“He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord God Almighty is his name.”
Amos 4:13
Hoping your Sunday and your week is off to a great start. Crepe (or Crape) Myrtle in full bloom is a true sign of summer in our part of the world. We enjoy driving by this church courtyard every year about this time.
P J will no doubt soon have a garden post, but I was able to talk her out of a photo, explaining it could serve as a preview. I asked for something with a lot of color and I’d say she came through!
I hadn’t flown the drone in quite a while. A little sun and a light breeze gave me a chance to do some aerial pics yesterday. I am not the best pilot on the planet to begin with, and then add the fact that I never practice and I suppose it’s a miracle to have this pic. But so far I have not crashed. That’s a plus!
There has been some ongoing construction along the west end of one of the trails we ride and hike. I decided to hike over and check on the progress. While on my way I kept getting sidetracked. A number of native oak leaf hydrangeas were still blooming. I expected these blooms to be gone by now! A pleasant surprise.
Nearly stepping on this guy caused another unplanned stop. This turtle was not happy with my presence and withdrew from the scene, disappearing under his shell. Not to be defeated, I propped him up to have a look!
There is color in the woods in places that are normally only brown and green this time of year. A much wetter and slightly cooler than normal summer thus far has changed what we are seeing in the landscape.
One area in open hardwoods had a number of patches of these bright yellow mushrooms scattered about. I made no effort to identify them. There is good reason why we do not gather wild mushrooms for consumption!
Finding interesting things growing or blooming made a 15 minute hike turn easily into 45 minutes. But I did finally arrive to check on the progress…
…and here it is. How lovely is this? A new high voltage transmission line stretching for miles across the landscape while passing over the construction of our new 4 lane highway. It is called progress. I must say I get mixed feelings when I see scars upon the land. I wish it did not have to be. But I also enjoy electricity, and certainly our current 2 lane highway is heavily traveled and has some dangerous places along the route. Let the power go off for 5 minutes and we are on the phone reporting the problem. Hard to find the balance! Maybe I should write a song about this?
A throwback to July 2015. I know, my long sleeves and jacket are not normal summer attire. But it was cool this day in Liverpool, England, and I was about to take a stroll down Penny Lane!
Beautyberry prepares for September and October, when these blooms will mature into beautiful clusters of purple berries!
The Queen and Princess stayed overnight at our house. They are ready for bed and excited, but only because we promised they could watch a bedtime movie on my iPad…Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Yep, not a typo. They wanted to have Christmas in July. Well why not, I see retailers are doing it already!
I talked P J out of another garden pic. We planted a variety of sunflower that was new for us. We really love the color combination.
Passing storms and summer showers do bring good things…unusual light and pretty rainbows, reminding us of God’s handiwork and His promises!
Just as this late evening sky reflects calm after a storm, may you have a calm and peaceful week!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Lind
Happy Sunday Butch and Pam! Another enjoyable stroll through the woods with Butch’s keen eye! We feel the same way about “progress” around here too. I have declared this the summer of The Turtle. They are everywhere! I have to watch when I mow, I’ve pulled them off the road, and the pond is just full of them; it makes me happy! I’m with the Queen and Princess because I’ve recorded the Hallmark Christmas in July movies! Hope you all have a most splendid week!
Thank you Roxanne! Blessings on your week!
Enjoyed your Sunday walk so much Butch. Your post is the first I open always. The color and design of Gods nature is so beautiful. I totally would be in trouble if had to be in a hurry. I didn’t know so many plants I thought I had to buy from a garden center was found in Alabama woods. Please write a song and would love to hear you sing it. It’s always a pull to come to terms with progress versus nature. Adore the girls ready for bedtime.
Thank you dearest Alice. Have a wonderful Sunday!
I enjoyed all the beauty here today. I’m conflicted about the progress, too. I, too, watch Christmas movies in July! Have a lovely day.
Thanks so much, Pam!
Good morning Pam and Butch-The pics are gorgeous! I love the aerial view of the garden. It looks like a magazine shot for a garden layout. Great job! Your zinnias and that colorful sunflower are beautiful. Your raised bed is a nice addition to the landscape. Those precious girls are so sweet and cute. Big sis loves EK and it shows. That’s a wonderful throwback shot and Penny Lane is now playing in my head. Lol Happy Sunday! Clara ❤️
Thanks so much Clara. Enjoy Penny Lane today 😂♥️
Always encouraged by your posts. Enjoyed the aerial view of the garden. Please post more. The princesses always steal my heart. Have a blessed week.
Thanks you Bobbie. Love and hugs!
Great views, news, and reviews! Love the aerial shot. EK is really growing up, not looking so much like a toddler anymore! I think Christmas is July is wonderful! Happy Sunday, Butch & Pam.
Thank you Rita. The girls are so much fun! Just wait!!
Good morning, Butch and Pam. I enjoyed your walk very much. Several years ago, my husband took a course in identifying mushrooms. The instructor opened his talk with these words, “It is important to know your mushrooms because while they all might taste wonderful, some you will only enjoy once.” Mike decided gathering mushrooms was not for him.
Butch, I agree with you about the balance of progress and the scars to the land and nature. It is a very touchy subject here in West Virginia where oil rigs and platforms are at every turn.
Love the photo of the girls, they are getting so big. And those wonderful zinnias certainly make my day. Ours will not be in bloom for another few weeks.
Happy day and week ahead to you and your sweet family.
Thank you Sandra. Wishing you and Michael a lovely week!
Love all the photos and the girls are so cute. Thanks for sharing.May you be blessed and have a wonderful week.
Thanks so much!
Love the drone shot Butch and wow, the rainbow over the Sunshine Cottage! The girls seem to grow more every week, adorable…I agree with the progress conundrum, I hate to see the land invaded, but I sure do love electricity and air conditioning! I hope you both have a beautiful week, I can’t believe it’s already the middle of July!
Jenna
Thanks Jenna. Enjoy your week!
Gorgeous pictures,dear friens. What wonderful girls! God bless you all.
Thank you and blessings, Maristella!
I so appreciate your exquisite photos of nature; things that pique the imagination and give us reminders of the loss that the
concrete, highways and tall buildings have wrought. You fill the Sabbath day with the order and much beauty found in your
hikes. The verse from Amos so well blends with your beautiful landscapes. My, I cannot get over how the Princess has grown and how the queen continues to be so queenly. Thank you for this Sunday visit to Paradiso….
Thank you dear Mary for your heartfelt comments. Wishing you a lovely week!
Hello and Happy Sunday! Such lovely pictures of your beautiful area.
Even though we don’t like the looks of progress… we sure do need it. I agree with you, Butch!
The aerial drone view was was greatly appreciated. Drone flying is not easy!
The girls hugging reminds me of when my older sister and I were young. She always took good care of me. And still does.
Thanks so much for taking us on a stroll.
Sweet memories of you and older sister. Thank you Nancy!
I so enjoy these Sunday post! They are filled with such beautiful photographs and are the perfect start to the week. The rainbow over Sunshine Cottage is just gorgeous! I’m looking forward to Pam’s garden post. Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you Shannon. Have a wonderful week!
Lovely post Butch,
Blessings to both you & Pam,
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer!
I so appreciate your Sunday photos as they are not only beautiful but communicate your awareness of what is around you.
Thank you Linda!
Love the aerial view of the garden as well as the very up close views of what grows at our feet. Nature is truly wonderful.
Thanks so much, Karen. We just have to open our eyes….
That drone view is just terrific! I love it — perfect! And the fungi photos are fabulous, too. I love all the different varieties! Happy week!
The garden looks amazing!
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia!
Lovely post, love the drone shots. Your gardens are such a blessing. Your grands are the cutest, growing up so fast.
Thank you dear Linda!
Such beautiful photos! You seem pretty adept with the drone. That Crepe Myrtle is simply stunning!
Thank you Lisa!