Mid June

A Highland Cow enjoying the abundant grass.

The garden is on the verge of catching hold. The cucumbers have not enjoyed the rain but are still hanging on as are the tomatoes. Not exactly flourishing though.

A few things came up very spotty. Beets and lettuce for instance, strange as they usually come up like gangbusters. I did use old seed, perhaps that made a difference.

The starlings have vacated the hole in the top of our tree. With the foliage out in full force one could hardly see the hole. The young ones have learned to fly and flown the coop.

My trips in the bush have not been as frequent. Still missing Willow. Lisa has been trying to track down another Wire-Haired Standard Dachshund but they are hard to come by. They are much more popular in Europe. I have joked that I’m going to go to Poland to get a hound. Our Wire-Haired before Willow, Slinky was from Poland. She was also a fantastic dog.

Here are a few pics from June.

A Roundleaf Orchid. I returned to this orchid recently to get a picture of the flowers open and it had been munched off. Flowers are a favourite of bears. There was plenty of sign to confirm this suspicion.

Lola helping me find Orchids along the game trails.

Coral Orchid. These were everywhere and reminded me of Asparagus.

Following a game trail. I often followed game trails when I was young, hunting, but often, just trying to learn from the animals. Where they were going, what routes they chose, where they would dip down for water or rise onto the mountain side, the tracks they left and which animals shared the route. My young self figured they knew the bush better than us, so why not learn from them. Older now I have trouble managing the deadfalls.

Bog Orchid.

An Oldtimer harvesting pine pollen. This was taken on a walk with Lisa, Cooper and Scarlett. The kids asked what pine pollen is good for. I told them it was good for the immune system and can even be used as an aphrodisiac. Cooper wanted to know what an aphrodisiac was, Lisa said it can give a man an erection. Cooper’s response was, “Why would somebody want more of those.”

9 thoughts on “Mid June”

  1. mountaincoward's avatar

    mountaincoward

    I laughed very loud at the conversation between Cooper and Lisa about erections! I didn’t know you had Highland Cows over there? Looks exactly the same as our Scottish Highland Cattle.

    Very interested in the pine pollen – how do you harvest and use it?

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    1. underswansea's avatar

      underswansea

      We don’t have a lot of highland cows. These were on a small farm I pass by often. Pine pollen can be made into a tincture. Which I haven’t done. The tinctures can be purchased and are quite expensive.

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      1. mountaincoward's avatar

        mountaincoward

        I wonder if they use that pine pollen in essential oils – I buy the Pine one for my bedroom (for my breathing) and my bathroom. I had no idea you had any Highland Cows over there – I didn’t know they were ever outside Scotland. They’re an excellent breed though and a very docile beast 🙂

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  2. Unknown's avatar

    Anonymous

    Dad this photo of you is my favorite one of all time. Seriously captures your “essence” so well and the colors are very beautiful and striking.

    The grandkids are very lucky to have you to show them the outdoors and share some amazing memories with you. I cannot wait for Ryder to grow up with an amazing grandpa.

    Love you!

    Maddy

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