My buddy and I went for a delicious and satisfying lunch today, thanks to a generous friend. A funky brewpub in an alley with a small outdoor area on the side did the trick. She had Cajun penne pasta and I had carnitas tacos. We were both stuffed and happy.

In the garden -- this tomato plant is finally producing large tomatoes (earlier ones were much smaller), but I don't know if there will be time for them to ripen. We have a little more sunshine coming, so I'm crossing my fingers.

Pleeze mom! Latest and current gambit for pleading his case. Not sure what it is this time. He's just had second breakfast, probably wants his Churu treat. Hard to resist!

It’s a stare down. What have I done, or haven’t done. There’s definitely a message here.

He may be a rascal, but he’s a precious little rascal. Snoozing happily in his basket this early morning.

Oops -- I was misled that yesterday was the first day of fall. Here's another favorite, a tapestry-like scene along the Silverado Trail near St. Helena, CA. Vines turning brilliant colors, fog along the river, mountains in the rear, drooping branches at the top. Also previously posted.

This is a whine. This was from August 25. I posted it here at the time. Today I had a similar score but noticed no mention of a streak. Looking at stats, I learn that I have a 1-day streak, with longest streak of 7 days. I have not missed a Monday. I only do these to keep the streak alive.

Spencer is feeling a little left out this morning, so here’s today’s cuddle pic.

Since it's the first day of fall, a perennial favorite of mine that's made at least one prior appearance here. This is the Appalachian Trail at Three Forks, which is 8 miles from the Springer Mountain southern terminal of the trail. Looking north.

The short, but beautiful, Metolius River in the Central Oregon Cascades.

@thesnarkyfarmer.bsky.social , this is right up your alley.

When he outgrew the sweatshirt pocket (by a lot) but still needed the equivalent snuggle time. Happy #Caturday and #GoDucks!

Done and done.

Spencer has been worrying that stink bug at the window for a few days now. Still fascinated but a little scared by it. Sorry about bad exposure.

I have a dentist appointment this morning. Ugh. Just a cleaning, but still ...

Just woke up from his morning nap wondering about 2nd breakfast. Swatting me as I walk by.

I always look up when I'm at the downtown Eugene transit station, because I love this sight. #AlphabetChallenge #WeekLforLines

Nice view from my window tonight. Good night BlueSky friends.

Amazing! 🤩 Go Ducks 🦆 youtu.be/tAnI6YnqHoc?...

What do you mean, it’s not time to eat again yet?

Somebody’s in his happy place again this morning, though he doesn’t look very happy.

Power outage so I went for a walk. Hope it’s back in time for the game.

Flashback to 2023 for #Caturday this week. A favorite baby pic of Spencer sleeping snuggled in my turned-up sweatshirt. Is it any wonder he still wants to cuddle close every morning? Happy Caturday and #GoDucks

I don’t share these much anymore, but an unassisted Queen Bee is rare for me. It’s a short one but I’ll take it.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, about 50 miles north of Eureka, CA is about 14,000 acres of old redwoods. I've been there often, but barely scraped the surface. Large local elk herd near the visitor center. Note size of human against tree, first photo. #RedwoodTrails

Happier days. April 2014 I drove the two bhikkhunis to West Virginia from Charlotte, NC so they could visit their home monastery and teacher. This photo has been popping up on my screensaver lately and always catches my eye. 🙏 #buddhism

I need another cup of coffee, but I really can't disturb this. Too bad you can't hear the purring.

Went out early today to tidy up my garden box. We were told that nothing could extend beyond the inner frame. I’ll harvest the basil for one final batch of pesto for the freezer and I’ll be done.

A little bloom scrolling from my early morning gardening. None of these are mine of course. All the work of one person.

Most of my pre-2010 digital photos were lost. I went to my old blog and pulled a few from the Hiouchi/Stout Grove trip. A huge burl in the Stout Grove, looking up from inside a redwood stump, and the Hiouchi Trail. #RedwoodTrails

The Stout Grove of redwoods, Jedediah Smith State Park, is accessible from a dirt forest service road from the Crescent City area (or you can walk the Hiouchi Trail, as I did). Lots of big trees here. Easy walking. #RedwoodTrails

Snuggling with me on this #WhiskersWednesday morning after deciding for the last two nights that stalking and attacking me as soon as I go to bed is a good idea. I always forgive him, but he keeps a long list of grievances to be atoned.

The Hiouchi Trail lies between Hwy 199 and the Stout Grove of redwoods, near Crescent City, CA. I started at 199. The trail goes right through that old tree (1st photo), follows the beauteous Smith River and had lots of little Hobbit Holes at tree bases. #RedwoodTrails

I've been forgetting to post this for #TallTreeTuesday , and finally remembered. This is a fixture in Eugene, Hendricks Park with its large and beautiful rhododendron garden, one of the oldest in the country. There are winding paths all around the hillsides from this upper level.

Boy Scout Tree Trail, Jedediah Smith Redwoods. This tree takes some seeking out and is easy to miss because the tree is just off the trail named for it and there is (was then) no sign. It has its own webpage but some of the details are in alt text. famousredwoods.com/boy_scout/ #RedwoodTrails

Zinnias and tomatoes, in a neighbor's garden bed this morning before the rain came. Cheery, even in the dim light.

Good morning and Happy Monday (if there is such a thing). No walk this morning so here's another shot of last week's sunrise at the ponds. No edits. #DeltaPondsEugene

Last one for the week. Actually a 'color' photo where there was no color to be found. Looking up to the top of some redwoods in the fog, in Northern California. #AlphabetChallenge #WeekJforJetBlack

Please feed me. I'm starving! A ploy of last resort for him is if all else has failed and I go to the kitchen, he'll get this hangdog look and reach out to me with a paw, pleading. He is not starving. Only 9am and he's had 1st and 2nd breakfast plus a treat and crunchies.

Awesome performance from our Ducks. I kinda feel sorry for OSU, but not totally.

OMG

Look who’s growing some whiskers! He always had them of course but they were wimpy. He posed so nicely for the new portrait. Happy #Caturday and #GoDucks

Spencer says Happy #FelineFriday. Really he does.

From yesterday. #AlphabetChallenge #WeekJforJetBlack

Morning walk, I arrived just before the sun broke the trees in the horizon. So many photos! This was my favorite, at least for the moment. #DeltaPondsEugene

Noontime walk. Late again today -- sometimes, life gets in the way. Hot and muggy, but otherwise nice. This ramp leads to a nice overlook, but there was almost no water left, just mud and lilypads. #DeltaPondsEugene

A few of the stately old homes in the old section of Beaufort, SC. I wandered every street, spellbound. Hard to photograph because of the many trees and greenery.

He popped out of his basket and walked the few steps, plopped down in front of me and went back to sleep. My movements woke him, of course, and as always there is the wary side-eye toward the phone. He's a good boy this morning. #WhiskersWednesday

One of my favorite places, only one visit. Beaufort, SC. As a diehard fan of Pat Conroy and Anne Rivers Siddons, I found myself with a day to kill and just a couple of hours drive away, couldn't resist. Could have stayed forever. #WaterWednesday

Tonight’s sunset showing a contrast of incoming clouds and clear skies. Good night everyone.