Flowers and Critters and Life in General

Hi, friends.  I haven't had much time to be in my stamp room or the computer and so I'm stopping in to let you know what's going on at our house.  All is well with The Millers, so no worries there, but a friend had a serious life event and we're lending a helping hand.

First a peek at some September garden glamour... pink Amaryllis:

Next is the Butterfly bush.  We cut it down to the ground, thinking it was old and giving up, but it grew back into a beautiful bush with magnificent blooms that lend a heavenly scent to that corner of the garden.  The butterflies are fluttering around in swarms but, sorry, none in this picture.  We have mostly Painted Ladies this time of year.   Did you know that a group of butterflies is often referred to as a kaleidoscope?  I like that better than swarm.

Here's Wally, handsome and fluffy as ever.  He can't walk far or stand long before his legs give out, but he still loves life.

For the last several days we've been taking care of our friend's Goldendoodles.  We walk the block and a half to his house at the end of the street where we give the dogs breakfast, tend the flowers and veggies -- watering and harvesting -- houseplants, too.  We let the dogs out to explore their own yard for a while, then we walk them to our house where they spend the afternoon.  In the picture below you see Lynus howling for his human.  He did that quite a lot on the first day.  Our friend had never seen Lynus howl before, so I took the pic to show him.  Wally is looking on from across the room.  Sadly, Wally no longer has strong enough air to howl.

After the first day Lynus gave up the howling and decided to try and be happy.  In the picture below we're in our friend's yard.  Lynus is eagerly waiting for the next toss of the tennis ball.

Here's Bailey playing tug of war with Rich.  The smallest raggedy scrap that was once a stuffie is the best toy in the basket.   I've loved both of these dogs since puppyhood.

Back home again... Rich was painting some trim and Wally always has to be close to the action.  He burrowed through the branches of the azalea bush and peeked out at the world.

Little did Wally know that this kitty critter was peeking at him from the other side.  This cat has become a frequent visitor.  I think he/she lives down the street, but we're becoming friends.  I told him as long as he doesn't get my birds and squirrels he's welcome to visit.

The Three Amigos at our house.  We're planning to get a new sofa, but this is just so perfect for three big dogs.  Where did I sit?  I didn't.

The last pic is Bailey at our friend's house on the first night.  He looks mournful, but part of that is just his personality.  He's a mega-sweetheart.  Love.

I wish with all my heart that LuLu was in these pictures.

It will be a few days yet before our friend is home.  As I write this he is recovering (I hope) from quadruple bypass surgery.  Someone was supposed to call, but we've heard nothing.

My visits to blog friends will be delayed and brief for a while.  I'll stay in touch as much as possible.  Priorities.  You understand.  It's good to have friends, but even better to be a friend.