Here's Charlie as he waited to see the veterinarian today. He was a good boy, and you couldn't tell that his tummy was bothering him, but he didn't eat yesterday except for chewing on grass, and he had other signs of digestive issues. Dr. Jim examined him. Tests indicated bad bacteria, so we got prescription medication.
July 24, 2025
Update At the Vet’s and in Edinburg
July 23, 2025
Getting Ducks in a Row
My older daughter has been replacing fixtures in my vacant condo. On Monday, she asked for some measurements because she was going shopping for additional items at Habitat’s Restore and Mercy House Building Supply Store. They both carry used home improvement items, and also brand new overstock items.
I put Charlie in the car to head for the condo, but first we stopped at the county landfill to drop off recycling, including a defective battery from a drill. (Did you know that lithium batteries have caused house fires? And you’re not supposed to put them in regular trash because they can explode in the garbage truck!)
“Cameras often struggle to focus on water because water surfaces create reflections, low contrast, and refracted images that confuse the autofocus system, making it hard to determine the true subject to focus on.”
July 22, 2025
July 21, 2025
Bringing Fire Back to the Mountains
George Washington National Forest
"Fire has been an essential natural process in Appalachian oak and pine forests for thousands of years. Lightning caused some fires, and Native Americans intentionally set fires. Fires opened the forest understory, which increased plant diversity, improved browse for wildlife and made traveling easier. Early European settlers continued to use fire as a tool to shape their surroundings.
Teams of skilled fire experts are using controlled burns to safely reintroduce fire to these forests. Burns take place only when the weather conditions are best to control smoke, manage fire behavior, and ensure the safety of the fire team, nearby residents, and private property."
July 20, 2025
More Changes in Mt. Jackson
Yesterday Charlie told you about going to the new dog park in Mount Jackson. There’s a LOVE sign there, which is actually how I learned about the park, when an artist posted that she painted the letters on the sign at the dog park.
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Mosaics / Murals |
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Belgravia Road. |
July 19, 2025
Heading Toward Normal
It was a fairly busy week, with a visit to the dermatologist, several afternoons at the condo where Lynn is replacing old lighting fixtures, and a few local expeditions with Charlie. I still can't walk very far without aching, but it’s getting better by the day. I've been having prescriptions and groceries delivered with a trial membership to Walmart+. That's a big help when you have back pain.
Charlie is going to tell you about our expedition yesterday, but first here is a picture of him that I edited using a filter called Technical in the BeCasso app.
I hope we start having adventures every day like we used to. It is more fun to go to parks than it is to stay home or go to the vet.
July 18, 2025
Overlooking
Shenandoah National Park
July 17, 2025
Evening Clouds with Branches
“Most floods are caused by man, not weather; deforestation, levee construction, erosion, and overgrazing all result in the loss of ecosystem services.”
—Paul Hawken
July 16, 2025
Emergence at Dawn
Once again, I find myself without new bird pictures for Wild Bird Wednesday. I don’t fill the bird feeders in the summer, especially since there’s a threat of bird flu. Also, I haven’t been on very many outings because I’m still healing from my fall, although I am definitely improving.
So today, I’m sharing a piece of art that I bid on and won in an auction. I wasn’t expecting to win and was rather surprised by how much it cost to have it shipped to me, but that’s okay because it’s beautiful.
The artist is Amelia Music, a biology major attending Valdosta State University in Georgia. She drew this great blue heron with oil pastels.
This is not the only picture I have of great blue herons. I also have a large painting of two herons ((below). It’s hanging in my living room and I put the new one in the guest room. I now have more pictures than I have space to hang them so I really need to stop buying them.
July 15, 2025
July 14, 2025
Dreams of Luray
July 13, 2025
Skyline Wedding
Yesterday in Shenandoah National Park
July 12, 2025
Tired Dog Journal
Hi, it's Charlie the reporter beagle. i'm going to tell you a little about my week, but this will be short because I'm tired.