Mother Nature in all her Glory

This week Chica and I struck out again walk-wise, given that Mary and five other ladies toured the Botanical Garden instead of walking in Brackenridge Park. (Dogs only get to go to the Garden four weekends a year. Why not make it EVERY day?).

Staff member Scott Litsche took them to see the native area, where blooming plants like guajillo, white brush, huisache and sundry wildflowers such as salvias were in full bloom. The walkers were particularly taken with the bird watch, where 211 species have been spotted.

Turns out the ladies could have seen nearly as much nature in the raw in Mary’s yard this week. For starters a green chrysalis hanging on the porch rail became translucent yesterday with a rolled-up monarch butterfly clearly visible inside.

Since Mary had never seen the emergence before, she didn’t know how imminent it was. While she was indoors briefly, the butterfly exited its cramped quarters. When she and Lewis stepped outside they saw it hanging upside down next to the chrysalis husk. Since Chica and I were on the front porch, we had a front row seat during the entire drama.

Later that same day, Lewis encountered a tiny wren’s nest with six speckled eggs when he went to move a stack of boxes in the corner of the carport. He hated to move it but workmen were preparing to pour cement for a new driveway.

So he placed the nest as close as he could, on top of the adjoining fence. We all have our fingers crossed (though that is definitely a metaphorical expression for us dogs.)

Next Monday, the ladies will return to Brackenridge Park where no doubt we will witness more of Mother Nature’s wonders. In spring it seems, they never cease.

Unsung Heroine among the Belles

Monday was a perfect day for walking. So much so that the ladies kept moving for almost two and a half hours—twice the usual run. At Pam’s suggestion, they first headed to the Trinity University track. Unfortunately there was a pack of barking dogs hanging around there.

Ever since I was attacked by a stray lab, my mistress had always carried pepper spray. But would it work with five dogs? We didn’t stick around to find out. Instead, the ladies struck out for the campus and exited at the other end near the Landa Library. When they got to the library, they learned something they had not known-- both about the library and one of the Brackenridge Belles.

After Harry Landa bequeathed his handsome home and grounds to the city in memory of his wife in 1946, a plaque was put at the entrance announcing it as the “Hannah Landa Memorial Library and Children’s Playground.”

Decades later, when Pam Howard and a friend brought their young children to the Landa, there was no playground. A law student, Pam did some research and found that the will stipulated a playground. She and friends approached the city and formed a group to erect a playground. It is now the jewel of Monte Vista—a shady oasis for parents and children to swing, climb, picnic and simply enjoy the outdoors.

Best of all, dogs are welcome, too.