Late June 2026 Dogs
All posts by jah
Adaptations in the Front Yard
After numerous days of seeking the right tools, Shea got our gifted tree to stand straight up. It is fighting heavy winds all day, and it came to us with a lean based on the direction it was on an incline and reaching for the sun, but I’m sure it will adapt in time. It was more of a challenge than we thought. When one approached the front yard, and it was on full lean, it looked more like a shrub, but now it is properly standing proud with some assistance. We will give it some TLC. Meanwhile, I bought Shea this drill attachment that will dig through the clay to make re-planting many of the succulents that were temporarily removed from the front yard during the renovation after the fire much easier. We’ll actually add a bunch more than were there to make the front yard feel more complete. There are so many attractive, drought-tolerant plants that basically never die. Moving them to the front, which I didn’t really garden that much in previous years, will also help declutter the backyard, where fewer spots get full sun. I’ll soon be getting the drip system repaired, which will also help with watering both the front and back. I strategically moved some of the nice potted plants in the front yard to fill in some gaps. I also moved the pagoda to a place where it will no longer be covered by the climbing plants on the side of the house. I actually think it looks better in the middle of the yard.
Lanai Lighting
Shea did a great job adding really comfortable back deck lighting that I bought for the purpose of avoiding the harsh outdoor light that came mounted on the wall. This really makes the lanai more utilitarian in the evenings.
Three Solstice Weekend Rows
I wasn’t aware of this shipwrecked boat in the area, which is relatively new.
Another Level LEGO Train Project
I’m getting better at building and engineering a bit on the fly to get things to work. I began by creating a new layout in this new location in the garage with a three-table setup. I added some extra cars to this train, and in the end you’ll see I actually get the whole train to go up the elevated track repeatedly, but there are some false starts. There’s also a cameo from foster dog Werner, who keeps jumping up in an attempt to chase the train on a few cycles.
Backyard Updates Late June 2026
Developing Story of Nature in Backyard
So this video starts with pictures of Snoopy STARING down this green-painted metal dog. I have had this thing for years (I repainted it after the fire since it was fire-damaged), and I thought it was strange to see Snoopy fixate on it. Well, it turns out he wasn’t looking at the metal dog at all. Instead, this vulnerable chick had fallen from its nest prematurely. It could hop well and flutter its underdeveloped wings. Meanwhile, the chick’s parents were in a frenzy, so it was my mission to save this bird from being attacked by any dogs. To their credit, they stayed back while Shea got me a container to scoop the bird into it a few times and then put it in a safer place and then an increasingly safer place away from the dogs and closer to its parents. I don’t know where the nest is that it fell from, but the three birds were actively communicating. I cleared a path for them to rendezvous in the bamboo brush and made sure the dogs stayed away for as long as possible. I couldn’t wait around indefinitely, but I’m pretty confident I gave this bird family the best chance it had at full reunion and safety. Strangely, this is the second time in less than four months since returning to this house that I’ve seen a vulnerable bird that required some human assistance to avoid dog attention. The other one seemed stunned or disoriented and then flew away without issue, but this one I was able to document more fully.
Mare Island Stroll
Strolling around Mare Island after the Yappy Hour to see the very cool art and views.
Redwood Empire “Yappy Hour” fundraiser for the Humane Society of the North Bay
Pictures from other folks at the event:
Vulnerable Chick in Backyard
So this video starts out with pictures of Snoopy STARING down this green, painted metal dog. I have had this thing for years (I repainted it after the fire since it was fire-damaged), and I thought it was strange to see Snoopy fixate on it. Well, it turns out that he was not looking at the dog at all. Instead, this vulnerable chick had fallen from its nest prematurely. It could hop well and flutter its underdeveloped wings. Meanwhile, the chick’s parents were in a frenzy, so it was my mission to save this bird from being attacked by any dogs. To their credit, they stayed back while Shea got me a container to scoop the bird into it a few times and then put it in a safer place and then an increasingly safer place away from the dogs and closer to its parents. I don’t know where the nest is that it fell from, but the three birds were actively communicating. I cleared a path for them to rendezvous in the bamboo brush and made sure the dogs stayed away for as long as possible. I couldn’t wait around indefinitely, but I’m pretty confident I gave this bird family the best chance it had at full reunion and safety. Strangely, this is the second time in less than four months since returning to this house that I’ve seen a vulnerable bird that required some human assistance to avoid dog attention. The other one seemed stunned or disoriented and then flew away without issue, but this one I was able to document more fully.