08.29.2025 Summertime, Summertime.......

 Where has it gone?  It is now Labor Day weekend and it seems like we should just be starting summer, not ending it! 

The last pink lily with raindrops. This is one of my favorites.

These past two months have been very eventful. My spirited Fionnegan was treated for Lyme disease again - it has affected his joints and it was hard for him to walk. This time he didn't want to eat, a very worrisome situation for dogs. It was really heartbreaking to see him struggle. I cannot tell you how many times I sat on the floor trying just about every food I have in the house to get him to eat. One day he would eat watermelon or tuna, favorite foods for him.  If he ate something, I would go to the grocery store and buy more. Then the next day he would turn his little nose up in the air and wouldn't touch it. 

 Finally, the antibiotics started to work and he was back to barking for meals and chasing Gunnarr around the yard and house. Then, he was not eating again. The antibiotics caused him nausea and gi distress and he stopped eating. Again I am on the floor with him trying everything. Finally he would eat meat - chicken and pork, but no kibble or vegetables or fruit. I bought beef flavored multivitamins and he would just spit them out. Since he had been on medication for 10 days I stopped it, better for him to eat and take his pain medications. A friend suggested a McDonald's cheeseburger. I scraped off the onions and pickle and cut it up in small pieces, including the bun. He ate the entire hamburger.  Amazing. Gunnarr and Shorty shared another cheeseburger. Fionn would not touch the french fries or apple slices so the three of us shared them from the Happy Meals.

It took a few weeks to "doctor" him back to health. For the last couple of days he has eaten lunch and dinner, he even will bark when I say "who wants dinner?" And he ate all of his kibble, cheese, MV, and apple yesterday and today. He is still persnickety with some treats and food but that may change with time.

Just when I thought we could take a deep breath and relax, Gunnarr developed another bladder infection. Piddles and puddles inside and outside. He would stand for 2 minutes just dripping and straining. He would take a few steps and try again. So he was started on antibiotics and given a doggy belly belt. At least I could stop doing laundry 2 to 3 times a day. He tolerated the antibiotics for a few days but was slow to get better. By the way, he does not like being observed trying to pee and would hide from me in the lily flower beds or behind the porch. Shy little one! Then he got sick on the antibiotics and stopped eating.  By poor little Gunnarr. I gave him a little break and he was restarted on lower dose, now he ates everything, including his medicine.

Shorty is a star. He has not had a problem, thank you heaven. When Fionn was sick and curled up on his bean bag, Shorty would lie on the floor next to him. Shorty would also sit next to Gunnarr when he was not feeling well. And when Fionnegan would not eat his food, Shorty was always there ready to clean his bowl!

So, there has not been much time for sailing. I do work and then relax on the boat for short periods of time. But I was too worried to leave the pups alone for too long.

Fionnegan sleeping behind a pillow! You can't see me I guess he is thinking!

Gunnarr is wearing his belly belt. He was remarkably willing to wear. He is now better with no more UTI symptoms, so no more need for his belt.

Fionnegan and Gunnarr - brothers and best buds along with Shorty.

  

Shorty seems to understand Fionnegan and Gunnarr were not well. He looks a bit sad here.

But now they are happy and tails are wagging again! In particular, I call Gunnarr "HT" or "HTW" for Happy Tail and Happy Tail Wagger! He wags his tail with all of his energy!

  

The lilies did reasonably well, even after being trampled by the workmen this W
inter and Spring.

 

    

A pretty pink zinnia in a flower box. The hummingbirds would sip the nectar from these flowers. I tried growing annuals in a few flowerpots. This one did very well and I really enjoy the color. Would like to do this again next year. 

  

It was really too hot for me to do a lot of gardening, but as the weather has cooled I am back pulling weeds and plotting for next year.

This one must be a cross between a purple and pink lily. It was new to my garden without being planted!

The hummingbirds really like the beebalm.

From my boys and me - May you have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend.

Until next time ...............

07.10.2025 The American Kestrel, Falcon, Hummingbird

One of my favorite birds are the raptors. These large, magnificent birds are thrilling to watch as they soar on the air currents or hunt in the fields. I had the opportunity to sight an American kestrel perched high on a leafless tree. She sat there long enough that I could get a few nice photographs of her that I want to share with you.

Her hunting mice and other small animals probably was interrupted for a while as I was three watching her. She didn't seem to mind. I wish all birds would hold still this long for photographs!

Photo opportunity concluded. She is off on her hunt.

Here is a red footed falcon hunting in the field in Hungary. He wouldn't hold still for a picture!

Red poppies along the roadside in Hungary.

The small birds are equally thrilling to observe. This little lady is a ruby throated hummingbird feeding on the beebalm flowers in my garden. I was taking photographs of the lilies and heard her familiar buzzing and was lucky enough to snap a quick picture.

 Yellow lily with rain drops.

Fionnegan, Gunnarr and Shorty - all smiles with full tummies!

Until next time, stay well.

07.04.2025. Happy Birthday America!!!!!

 We are celebrating our countries 249th birthday! While not as old as many, she is not young either! There have been a lot of celebrations this year commemorating the beginning of the Revolutionary war that bought us our freedom from England. It is also the 350th year since the King Philip's war which saw the English settlers and some Native Americans fighting against King Philip - a great Indian chief. There is a lot of history here in New England and I have been reading about the early times and trying to locate the site of some of the battles. Many of the locations of the battles from the 1675 era are noted as "tradition" meaning the exact location cannot be found. But I like to wander and think about how it must have been to leave Europe and move to a vast wilderness.

To celebrate the day, I went to CPYC in Winthrop where I can see fireworks up and down the coast. I thoroughly enjoy the displays.

Here are a few fireworks. The white ones photographed the best this year. 

From the Pilot House! A local resident started the display before the town fireworks. 

Once the fireworks were finished in Winthrop, all I had to do was go down to the dock and watch the fireworks over the Boston city skyline. Notice the old clock tower on the left and the airport
in the foreground. 

Happy Birthday America! Wishing many more that are safe and peaceful for all. The eagle, the symbol of our country, is not mine. Notice the fish in the claws!

 Fionnegan, Gunnarr, Shorty and I wish you all a very Happy and safe 4th of July holiday weekend.

Until next time, stay well............

06.25.2025 Carolina wren in her nest

 Here she is - all settled in her nest. Have not used the front door since she moved into her nest, but I do peer at her from the atrium doorway. She saw my reflection in the atrium yesterday and just stood on the porch - possibly guarding her nest. But when she does see me standing on the step by the doorway she does not fly, so today I thought I'd try a picture.  Good girl. Am anticipating the hatching of her eggs - would love to see the little ones! This nest is rather deep, so we'll see. Maybe they will be visible just before they fledge. Will keep you posted!

Until next time........