growth giants.
We walked almost with reverence among giant Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar, some a thousand years old, reaching heights of 200 ft.
After resting under the canopy of the old trees, we made the trek back to the top; and there was still time to visit the Mountain at Sunrise,
where we found another idyllic place for a picnic
joined by this cutie.
And then we called it a day.
~ Susanne
Share this:
Matching Cats – Who Wears it Better?
We picked up a blanket a few years ago to use in our camper but it was inevitable that the cats would make it their own. Who wears it better?
The Most Interesting Cats in the World
This is Tiger, the mature one in the house. I don’t always pose like this; but when I do it will be on the most luxurious blanket I can find.
This is Benji and I agree you’re lookin’ good for your age Tiger. But you can’t overcome youth.
It’s a tough call but I think Tiger nailed it with his swagger above.
But this week, Benji was the winner when I posted this picture on Instagram for a Photo Challenge where the topic was ‘Matching.’ Click the arrow for the full effect.
~ Susanne, Tiger and Benji
Share this:
A Strange New Fall and a Skinny Fair
It seems that by the time summer finally arrives in the Pacific Northwest it’s already on its way out. And while I always welcome fall, this year will hardly be typical.
Back to school? Learning will start online, something not dreamed of when this brick and mortar was built 100 years ago.
And the Washington State Fair- formerly known as the Puyallup Fair – a fall tradition operating for the past 120 years – save for the break during World War II? Cancelled.
Though there will be a limited drive-thru offering of Fair Food, where you may find some of this:
You won’t be able to enjoy this.
Or this.
Which will only make us appreciate more, all the simple things we once took for granted, when they return.
At least that’s my hope.
~ Susanne
Share this:
Celebrating Benji with the Photoshoot from 2019
I don’t mean to weary you but I’ve devoted this week’s blog to celebrating Benji, the little cat with the chopped ear we rescued from Seattle Humane four years ago. So far I’ve shared highlights from 2016, 2017 and 2018. Today I’ll wrap up the series with a look at 2019.
But before I do I wanted to reflect on my favorite story from 2016, “The Many Faces of Benji,” where I did a photoshoot for a fictitious magazine, American Rescue Cat, and he responded with gusto.
It was a pure work of fiction – until 2019 that is, when life imitated art.
The 2019 Photoshoot
In the spring of 2019 I was resting in the backyard by the stream when Benji came to join me on my lap. This is not unusual – he is a snuggly lap cat. I took pictures – also not unusual –
until that sweet boy looked straight into the camera.
Around that time I learned of a Photo Contest on Cat Human Relationships; there would be entries from around the world and 12 winning photos would be included in the 2020 Calendar for International Cat Care, a charity based in the UK, and sold as a Fundraiser. Hey, why not? I entered.
In September last year – on my birthday in fact – I was notified that Benji was a winner and learned later that his face would adorn the month of May. There was no cash prize – only the kitty that made the cover got that – but we were happy to be included and to receive copies of the calendar and a few kitty prizes.
And so my little story from 2016 seemed to come true in 2019.
Thanks Benji. 🙂
We now return to our regular programming.
~ Susanne and Benji
Share this:
Celebrating Benji with a Little Cat Humor
It was four years ago that we brought the sweet Benji home to live with us and this week we’re celebrating by looking back. Today I’m bringing you highlights from 2018, starting with a few of my favorite photos and one of my favorite stories from the year.
Pondering
A Little Cat Humor
“Whatcha doing there Benji?”
“Taking my bath, Sue. Getting ready for the big trip.”
“What trip is that, Benji?”
“I don’t know. Wherever it is you’re going. I’d like to come along if you don’t mind.”
“But Benji, you don’t like riding in the car, have you forgotten? I think you’d be much happier at home. But I’ll bring you back a present, I promise.”
And a few days later I did.
He was enthralled.
~ Susanne and Benji
Share this:
Celebrating Benji – A Look at 2017
“I didn’t think it would be this hard Benji.”
“What’s that Sue?”
“Picking my favorite story of you from 2017. There are too many!
Whether you were helping in the garden
or thinking cat thoughts;
Watching You Tube
or sleeping in camouflage,
you lived life with gusto! You still do!
But much of 2017 was spent learning to get along with your big brother. I was so happy when you and Tiger began to figure it out.
So I decided to share your story of how you were mentored by Tiger, who helped make you the mighty hunter you are today.”
The Mighty Hunter!
This is Benji and I am a mighty hunter. Tiger taught me well.
First, he said, you must listen with your whole body until you sense the presence of the varmints underfoot. This I practice.
Do not be quick to attack, he said. Conserve your energy. Wait. Watch. You will know when it is time.
When you discover their lodging, he said, but they refuse to surrender, you must dig and dig until you rout them out.
Rest if you must but do not lose heart. If they escape today they will be there tomorrow for you to surprise.
These things I practice for I am Benji, the Mighty Hunter.
~ Benji
Well said, boy.
~ Tiger
That’s all for now.
~ Susanne and Benji
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 