Greetings on this month’s final Sunday. August is anniversary month for Everyday Living. We have completed our 7th year and continue to enjoy sharing with you. Your support and encouragement keep us going!
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
Welcome to our morning. This was a peaceful morning. With the world in chaos and much grief and heartache in so many lives, it would be easy to feel guilty for being here. Truth from scripture like the verse above is a great help!
Going rogue is not necessarily always bad. PJ allowed a plant gone wild to remain amongst the lantana to see what happened. And here you have it. A rogue zinnia! I think leaving it to grow was a good choice.
An abundance of hummers have graced the garden this summer. It is not easy to approach a hummingbird and get close enough for a pic. I discovered if I locate myself among the blooms and remain patient and still, they will eventually come to me. The same is true for butterflies it seems.
After my time in the lantana, I relocated to the zinnia garden and waited for about 10 minutes. Finally a visitor showed up and paused long enough for a few attempts at a photo. I had not noticed the bee until we looked over the pics later. These two seemed to be good companions and sharing was no problem!
And speaking of sharing, EM and EK like to share the John Deere gator, especially now that Emma has finally gained confidence in Ella Mae’s driving. This trail leads to our house so we see these little visitors quite often. They’ve been for a visit and likely some chocolate milk! Now it’s time for their country road to take ’em home. PJ and I love it.
This country road crosses Little River. The view from under the road was very interesting. I’m not climbing around on bridge supports. There is a walking/hiking path that goes beneath the bridge along the river. I first told PJ I had climbed up here but quickly admitted to the truth after a brief scolding!
Joe-pye weed is in full bloom along the river and the bees and other insects are having a blast! It’s in the sunflower family and native to our region.
I know I’ve stated this recently, but Little River Canyon is a unique and beautiful place to visit if you find yourself in northeast Alabama. We live about 30-40 minutes away. It is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River.
Grace Falls at the canyon is seasonal but last week there was plenty of water!
We have a variety of blazing star growing nearby and I believe it appeared on a Sunday post recently. But this is dense blazing star and to me it looks a little different than what we find down in the valley. It appears to be growing out of rock!
Many of you will know the significance of this pic. If you’ve traveled anywhere on America’s highways within a few hundred miles of Chattanooga since 1935, you probably passed a barn that had a roof that said “See Rock City”. I understand the same guy painted barns from 1935 until 1969. His name was Clark Byers and by his retirement, he had painted 900 barns in 19 states. Rock City is actually on Lookout Mountain, GA. Many of the barns are gone now but this one remains near Little River. Not sure if Mr. Byers painted this one but 900 is a lot of barns!
Possibly you have seen other iconic roadside advertising like this in other places? One that comes to my mind is Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota. You can’t drive I-90 and not know that one!
Swallowtails are showing up daily now. Still waiting on the monarchs!
A look back…The verse at the top of the post is from the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi. We were fortunate to visit the ancient ruins at Philippi, Greece in 2013.
One afternoon last week we were blessed with gorgeous skies in every direction just past sundown. Looking northeast…
…or facing west…
…or southeast, away from the setting sun, may have been the best. All good though!
Praying for all who are in the path of Hurricane Ida!
”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
Lovely photos, but the one with the hummingbird is beyond extraordinary! You should enter it in a photo contest!
Thank you Carole.
Pam and Butch- Beautiful pics and wonderful narrative. Congrats on 7 years! You both bring much beauty and happiness to those who visit your blog. Love the bee and hummingbird pic! That’s patience on a hot summer day. The path between the two homes is so pretty and green. The river gorge looks inviting. The Greece pic looks like a postcard. Isn’t it wonderful to visit where Biblical history occured? If Ida is in your path, please stay safe. Enjoy your Sunday friends! Clara❤️
Thank you sweet friend. We will probably get wind and rain from Ida. Stay safe Clara ♥️
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch, I agree with your words about feeling slightly guilty living in a beautiful, peaceful place as chaos and turmoil are going on all over the world. Your blog posts are always uplifting and full of heart happy photos and thoughts…That is so wonderful that the girls can drive over for a visit, how nice to have them so close by. The photo of the hummingbird and bee is incredible! My thoughts and prayers are with Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, I can’t believe Ida is hitting on the anniversary of Katrina…
Jenna
Have you received reports on your home? I hope everything is well. Thank you, Jenna!
Haven’t heard anything yet, I’m hoping no news is good news! Thanks Pam…
Congratulations on seven years! Three cheers — I’ve only followed you for two or three but each visit has made me smile. And I smiled again in recognition of “Rock City” — I remember those from my childhood trips south!
Thank you Jeanie. Happy Monday!
Congratulations on seven years of Everyday Living. I’m not sure but I must have followed your blog for at least five years and how grateful I am. The hummingbird photo is beyond believable. I would be so happy to capture such a moment. All the photos are picture perfect. I especially love seeing the girls as they travel to and from your house in this beautifully manicured area for them. I have been much more aware this year in my garden how the birds, bees and other insects live in such harmony. It’s almost like a new revelation to me but I have spent much more time in my garden. I love today’s scripture. God’s word is so reassuring during these days. Praying that Hurricane Ida doesn’t get close to you. Again congratulations to you. Just keep the beauty and joy coming!
Thank you for your sweet friendship and encouragement.
Thank you for my morning stroll! I enjoyed every bit of it. seeing the girls driving their John Deere was so darn cute but beautiful as well.
Congratulations on 7 years. That is fabulous!
Prayers for our World! and prayers for those in the path of IDA… hope it stays far away from you.
Enjoy your Sunday sweet friends!
Thank you Nancy. We have much to pray about! Happy Sunday.
Love the fact that the girls can drive right over! As a grandmother too, I would just be so happy to have that!
Thanks so much, Maria. It is fun having them so close!
Thank you so much for your uplifting blog. It’s good to be reminded of the peacefulness and beauty that is still in our world, in spite of all that’s going on around us. Your gardens and photos are such a pleasure to look at, and the one of your little granddaughters driving home after a visit is absolutely precious! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you for your sweet comments and encouragement, Martha!
Beautiful and interesting photos, they have great interest in the explanation that each one of them carry. Soon we will enter that season that I like so much: Autumn “and waiting for the images that you always show.
A pleasure to enjoy your post again.
With love
Dolores
Dolores, estoy muy feliz por tu visita. Tengo la esperanza de que se esté curando de verdad. Siempre es un placer verte aquí. Bendiciones y abrazos para ti.
Pam
What a great way to send off August. That hummingbird photo is outstanding, and your patience certainly paid off. Your strategy is exactly what I used to do to capture them also. Love the girls on their John Deere, that is such an iconic country scene! And speaking of iconic, I’ve not seen a Rock City sign but I’ve sure seen plenty of Wall Drug signs. Lol, those and the Corn Palace throughout the drive along I-90.
Prayers for our fallen marines, our active servicemen, and all those in the path of Ida, Thank you for keeping prayerful thoughts at the forefront of your posts. Happy blogiversary!
Thank you Rita. Praying is the best that we can do in our chaotic world.
Congratulations on 7 years! You have brought so much beauty and inspiration with your lovely photos, inspiring verses, and wonderful quotations. Thank you for sharing your journey through life with all of us.
Thank you Roxanne. You are truly a blessing and encourager!
Butch your posts are beautiful and Informative.
I especially like the bee/hummer photo. I commend you for your patience.
How blessed you and Pam are to have your grands close enough to “drive” over for a snack. This pic is too cute.
Many thanks and Blessings to you.
Thank you Mildred. Many blessings to you and yours.
Hello, Pam and Butch. As always your Sunday post are a joy – especially in such sad times. I pray you all will not endure many of the effects of Ida. In your post today, your sweet hummingbirds are favorites, and above all those two little girls in their tractor are the most favorite. Stay well and safe my friends. Blessings to you all!
Thank you dear one. Many blessings to you and Michael!
What a joy to open up your post to such variety and I’m not sure how long I’ve followed but it’s been a blessing and always informative and peaceful. I pray for many more years of Every Day Living. My heart aches at that darling picture of EM and EK driving the path home. What a joy to have them so close. Soon they will have to make room for little brother. Maybe Butch you can get them a trailer to pull that will suffice. Who knows what could be carried in a little trailer. All your sunset pictures and hummingbird pictures belong in a magazine. Hope you get no damage from Ida. Stay safe.
Alice, I know you have been with us for a long time. Thank you for your friendship and for following. You are a blessing!
Wow, seven years of blogging Pam & Butch! Well done!
Love The Sky’s, girls & hummingbirds!
Bless you both,
Jennifer
Thank you for your encouragement and friendship, Jennifer!
You’re welcome sweet friend ❤️
Happy Blogiversary! Congratulations on 7 years! Your blog is a gift for me! Stunning pictures and Bible verse. Thank you for such encouragement.
Thank you for your friendship, Maristella.
I enjoy your peaceful Sunday walks, nature is so lovely up your way.
Thank you Karen!
Oh, these photos! Just stunning! Those beautiful pink skies just made me think that Jesus could burst through them at any moment and take us all away with Him! What a glorious day that will be. And, that picture of EM and EK just touched my heart! What a precious, precious life they lead with grandparents close enough to ride their gator to see! God has certainly blessed you and your family and it is so heartwarming to come here and share in your amazing lives. May He continually rain down mercy upon all of you!
Thank you Cheryl. Many blessings my friend!
Rock City and Burma Shave are childhood memories of barn messages. I love that the girls can “drive” to your place. How lucky to have them so close.
Yes, a blessing to have them close!
The opening scripture is so perfect for this time. This post has so many beautiful photographs and offers a lovely start to the week. May you both have a most blessed week ahead!
Thank you sweet friend. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week!
A blessed seventh to the messengers of beauty and hope. Great picture of the girls motoring between their homestead and
that of the “grand-doters”… The hummingbird/bee photos are stunning… a work of art, as are the shots of the pre-sundown heavens over your lovely property and local surroundings. How fortunate we are to share your dedicated journey through
everyday living…. Our Lord abides and all will be well….
Such beautiful pictures. Especially the hummingbird ones. And the bee underneath, so precious. Thanks for the lovely respite at your site.
Thank you Theresa for your lovely visit.
Magnificent post! God is good. Thank you,dear friends.
Thanks so much, Maristella!