“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
An early morning fog greeted the garden one day last week. The August sun did not allow it to hang around very long!
I mentioned in last week’s post that we had not seen as many butterflies thus far this summer. While that still holds true, it was good to catch my first eastern tiger swallowtail hanging out on the zinnias yesterday.
A blue and white canopy over a field of tall grass tells me it is midsummer in the south. I believe this is Timothy-grass. There are some look-a-likes but this grass is found in the south and is a source of hay for cattle. It is believed the name came from an American farmer named Timothy Hanson who supposedly introduced this grass to the southern states in the 18th century.
A Carolina wild petunia if I’m not mistaken. I am fond of petunias so I was glad to find this one out on the trail.
Something I stumbled across last week near the river, but realized quickly that I was not the first to make the discovery. An active spot and maybe a home to a critter with some sharp front teeth or tough claws! Squirrels maybe?? I intend to place a trail camera a few feet away and see what’s going on but I haven’t had the time to hike back down the creek.
The Coosa River was a lazy river this day as Lookout Mountain can be seen in the background.
Do not interpret the look on my face to mean I am bored and having a miserable time. You would be very wrong. A train ride between EM and EK is as good as it gets. Even in the mid-afternoon with the temp 95 degrees. The Queen and Princess love a visit to Noccalula Falls Park.
Wyatt was a trooper and rode the train also, but seems to be quite happy to be back at home in his lounge chair relaxing under the air conditioner.
We’ve been seeing goldenrod (my favorite wildflower) blooming in isolated spots since late July. This patch caught my eye even though it is not yet in full bloom. I loved the fact that it stands in the middle of cattails and is bordered by woolgrass, sometimes called cottongrass sedge or wooly sedge. The cattails and woolgrass typically like wetter areas than the goldenrod but they all seem to be doing quite well!
A shady ridge near the house that I named “fern hill”.
This caught our eye and truly, no pun intended. This is our throwback and takes us to Rhodes Greece, 2013!
There comes a time when practical overrules pretty. This is our 3rd attempt to have a tree at this location in the yard. For some reason, buck deer love to rub the velvet off their antlers on whatever grows here every September. September, 2020 was no different. This Japanese Magnolia was demolished last year, leaving only a couple of scarred twigs. When I decided to remove the dead tree in early March I was surprised to find new growth. Not only has it survived, but if you look closely you will notice a lone purple bloom taking shape. This, on a tree that blooms in late winter! I wonder if my ugly fence offers enough protection?
Another midsummer favorite is the passion flower. As mentioned last week, so many beautiful flowers are found on vines. And this flower also produces…
…passion fruit. You can see a bloom in the background, so I’m thinking this vine must bloom over a number of weeks in order to already have some fruit.
This is golf cart lane. You might guess that PJ (and I) use it frequently and that it only leads to one destination. The girls love riding the trail with PJ but little Wyatt doesn’t care how he travels just yet!
A favorite time of day, those fleeting moments at sunset.
”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
Butch, your eye misses nothing! Maybe I do not see the beauty because I’m always looking for snakes?!? Is Passion flower also called Maypop? You are a good grandpa to go riding in 95 degree heat! My church is still meeting in the big tent because we literally outgrew the sanctuary. Was it ever hot under there last weekend! Our school district shut down on Friday because COVID is so high here, so now I’m thankful we are meeting outdoors. Have a blessed week, Pam and Butch.
Roxanne, I will ask Butch about the Passion flower. I can imagine how hot it would be in the big tent. Covid count is rising here as well. Wishing you a lovely week!
I always have a hard time expressing how much I love your pictures. I especially love the picture of the Coosa River with Lookout Mountain in the background. My mom’s sister lived on Lookout Mountain when I was little. I visited there often. Thank you for sharing the outside world with me because I’m not able to be outside much especially in August because of my lungs condition.
Nancy, thank you. Take care of yourself on these hot August days!
Beautiful photos today!
Thanks Carole!
I think the grass is greener this summer than I’ve ever seen it, and I love the grassy golf cart path between your house and your sons. Beautiful Sunday photos and all 3 of your grands are growing so quickly! Looks like a rainy week ahead with tropical storms coming our way. Have a lovely Sunday Pam and Butch!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. Hoping all stays well at your beach house.
Pam and Butch, The foggy morning shot is lovely. The 95 degree train ride truly shows the love of grandparents! Wyatt is really growing! It will be interesting to know what’s taking the bark off the hollowed out tree. We do hope your tulip magnolia tree thrives and the bucks leave it alone. Those cages surround many of our trees due to deer. Have a wonderful day sweet friends! Enjoyed every word and pic! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. Wishing you a blessed week!
I especially enjoyed this post. I think the Passion flower is one of the prettiest flowers ever. On the farm I grew up I saw lots of cattails near our pond. I’ve used them in fall arrangements. Your Sunday posts remind me a lot of my childhood. I spent hours walking every inch of the property. Sometimes I would sit against a tree and meditate. These are days your grandchildren will remember for a lifetime. Butch does have a pensive look but we all know he is in his happy place between the beautiful girls. Wyatt is a handsome boy and so bright eyed. I pray the storms are not terrible. We had over 8 inches or rain yesterday afternoon. I have not surveyed all the damage to my garden yet. Have a blessed week friends.
Dianne, 8 inches of rain is unbelievable. I hope your garden survived the deluge.
That train ride would be the highlight of my day or week! As always, this is a wonderful way to begin my week! I hope yours is filled with happiness!
Thank you Jeanie. Happy week to you!
Such a delightful train ride. Beautiful scenery as well. The grands are growing up before our very eyes. The passion vine creates such a beautiful flower. We have some too. Happy Sunday.
Thanks so much, Linda. Have a lovely week!
Another Sunday filled with your glorious photos. Someone did a great job of grooming that crepe myrtle to achieve its
balanced form. The cattails are always an apt focal addition to Autumn trimming. Butch has the “I wonder what they will be
up to next…” look on his face, but guaranteed to be fun-filled given the Queen and Princess Carrot-top, especially “through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go..” Wyatt should catch that bug soon. If only every Sabbath could conclude with this mesmerizing sunset that you captured…. the end of a perfect day. May it be perfect for all.
Hello Mary. I can believe how quickly the Sioux crape myrtles have grown. The girls love their Da!
Beautiful post, my friends! Love your cute Grands and the passion flower. Great Bible verse too. Thank you!
Thank you dear one!
What an amazing property and knowledge of it and your surroundings, Butch! I’m amazed each week and you identify so many of the plants,especially in the woods and forest. I love the photo of the goldenrod and cattails. Wyatt is already growing so much, and he had eyes so big and curious! What a handsome cub. Love the golf cart path. What a nice way to stay connected quickly. Oh, and that fence around your magnolia? That’s very typical of what has to be done around our region, and I have family who do the same. Have a wonderful week.
Thank you dear Rita. I am enjoying the golf cart trail. The girls love riding in the golf cart. Little Wyatt has big blue eyes!
Your zinnia’s look so healthy and the eastern tiger swallowtail is beautiful. The children have grown so much especially Wyatt. What a fun outing.
As always lots of interesting sites and plants.
My passion flower has gone wild. It would take a while to count all the blooms. As children growing up we called the fruit, Maypops.
Have a good week.
Thank you Bonnie. Wyatt has definitely grown. He is the best baby!
Hello, Butch and Pam. What great photos. I can’t imagine what would be after the tree by the creek. It looks like too much damage to be a squirrel – but who knows. Love seeing Mr. Wyatt – and do I see big blue eyes? He is so handsome. Also enjoyed seeing the butterfly and I’ll admit I’m a bit jealous.
A wonderful week to all – lots of train rides..
Thank you Sandra. Yes, our little Wyatt has big blue eyes that are a little darker than Emma’s. Have a wonderful day!
Love the photos and the plant identification. I was running on the Chief Ladiga Trail last week and noticed a blue flower like the one in your photo. Now I know it’s a Carolina wild petunia!
Stacy, how fun to run at the Chief Ladiga Trail. Happy Monday!
What fun Pam! 🤗
Bless you sweet friend,
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer.
We got to see all 3 of the littles today! Wyatt has gotten so big!
Good day to you and Pam. I’m arriving late to your post as we had a weekend full of family fun again. It’s been a great summer regarding our family gatherings.
The path to your son and daughter in laws place is so beautiful! How fun for everyone to travel that path.
From fern hill to the goldenrod to the Passion flower… what a lovely stroll with you today.
Enjoy your week my friends! I am resting up from all the family fun today!
Thank you my friend. I am so happy for you that you are enjoying family fun. Wishing you a lovely Monday!
Another post of our natural world in a close view. The path to wonderland, the fruit of the vine, the much loved and loving grand dad with the loves of his life, a fence with perseverance and the end of the day as seen by the eye of the camera. All touches my life too.
Alice, your comments are perfectly lovely. Thank you for sharing in our everyday living, our friend!
Thanks for the tour and info Butch. Always love “visiting” with you and Pam. On the Butterfly note, we have had lots of butterflies all summer. We live in upper Mid-Maryland not far from the Mason Dixon Line. 🙂
Lynda, it is always good to see you here. Thank you!