“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””
Romans 8:15
Happy Father’s Day!
We welcome our first sunflower of the season…just in time for Father’s Day and the upcoming summer solstice which is Tuesday! Well actually, there were 3, but this one is the largest and the first one I spotted. So, I am giving it number one status.
Chinese Tallow or popcorn tree was touted many years ago by respected gardening magazines and articles as a must for the landscape. Fast growing, beautiful fall color, and covered with white balls that look like popcorn in the winter which birds enjoy. We ordered 3 and they came bagged and in a small box in the mail. The plants were puny, bare, short brown sticks, with very little root. I eventually stuck all three in the ground, one west of the driveway, and two behind the house on either side of the patio. We joked about it and felt ripped off because there was no way they would survive. And, we’d have to live 100 years for those sticks to produce a nice shade tree anyway. Wrong!
I was picking up limbs after a thunderstorm passed our way last week when I heard a steady hum above. I don’t hear well so this was at a significant noise level. The humming was being generated by literally 100’s of bees above me on new blooms that have popped out all over a popcorn tree. Honey bees and bumblebees alike. Here lies the dilemma. This is not one of our original 3 trees. Turns out the popcorn tree will grow at an unreal rate, produce roots above ground and make little popcorn trees by the thousands. The above ground roots will wreck a lawnmower and if a walkway, driveway, or other structure is nearby these roots will provide destruction. We removed the original three years ago but continually remove new trees from the area. I did allow a couple of trees that came up to remain and mature. These are away from the house and driveway and are what you see in the pics. Why?
There is nothing we have ever planted that attracts bees like these trees do. The tree is very invasive and probably illegal to sell or plant in a lot of places and I understand why! We find hundreds of new trees around the yard, nearby woods, and in the garden every season that I have to eliminate! A bittersweet type situation because of the bees.
I am a proud Dad whom this guy has always called Da ( pronounced dah). It was his first word and he couldn’t quite master the word dad…and he’s never changed. Don’t get me wrong, he can now say Dad, but after 36 years I am still Da!
A camo pic every winter in late January or early February has become a tradition!
I know it is Father’s Day but if you’ll indulge me I must take it a couple of generations beyond. In case you haven’t noticed, I am enjoying this. And by the way, the girls call me Da and I have no doubt the little man will also utter it very soon!
Three generations as PJ and Seth hang out with Pawpaw. Pam’s dad is truly a wonderful Godly example and the kind of father every home needs. Our culture would be very, very different if this was the case!
Pawpaw recently enjoying the great grands…It is rare to get all of them together and times like these are precious!
Walking through the zinnias yesterday I caught a glimpse of my first Gulf Fritillary butterfly of the summer. They flit about and don’t remain still for long!
While checking on the pumpkin patch, I noticed a seed that had definitely completed the task of germination but decided to hang on to a leaf to see what things were like above ground!
Tractors and hay are just a part of summer at our house!
You are likely aware of the destructive floods last week in Yellowstone National Park. We are saddened to see the damage and to realize how many people are affected, locals and visitors alike. I have visited the park a couple of times. Pam and I were there in 2018. This is Iron Spring Creek which is near Old Faithful. Hopefully some of the park will be open again soon!
Over 30 years ago I placed a couple of salt blocks at the back edge of the pasture behind the house. Through the years it has become a very large “salt lick”, probably 12 or 15 feet in diameter. I “sweeten” it up with mineral blocks and regular salt blocks every year. In hot weather, deer visit almost every day. She may be expecting? Fawns are generally born in this part of the county a little later in the summer.
I have posted pics of a plant that is known as dog fennel but that I usually call summer cedar. This is cosmos and to me has a very similar look to dog fennel. Our first cosmos attempt in the garden and it seems to be doing well. A few small blooms are beginning to appear. We have it growing in several spots.
Instead of closing with a sunset, how about the full Strawberry Moon that graced our evening sky last Tuesday!
Wishing you a blessed Father’s Day and a pleasant 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 Linda
Happiest of Father’s Days, Butch. You have a handsome son and beautiful grandchildren (and a lovely wife, too!). Every Sunday you bring us joy — this week, especially, I have a feeling you’ll be on the receiving end from your beautiful family!
Jeanie, a special thank you from Butch. He loves writing the Sunday post and I am so glad he does. We have had a wonderful day with my Dad and our son and family!
Happy Father’s Day “Da”. Thank you for blessing us every Sunday morning with your beautiful photos and all the information you give us. I hope you get to enjoy all your family today.
Nancy, Butch says thank you for your comments and and the good wishes. We have had a wonderful day with my Dad and our son and family!
Happy Father’s Day, Butch! Love all the family photos. Have a wonderful day!
Butch said thank you, Bonnie!
Happy Father’s Day, Butch. A sweet post. I especially enjoyed the photos of you and Seth, you and the grands, and PawPaw and the grands. Have a wonderful day.
Butch says thank you, Patti. We have had a wonderful family day ♥️
Happy Father’s Day, Butch, Seth and to Pam’s Daddy and brother! I love seeing your family and home photos. It is truly sad about Yellowstone.
Butch says thank you, Rita. Yes, so sad for Yellowstone. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Happy Father’s Day to all! Those popcorn trees are amazing, at least attracting all those bees makes up for the problems they cause~ the Strawberry Moon last week was breathtaking! I hope you all have a wonderful Father’s Day!
Jenna
Jenna, Butch says thank you. We have had a wonderful family day. Wishing you a great week!
Happy Father’s Day Butch to you and your wonderful “dads” in your family. You are so blessed with such a lovely family. Glad they could all be together with you. The Strawberry moon is beautiful. Enjoy this special day.
Kris, Butch says thank you. We have had a great day. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Happy Father’s Day! The pics are wonderful, especially the family photos. So good to see Pam’s daddy looking healthy. The grands look comfortable with Da! Those trees are like the invasive privet hedge. Once planted it invades everywhere but it’s good that the bees like it. It’s so sad about Yellowstone. That area is a geologic marvel that is truly fascinating. It has such a complex diverse landscape that animals traverse. Prayers for those families impacted by the severe flooding. God gave us a wonderful planet. That moon is gorgeous! Hope you guys have a fantastic Father’s Day! Stay cool! Clara❤️
Clara, Butch expresses his thanks for your comments. We have had a great day ♥️
Happy Father’s Day! So precious… I miss mine so much. Adorable and sweetest post! God bless you all.
Butch expresses his thanks to you Maristella. I know you miss your precious Father ♥️
Hugs,
Pam
Happy Father’s Day, Butch! What a beautiful family and a blessing to have so many generations.Hope your day is extra special!
Roxanne, Butch expresses his thanks. We have enjoyed a wonderful day with family!
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Butch says thanks to you all!
Pam xoxo
Happy Father’s Day, Butch! I always enjoy your Sunday posts and learn something new. The Strawberry moon was beautiful last week. Wishing both Pam and you a wonderful week ahead!
Butch expresses his thanks! I hope you are having a wonderful Monday sweet friend!
Happy Fathers Day Butch. And it looks like you are having a great time with your grand babies.
Pam your dad is looking well. I loved the butterfly and never heard of the popcorn tree. Glad I didn’t if it is like you said, invasive. I haven’t seen a single bee this year. The moon was really bright. I closed the curtains so I could sleep.
Butch expresses his heartfelt thanks, Alice. My sweet Daddy is doing well and he had a wonderful Father’s Day! Hope you are improving each day!
Pam
Happy Father’s Day to you Butch! I am late again but I was making sure sweet man had a lovely day for Father’s Day.
Your family photos are beautiful and bring joy to us as well as to you. I am so happy you had a wonderful family day!
And thank you for the strawberry moon!
Enjoy this upcoming week!
Butch says thank you! I look forward to your post tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your Monday 🥰
Pam
Lovely post guys! What a lovely Father’s Day you all had 😊
We have our Father’s Day in September here in Australia.
Bless you both,
Jennifer
Thanks so much, Jennifer. Did you not post a blog last week? I was a little concerned?
Thank you for your concern sweet friend 🥰, I didn’t get to write last week as I had a family matter that needed my attention 👍 All went well 💕
Love the pictures Butch and glad to hear that everyone had a wonderful Father’s Day. Love that all the generations got to be together – how fantastic! I’d never heard of a strawberry moon before and had to google it – I guess I missed ours here since we were under a rainfall and wind storm warning and the city of Calgary declared a state of Emergency due to potential flooding last Monday and Tuesday. Lots of downed trees and property damage, but thankfully, its finally abated. So sorry to hear about Yellowstone – such a beautiful park. Wishing you both a lovely, if hot, week!
Butch sends his thanks, Kim. Flooding is scary, dangerous, and destructive. I hope you had no flooding issues. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam 🥰
Wonderful post Butch. My husband had open heart surgery on June 6 and is head of his class according to his home nurses. So thankful he had a wonderful Fathers day. His children have been here a lot but Sunday was very special for him. His birthday is June 22 so between Get Well, Father’s Day and birthday cards every flat surface is covered. Just a suggestion for your cosmos. I thin them out as I also save seeds from all my flowers and plant thick and thin out when they get a couple inches tall and again and again. They seem to like a little space. Those look like pink cosmos. Try the orange also. Love your blog.
Butch says thank you, Vicky. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s heart surgery but very glad he is doing well. Happy belated birthday to him! Thanks for the tip about thinning the cosmos! Happy Weekend!