epic garden delight

I thought my Butterfly Garden was a failure this year. Nature proved me wrong. Tall flowering plants took turns blooming throughout the Summer. Various winged wonders fluttered about occasionally, enjoying the grass flanked blooms. At times the wings chose grass over flowers. Not a surprise. Grass offers various needs. 

From a distance, I noticed what I thought were a cluster of larger butterflies. I wanted to take a closer look. Alas, I had two velcro Labradors with me. Sigh. It rarely works out to approach wild things with the two hooligans. The dogs always scare them away. Especially winged wonders!

About an hour later I returned. With my camera and without dogs. Much to my surprise, the flutterby's were still enjoying the garden! Now I only had one pesky loveable animal to thwart my efforts.

classic Leo wrap around

The cat who shall not be ignored got some needy attention. It is never enough and I had to ask him to pluueze leave me alone! I wanted to focus on this:

Monarchs and friends

trio of Monarchs

Leo obliged, but did not go far

Just like potato chips, I had a hard time choosing just one Monarch photo.

see four

and five

The many Monarchs and friends were very entertaining!

fluers and a fuzzy bee

I would have stayed longer, but was getting eaten alive by the latest crop of blood suckers. Leo and I headed back to the house/barn for cover. 

If I did have to chose one photo from this series, this would be it:

8.26.25

A fun reminder our Butterfly Garden does not need to be manicured to be an epic delight. 

swing towards spring

Most of yesterday was spent inside a snow globe.

the only thing moving was the snow

3.8.25 (11 secs)

Today is completely different, a swing towards spring.

Jameson turned 12 earlier this week. He instantly drops and rolls outside. Tank is not a roller. He is all about sticks. Big sticks. Slivers of sticks. Medium sticks. He never chews them. Tanks world is all about play, all of the time! Every season. No swing here.

I wonder if Bluebirds will use either of our two nesting boxes this season?

I removed the wads of aluminum blocking the entrances.

Our horses are loving the warming pre-spring sun.

The above South West corner is alway our last to swing towards Spring.

It is okay. 

I am not eager for tick and mosquito swatting season, paired with sweating season. My least favorite time of year. In fact, I love the changing of cooler seasons. The inbetween swings, and sayings. Like this one:

Wishing you all Blue Skies and Sunny Days.

the pause

Sometimes there are things you have to do that you would rather not do.

All the what-ifs create angst.

As I headed down our driveway yesterday, I paused. 

There is a lot to be said for pausing. It creates space for beautiful moments. 

I wished for more time, to linger in that space.

2/28/25

Looking through my truck window, I knew I didn't need it. 

I paused just long enough for Hope (and Brad) and my angst simply melted away.

day of love

A snowflakes shape evolves as it falls through the atmosphere.

Each one encounters slightly different temperature and humidity conditions.

Making it virtually impossible for two snowflakes to have the same exact structure.

Essentially, each snowflake has it's own "life story" based on it's journey through the air.

(borrowed & edited)

1.22.25
shared w/o computer wizardry
 (click for detail)

Just like each of you, a single snowflake is unique.

Enjoy your day filled with all kinds of love!

that kinda day

You know that rare glorious day that offers a much needed break from looong stretches of cold, followed by colder than frigid snowless weather?

The one beautiful day that also follows a warmer than usual forecast. Where just like the little train, you think you can finally walk the dogs without their back legs freezing up. Key word think.


Ohhh we still walk/ed through all of our January weather (except for the coldest two days) but lets just say walks get edited. More days pass and you still cannot take an enjoyable walk in the woods. The wind is blowing SO damn hard, that you can see it?? It is/was maddening!!

Well, this morning was that kinda day!!! A day where I feel deep gratitude for every (otherwise) ordinary thing my eyes see and that I do. Like hanging jeans outside for the first time this year.

It is after all, the little things in life.

bundled up at the start of walking & dreaming

1/29/25

For the past three years, I have planted some bare root Trillium each year. Hopefully they will eventually take enough to naturalize themselves along what I call our Enchanted Forest path. It runs along the bottom of our property. I might see my first bloom this year?!! Regardless, I plan to continue adding trillium in the Spring.

each flag represents either a white or red trillium

three different patches

our landscape is so brown right now

pop of color catches my eye

how on earth did the oaks hang onto their leaves?

Tank & Jameson

mother natures way of trimming trees

these unique (to me) cheery blooms are also still hanging around

that kinda day

In the further pasture: Cierra is at feeder & Nemo is soaking up the sun (see corner)

The three hungry Sallies are tick, tack, toe in a row at the feeder (Koda, Hope and Harmony)

moving forward

Hello, hellooo! Long time no type. No particular reason, other than I keep trying to re-word draft posts. As a re-reader, re-wording is time consuming. Do you re-read/re-word/re-write your posts ~ or ~ do you easily share whatever is on your mind? I also do this with emails and other written words. Yes, I am an over-thinker to the 'enth degree. The struggle is real. I keep running out of time. The next time I sit down, time itself has changed everything. Hmmmm...

Some have mastered the preferred art of scheduled posting. Connie from Far Side of Fifty has posted every single day for longer than I can remember. Marie from Island Musings posts every Monday, sharing her unique scenic views. I am impressed by the quality and consistency of these blogs, as well as others. 

My aforementioned stuck post/s would bridge my long a@@ absence on here. IF I could re-word the parts that don't sit well (enough) for me to share, before I get up and do XYZ. To add to my debacle, the process of adding related photos to a blog post stops me in my tracks every single time. More so during the latter part of 2024. Nothing to do with the actual processing of photos. That is a different computer related endless sitting dilemma. One of the main reasons I have hardly been taking any photos with my camera. Why take more photos, if I am not going to do anything with them. It doesn't make sense to add to a mega amount of unseen photos. Although when I do get around to them, it is fun to see old photos. So there is that.

From all the above, to moving forward. Smiley face, smiley face. My unpublished posts shall remain unread and unseen photos shall remain unprocessed. For now. Most likely forever. Repeat after me "I will not be attached to a screen for endless hours!!!".

~~~~~

I am happy to share that life here on Hidden Cactus Ranch is and has been good. I am spoiled beyond measure and endlessly grateful for every ounce of joy. I will end this weirdly wordy re-read/written post with one of our biggest joys. Hope.

During a stretch of frigid weather (with minus double digit wind chill) our horses were briefly turned out each day. We cleaned stalls while they got a change of scenery and breath of mind numbing brisky fresh air. Everyone was more than willing to come back inside.

Hope would like everyone to know she does not like the cold. Her expressions are so funny!

Nemo & Hope have been hanging around together

1/20/25

Later the same day during evening chore indoor leg stretching, a monster was spotted.

(43 secs)

arena silliness, even after Brad entered
(30 secs)

Cierra, Hope and Nemo join up often
1/24/25

Hope is very sociable and frequently leaves the herd to join us on walks

(with Remi, Tank and Jameson) 1/27/25

end of the pasture path

Cierra was concerned (on top of the hill) she is still a worried mama.

1/27/25

web of wonder

Nature's wonder has eluded me this warm season, unless we are talking storms. The steady dose of volatile June weather we've been enjoying (?) has kept me out of our woods for the most part. I have barely used my camera. Bringing horse in/out and vegetable gardening are done in rushed swatting spurts. 

Summer is officially my least favorite season.

Consequently, more time is spent indoors appreciating cooler air. With too much time to ponder. What is my purpose? Damned if I know. 

I try not to spend too much time in my head. Letting thoughts circles, and circle AND circle.

Thank goodness there are breaks between storms. One was just long enough to enjoy a family reunion on my Mother-in-Law's side, at a park. After 18-ish years, everyone is noticeably aging. 

A few bike rides along the river have been enjoyed. Moving faster than the speed of mosquito helps avoid the blood suckers.

Dogs walks are infrequent and very short. Our older Lab is black, a flying pest magnet. I spotted a web glistening in morning light. It inspired me to make a second trip (via putt-putt) and dust off my dormant camera. 

6/24/24

I also made a quick stop at my Butterfly Garden. Glad it is being enjoyed.

closed wing Viceroy (those spots!)

open wing Viceroy
6/24/24

Our weather isn't all bad, but it sure makes a person wonder.

springy thoughts

Spring is such an interesting time in the world of nature. In more ways than one. We never really know what weather will show up. It seems most of us are getting a mixed bag. In our respective corners of the world. 

We had spotty snow for a couple days. A bit of on again/off again snowflakes. I enjoy snow more during Winter months. Rainy weather is the name of this weeks weather game. Making it harder to enjoy the woods with four legged friends. Nothing a towels can't mend. So far we've been walking between the raindrops. 

3 amigos wanting to sniff around the woods
3/18/24

Grand dogs Jameson, Remi, and our guy who always has a full Tank of energy.

sharing a good smell

a common start to our walks (8 secs)

tic, tac, toe, three dogs in a row

same trail as above, a couple days later

Tank was pouting and had to catch up lol.

Tank has large stick challenges (10 secs)

 and small pieces of prized wood, that are never eaten

(Tank places, stares and dares to move)

On the plant frontier, my garlic has been up for weeks. I am growing four varieties this year! From cloves shared and traded among friends. Raised bed gardening was a game changer.

the promise of flower seedlings

It won't be long and I will also start veggie seeds indoors. Some seeds saved from last years prized plants, others purchased. We like to try growing a new thing or two each year. This year we are trying to grow potatoes again. They will do better in our sandy soil, than they did in our clay. They will be grown in the ground.

hanging on

Nature offers so many things to ponder. Messages? Like the leaf above. It landed in a pine tree and even the strongest winds have not knocked it down. After passing it day after day, I stopped to snap a photo and think about it. Haa ha! My 4 year old granddaughter (a 5th generation Aurora!!) current favorite saying is "let me think about it". She is wise beyond her years.

3/23/24

My old metal wire frog used to sit on a large rock, watching over our pond. Now he sits on a stump all year and watches over my mom's memorial area. It might get a water feature. Someday. 

Remembrance Crocus in the photo foreground are starting to bloom. Although closed up that day, due to cooler weather. Brown ground will give way to green. My moms crabapple tree will blossom. The trio of lit Winter trees that flank her bench will go into storage, and be replaced with planters. Plants I started from seed will flourish in them, and be butterfly approved.

The promise of Spring.

merak

Anyone else happy that Winter FINALLY arrived?!!

1/10/24


the main trail trees got me

As Wintery days pass, more smaller pines bent under the weight of heavy snow. The entire main trail is no longer passable.

window view (16 secs)
1/13/24

snow poppin' happiness

reflection

Let there be light!!

1st snow shoe outing of the season
1/12/24

pausing to absorb winter's wonderland (18 secs)


SNOW followed by LIGHT followed by bitter COLD!!



-4F my kinda snow shoe weather

ocean of snow waves

a familiar reminder as I head out

these boys have to wait to run the woods

self reflection is looking up



full view



beautiful shadows everywhere



inspirational pines
 

leaving the area where wild things live

 ~~~
I got back home, almost an hour later.

With a feeling of bliss. Merak.

The sense of oneness with the universe

that comes from the simplest of pleasures.
~~~

truth