In the Aspens

We are lucky to live in a small portion of a larger aspen forest. Forest living is something else! First and foremost, we enjoy the trees. Tall, white barked, quaking aspens that sing to you when there's a slight breeze. The old-timers call them "Quakies" and we have discovered that Quakies are a little bit magical. Their lush canopy hides birds, the protective understory hide deer and other wildlife...and in between are a myriad of wildflowers that brighten our day. And, because their tall trunks are white, the forest is bright and airy, so very different from a dark pine forest.

Next, there's the small herd of mule tail deer that live in our little patch of forest. This year, the forest is protecting at least 2 spotted fawns and their mamas, several other does, as well as a large buck, that makes an appearance every so often.

I don't get to see him often, but when I do, I'm sitting in my screened porch, where I can see him and he can't see me. If he sees me, or hears me, he scampers away.  

The drama in the forest is another treat. The other day I was sitting on the porch communing with one of the 2 year old males that hangs out in the backyard most mornings, when all of a sudden, the big guy appears from nowhere, and 5 other young males popped up from the understory where they were effectively hidden by the forest, and ran away. I never saw the other 5 males, as the understory is dense. Once a deer gets into the understory of the forest, it's completely hidden in less than 10 feet. I have no idea why the big guy was a bully that day, but that's one moment of time in an aspen forest. There are many that I am not privy to, but I'm going to sit on the porch as long as I can and try to discovered other secrets the aspens hide.

   

Lastly, are the flowers: Salsify, aster, Indian paintbrush, arnica, wild rose, wild flax, harebells, daisy, wild Bicknell's geranium, acacia...and so many more. They lurk amid the wild grasses waiting to be discovered. Every time I go on a photo safari in my wild garden, I see new and wonderful blooms.

Life in an aspen forest is a delight and a surprise. 

We never know what we will see or hear in the forest, so each day we arise to a new adventure.

Pachyderms

My latest crochet critter is an elephant (non-political in every way shape and form). I researched many elephant patterns on the web, and none were to my liking...so I'm developing my own.

 This is easier said than done.

My first attempt is pretty good, but the ears are rather largel He could give Dumbo flying lessons.

My second attempt has good ears, but the trunk is too large. The size is good...

but I think he is smuggling a vacuum cleaner for a trunk.

And the BLUE elephant is attempt number 3. His trunk is OK and his ears are OK...the pattern is starting to take shape. 

I should have a perfect "pack of derms" pattern by tomorrow. At least that's the plan right now.

Summer Rain

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Summer rain is special...it does not last long and leaves few puddles...but if you're lucky you might see raindrops on the greenery. 

This was my view when I walked my wildflower garden this morning. The air was cool, the sky was clear and 

I have to believe the plants were enjoying the sprinkle of rain.

A Few More Piggies

The menagerie grows then it gets smaller as I give the critters away. I made a trio of piggies that were quite loud and named them Noisy, Noisier and Noisiest, the "tres apigos" (play on words for tres amigos). They were sent out to 3 little girls on Wednesday.

Then Big Pig joined the group--for some reason, he's just BIG, yet he's made with the same number of stitches as the rest of the piggies. He's pictured with his friend "Stripe" to show the difference in sizes.

Tonight "Porkchop" joined the group, but he's camera shy...maybe I can corral him tomorrow.

With all the ugly things happening in the world, I'm escaping it all by making piggies and lambies. If  the politicians would focus on reducing inflation, getting us out of a recession, solving the border crisis, and open the oil pipelines, then I would talk about more important things than crocheted critters.

I found a small ball of scrap yarn that looked perfect for a lamb, so I made a lamb. Meet Fluffy! 

Crochet Critters Continue

I'm making more piggies, and this one might be the best of show. A striped piggy, all proud and perky.

Wildflower Garden

Summer wildflowers are always a surprise as you never know what will show up. This summer the wildflowers are late. I've looked and looked, and nothing was in bloom...and all of sudden all of the flowers were in bloom. A strange summer for wildflowers. I have the "usual" list of illusive flowers and I never get tired of seeing their beauty unfold. Take a look.

     

Queen Anne's Lace, Salsify, Arnica, Harebells

      

Aster, Indian Paintbrush, Lupine, Prairie Grass

Cruise Piggies Mark 2

Meet 2 cruise piggies. They have their bags packed and ready to go. 

Two more cruise piggies are in the mix. 

In case you are wondering, the V stands for Viking Cruise Lines

Cruise Piggy

This little guy is one of 4 official cruise piggies. They're special critters, as they remind us we're going on a cruise.

Haven't been cruisin' since 2019, so the 4 Cruise Piggies will help us get ready for the adventure. Watch this space to see their cruise duds.

Independence Day 2022...Happy 246th BIrthday USA

Let's celebrate our freedom while we still have some.

The Menagerie Grows

Crochet critters are fun to make, so I'm making them. I give one away, I make 2 more...

This little sheep is named Raquelle Azul...which means "blue ewe." 

She's going to be a birthday present. It might be time to learn how to make another critter.

Oops...There's One More

I'm on a roll...it took me 5 hours from start to finish to make this little girl. My friend Sunni named her "Pinky Tuscadero from Grease" but I changed the spelling to Greece...so please meet Pinky Tuscadero from Greece. I don't want to infringe on any copyrights. 

Summer Fawn

The first fawn of the season. This little fawn (less than 18 inches tall) was all by herself. We looked for mama but we never found her. 

I love having a Bambi roam in my backyard.

Along Came Baaaaa-braaa Ann

I'm having too much fun crocheting lambs and creating names for them. 

BTW there's a website for naming sheep...go figure.

Meet Lambie and Ewe-Dora

The crochet menagerie is growing as a new critter is added to the fold.

 

Meet Ewe-dora a dark purple and creamy white lamb ...

...and her cousin Lambie a more traditional black and creamy white sheep.

 These little guys are a bit more complicated to make than the other critters, but worth it as they are so darned cute.

Grand Tetons

While Yellowstone is closed, Grand Teton National Park is open. The scenery, as always, is stunning, and much to my delight, it was not very crowded. This National Park does not get the publicity that Yellowstone gets, yet they are connected. Here are some views from last week.

The view from Schwabacker's Landing

The view from Dornan's by Moose Junction

The view from Signal Mountain

Grand Teton National Park is one of my favorite parks in the US and I'm lucky to leave near it.

Yellowstone

Many of my friends have contacted me to find out if we are OK after the drastic flooding of Yellowstone. I can say, we are OK...but our beloved Yellowstone National Park is not OK. Roads and bridges are washed out. Rivers and waterfalls are at an all time high. Cabins and other structures near the raging rivers have been  washed away. All the entrances to the Park are closed and it looks like the North and Northeast Entrances (Gardiner and Cooke City) will be closed the rest of the summer. All visitors and employees have been or are being evacuated...even people in back country cabins. Gardiner and Cooke City are isolated right now with power problems and lack of food in addition to record flooding. Grand Teton National Park, a few miles from Yellowstone is OK as are the towns surrounding park such as Jackson, West Yellowstone, and Cody. As of this morning, the road damage has not been fully assessed, but it looks like the "Upper Loop" of YNP will be closed for most of the season, while the "Lower Loop" will reopen when the flooding subsides. All of us are saddened by the closure of Yellowstone and our prayers go to everyone who has been affected by his disaster. So far, we have not heard anything about the fate of the animals in the park.

Map courtesy of https://www.yellowstonetreasures.com/yellowstone-treasures-guidebook/maps/yellowstone-national-park-map/

As an aside, my good friend and I were scheduled to visit Yellowstone, today and tomorrow, staying in cabins at Roosevelt and Old Faithful (2 villages in the Park). We had planned this little vacation for several months, but it will not happen. The Park has graciously refunded all reservations. Today we plan to go to the Tetons to inspect what is happening. 

...and then there were more

In the wintertime, I crochet blankets and warm items. In the summertime, I crochet toys. To that end, I've finished 2 teddy bears and 5 piggies. I need to master some other toys. Please meet Tiny Timmy Blue, Harley Hamm, Peggy Piggy and Purple Polly Porker. Hermie Hamm, (not pictured) found a forever home.

A Pair of Piggies

A pair of piggies joined the menagerie tonight. They are named Harley Hamm and Peggy Piggy. I've not made piggies is awhile so I had to go back to the pattern...

turns out I was making them too long in the past. Go figure!

2 New Teddy Bears

Meet Katie and Jazzy, my two newest bears. They are looking for their forever home, 

so if you know of a couple of children who would like them, please let me know. Katie is about 1/2 inch taller than Jazzy, while Jazzy is bright and colorful.

 Both are polite little bears looking for a home. 

Lest We Forget

D-Day, June 6, 1944

Many gave up their freedom yesterday, so we have our freedom today.

It's White Day

It's White Day! A special day in the high country as it's the day when all the berry trees and shrubs in the forest bloom. They only bloom for one day and then it's done. Today is THAT day. Right now, there's a faint white scree over and around the forest as the "understory" and "midstory" are filled with white blossoms.

 It's quite a sight to see all the tiny pure white blossoms.

 

It's uncanny how all the trees blossom on the same day...

....and the blossoms last for a day or two at the most

... Today is June 3, which is late for white day...it's usually before Memorial Day weekend. 

If the trees don't blossom now, it will be too late to bear fruit, and if they...

...blossom too early, the temps will freeze the blossoms from ever blooming and there will not be any fruit. 

The fruit, berries. give the deer added and needed energy in the fall of the year.

 I was afraid we had missed white day, but it came a little late this year.

PS--I discovered these are Service Berries and they are edible...but I'll still let the deer eat them.