Haluški: FIVE SECOND STORIES

7/18-it has turned cooler for a few days-good sleeping weather! Yesterday was chilly and overcast with it getting down to the mid-50's overnight. Warmer with sun today.

Birch leaf skeletonization update: another pest seems to be involved as well: the Japanese Beetle:

We found dozens floating on the pool water surface. Here's their handiwork-these look like delicate jewelry with areas of pure gold:

On the grass under Grandfather Birch, littered with gold doubloons:

With wild strawberries:

There is good news-the Japanese Beetles have moved on-very few in the pool. Poor Grandfather Birch-he and I are going through some health stuff this Summer. He's probably 5-6 years younger than me but we're both old boys. He has a new something growing on his dead trunk:

This is stemonitis splendens aka chocolate tube slime mold, a single-celled myxomycete, not a true fungus.

Seen around the garden:

Tiger swallowtail butterfly (below) and a couple of Monarchs:

Ruby-throated hummingbird-we saw a female (right) checking out the heliotrope-this species is the most common hummingbird found in MI:

C took this shot of a young Cope's Grey tree frog who was hanging out in the pool ladder. They are born green and turn grey as they mature-like many humans:

Late afternoon in the Back 40:

Flower bud for a hosta:

A shady spot for Buddy on a hot, humid day:

After a dip in the pool:

C, shortly after her birthday, wearing the turquoise sea turtle pendant that I gave her:

We took our annual trek up to Motz Lake for her big swim:

Red arrow points to her position (click to enlarge):

I hung out in the car reading. She swam for an hour pronouncing the water as perfect. She dried off and we went into St. Johns to Ryan's Roadhouse for an early supper. While I was in the car, I saw a sparrow grappling with a large piece of cottonwood seed fluff:

I enjoyed driving out into the country especially through territory I have known all my life. Wheat was being harvested:

On an earlier trip, I had spotted this unusual sight: some guy had installed a cement pad to display a treasured vintage truck. This goes way beyond other country yard oddities-pink flamingos, fake deer. It's akin to displays of old, rusted farm equipment we sometimes see in front yards.

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Buddy tales:

Our predator:

The other night, Buddy was in a mood. We got home from Motz Lake, fed him his appetizer and main course and he went out. I'm on the couch and I hear him at the slider emitting his kill call. He has an 8" branch going horizontally across his mouth and some small critter. It's was a tiny bird that he must have snatched off a low-hanging twig. He dropped the twig and proceeded to eat the poor creature, crunch, crunch, crunch, whisker-lickin' good. We sent out disapproving vibes. He mewed, circled the couch then walked over to his stropping board working his claws like a chef's honing rod. He came over the slider and requested to go out. He was last seen, striding in the sunlight behind Johnnys heading East in his hunting pose (as shown here with another cat):

He didn't bring anything new in. Good Lad!

I was wondering how cats digest bird bones. It's powerful stomach acid, just like crocs who can digest metal as I noted in an April post.

Suppertime in the Summertime:

Buddy reminds me of a boy who has to be called three times to come in for supper because he gets distracted easily.

He was snoozing on a cushioned deck chair when he heard C and I talking in the kitchen. I saw him jump down and go on the upper deck by the slider. I went to the door and said:

"Ya wanna come in?

He was engaged with yoga stretches. I came back in a few minutes.

"Ya wanna come in-I'm gonna turn off the pool"

He was cleaning his face while sprawled on his side.

I returned and sat on the couch and surfed YT. Five minutes later, I hear a single, tiny mew.

"Yes, milord" I replied and got up to let him in.

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Fun vids:

Cat inside giant soap bubble:

AI portraits:

AI-Disney princesses giving dating advice on Tik Tok:

Bear climbs tree to unsnarl flag:

I can relate-this is me with Virgo OCD: straightening off-kilter wall hangings, tablecloths etc.

Salacious novelty song by Cliff Edwards from 1936:

In the footsteps of Mystery Science Theater 3000, where the audience offers a stream of wisecracks while watching old movies with poor production values, this site comments on 1950's era civics PSAs for younguns.

Noteworthy: where the hell is Mom? why does Eddie Johnson go around with a huge cowlick? and a classic: they have left the factory plastic on the lamp shades-no dusting necessary! eliminates Eddie's grubby hand stains that decrease the shade's life by 50%. I remember seeing this at relative's homes in the early 60's.