Gardening

The garden is looking good.

(lots of boarder flowers to attract
"beneficials" to protect the veggies.)

The sunflowers are tall,
with corn mixed in also.

Vladi checks out some melons.


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Tinkler

Uschi is our most "challenged" boy,...

He howls and howls on the wheel, it can be real frustrating.

We just recently realized this often means that he has to
go to the bathroom. It is kind of funny now that
we know what is going on, even though he is
extremely LOUD!!! He will yell and yell and YELL,

"DAAAD,... I feel funny,...
My belly feels strange,...
I feel kind of tingly,...
MOOOM!!! "

then he jumps in the litter box and all will be well.

Usch is so "special" >;-)

He also likes to tinkle in stray boxes to supplement his
special king-size specialty-litter box and
now his favorites are unmanned plastic containers,...

Yes, leave a container on the counter and

USCHI !!!!

(he has amazing aim ... just in the containers)

Whaattt ?!!!

Outside,... the family was watering trees
Tanj and Vladi happily chasing the water,...

"DAAAD,... I've got that feeling again."

Well go ahead,...

Uschi backed up to one of the little trees and

helped.

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Vladi Watering

When we turn a hose
AKA - water snake

Vladi comes to investigate.

Oooops

I can't believe they sprayed me !!!

I'm Vladi !!

I'm outta' here !

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Sprinkler

Just before Vladi came home we noticed that the

dry brown "grass" was very sharp.

So we watered a small patch for a week or so,
such that there would be a soft place for the
V-man to learn about the outdoors.

Tanji ran right past the sprinkler,
keeping his distance.

The sound of running water brought

Uschi running,

What is that ?

Hmmm ?

Interesting,...

I need a closer look.

careful Usch,...

This is neat,...

It doesn't smell strange,...

pat, pat, pat.

Uschi started to get "rained" on,... so

he was off.


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Dirt Trails

At first the boys were not to sure about all the roto-tilled "trails," but I went back and raked them smooth, rolled them, and put grass seed down on the sections that are part of our couple of mile walking trail network. Lesley put down 35+ lbs of native wildflower seeds on the other sections and also put in a veggi garden (27 different tomato varieties so far) on one of the strips that is near one of the new hydrants. For the past few weeks we have been out there, several hours everyday, hand watering the germinating seeds,...

It takes a long time to water the
approximately 2000ft by 8ft wide strip,

but Uschi is helpful.

Tanji checks out one of the new valve boxes.

Uschi heads to the grass to wipe off his muddy pads.

Tanji stops at the sight of the wet dirt.

then walks along the edge

before finding a dry spot in the shade.

Meanwhile,
Uschi heads off

inspecting the rest of the trail.


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Cat-Nip Watering

Lesley planted a patch of catnip for the boys, before they arrived home with us. This patch steadily grew and grew under a set of bird feeders, good placement(?). A few months ago the boys found the patch and visit it regularly for a little nibble on their way home. Tanji in particular is attracted to it. When we are on our final stretch home, from the West side of the property. Uschi typically takes off, zooming down the trail, then he jumps onto the picnic table that is located by the house at the end/beginning of this trail. Tanji however, sprints down the trail after Uschi then takes a sharp 90 degree turn before the picnic table and heads directly to the catnip. He mostly just munches on the leggy stems.

The other night the boys were investigating the catnip and we decided to give it a watering. Of course the sound of running water didn't scare away the boys.

mmmm, dry catnip stem,...

Tanji plays in the spray, while,...

Uschi calmly watches the water,

and admires its droplets.

Then,

Tanj runs around the edge of the spray pattern.


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Watering

We are just about to the end of the watering season. It has rained a few times now, though the ground is still very dry. As always, the boys are helpful when it comes to watering.

Tanj got a bit close and got his head wet,

Uschi sits quietly and watches,

Tanj isn't sure about this,...

Uschi investigates closer,

then spots a strange
multi-colored hybrid water snake.

Back at the pond,

the boys watch the hosi greenii slither,

Tanj tensly keeps his distance while
Uschi tracks its movements.


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Hosi redii

We have several species of water snakes on the property. Tanji is getting much bolder with the various water snakes, but he still jumps when he comes across them, meows at them, and gives them a wide berth on the trails.

Recently the boys discovered the red species, Hosi redii. It was laying in the tall grass on the far back trail. It had recently been active, which caught the boys attention. As it went to sleep the boys stalked it.

Uschi ran right up to it,

gave the viper a sniff,

and waped it on the head.

Tanji, seeing that Uschi was still alright
and still under his watchful eye,

gave it a good sniff.

Before,...

carefully touching the viper's yellow head,

with each paw.

The next night I was again out watering our many (hundreds) of little conifers and Lesley brought the boys out for a walk. As soon as they heard the sound of the water snake they came running after me to see if I needed help.

They homed in on the Hosi greenii's body

and meowed at it

and stalked it.

Both boys tracked the venom spray
with much interest.

Later,... back home again

the boys came across yet another active Hosi greenii.

This time they

just sat with me and watched its venom

attack the plants.


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