I felt sure...with your appreciation for nature and beauty...that you had tried to help him/her, caflowerluver. My comment was more of a general nature...not meant to criticize you in any way. I just looked at him/her and wanted to rescue him/her. Those eyes talked to me. Too bad her supposed owner doesn't...or won't...take some responsibility for kitties health. If he/she was licking rain water to hydrate herself/himself...the cat is in need. So sad for such a beautiful animal. Thanks for adding more info calflowerluver. It's heartening to know you keep an eye on him/her.

Fireweed...grows wild all over Alaska. So called because it's one of the early plants to appear after a wild fire. The flowers can be harvested for use in nectars and jams and such. The locals watch it as a sign for impending winter when it finishes blooming.

So hazy, hot and humid today that I needed a little chilling out...so here's a glacier calving...

Smudge went for a check-up today, and as soon as we put the carrier up on a chair, Bud went in it. None of the cats are afraid of the carrier, in fact, it's out all the time in the corner beside the couch. Smudge or Roxie spend a lot of the time in it sleeping. We put it on the floor after taking Bud out, and Smudge walked right into it, and off to the vet. He's doing really good for his age (16) bone mass is good, pulse is steady (they just love him, he's so good and calm, and doesn't flinch when they take blood out of his neck). They did blood work and a urine sample. His thyroid is noticeable though, and I'm expecting to have to increase his thyroid meds. He does need to have his molars pulled, so that's scheduled for next week. He's a good candidate for having anesthesia. Major bucks though ($1200). Maybe I'll start a go-fund me page!