Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Catitude
Thy name is Benji.
~ Happy Monday from Susanne and Benji
Focus on a DayLily
I don’t have any daylilies growing in my garden but perhaps I should. Though each individual blossom only lasts for a day, one established clump will provide many beautiful flowers for weeks.
Daylilies are perennials but not a true lily and come in many colors – the orange ones are my favorite.
I took these pictures at Soos Creek Botanical Garden yesterday on my first visit of the year, and yes, while wearing a mask.
~ Susanne
Garden Update and Hummingbird Dance
Good morning and welcome to my garden where life is growing and hummingbirds are courting!
Here’s the view of the garden beds from above.
Herbs and flowers are at their peak and edibles are in various stages of growth. Bush beans are flourishing and tomatoes are adjusting. I forgot to plant potatoes this year but no matter, they are sprouting up wherever they please.
Heavy rainfall has passed so watering is now a necessity. Benji sees to that.
Tiger does his part in the garden too by guarding the compost bin – here he is sleeping on the job.
An entire bed is devoted to strawberries though this may be the last year. Many have been plundered by insects or tiny slugs perhaps. I managed to salvage a few and will be on watch as they continue to ripen. Here are two of the best from today surrounded by new raspberries and thimbleberries. Aren’t they pretty?
On the other side of the fence the apple trees are heavy with young blushing apples. I hope it is more than a tease and they continue to grow and stick around till fall. I have yet to get a good crop.
Meanwhile in the shady backside of the yard hummingbirds can be seen courting.
It usually starts around the feeder where two stop by for a drink.
Afterwards the chase is on until the male perches high above to preen and fluff and flitter, flashing his head this way and that turning it a brilliant red.
The female seems unimpressed so far – perhaps she is already spoken for or playing hard to get.
At least for now.
~ Susanne
Ebey’s Landing on Whidbey Island
Last month, in the middle of a rainy spring, we took advantage of a sunny day and headed to Whidbey Island for a first time visit to Ebey’s Landing.
Don’t get me wrong – we’ve been to Washington’s largest island many times before. In fact I told you about one such trip a few years ago, here if you missed it Wonderful Whidbey Island.
This time, we took the ferry from Mukilteo and though we were confined to the car deck – there’s still a pandemic going on – we had wonderful views on our sailing.
The Cascades floated above Everett to the east
while Mt Baker loomed large to the north.
After the ferry ride we drove to the middle of the island and arrived at Ebey’s Landing State Park. We took the Bluff Trail, climbing high above the beach below, passing by prairie and farmland to the east,
and more views of Mt. Baker.
After a few rest stops we made it to the top of the bluff where we looked out over Admiralty Inlet, the Olympics and the Straight of Juan de Fuca.
Admiralty Inlet connects the eastern end of the Straight of Juan de Fuca to Puget Sound and is the only way for ships to reach the major shipping ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Here Mt. Rainier seems to guard the entrance from the south.
It was all down hill from here as they say, as we descended to the beach below to complete the three mile loop trail.
After stopping by Coupeville for a takeout lunch
we headed to the ferry terminal where our ship had just come in.
All in all a wonderful day.
~ Susanne
A Monday Walk and Pandemic Visit
On the first Monday of summer under the bluest skies and warmest sunshine I went to visit my mom – pandemic style. I pulled up under her apartment window, and gave her a ring, ‘hey mom, I’m down here to visit,’ and visit we did, waving and talking and planning our next exchange of books and things. Such is life in the pandemic for those living in senior communities. No going out and no visitors allowed inside so we find ways. It’s strict yes – maybe too strict – who’s to know? – but her community remains virus free. We hope and we hope for things to return to normal – whatever that will be.
She remains cheerful and so do I – buoyed by the weather and my next stop – Top Pot for a latte and donut – then to nearby Coulon Park.
I walked my normal route on the path next to the lake where children swam, eagles flew overhead, turtles rested in their favorite spots and the Mountain was out.
Crowds were thin and seemed properly distanced. Some wore masks – some did not – both made sense in the great outdoors. It’s what keeps us sane.
How was your Monday?
~ Susanne
Roses and Herbs and Bees in The Garden
Honestly I have a lot of local travel stories still in the queue – all backed up and waiting to be shared. But the garden called me so I lingered there taking time to smell the roses and watch the bees among the herbs.
First the roses. Though they’re temperamental I continue to grow them for their singlular fragrance and beauty.
This is Doris Day and I think it does her justice. If only you could smell her sweetness!
The orange rose is another beauty and I wish I could remember her name! Though that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet – as this one does!
Next are the faithful herbs that fill my garden beds with color. The lavender is my favorite.
The Platinum Blonde – another name that makes sense I think – should bloom in the next few weeks.
And finally here are the bees – they love the catmint as much as the cats do.
They love the purple sage too.
Yesterday was hot and muggy, the last day of spring. This morning is cool and overcast, and rain is gently falling.
Welcome to summer. 🙂
~ Susanne
Pull Up a Seat on Oahu
In the midst of our cool and rainy spring in the Pacific Northwest, I’m dreaming of Hawaii and would like nothing better than to pull up a seat on Oahu.
Wouldn’t you?
~ Susanne
Cat Interrupted – Benji in the Bag
I heard the scuffle in the closet and when I opened the door this is what I saw.
“Don’t you ever knock?” he asked.
“Oh sorry Benji. It’s you. I wondered what all the commotion was.”
“Well okay then,” he said. “It’s hard enough to find a place to take a nap without being interrupted.”
“Sorry Benji. I know exactly what you mean.”
“Good,” he said. Now would you please close the door so I can get some sleep?”
“Sure Benji.”
~ Susanne and Benji
Rain, Clouds, and Eagles
Saturday evening we took a walk at Coulon despite the threat of rain. I didn’t carry my camera – I’m always slowing my poor husband down on our walks – but I did have my phone.
The clouds were spectacular and of course I took a few pictures.
And then I saw the first eagle soaring overhead.
Then there were two.
And then as we stopped to watch the numbers kept increasing.
Three, four, five, six soaring overhead – sometimes swooping down to the lake – perhaps training the younger among them to fish. It was marvelous – the most bald eagles I have ever seen in one place – anywhere – anytime.
Later that night I walked down the street to catch a sunset through the clouds, yes, with my real camera.
Monday morning and it’s still raining.
~ Susanne
Wet and Green
Rain is falling and clouds are hanging low. Grass is wet, my feet are too.
Young birds all aflutter at the beaver pond, follow their mamas from branch to branch waiting for food. Do they belong? Only she knows.
Water, water everywhere and all is wet and green.
At Flaming Geyser State Park.
– Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 