You might remember that in April of last year I planted an
apple tree near my unit. I am happy to say that not only has it been taking
root and seems to be thriving, but it has already been producing apples! I did
not expect to see apples this soon. Only four this year, though it shows that
there is at least one other tree nearby capable of fertilizing mine.
Of the four apples, one was found on the ground near the tree and
looking a bit inedible, so I tossed that one into the woods. Another just
seemed to disappear without a trace. Perhaps a squirrel took it? Or a person?
Today I picked one of the remaining two that looked ripe and had it after
lunch. Delicious! It tasted as good as any Macintosh apple I have ever eaten.
Now, if I planted the seeds from the core and it grew into
another tree, would I have another Macintosh tree? Maybe, but not necessarily.
I have no way of knowing what tree fertilized mine. I could have been a
crabapple tree, which can happen according to what I found on the internet. The
seeds from my apple, then, would have mixed genes.
I did not try growing the seeds this time, but I might try
that in the future.
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Olive seems to like the apple tree. She will often sit or
lie near it when I take her out for play. She seems to want me to sit with her.
So Andrews Sisters, I will offer my apologies:
Don’t sit under the apple tree
With any other dog
but me.
With any other dog but me.
With any other dog but me-
Woof! woof! woof!
Don’t sit under the apple tree
With any other dog but me.
‘Till I come barking home!
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I am very sorry to report that Olive’s sister Leelu has
crossed over the rainbow bridge. I had met her many times and visited the farm
with Olive. Leelu was a fine sheep herding dog and, I understand, functioned as
the pack alpha on the farm.
Good dog, Leelu.
She and Olive were full sisters, though from different
litters. Leelu will be sorely missed.
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Olive herself is in good health, though clearly showing
signs of age. She turned 13 years old on August 1. She doesn’t have the stamina
and energy she once had; she needs to stop and rest during a walk around the
circle in my complex whereas she used to be ready for a second go around as we
got close to home. As such I have been taking her out my back door for a romp
around the field instead of full walks much of the time. That way she can head
in to the house when she feels tired. I am still taking her around the circle
for early morning walks and for her last walk of the night. She is still very
friendly with other dogs we meet during those walks, but not as anxious to play
as she once was.
