Tuesday TwitterdeePrettyNeatStuff

It's plum crazy---enough plums on this one branch to take care of my general jelly needs this year.  And, this collection has survived a little limb shaking by the strong teeth of two horses.

A lot of plums have hit the ground, but just imagine this loaded branch multiplied by those on the entire tree.  A lot of plums, to say the least.

And, then imagine another tree so loaded down that virtually every limb is now almost touching the ground.

When they ripen, it's likely I'll be looking for a few plum crazy people who like to make jelly.  They're too small for anything else, but the jelly is wonderful.  

This year's corn is much taller than I am. Soon there will be ears to eat, and not quite so many ears as we have plums.  I'm thinking we're probably NOT going to advertise free corn for the taking.

For now, the corn presents some nice artistic delights, especially in the evening sun. 

'Nough said----except this one leads a relatively safe life behind a garden fence compared to those out behind the barn which face the threat of extinction from nibbling deer who come in the night.

Last night the naughty thieves came and ate several vines AND a few of my baby pumpkins.  That's definitely a first in my experience of dealing with nocturnal garden thievery.

I've noticed they've never stolen any of the weeds. 

Oregano--yes, it's about as prolific as the plums, and it's been attracting the good bees.  Virtually every oregano bush on the place is buzzing with activity.

Should be some good honey coming from the next-door hives this year. 

Yesterday was another "go to the mountains for cooler air" day.  We had another hot one AND I must say a WARM night.

A nice breeze at a higher elevation on Schweitzer Mountain did the trick for me, as did some of the sights and people I saw.  This young man was gaining more and more confidence as he performed on the "whatever it is" machine in the village.

After watching him for a few minutes, I hiked partway up the trail near the chair lift, which is running now on week days.

Lo and behold, the first two groups I met included former students, including one who has moved to Sweden where he met his wife.

Joe has picked up a definite Swedish accent in his years there, and he has a beautiful and nice family.

I enjoyed stopping occasionally and enjoying the beautiful scenes on the Schweitzer hillsides, activity on the chair lift and, of course, wildflowers and mountain berries.   

On my way home, this nice mule deer stepped onto the road as if it were on a mission further up the mountain.  Maybe it was looking for pumpkins. 

Call this a bucket-list photo.  My longtime friend Susie/Sky posted this on Facebook yesterday.

Every time she posts similar photos, my desire to join her on one of her magnificent Colorado trail rides increases by several notches.

We had a lot of fun during our youth cavorting aboard my horse Largo and her big gelding Major up and down neighborhood dirt roads, but I firmly believe that riding a horse through lush, dropdead gorgeous mountain scenes like this is about as good as it's ever gonna get.

Some day!

For now, Happy Tuesday.