"Swimming" Pond

We have been getting lots of rain!
So much so that the

Vernal pond filled with water.

Between down pours yesterday,
the boys went out and

Uschi spotted the full pond.

The weather was a balmy 48 degrees,
so of course

I had to

try out the pond, with

very shallow "dive."
(the pond is only a few feet deep)

Aaaaahhh, 40 degree muddy water.
Who is going to join me?

How about you Uschi ?

"DaaaAAdddd !!,...

I'm not sure about this"

Okay back to

dry land.

Thanks for bringing me back to shore.

When I dove in Tanji took off home,...

But soon came back fluff tailed and meowing.

Hi dad,...

Dad, you are crazy, that water is cold.

Are you guys coming in,... ?

With that,...

Uschi was gone,...

Tanji was right behind him.

Uschi showed good form,

but Tanji stayed close.

Are you ready for a swim now ?

Aaaaaa,.... not us.


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Tree'd Tanji

On a clear fall day,

Tanji was exploring the roof of the well-house.

mmmm, this branch is yummy,...

Uschi came up onto the roof to visit Tanji,
but he was already gone,...

up into a little tree,...
(watching Uschi)

Pretty boy Tanji
relaxes about eight feet up on a branch.

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Uschi's Cracked Oak

Last year, after a very large wind storm, we noticed one of

our large oaks had a split at the crotch of the two trunks.
Fearing that the tree might come down on the house,
I went out, in the rain, and put a load binder up
as high as I could with a ladder. The next day we had a
"tree-guy" take a look, he put on his climbing
spurs and went up about 30 feet and

repositioned the binder. It is holding pretty well.

Uschi likes to climb up into the crotch of the oak.

Uschi looks out,...

Surveying his domain.

Keeping a sharp eye out for approaching Tanji's

mmmmm, this smells oaky.

Wag, wag, wag.

I could go higher,...

Naaaa, this is a good height.

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Play With Me

Tanji was happily sleeping on his green silk-velvet blanket,
while Uschi ran on his wheel. All of a sudden,

Vladi jumped on Tanji, then lept off.

I saw you go under the blanket,...

I'll get you,...

Kick-picking Vladi and the blanket.

Where did he go?
(note Vladi peaking from near the scratcher)

There you are,... !

Pounce !!

Vladi springs back,...

Wrestle time.

Wooooo Hooooo

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Tree Delivery

Recently we came up with a big-picture plan for our property's plantings. The perimeter will be 3-5 rows containing a diverse mix of conifers (currently 50+ different species, with many varieties and seed stocks of each species). The outside rows will be taller conifers with each inner row containing shorter and shorter "specimen" evergreen trees. Inside the conifers will be 2-3 additional rows of deciduous trees, (currently 40+ species), again stepping down in height. We've been picking varieties with varied form,
color, texture, seasonal interest, etc.

We have been planting and moving around LOTS of trees lately.

To get such a variety, we often order special sets of
little seedlings (that are more affordable), which

arrive in nice boxes for Uschi.

Oh BOY, what did we get !!

I think there are some little trees in here,...

mmmm, these smell good.

This looks like an Arizona Cypress.

Yup, it tastes like a cypress.

The trees are fun but nothing
beats the boxes and packing materials.

This box is just right for me.

Wooo Hooo, this box is fun.

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