“The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!”
Psalm 67:6-7 ESV
I mention Weiss Lake quite a bit but have never shown the dam from this angle…probably because last week was the first time I’ve taken a boat ride in quite a while! The lake is a real treasure in northeast Alabama and we are fortunate that it is only minutes from our home!
This restaurant is a very popular place on the water with a great view. Boaters can pull up and enjoy a meal and head back out on the lake. When passing by on the highway I’ve noticed that bikers like to stop off here. I often see motorcycles parked in the lot!
The garden changes a lot during the season and really takes on a new look almost weekly. June is typically a good month for plants and flowers, but the heat and often dry weather that comes later in the summer makes it hard to maintain. Things are finally growing and showing some promise.
We have two areas where there are stands of cane. I like to use natural things in the garden when possible so I cut stakes from the canes to support the gladioli. I felt good about my work until the glads shot up well past my support system, almost overnight. If we don’t have strong winds perhaps they will still be fine! We need rain but a thunderstorm might not be so good.
I wasn’t the only one enjoying some time on the lake last week. EM is getting very good at maneuvering on the water. Our son and daughter-in-love like to paddle board. EM is able to have her own ride now, but EK and WL are still floating along with daddy and mommy! This is also on Weiss lake.
I decided it was time to take a walk along the boardwalk at the wildlife and bird sanctuary that I visit (and jog around) often. The area changes rapidly during the warmer months and a trip every week or two typically yields some new things to view and enjoy…like this lizard’s tail!
Lizard’s tail gets its name from the way it looks when these white flowers turn brown and curl up a bit more. I’ll bet you can never guess what it looks like at that point. Well in case you didn’t guess, it looks a lot like…well, a lizard’s tail!
Pickerelweed or pickerel rush is now blooming. This aquatic plant gets the name pickerel from the fish by that name. The fish is a predator that likes to hide among the pickerelweed and strike quickly, ambush style, when prey swims or drifts by.
I almost always find an egret wading nearby. This one did not take to my company and took flight soon after I got this pic. Strangely, the bird flew across the boardwalk and landed closer to me than before…
…believing to be safely hid behind a few leaves I suppose!
The Floating Primrose Willow is not a well liked aquatic plant. To many this is a noxious weed that clogs waterways. I read that France has suffered a lot of ecological damage from this plant. I haven’t researched that for details. It does produce nice small yellow flowers.
Common rush or soft rush is a native grass-like perennial that will grow in standing water. In some countries it is woven into thin mats. That will not be my next hobby however!
Today’s look back takes us to 2018 and Yellowstone National Park. We always thought this pic of the Yellowstone River and the lower falls looked like a painting. The Park is beautiful and fascinating, but crowded in the summer!
A high summer cloud is really a breathtaking site if I take the time to look up and consider it’s size and magnitude. There was no rain in this one but we are hopeful for rain today or possibly tomorrow. It is currently very dry here at our place.
A new lily was discovered last week beside Pam’s dad’s house. This area along the carport was cleaned up last year, removing old plants, weeds and other old growth. Was this lily there all along or did a bird or maybe the wind help out with the planting? No way to be sure, but I wanted to show this lily because Pam’s mom loved her flowers and especially lilies. Today would’ve been her 91st birthday. It is possible she planted this lily and it has been smothered by the overgrowth for 16 years! I suppose there are different types of ditch lilies, but this lily is “fancier” than the ditch lilies at our house. I guess we will call it that for now! Pam’s mom would love it!
The Swag in North Carolina is a favorite getaway of ours. Last year the gardener gifted us with a Black-eyed-Susan, an offspring of the original that was planted there many years ago. We were not sure how well it would do, coming from about 5,000 feet above sea level down to just below 600 feet, but so far all is well! From the heart of the Appalachian Mountains to the Appalachian foothills!
Wishing you a pleasant, safe, and peaceful summer week!
BTW, a few guessed correct when they saw the squash bloom last week. Another friend also made a good observation concerning the elderberry. It does look a lot like Queen Anne’s Lace!
”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
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam, there’s so much to love in this beautiful article! The pictures touch my heart! Weiss Lake, the beauty of the foliage, flowers, egret, and EM with her smile on the water (I grew up floating and I paddle boarded up until a few years ago). The Lily and thinking of Pam’s Mom’s 91st birthday has made my heart feel so happy and nostalgic. It bloomed and is standing just as the promises in the verses you share! 2018 was my “big” trip of places~including Yellowstone. You captured its beauty (and yes, so crowded). Can you even imagine heaven in comparison to all this beauty that already surround us? Please give Pam my love. Butch, I pray for you daily. Blessings and love from my family to yours. 🌸💕💛🎶🙏🏻🙏🏻💛
Thank you, sweet Karla. We also visited the Grand Teton on that trip and we absolutely loved it, one of our favorite trips. Yes, I am thinking about my sweet Mom this morning. I will always miss her, but she is with the Lord! Praying for you this morning 🙏🏻🩷🎶☕️💛🌺
You’re welcome, Pam. I visited the Grand Tetons in 2012 and they are the most beautiful! Such a trip!
Your precious Mom,…oh my heart ❤️. Amen for our heavenly home! Thank you for the prayers, sweet Pam. 🌸💕🙏🏻💛🩷 ☕️ 🎶 🦓
Amen, for our heavenly home!
💚💚💚 yes!!
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Gorgeous gladiolas, so many blooms on the way! That egret is magnificent. I have that same photo of the waterfall from when we visited Yellowstone a few years ago. That has to be one of my all time favorite vacations, seeing so much wildlife at dawn each day.
I agree, it was one of our all time favorite vacations. Thank you, Carole!
The lake is beautiful. Love seeing EM enjoying the lake too. Have a great new week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you, Kris. Have a great week!
Pam
Weiss Lake is so interesting. Thank you for showing us the many aspects of it. I know today is special due to it being Pam’s mom’s birthday. She sounds like a wonderful lady! She would indeed be pleased with the lily. EM enjoying the lake on a paddle board is fun to see. Yellowstone is amazing. To think of all the things going on with it geologically is fascinating. All the herds of animals existing on the land is mind boggling since there are so many mud pots, geysers, etc. Enjoy your Sunday. We’re getting storms, so maybe you’ll get rain. We needed it too. Clara❤️
Thanks so much, Clara. The rain barely missed us, it rained here for about 15 minutes. Enjoy your week ♥️
Pam
I love gladiolas, how wonderful to have them growing in your garden! I do hope we get a little rain soon…Love the lake photos, especially EM, I have been wondering if you ever go boating. The photo from Yellowstone is beautiful and I Love the last photo of the sunset, gorgeous! I hope you both have a great week!
Thank you, Jenna. I know you probably received lots of rain last night, it rained here for about 15 minutes and that was all. Have a wonderful week!
Pam
EM is growing so fast. She looks so pleased being able to be out on the lake all by herself. But I know Seth is near by! And the sunset in todays post is breath taking. Pam’s moms lily is a beauty. It was hid from you when clearing that area and now that it doesn’t have to compete with so much it blooms. It’s that the way life goes? Happy Sabbath🙏
EM loves the lake and yes Seth was right there. Thank you, Alice 🙏🏻
Pam
My oh my…. what a Sabbath treat. Gobsmacked by the photos and their significance. EM has come into her own as a true independent (with reinforcement floating near) President Grant knew what he was doing when he signed Yellowstone into our National treasury of parks. Your photo is like an oil
painting, indeed,(would make a challenging jig-saw puzzle) That beautiful egret
had to move to get a closer look at you, Butch, not the other way around….lol.
Weiss Lake is a treasure. Mother’s lily is intentional as a reversed gift/memento
to you of the day.. Happy Birthday, dear lady of blessed memory. Thank you,
Pam and Butch, for today’s adventure with that grand sunset finale. All so special.
Mary, both parents were near. Our national parks are treasure that we can enjoy! The photo would be a challenging puzzle. Thank you for your close attention and sweet sentiments. Blessings.
Pam
Wonderful pictures as ever. A joyful post! Happy Sunday!
Thank you dear one!
Pam
Isn’t it amazing how flowers are not only beautiful but also hold memories? I love the story of passing along the black eyed Susan from NC to AL. And I really believe your dear mama had that daylily appear as a sign she is doing well and watching over you. Today also would have been my parents’ 73 wedding anniversary. We are getting much needed rain today. I mowed grass yesterday and was completely covered in red dust by the time I was finished!
Thank you, Roxanne. We were afraid the black eyed Susan would not survive, so glad it is blooming. Wow, a 73rd anniversary…I know your dad passed away while you were young. We only had about 15 minutes of rain last night. We are hoping for more this week. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
Happy heavenly birthday to Pam’s mother! We went away for the weekend and, after watering Friday morning before leaving, I thought for sure the rain would be here by the time we returned. It keeps skirting our area, and we need it also! I always find it so interesting ro see the plants you locate and identify, Butch. And by cane area, do you mean you have bamboo growing on your property? Happy tour black-eyed Susan took root and is growing. I like that – from the mountain to the foothill! Have a great week.
The rain skirted us last night with only a 15 minute shower. We were glad to get that. I hope you had a nice weekend getaway. Yes, we do have bamboo. It is well away from us because it is terribly invasive. Wishing you a great week!
Pam
So fun to see EM on the water. I need to get my kayak out… I just need to slow down to do so!
I loved seeing your Lake!
Happy heavenly birthday to Pam’s Mom. Hugs Pam!
Enjoy your week to come!
Thank you, Nancy. Yes, get the purple(?) kayak out!
Have a wonderful week!
Pam
Best Sunday wishes to you, and what a lovely photo sojourn you shared with us!
Thank you, Mary!
Pam
I always love your sunset pics and your cloud one today is nice.
I’m loving the Gladiolas. That color is so pretty. How sweet for the daylily to bloom today on Pams’ mothers birthday!
How fun for the kids to have a nice lake nearby. I enjoy all your wildlife captures.
We are getting a little rain today. Thankful.
Wishing y’all a great week.
Thanks Bonnie. The glads have been amazing this year. Wishing you and Mike a great week.
Pam
It looks like a wonderful; time — and beautiful photos as always!
Thanks so much, Jeanie
Pam
That orange lily is gorgeous! It looks like a double-lily, if there is such a flower. It seems to have so many more petals. How delightful to spot this surprise lily, a lovely reminder of your mother, Pam.
Thanks so much, Nancy. Wishing you a delightful week!
Pam
Beautiful photos as usual….what à wonderful Sunday treat to see the lake, flowers and Yellowstone trip …I always look forward to what you have in store for us each week. So glad the black eyed susan survived the altitude change…and what a treasure the lily is and I know Pam has wonderful memories of her mom. Thanks for sharing. Have a Blessed week.
Thank you, Kari. Your thoughts warm my heart!
Pam
Oh, that waterfall in Yellowstone picture is just spectacular! But it is interesting that you are surrounded by much beauty close to home. How special that the day lily bloomed on Pam’s mother’s birthday – it was truly meant to be. EM looks very focused and how lovely to have the lake nearby. We are very dry here too and the rain keeps skirting us as well. It is as if all of North America needs rain. Happy week Pam and Butch!
Thank you, Kim. Happy week to you and see you at the blog hop tomorrow!
Pam
Loved seeing more of your part of the world Butch & Pam. And that waterfall is something else!
Bless you both, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer
xoxoPam
In the last photo I see what appears to be a path, and I am thinking it is probably the path carved by the wheels of a certain vehicle traveling back and forth to see your sweet grands! You have such a beautiful, blessed life. May God continue to shower you with His blessings.🙏❤
You are correct about the path. Thank you, Cheryl!
Pam