Caleigh O'Shea's Blog, page 9

Wordless Wednesday

…we can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasure… ~Thornton Wilder, American playwright, novelist, and winner of three Pulitzer Prizes

 

Monkey the Scholar

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese proverb

I Monkey here.

Well, I finally pushed Mama to the end of her rope with my monkey-shenanigans, and she retaliated by signing me up for Puppy School.

Huh.

We got there early so I could check out the classroom.

Puppy School? I had no idea there even was such a thing!

But there is, and now I’m a scholar. Or a student. Or something besides an uneducated puppy.

When Mama got me, I was sick for my first whole year of life (going from both ends, as Mama would say), so she didn’t get to socialize me or train me much. She had her hands full with cleanup, heh heh.

And while she’s tried to train me herself, I haven’t been exactly cooperative. Not that I’m stupid or anything (quite the contrary, Mama thinks), but I do have a bit of a stubborn streak.

Thus, Puppy School.

I was super-excited about my first class. I’m one of three students (a cattle dog and a cocker spaniel-mix are my classmates). We worked on three commands — Focus, Touch, and Sit — and while Mama is reserving judgment over whether this will be a lesson in futility (her expression, not mine), I’ve already decided I love it!

My teacher is great — young, encouraging, and very liberal with the treats. Good soft stuff, too, not those crunchy things Mama doles out. Why, I’ll jump through hoops as long as the cookies keep flowing!

And everybody bragged on how pretty I am, how well-behaved, and how smart, too. They’ve got good taste, y’know?

My teacher gave all the moms (I guess dads don’t do Puppy School or something) tote bags filled with goodies (coupons, dog treats, and so forth). She also gave out a little booklet so the moms can review during the week what we’ve learned.

Mama, of course, has glanced ahead to see what’s coming up on the agenda and next week, we’ll be working on leash-training. I can’t wait to start zooming on my leash and see what Teacher has to say about that.

Heh Heh.

Fall 2023 Wanes Beautifully

…I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. So I have spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne, American novelist and short story writer

How I relate to Mr. Hawthorne’s thoughts!

It seems like Autumn arrived late here, perhaps because everybody was eager for it to chase away the heat, humidity, and drought; but when it finally came (and despite fears to the contrary), it was simply glorious. (“Was” being the operative word — as I post this, we’ve passed “peak” color and are fast headed to Winter).

But I’ve compiled a little slide show (a dozen photos) so you can see some of our Fall trees. Please enjoy!

Click to view slideshow.

That’s a Big Pumpkin!

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. ~Henry David Thoreau (American poet, essayist, philosopher), “Economy,” Walden: Or, Life in the Woods, 1854

I chanced to see this big pumpkin sitting on its vine while Monkey and I were outside walking one day, and immediately there sprang to mind a story.

Back when my son Domer was a little boy, the preschool teachers taught his class a wonderful Halloween tale. The kids loved it, and Domer remembered it word for word, bringing it home to share with me.

In case you haven’t heard it, or perhaps have forgotten it, I’m happy to pass it along. Only takes about five minutes, but it feels appropriate for the season. Enjoy!

Walktober 2023

An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. ~Henry David Thoreau,American naturalist, poet, philosopher

Once again, it’s time for the annual group walk known as Walktober. Hosted this year by Dawn, Walktober encourages us to get outside and experience nature by walking, biking, riding, boating, whatever; and to share that enjoyment with others through words and photos.

Monkey’s already done his walk — he prides himself on being an over-achiever, hmph — so this one’s just for me. I traveled to Charleston, IL, home of Eastern Illinois University and the Whiteside Garden.

Opened to the public in 2021, this five-acre tract was the home of the late Dr. Wesley Whiteside, a botany professor at the university, and features thousands of plants from around the world.

Imagine my delight at finding a Southern Magnolia tree right as I entered the site! One of the volunteers told me Dr. Whiteside took care to see his plants were protected from winter’s snows … and they were thriving:

Look at this Banana Tree, outside and far from the tropics:

This is a wall of Giant Bamboo:

Of course I found whimsical elements like this painted rock snake:

And a pond with lily pads:

And this trellis-thing:

I approached this statue from behind, and at first, I thought it was a real person:

I found some trees with interesting shapes:

And some beautiful flowers:

I even found a cactus garden — planted outdoors in Central Illinois — and it looked quite healthy to me:

Obviously, I enjoyed some Fall color, too:

And here’s a shot of native prairie grasses:

Thanks for walking with me. I hope you enjoyed it.

After seeing this lovely spot in the Fall, I can only imagine how beautiful it must look in Spring, when everything is just starting to bloom. Guess I’ll have to go back!

Walking with Monkey 2023

The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude. ~Robert Brault,American writer

I Monkey here.

I think Mama was trying to hide the news of this year’s Walktober from me — she probably didn’t want to have to do two walks! Huh.

But I found out, and I’m raring to go. Fall day? Check. Leash and harness? Check. Link to the official Walktober post? Check.

Let’s do this!!

Mama has been to Douglas-Hart Nature Center previously but never with St. Dallas. Naturally, I was eager to prove I could behave and not bite a stranger’s arm off, so after being on my best behavior for a while, I wore her down.

Here I am, sniffing out the best starting trail:

Somebody clever carved an owl and a squirrel from a tree:

There were lots of tall, tall trees:

And some things with trunks that reminded Mama of rhubarb:

There were decorations for Halloween:

And something that looked more like Christmas:

Who tossed these yellow balls all over the ground? Doesn’t matter — I wasn’t interested in them much:

There was just a little bit of Fall color:

Along with some berries:

And pretty flowers:

There was a prairie windmill-thing:

And a pond. Mama talked with one of the workers, who was fretting over how low the water has gotten. He said they have no way of adding to the water level unless Mother Nature brings some big rains:

We saw lots of bird houses but not so many birds; we only saw one squirrel, but Mama wouldn’t let me chase him. I know she’d love chasing critters, too, if only I could get her to try! Silly Mama.

We saw several other visitors (but nobody with a dog). I got a lot of compliments, and I even let some of them touch me!

Finally, here I am on stage, taking my bow:

Okay, that’s it. Time for a snooze. All that fresh air and exercise makes me one happy, relaxed dog (and gives Mama time to put this thing together!) Hope you enjoyed our walk — see you next year (don’t worry, I’ll be posting before then, heh heh!) And I’ll get lazy Mama outside soon for her own Walktober post.

“Tiny” No More

There’s nothing wrong with having a tree for a friend. ~Bob Ross, The Joy of Painting

I read somewhere that the average height of an NBA player in 2022-23 was 6 feet 6 inches.

Would you believe that’s exactly the height of my once-tiny Tiny Tree?

More formally known as an Eastern Juniper (or Red Cedar), this tree made its first appearance in my backyard in late 2020 (AKA Pandemic Year). It’s not in a location I’d have chosen, but perhaps the bird who “planted” it had a better idea.

At least it’s in a fairly sheltered site and seems happy with its surroundings.

Way back then, I tied a jaunty red piece of yarn around its tiny trunk, hoping to brighten its spirits for the holidays while warming it from the cold to come.

Today, Tiny Tree is so big that I can no longer find its scarf.

Maybe it will hold still for some colorful bows and Christmas ornaments as the holidays near?

Throwback Thursday

Time is like the wind, it lifts the light and leaves the heavy. ~Doménico Cieri Estrada, Mexican writer

I Monkey here.

My mama is beside herself these days with projects, so I’ve volunteered to post on her blog for her.

I know, I’m nice that way.

Take a look at this picture:

That was my predecessor, St. Dallas. I found it lurking in a special folder on Mama’s phone — almost like some kind of shrine.

I imagine a lot of pups would be jealous of something like that, but not me.

Why, you wonder? Two very good reasons:

I Monkey have a special photo album of my own on Mama’s phone.St. Dallas taught Mama to love, and I Monkey am the beneficiary of that.

The photo was taken Oct. 27, 2014, long before I Monkey was a glimmer in my parents’ eyes. That was a mere month before St. Dallas’s eighth birthday and six years before he crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

So I guess he was in the prime of life or something.

Now take a look at this picture:

It’s me!

I’m standing in nearly the same spot with a smattering of colored leaves dropped all around me.

Coincidence? I don’t think so.

I was walking with Mama yesterday morning and, when I stopped to check something out, she told me to halt for a picture. She’d probably tell you she thought that location would make a pretty Fall photo, but I Monkey know better.

I think St. Dallas was near, nudging her to grab the camera and capture the moment.

After all, time flies, doesn’t it, and Fall is the perfect time of year for remembering those who’ve gone before us.

Rest well, St. Dallas. I Monkey am doing my best to keep this mama of ours on her toes and to distract her from grieving you.

I don’t like seeing her eyes leak.

But I’ve a bone to pick with you, good sir. You let her get away once too often with violating our Chief Rule. You know, the one that says one posed picture earns one (or more!) treats.

And now I Monkey am going to have to set her straight all over again.

Huh.

Flutter on By

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough. ~Rabindranath Tagore, Indian poet, composer, and philosopher

Some

People

Believe that

Seeing a blue

Butterfly is a

Sign of good fortune and

Indicates that you’re about

To receive a reward for your

Noble and honorable efforts.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

I’m not positive, but I think this is

A red-spotted purple admiral.

Seeing this one’s pretty blue wings

Brought me lots of happiness.

Blue butterflies are rare!

It’s my good fortune,

And I wanted

To share it

With you

Now.

Note: Poetry form is Double Etheree. If you’d like more information about this butterfly, please see the site. And for information about the symbolism of seeing a blue butterfly, please see Animals A-Z.

Monkey Helps Outdoors

May your search through Nature lead you to yourself. ~Author unknown

I Monkey here.

Mama is still busy with her blogging break, but I convinced her to let me say a few words today. After all, it’s been ages since you’ve heard from me, and who’s more important around here anyway?!

The other evening, Mama got out a big pair of pruning shears and started whacking at some of the weeds around our yard.

Yes, we have a lawn crew, but they think their only job is to ride a mower and cut the grass.

Huh. Another example of somebody who’s confused over what their job really is.

Mama tells me this all the time. She keeps reminding me it’s her job to kill the yucky-bugs, and it’s my job to chase the cats and critters away. Barking at the doorbell, I tell her, is merely lagniappe.

For those who don’t speak South Louisiana or Southeast Texas, lagniappe means a little something extra.

Anyway, back to the pruning shears.

Mama chopped a few vines and weeds before tackling some kind of invasive mulberry bush. Or tree. It was pretty tall, so she was taking it down limb by limb.

I was helping her by grabbing the cuttings and racing around the yard with them. I hoped she’d give chase and fuss with me for making a mess, but no such luck.

What’s wrong with the woman? Doesn’t she realize that playing Keep Away is good exercise and great fun?

But there she was, focused on felling that mulberry when she happened to glance to her left, saw something, and squealed like a little girl at a Taylor Swift concert.

Oh boy, I thought. What’s she found?

I raced over to where Mama stood, peering intently into one of the Arborvitae trees lining the back yard.

She wasn’t moving. Nor was she backing off.

Interesting.

I could’ve sworn her squeal meant “danger,” but she’s fooled me before. (Like when she sends me outside before sneaking a cookie so she doesn’t have to share. Huh.)

Next thing I know, she whips her phone from her pocket, accesses the camera, and clicks a photo. Of something.

Folding up the pruning shears, she marched back to the house, muttering something about not getting paid enough to fight with bugs.

Bugs? I never saw a tissue, nor did she act like she was going to kill anything. And that’s her job! She told me so herself.

Eventually, Mama showed me what she’d found:

Big bug!

A Praying Mantis!

Not something I wanted to tangle with — nor did Mama, obviously — so we left it alone right where it was.

Some cultures believe Praying Mantis is good luck, probably because it eats garden pests and is relatively harmless to humans.

I think we’ll keep our distance anyway.