We have a better idea about what at least two of our dogs are made of, now that Carlton and Benito’s Embark tests have come back. There were mysteries solved and theories confirmed, too. My guess is that Penney’s swab didn’t take, because hers didn’t come back.
You don’t need DNA results for us. We are obviously American Stair Dogs. (They spend much of their days here. Penney is trained to move her front paws when I approach.)
I was pretty sure Benito was not the purebred Chihuahua that he was purchased as. People guessed he had Fox Terrier or Miniature Pinscher.
100% cute
I was right about our little fellow. At least one of his parents was a mutt.
My guess is that one grandparent was a total mutt. The Poodle surprised me, though.
I never had any good guesses about Carlton other than there must be some pit bull in there. And there had to be some breeds with the Merle gene.
We had a nice rest this evening. He’s my big lap dog.
It turns out Carlton is a big ole mix, as we knew, but there are some good surprises in there.
What???
He’s about as pitty as I expected but the Mountain Cur thing threw me for a loop. I didn’t know we had any of those here. We do have lots of cowdogs that they call curs, but I thought those were mostly Black Mouth Curs. Seeing the ACD in there makes me surmise one parent was a working dog with those breeds mixed in. Then the other parent was probably a small dog that looked like a lab. Carlton has carefully hidden his Chihuahuan heritage. That’s a hoot.
Who knew? (AI image)
Who knows how it works out? They are both quite the mixes! And I know enough to take these analyses with a grain of salt. I would have loved seeing what breeds contributed to Harvey, but there was no way he was gonna let me swab his saliva!
I didn’t pay the extra money to get their health analysis. Benito should be hardy now that his heart worms are treated. And I know Carlton has weird eyes. That’s enough.
I’m on a real streak of fascinating nature books these days. Noticing, by Richard Louv (2026) is no exception. Lee found it in a bookstore and rushed it to me. Louv also wrote Last Child in the Woods a decade or so ago, which led many educators to try to get more natural world experiences into the curricula for young children.
Admittedly, most of the topics in Noticing are familiar to me, since I do spend a lot of my time, well, noticing. What I enjoyed were the interviews with researchers, artists, and philosophers about how being around nature affects us humans for the better. It gives me hope that humanity won’t completely lose its connections to the world of which we are a part–just a part, mind you.
Another reason I enjoyed going through this book is that it fulfilled my oh-so-human need for confirmation of my biases. Nothing is more soothing to me than going through hundreds of pages of discussion with people I completely agree with and who help me feel like I’m on the right track in how I live my life. It’s too bad there are so many folks out there who will go, huh? (I had a long talk with an old friend last night who literally shuddered at the idea of a life not surrounded by people and full of bugs and weeds.)
I guess she wouldn’t like this beauty from the chicken house, a Deduced Graphic moth
One of my favorite concepts Louv brings up in Noticing is that of having a First Place, which is where the book starts out. It rang so true to me. The first place you explore, get to know, feel grounded in, and feel a part of is your first place. Louv says:
Through the years, we live in newer places, and if we’re lucky, we bond with them. All these places become the geography of our lives. But there is only one First Place.
p. 13
My early memories of the first home I remember, in Gainesville, Florida, are very strong. I remember the plants, the insects, the heat, the wind, and the smell of camellias. I’ve written before about the fact that I am overcome with a profound sense of peace and “home” whenever I return. I think I’m attuned to the ley lines or some magnetic something that vibrates correctly with me.
I have not bonded with every place I lived. My last house in Illinois, the Bobcat house in Austin, and this ranch are the ones I feel most at home in. I find it a bit sad that I never could attach myself to the house in Round Rock where my kids grew up. I was interested in all the plants and animals in the surrounding area, but the crowded suburbs were too full of “noise” for me. Hmm.
That’s what the stories and science that intermingle throughout this book will do for you–send you off on tangents about your own experiences. If you are not someone who practices the art of active noticing, I hope you will read this book and give it a try. Your life will be enriched, you will feel more connection with the unity of the consciousness around you, and you will feel less alone. As the review on the cover by Carl Safina says:
This book is a how-to manual for getting back to your soul.
If nothing else, it’s important to remember what Louv shares in the future, which is we don’t necessarily have to fix things or bring them back to some ideal state. It’s also okay to simply observe how nature changes and adapts over time. That’s what it is supposed to do!
Yeah, the last couple of days have been fairly low stress, with just a couple of bobbles. Also the blog prompts are so repetitive that I didn’t feel like answering the last few. Nonetheless, there have been highlights.
Harvey looking precious is a highlight.
Master Naturalist meeting was last night, and I even made the end of the Board meeting (but missed some ruffled feelings, thankfully). A highlight of the meeting was getting a photo with all our living Presidents as our current one received a commemorative Bald Eagle pin.
That was pretty cool!
The other highlight has been Stumpy’s growing popularity with its avian buddies. We now have little flocks of House Sparrows vying for stump space, as well as Cardinals seeking out their sunflower seeds. My patience has really paid off! Here are blurry phone photos to prove it. I’ll have to bring out the good camera now that there’s something to photograph.
Look at all the birds in the tree awaiting their turn. Popular Stumpy
I’ve felt good about work, because I’ve hit a few deadlines, but I’m glad the weekend is here. We had a pleasant dinner with my son and his partner at the new restaurant in town, which always is a pleasure. I do enjoy the little downtown area.
Barn Swallows
It rained somewhere near here this evening, but not here. We are back in crispy season, with extreme heat and brown plants. I’m glad to have water to look at here! Tomorrow I’m working with the water garden some more, too.
Now, that took a while. The huge stump has been sitting in the corner of the back yard for months.
Winter Stumpy with hawk.
It’s been many weeks since flat bits were created on the surface.
Spring Stumpy with bird bath fountain and flat spots.
I have been adding bird seed whenever rain or wind washed it off. I waited patiently, knowing the birds had plenty to eat after all the rain. But yesterday, out of the corner of my eye, I caught motion. A sparrow was eating some seed!
Honestly, there’s a bird.
Today I looked over at the stump every time I went out to check the bird phone for new birds (Swainson’s Hawk today!). Sure enough, the House Sparrows are eating my admittedly low-quality offerings.
Now you can see them
Since I’ve established that birds have discovered Stumpy’s magical gifts, I can now give them better stuff. I even sprinkled some corn mixture on the ground to attract the doves who have been hanging around. Tomorrow I’ll break out some better seed mix I’ve been hoarding so maybe songbirds will see what’s there. I can store all the food safely in my birding hut, too, since I have a tightly sealed bin. Winter may be fun when all the various sparrows return.
It makes me feel trusted when Carlton sleeps right next to me—he feels safe.
If your future self could send you one sentence, what do you hope it would say?
I hope my future self (maybe when I’m 102) would tell me how proud she is of all the learning and growing past me did, and that she appreciates all the memories of my fun with nature, friends, and family. My guess is she’ll have a lot to say.
Looking into the past (from Pexels)
Thankfully, today was uneventful, which allowed me to get lots of work done in between helping people, which is also part of my job, come to think of it. Other than work, I just enjoyed the animals and their antics.
Apache always thinks everyone else’s food dish is better.
There must have been something outside this evening, because there was sure a lot of barking. But I forgive the dogs, due to mostly being cute.
Watch Benito’s tail.
And hey! I finally saw a bird eating from my tree stump feeder. I kept putting food on the stump, just in case. No photos of that, just dogs. Enjoy.
I’d like to talk to you about life insurance. I really don’t want a term policy. I bought whole life. Wise investment now that I’m old. Fine. I’ll just go chew on this.
It makes me irrationally happy to see Benito play with toys. The other dogs no longer do. He is so full of pure joy.
What’s the best local dish you’ve ever eaten while traveling?
Ah. I can answer this even in my exhausted travel state. Then I’ll tell you how close I came to being duped.
Bonus NM flower: Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa)
I have two favorite dishes from my travels. First are the cluster oysters at Hudson’s on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. I do love those, as anyone who has had to endure me trying to open every single oyster can attest (right, stepsisters?).
Me eating the oysters
The other thing I remember is much simpler. It was an enchilada lunch in southern New Mexico, I forget exactly where. It was the perfect New Mexican style meal, with plenty of green chile goodness and the best beans and rice with it. I eat a LOT of Mexican food, so this had to be great to stand out. I hope we find that place again.
Mmmmmm
There ya go.
So, as we were driving home today, I got a message from my friend Trixie listing a bunch of items a family member needed to sell. It sounded like something she’d do. And I was excited to see a skid steer in the list, because we could use one, and the price was good.
“Skid steer”
So I messaged about it. She said other family were also interested (red flag) but that a deposit of $1,000 would hold it (red flag). I had to talk to Lee and Chris first. She stressed the urgency (red flag). I shared the photos she sent to Chris and he said it seemed like a good deal. I asked where we could come inspect it. She said they were “near here.” Where was “here?” (Red flag) Still I started to to PayPal the money to Trixie. She sent an email address that was not hers (red flag). Then I sent an image asking if it was right, because I didn’t want to pay a stranger. Silence (final flag). So I did what all those trainings at work said to do. I called her.
Use the phone function on your phone!
She was all flustered. “I’ve been hacked!” She said. So. No money went to fake Trixie and we don’t have a skid steer. But I do have my money. I sure blithely went through a lot of red flags. Am I turning into one of those gullible old people? Geez.
Don’t fall for any deal with a sense of urgency that seems to come from a friend. Call them after the first red flag.
So many red flags (photo from Pexels)
The dogs were very happy to see us when we got home. Much licking occurred.
What’s something you used to worry about but don’t anymore?
Oh, there’s a whole bunch of crap I don’t worry about anymore. That gives me a lot more mental space for living in the moment, discovering beauty, and sending out positive energy, which is sorely needed right now.
Wish I was here.
One thing I no longer worry about is what other people think about me. That’s a hard one for a reformed people pleaser! (And it is so easy to slip back into those patterns under stress.) I am pretty sure anyone who is thinking random negative stuff about me is not worried about what I think of them! So, let them!
I’d rather remind myself that I don’t know what’s going on in other people’s lives, so it’s better to assume they’re doing their best. Mental illness can make good intentions hard to see, but they’re usually there. Yes, even my least favorite political figures think they’re doing good. I do occasionally worry about them. Some worry is justified!
No worries from my faithful companions.
After another intense but interesting work day, and some rest and relaxation in the pool and with my animal buddies, I’m ready for some travel! See you tomorrow in another time zone!
What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life?
The prompt writers seem to be fixated on quotes these days. I thought I’d just skip today, since the most exciting parts were at work and no one other than me would find my new assignments fascinating.
However, as I was looking to see what photos I took today, I realized I’d taken a photo of a page in the book I was reading that had a quote that resonated with me. I think it captures my outlook.
To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.
Leonardo da Vinci, quoted in Noticing, by Richard Louv, p. 93
That’s just a perfect way to look at our journey through life.
I was pleased that two canna lilies bloomed today. The water garden looks ok!
Today’s question is hard for me because I don’t know whether to answer country (I think I’ve only been to around ten), state or region, city, or site. So I’m just going to name ten places I like a lot, not ranked.
Gainesville, across from my grandmother’s house
Gainesville, Florida. It’s my center.
Sedona, Arizona (and surroundings)
Ruidoso, New Mexico (and surroundings)
Hill Country, Texas
Chicago (favorite big city)
Western Ireland
Avebury, UK
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Coastal marshes of southeastern US
British Columbia, Canada, though I’ve never been there
Basically, I like places with interesting terrain and wildlife.
Antelope Canyon. My favorite place.
I’m glad for that prompt. A few things saddened me today, so I needed something cheerful.
Rio Ruidoso
My eccentric former boss at the software company where I met my kids’ dad lost his wife suddenly. I’m so happy he found the right partner to share his life with, but sad that she passed so young (around my age).
The person who murdered my friend Christi is finally going on trial nearly five years after her death. He was her son, whom she did her best for. But he was a mess. But not all bad. He found Fiona for me. All this and more has given me “the feels.”
I like quotes, too, but I’m extra-bad at remembering them, just like how canned jokes never stick with me. I claim that I specialize in situational humor and improvised sayings, though I’m not funny or pithy these days.
I’ve been feeling like a spring flower in a summer landscape — in the right place at the wrong time.
But I do have a quote for you! I remembered that I liked one of the pull quotes at the beginning of the book I’m reading, Noticing, by Richard Louv.
Right???
So many of us would-be do-gooders and nature lovers resonate with that one.
Meanwhile, I’m continuing to do things I like to do, not that I think I should. I put silly little stickers on my nails. It was fun. If you don’t like it, don’t try it.
Sunflowers for summer
In the background of my nails is my journal. I enjoy putting Washi stickers in it. Artistic? No. Fun? Yes. There’s lots worse I could be doing!
I also stickered my big toe. My gosh that photo looks weird.
Other fun today was swimming, even though there are so many wasps around the pool. You can see nests better from in the water, I’ve learned. Spray time tomorrow!
