In the 30+ years I’ve had Great Blue Herons in my backyard, I’ve never spotted one doing this, so I Googled it. From NPS.gov: On hot days, a great blue heron can be spotted with drooped wings and an open beak. The bird will be fluttering their throat muscles to increase evaporation, an action called “gular fluttering,” an avian version of panting. The drooped wings allow air flow to help remove excess heat.
Two Stellas were at the vet today.
Stella's leg was wrapped from getting anesthesia for her teeth cleaning.
Pressure cleaning is always so satisfying ...
... so is hammocking!
Today Mary & I went to Orange Blossoms for breakfast. We've never been there before & it was great. For an appetizer we got OB's Croissant Beignets (flaky, buttery pillows dusted with powdered sugar and spicy datil pepper honey on the side). They were delicious but I think it should've been a dessert! After that, we shared a Breakfast Burrito (shaved beef, scrambled eggs, onions, peppers and cheddar-jack cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla, pressed until toasty & golden, served with fresh salsa, sour cream and choice of side).
After breakfast, Mary wanted to go horseback riding.
Best buddies! So cute!
As soon as I got introduced to Stacy, Lamar, Eva, Kylie, Sean & Jeri Ann, I said I wanted to meet Bambi. He has the reputation of being the "not nice" dog. After I picked him up & held him for awhile, we bonded & he totally transformed into a sweetheart. I am the Dog Whisperer!
Lamar made a delicious dinner.
From top to bottom: (pups) Winnie, Misa & Bambi, (people) Kylie, Sean, Jeri Ann & Stacy.
Bambi!
Stella did a great job of supervising the cleaning ladies today.
She was even on the job after they left!
Someone looks really comfortable! Stella usually isn't a couch pup (her choice, definitely not mine).
Mary cut the posts ...
... & I hammered the chips.
We're making progress.
Blowing the sawdust off the lower deck.
Mary's new nail gun works great!
Google & Stella are so happy to have their deck back!
Mary & Google enjoying a latte on the renovated deck.
Stella & I opted for the other guest bedroom. I didn't want her to get hurt jumping off the really tall bed, since there's not much clearance between the bed & the wall. I forgot to shut the door on at least 2 occasions & found her up on the tall bed wagging her tail uncontrollably.
It's time to head home. We're still in the driveway & Stella's already taking a nap.
Stella was exhausted after the long road trip. But I wasn't too tired to watch Succession!
Today Helaine & I went to Raising Cane's. It was good, as long as you like chicken. That's the only thing on the menu.
My mom has this old photo of Adam & me in the hallway. There's an older photo hanging in the background. Back row: Al, Barry, mom, Adam, Sandy & me. Front row: Wendy, Bonnie & Felicia. According to Adam's calendar, my dad shot this photo in 1984.
I'm not sure whose wedding this is from, but it was a LONG time ago!
My mom likes a little pancakes with her whipped cream!
Nora & Burt came over to give Stella some ice cream.
Stella likes snuggling Hank in his home office.
Murray, Helaine & Adam came over for Stephen's cedar plank salmon & filet mignon Mother's Day dinner. As always, everything was delish! Our Mother's Day cake from The Boys was fab!
