Tuesday, October 20, 2015

I've been contacted by owners of one of my dogs that's about 8.5 years old with tooth problems. There might be auto-immune issues involved. Has anyone had similar problems with their dogs?

When I moved to the Thumb, I brought a 50 year Ginkgo bonsai that I started from a seedling; and released it. It's doing well. I read an article once in the New Yorker that said that all Ginkgoes in the same place lose their leaves simultaneously blanketing the ground with golden leaves. I'd love to see that sometime. Clicking on photos enlarges them.

 Two ships passing in the early morning.

 

An Ed Duff sky.

 

I now have all the house plants back inside the house. Although I haven't had a frost yet, I expect one soon. Frosts come later here than back in Royal Oak even though I am further north; I think Lake Huron moderates the temperatures in the fall. Spring comes later here for the same reason; it takes longer to warm back up because of Lake Huron.

My late blooming variegated liriope

My basswood (Tilia americana, linden, lime tree) has lost most of its leaves.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Over 300 bulbs, the first half of the order, have been planted. There are some species tulips, windflowers, several species crocus, spring flowering  iris bulbs, some star of Bethlehems, etc.With luck most of them will survive the winter and brighten next spring.  Clouds were heavy over Canada this morning.

On the way to Sandusky, I noticed the red warning lights on the energy producing windmills. Each tiny light represents one windmill. I haven't seen them since last winter but days are shorter now so when I'm traveling in the morning they are again visible.

 

On clear days it's much easier to see freighters on the horizon.

Nights are cool now, most trees are colored, and half of the leaves have fallen from them.

Sunset - Sunrise

I really feel sorry for people who miss sunrises and sunsets! There's a nip in the air mornings now but no frosts yet. Bulbs came yesterday afternoon so I'll be very busy today.

The leaves on some trees have started to show their colors. Last night this birch tree was lit up by the setting sun west of it. Clicking on photos enlarges them.

Sunrise this morning - above. With mixed feelings, I figured out how to get back on Face Book - but I still can't get into my older account there. It's probably long gone now.

Kippa and Suzanne

Kippa, Tryggur, and Suzanne Terrant were at an American Kennel Club Trial in Monroe, Michigan with Icelandic Sheepdog Judges Sonny Ambrosio, Tamra K. Green, and William P Shelton. Shadow cheered his family on from the sidelines. Here are two photos from that weekend. Clicking on photos will enlarge them. The awards are posted in the photos below which were taken by Booth Show Photography.

Here are Hidow Thrymheim's Tryggut (l) and Vinlands Kippa (r) with AKC Judge Sonny Ambrosio and Handlers Joe T. Caton (Tryggur) and Kathy Musto (Kippa).

Vinlands Kippa and Handler Joe T. Caton with AKC Herding Group Puppy Judge Tamra K. Green; the Breed Judge who got Kippa and Joe to the Herding Group Puppy was William P Shelton.

Monday, October 5, 2015

The blustery weather on Lake Huron that we've been having for more than a week ended this morning. I love the 'weather' here. I noticed that a dead tree in my north garden was knocked down by the powerful winds sometime during the storm. I'll cut it into moveable sections and leave the pieces on the soil to provide homes for ants, isopods, centipedes, millipedes, spiders, etc. and to decay and enrich the soil. Everything else seems to have weathered the storm OK.

Sunrise in the East, Birches Still 'Leaved'

Sunrise with Grass

Orange Dahlia

Pink Dahlias

Colchicums with Sedum

Colchicums

Colchicums

Goldfish with Young

Storm Tossed Bartlett Pears

 

Shy, Shrinking Violet

Isabella

Stefsstells Ingaló Ísabella, Jennifer Sander's Icelandic Sheepdog bred by Stefanía Sigurðardóttir in Iceland, had some photos taken recently. Ísabella has been doing wonderful in American Kennel Club conformation trials.

Ísabella

Ísabella

Ísabella

Ísabella with Handler Maria Neff

Lula Bea Sanders

I heard this morning that Lula the Boxer passed away last night. She will be greatly missed by Jennifer, her family, and many friends.

Here are some photos of her. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.

 

Lula had an American Kennel Club CD (Companion Dog) title, an RN (Rally Novice) title, a CGG (Canine Good Citizen) title, and also a United Kennel Club CD. Lula's personal favorite title was her BFF. She was very smart and a loving, good natured girl.

 

Jennifer and Lula at trial held at Sportsmen's Dog Training Club in Detroit.

 

Lula use to go with Jennifer and Lee to dog shows. Lula loved going to trials and her presence at them gave Lee confidence. They were best buddies.

Mentor Lula and her loving pupil Lee at Sans Souci.