“From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 66:23
Hello all. Hope this day is going well for you. I was standing at this spot, anticipating and planning for something to come into view that I had set out to see. While waiting, I realized this was a beautiful shot in it’s own right which was providing me a foretaste of things to come (If I could keep the mosquitoes away long enough)!
Instead of starting off with a sunrise, how about a “good moon on the rise”? I thought we’d give the moon some attention since it will be full tonight and there is also a total lunar eclipse. This moon is called the ‘Super Flower Blood Moon’ because of the red color that it will take on. I understand that the event will begin just after the moon rises for us and the entire process will take about 5 hours. It may be timed a little different where you live but most everyone in North America should have a view…if clouds will stay away!
While on the subject, have you ever seen a moonbow, a lunar rainbow? I haven’t but would like to. Cumberland Falls in Kentucky is the only place in the western hemisphere and one of the few places on earth to produce a regularly occurring moonbow! There’s a hiking trail. I think I need to go!
Once I discovered what I call the “lotus bog”, I have enjoyed returning at different times of the growing season to see how things are going. The blooms are absolutely amazing but it is not quite time as you can see. I was here a couple of weeks back and everything was still dormant and dead looking. Water temps have warmed and what appeared dead has sprung to life!
Would you care to guess what this strange looking sprout is all about? Some of you will certainly know! Maybe I can show a mature grown-up next week.
Yellow is a stand out color right now in fields and on roadsides. A large reason is because plants like Small’s ragwort will grow about anywhere…even in the edge of a limestone driveway.
One of my favorite blooms is the bristly locust. I thought we would not find it this year but I finally located a few plants near the woods edge and the highway ROW. I also noted a number of new, small plants that had emerged out in the open along the roadside. Unfortunately the highway maintenance mowers will prevent any of those from maturing.
Gardening is hard work and I can no longer keep everything maintained without help. My new assistant is very enthusiastic about dirt and has a real passion for the work! I am blessed to have him. A good helper is hard to come by these days
PJ has always told me that we needed some shrubs or plants of some kind in this vacant corner at the back of the house. I solved the problem by simply allowing weeds to take over the spot. I stopped mowing and weeding and now there are 3 different flowering invasive weeds that grow here. The pink-sorrel (which you’ve seen before) has been joined in the back by Clasping Venus’s looking glass and Carolina bristlemallow. These may be weeds to some but at least for a little while I am using them to my advantage!
For starters, how about a few bites of tortellini salad with asparagus, peas, mozzarella, and lemon vinaigrette!
Our throwback this week was taken on the river just behind our house on my birthday, April 7, ten years ago!
Turtles usually slide off into the water when you get close but this guy was content to stay on the log and enjoy the sun and the water hyacinths.
Even though the turtle chose a spot where there were no blooms, a lot of the water hyacinths were blooming. Such a gorgeous aquatic plant. I was by here a couple of weeks ago and there were no blooms.
How is it that I can walk by this spot almost every day and not notice a 2 foot tall sweet gum tree growing underneath and in the middle of another plant? It finally struck me that there is something that doesn’t belong here!
It has actually been very dry here for May. I reached behind the roses to turn on the sprinkler and was attacked by a thrush. And you can see why. That mama was not happy with me!
Flowering dogwood gets a lot of attention in the southeast, usually in late March and in April. Silky dogwood, which blooms a little later is maybe not noticed as much since so many other things have bloomed out and greened up by mid-May. It has silky hairs on leaves and twigs. Native Americans called it “kinnkinnik,” which means “tobacco,” because they smoked it like tobacco.
Orange jewelweed is an Impatiens, a native wildflower which has nectar that ruby-throated hummingbirds really like. The orange petals with their red spots are also hummingbirds two favorite colors!
A “Rocky Mountain High” sunset from atop the mountain above Vail, Colorado!
”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 Linda
Good morning Butch and Pam! I am eagerly awaiting the lunar eclipse, but the weather is not looking great at the moment (after weeks of no rain). Totality is at midnight, so an afternoon nap may be in order. Your helper already has a discerning eye…watch out because he will take over as supervisor soon! That salad looks incredible…all my favorites on one dish. Hope your week is splendid!
I so hope we have clear skies tonight. Wishing you a good report from the doctor this week, so you can get back on the lawn mower!
What a glorious morning we have here in Colorado. But need rain. I didn’t stay awake to see the eclipse. I went to bed with the chickens after a full day. Wyatt is already a gentlemen gardener and the look on his face looks like his mom has taught him that his hands are dirty. Love all the information about the blooms and that your eye looks for the unusual. Have a blessed day.
Alice, we had a shower during the night which was much needed. Hopefully, you will get rain, dear one!
Gorgeous shots Butch and Pam. That eagle pic is fabulous as is the moon pic. Your cute assistant is very enthusiastic and not afraid to dig in and get dirty. I love your rooster. That turtle was either brave or you were in stealth mode when getting the pic. I love all the nature shots and always learn new things. Enjoy your day and hopefully we can see all enjoy the moon event tonight. Clara ❤️
Thank you, Clara. I hope the skies will be clear tonight ♥️
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch! I hope to get a glimpse of the eclipse tonight, full moons fascinate me, they are so beautiful…Our home is surrounded by so many trees, it is hard to see it sometimes though. Your garden assistant looks very dedicated, but I’m glad I don’t have to wash his clothes 🙂 I hope you have a lovely Sunday in this beautiful weather!
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna. I so hope you can see it. All three grands love the outdoors and their Mommy is totally fine with the dirty laundry. Like you, I am glad to not have to wash their clothes😂
Gosh, what gorgeous flowers! I’ve never seen a bristly locust, they are lovely. The pink sorrel is perfect, weeds are only weeds when we don’t want them. Otherwise they are ‘native plants’, LOL!!
Thank you, Carole. I have used the bristly locust in flower arrangements. It is a beautiful bloom!
This is a different subject but have y’all been to see the Cahaba Lillie’s in Bucksville, Al? You can few them between Mothers Day & Fathers Day. Google it & get directions if anyone is interested.
We know about them and hope to make a visit before they are gone. Thank you for sharing!
When a little girl, we used to take long walks through the woodlands “discovering”. Thank you, Butch, for renewing those happy times through your vision and captures. That was some stupendous Birthday present
you received. The little busy farmer has the look of “Is this OK? cause I’m liking it..” Looking forward to the
blood moon and eclipse… O the artistry of our Creator…especially that Rocky Mountain sunset. Blessings
on this Sunday, uniting us all…..
Thank you, Mary. If you are not closely watching the little busy farmer, he will eat dirt, sand, or whatever his hands come in contact with. Blessings~
Happy Sunday Pam. That first picture looks like a painting. So beautiful. Love little blue eyes getting his hands in the dirt. So cute. Have a good day and wonderful start to the new week. xoxo Kris
Thank you, Kris. Wishing you a wonderful week!
I was all ready to comment on the beautiful blooms, wonderful moonshot and talk lunar eclipse (I crashed out before it happened… alas). Then I saw your gardening assistant and was so captivated and delighted, nothing else truly mattered! What a lovely life in your world! Happy week to you.
Thank you, Jeanie. Happy week to you!
A camera in hand forces such wonderful discoveries. Your new assistant may become quite useful as time passes.
Thank you, Linda. We know he loves dirt!
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! The opening photo of the moon is stunning! My family is anticipating the moon tonight. Hopefully, it won’t be too cloudy. We have storms in the area. Wyatt is absolutely precious, and those blue eyes are beautiful. I enjoyed seeing all the pretty wildflower blooms. Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead!
Thank you, sweet friend. Hopefully clear skies!
Wonderful pictures! Wyatt is so cute!! Hugs and blessings.
Thank you my friend!
Beautiful pictures – love the moon ones! Butch always finds such interesting things on his walkabout. Wyatt is precious and doing what boys love to do which is playing in the dirt lol. I’m sure all the grands are getting a fantastic education about all the flora and fauna there! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Thanks so much, Kim. Happy Thursday!
Oh those eggs in the nest! The little gardener. And the moon arising.
Such beauty in the daily, isn’t there, friend.
Thank you dear one. We only have to look to see beauty in the daily!
You have the cutest little helper! I agree that you are very blessed to have him!!😄
He is a sweetie!