“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”
Psalm 13:5-6
I was out for a walk at sunrise on September’s last day and decided to head east toward the river. Our mornings last week were very clear, not a cloud anywhere, but not so on Friday. I realized that I was likely seeing some clouds to the east that were there because of Hurricane Ian. That gave me pause and prompted me to pray for all the folks impacted by the storm as well as those who would be hit later that day!
Late afternoon on the lake this time of year seems to have a look that I don’t sense at other times. Always beautiful of course, but there is something about the angle of the light in the days near the autumnal equinox that gives everything a different feel. I hear artists and photographers say it’s all about the light.
It would be safe to say that these plants have a place on the water, lakefront property. The fall color found growing on a log with a bronze reflection in the water just caught my eye. I do think I find things interesting that are probably not so much to most people!
I keep salt out all summer for the local deer herd. This mom brought her little ones by, but it looks like what momma provides is much more desirable to Bambi than licking on a nasty old piece of salt. And while we are on the subject of little ones…
…these two dropped by to see me and PJ and they were treated to chocolate milk, candy pumpkins, and candy corn. Don’t tell their mommy! They learn quickly who keeps treats on hand.
Another autumn scene on Weiss Lake. This cypress was glowing in the late afternoon sun!
We have 2 types of grapes that grow well in the south. They are sometimes confused by me and others as well. These are muscadine vines, bearing ripe fruit. Of four primary grapes that are cultivated in the U.S., muscadine is one of two native types. These vines are over 20 years old, and thanks to our dear friend who is always graciously giving us plants and advice on gardening, we traveled home with plenty of muscadines and…
…Scuppernongs. That may seem like a strange name, but the scuppernong is actually a cultivar of the muscadine. The name comes from the discovery of this bronze colored grape along the Scuppernong River in North Carolina. I read that the original mother vine is on Roanoke Island and has produced fruit for several hundred years. This means that all scuppernongs are muscadines, but not all muscadines are scuppernongs!
While on the subject of fruit, this peppervine caught my attention with its very shiny berries. It was late afternoon, and if you look closely at the black berries, you will see the reflection of the setting sun. The fruit was like little convex mirrors and the sun was at my back. If I hadn’t been there to catch the evening sun I would have never noticed the reflection! Never seen this before!
Our neighbor whom I’ll just call “the hay guy” loaded all the big bales and moved them to store for the winter. He left us one petite, mini-bale. I guess the grands can play on this one. I moved it to their barn!
I took one of my walks along a trail I had not visited all summer. A cedar had fallen across the creek and I thought I might walk this log. I saw a lot of raccoon tracks at the end so I knew this tree had not fallen in vain. It wasn’t a long way to fall and the creek was very low, however I chose to stay on my side and leave the crossing to more sure-footed creatures.
A large tree was uprooted in a storm last year and it completely blocked a path we like to hike and ride on. We had to make two cuts with chain saws to free a section in order to push it aside and open up our road. I was amazed to see how quickly this fungus had covered it. I also attempted to count the rings to determine the age of the tree and I counted at least 80.
On down the trail I discovered a new subdivision where I do believe two homes are occupied. Without a flashlight I could not see inside so I moved on, wondering what might make such a place their home. There are several possibilities I suppose. Some bite and some stink…so I investigated no further.
Although our peak fall color is typically the first week of November, we are seeing some very nice touches of autumn already. What about where you live?
Speaking of autumn, Pam gave me the OK to use a pic from a table-setting she is featuring tomorrow in her Monday Morning Blooms post. The theme is “harvest” so I am looking forward to seeing much more. She only charged me a nominal fee for the use of the photo!
September’s final sunset, and what looks like a lone fisherman out on the lake enjoying a nice autumn afternoon.
Last week was anything but pleasant for many in Florida and other areas hit by a devastating storm. We continue to pray for them all!
”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,
Love all your beautiful photos and thank you always for the scriptures.
Thanks so much, Linda. Wishing you a blessed Sunday!
Pam
Happy October, Butch & Pam. And Happy Birthmonth, Pam! Beauty abounds when seen through your eyes each week. Thank you for the visuals and descriptions. I do learn a little something each week, which I enjoy.
Thanks so much Rita and amazing memory that you have. I celebrate the entire month 😂
Pam
Happy birthday Pam
Thank you, Alice. It is on the 30th, but I celebrate all month 🥰
Pam
I think autumn and October color has come faster to you than it has to us in Michigan. That golden tree is a stunner! I know what you mean about taking photos of things that interest you that you’re quite sure no one else will find so. Well, I loved your log with the foliage! Hope you both have a lovely Sunday.
Thank you, Jeanie. Take care, my friend!
Pam
The golden cypress tree is a stunner!
It is always good to see the girls. I love your casual unposed pics.
I grew up picking and eating Muscadines and Scuppernongs on my grandmother’s farm. I did not know the history of them.
Butch, you were patient counting 80 rings on the fallen tree!
I look forward to MMB tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks so much, Bonnie. You never know what EK will do in a photo, she doesn’t “coperate” as she says. Have a blessed Sunday!
Thank you for sharing these absolutely stunning photos. That log with the fern-type plants growing in it is a resurrection plant. It grows when it’s humid and wet and dies back when it isn’t. We found one in the woods next to our house. We brought it to our yard and it didn’t seem to do well. So we set it back in the woods and it flourishes. That’s where it wants to live? That’s where we will leave it.
Interesting info and thank you, Lisa. Have a beautiful Sunday!
Pam
Happy October Pam and Butch! I have noticed some beautiful fall colors in our trees too, and am enjoying the cooler temps. Mother Nature has provided our state with so much beauty…I am sick for the state of Florida and SC and the horrific damage they have suffered…it makes appreciating the simple things even more important. Have a lovely week, and I look forward to MMB tomorrow!
Thank you, Jenna. Happy Sunday!
Pam & Butch your photos are stunning as always.
Thank you, Paula!
Wow. Pam, thank you for taking us on this beautiful walk filled with God’s beauty (and hard work of others!). It was if I was walking with you! Sending love and hugs always. 💛
I am so happy you could enjoy the walk, dear one. Sending prayers, love, and hugs 💛🙏🏻💛🤗
Thank you, Pam 💛🥰🙏🏻 I feel them!
💛💛💛
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! The lake photographs are just gorgeous with the way the autumn light shines. The photograph of the early fall colors is also beautiful along with the picture of those two sweet girls. We are in such a drought I don’t know if our colors will be very pretty this year. My daddy and many other ranchers are trying to locate hay at reasonable prices to be able to feed their herds this winter. Along with you, my prayers are with all of those suffering from Hurricane Ian’s devastation. Wishing you both a wonderful day and week ahead!
Shannon, I hope your daddy can find hay. It is extremely dry here and I don’t think we will have pretty leaves because of it. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
That cypress tree is gorgeous! The bronze tones along the lake are glorious! I love fall. The girls know where to go to find tasty snacks. You’re making wonderful memories for them. They’re precious! Looking forward to MMB. All the pics are interesting and I always learn something new. Happy birth month Pam. Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. Thank you for the sweet wishes ♥️
Pam
Before sunrise? I’m glad for people like you who will fill me in on the beauty I miss while snoozing. I’ll fill you in on the midnight sky sometime! ha. I love all the beautiful things outdoors, even the fallen trees. You live in such a pretty area. Weiss Lake holds special memories for me from a vacation I took with my parents there – one of the last before my father died. He loved the Lake and bonfires we shared.
Thanks for sharing your sweet memories of Weiss Lake. Have a wonderful week!
Pam
Happy Sunday. Your pics are always stunning. That cypress is just beautiful. I love always seeing the littles. Have a great week ahead. xoxo Kris
Oh how you open our eyes to the “mysteries” of nature and God’s glorious creation. Jefferson’s Scuppernong vineyard in VA produced outstanding wine which he relished. That peppervine disclosure is stunning.. what a “capture” in reflection… The expression on the girls’ faces tells where they are “visiting”… the grand “spoilers” know how to delight. Joining with others in supplication for
those affected by Ian and urging support to alleviate their losses. May they be blessed…
Stunning post as ever dear friends! Happy October!
Thank you, my friend !
Pam
Love the early glimpses of fall. The girls are growing by leaps and bounds! Have you ever had Scuppernong Jelly? It’s a Charleston dessert, topped with a boiled custard. My mom did it best!
I have had scuppernong jelly but not the Charleston version. Sounds delicious! I am excited about your trip. I hope you will share lots of photos. Have a wonderful time!
What a lovely stroll. I enjoyed the differences in grapes… how interesting! And the Littles are always a joy to see. Great pictures Butch! Thank you! And wonderful scriptures!
Once again I apologize for my tardiness. But we were on an adventure and I needed to be available at all times to have my phone near for my sister and brother in law. They are snowbirds and live up north and they were not at their Florida Condo yet. Their condo was in the path of Hurricane Ian. It was days until they heard of anything. Their was some damage to the unit above theirs which has caused minimal water damage to their own condo. But nothing that can not be fixed. They lost all their palm trees and landscaping but their condo is still standing. Thank God! I am horrified of the destruction to SW Florida… Prayers for all! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I am so happy your sister and BIL has minimal damage. The destruction is heartbreaking.
Thank you, Nancy!
Oh, it really is!
Happy October, Pam and Butch. As always beautiful photos. Of course, I love the girls. Ella is turning into a young lady right before one’s eyes. And Emma is not far behind. I enjoyed seeing the grapes we had both in Virginia and I would make jam and jelly from them. Your area looks as though autumn has arrived – not so much here. We have a lot of green remaining. Butch the ending photo of the sunset is beyond gorgeous. Do you have a photo contest in your area? If so you should enter this beautiful image. In my humble opinion you would win “Best In Show!” Wishing you and your lovely family a great week!
Thank you, Sandra. It has been so dry that I fear our trees aren’t going to have pretty colors. The leaves are so dry, I think they will just fall off. Thank you for your sweet comments. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
Beautiful pictures and I always enjoy Butch’s walkabouts! The grands are definitely growing and the pics of the lake are gorgeous – especially that sunset – wow, what a shot! I’m so glad that you were spared from Ian, but my heart goes out to all that weren’t – the pictures of the damage that we have seen on the news here are mind-boggling. Happy October!
Thank you, Kim. The hurricane damage is horrific. Praying for all affected🙏🏻
Pam
Oh, and I also wanted to say that the reflection on the pepper berries was so cool!
I thought so, also!
Pam
Thank you so much for your prayers for those in FL. My dear niece and her family’s home was flooded, and they lost nearly everything, including their car and my sister’s car. Praise God, they were all able to evacuate to another house in Naples to ride out the storm. It was horrific. I am so thankful their lives were spared and my heart goes out to all who suffered such losses. Even in the aftermath, God is faithful.
I am so sorry about your niece and family’s home. Thankful they were able to evacuate.
Blessings, Pam