A Day to Remember Tag

October 31, 2000 to July 21, 2015. 

We miss you Tag.

 

Midway in the picture below, directly above Tag, is the rusty roof of our Oatman house. Musoke, the parrot, is buried in the rock cairn to his right, where the bowls are, a spot where she can keep watch over the world. I would say let's go see Soke, and Tag would lead me all the way up here. Believe it out not, someone eventually found this spot and stole the bowls!

So cute. He loved to make a show of digging in rodent holes, thus the dirty nose. I don't know how he didn't get Valley Fever.

Looking handsome with a relaxed, happy expression in this photo taken at the cabin in Homer.

We spent so many hours exploring the desert. The views were grand and Tag was happy to pose for a picture. Some of the buildings around Oatman are visible on the  mountainside in the upper right of the photo below. 

Always sharing his discoveries, here Tag points out a feather or scent on a twig. On our hikes he would bring things he found to me, or me to them. His curiosity was remarkable. He was a valuable partner that found something new every time we went out. 

I like to remember him in his prime posing in this rare show of desert poppies. There will never be another dog like Tag.

Latest Pictures

Life continues to be about working on the studio/shed, working in the yard, tending the ducks and walking Tux. I stay busy but still miss Tag and Hoop. Today I recalled Tag diving for sticks in the lake on Sauvie Island, something I'd completely forgotten. He was a delight in so many ways.

Fall red leaves on the blueberries

The roses I planted this spring are doing well. This is Bonica and it is amazing to think it was just a wispy twig when I got it.

Late blooming Bonica

Bonica bud

Even leaves are beautiful on Bonica

 The ducks are a kick, always entertaining, and they are becoming very comfortable with Tux.

Ducks in a row

 I plan to put colored leg bands on them and have the names selected: yellow for Amber, green for Emerald, blue for Sapphire, and red for Ruby. A task for this weekend.

I cleared out the mess of bulbs and greenery growing in this front bed; replaced it with boxwood, for a short shrub (someday), and spring tulips. It looks pretty bare for now but what was there before was unruly.

These are three hemlocks to be planted. They were amazingly expensive, even with the 30% off sale.

Bob is very proud of his red jalapeno.

Here is Manzanita Corner, where the driveway splits into a circular drive. There are six or seven varieties of manzanita planted here, all very small, and some ceanothus. We probably won't live long enough to see them to maturity.

Here is the red garden on the east side of the house. I planted the peony roots last week. There are tiny figs on the tree!

This is on the south side of the circular drive, Pacific wax myrtle and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) to screen the neighbor's house someday.

More trees to plant. These are the shore pines. They have to be spaced widely to avoid the root and drip zone of the black walnut on the outside of our fence (on the right). Walnuts produce a chemical that kills or stunts the growth of a lot of other plants and I don't want to lose these pines.

Ta da! Two walls of my fantastic studio are finished. Isn't it wonderful?

Inside view

Outside view

Ducks again, rooting through our weedy lawn earning their keep as bug eaters until the eggs come. And that's it for now.

Deer Day

There has been some deer activity today in the neighbor's yard. Photos below.

But first, here is the latest sculptural piece I've been working on. Something fun:

Teapot totem

Now, deer pics:

A big buck was relaxing in the shade next to the house:

Big Buck goes into alert mode as...

...Buck 2 approaches..

...and starts snorting loudly

Big buck rises and handily chases him off

Even smaller buck joins Big buck

Big buck makes exit 

With small one following

Fall Colors

Red Sunflower

Rain comes with Fall and the gardens are happy. I am still loving the colors of this Cotinus, even as the leaves fall.

Cotinus 'Grace'

New plantings in the native plant area of the yard. Douglas maple on the right, and behind it are two vine maples I put in yesterday. Salal and Oregon grape are started with more to come. I just need a bench for this area.

Natives

The oaks in the front yard are looking stunning.

Oak colors

Winter veggies are in along with some hold outs from earlier plantings. I'm trying broccoli and beets now. Garlic is planted in the beds along the fence.

Still working on the shed walls.

A sure sign that we're getting rain.

The ducks enjoy the morning.

Like water off a duck's back

Watch them in action. What's not to love about these ducks?