“You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.”
Psalm 40:5 ESV
“Panasonic” the pumpkin, being very much ahead of its time, had to be harvested last week. It seemed only right to gather some of our spent flowers that had yielded to the dry summer heat, and create a slight glimpse of autumn. After all, what else can you do with a mature pumpkin in late July? Use it or lose it. We thought this would make us feel cooler, but so far it hasn’t helped!
With August 2 days away, fall will arrive before we have time to catch our breath…but for now I am enjoying the summer skies!
You might wonder, what in the world is this? Glad you asked. A lot of zinnias have this double leaf on the stem below the flower. As the flower drops petals, seeds also drop, and often both collect on the leaves. It is a neat thing to see…one flower dies, yet many seeds are left to carry on!
An unusual bloom that I don’t see often. Any guesses before you move on?
If you thought eggplant, you are correct. I don’t see this one because it is found in vegetable gardens and we have never planted it in our garden. I was invited to my sister’s garden to “pick” tomatoes, so why not take “pics” of things you don’t run across very often. I did gather a few eggplant(s) also! I actually think that eggplant is considered a fruit that grows on a plant called eggplant, and is not officially a vegetable. I ask our eggplant lovers…is this true? I’m not sure.
The “eyes” have it. WL spent the night with us without his sisters for the first time last week so he had undivided attention. I think he liked being the star of the show!
I can’t stop hiding and waiting on unsuspecting hummers. I am still seeing a male but can’t get him to cooperate for a photo…
…but while waiting, I had another interesting visitor. Not a hummingbird, but a hummingbird moth! They move from place to place as much or more than the hummers do, and are normally hard to photograph. They hover and hum like hummingbirds.
This moth was a nice surprise and had such vivid coloring. I don’t remember seeing so much deep red! Of the 4 species of hummingbird moths, the one found in Alabama is called hummingbird clear wing, the red coloring helping in the identification. The moth is not common all over our state, and maps locating where it is found do not indicate it in our area, but we see them from time to time every summer.
I say let’s cover this with mustard and have a corn dog!
I must salute our friends who reside in Carolina. Our only nearby Carolina buckthorn is adorned with its summer berries. When I think about the naming of a number of plants, I recall that quite a few have Carolina as part of their name. Carolina jasmine and Carolina horsenettle are two that come to mind.
The swamp mallow “bolls” look like immature, unopened cotton bolls, but the leaves are noticeably different (same plant family). These blooms will probably be white, similar to cotton blooms, but I did spot a pink one at a distance recently. I zoomed in for a pic of the pink bloom but I was not happy with the out of focus results. To get closer would’ve required a trek through thick brush, water, and likely snakes, ticks, spiders and such.
I see a petrified cat in this rock formation. Do you? It was preserved in an unhappy state if what I vision as the mouth is any indication!
I dropped by a park in neighboring Cherokee County and took a short walk last week. In places, I found it was hard to distinguish where rocks ended and trees began.
Cherokee Rock Village is a popular rock climbing destination as well as hiking and camping. The view from atop Lookout Mountain is spectacular and I had planned to have several photos of the valley and lake below (Weiss Lake), however, the summer haze was so thick there was very little view on this day! A return in the fall would be nice. It’s only 25 minutes from our house.
Another example of the co-existence of rock and tree. The tree has the appearance of supporting the rock, but we all know things are not always as they appear.
These two are seemingly “joined at the hip”.
Which comes first, the rock or the tree? The answer is obvious, but it looks like the rock would’ve tumbled over if the tree had not been there to block the way and make the stop!
The lake, the Appalachian foothills, and the setting of a mid-summer sun…a nice moment bringing another day to a close!
By the way…if you were on top of the mountain beneath where the sun is setting and hiked to our right a short distance, you would find yourself in Cherokee Rock Village.
”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
Cherokee Rock Village is very interesting! Lol, mustard on the corndog, yep. And you’re so right – the eyes have it with that beautiful boy, WL. I love your preview to fall. I woke up to a seemingly darker 6am this morning, and it’s not a cloudy or rainy day. Subtle little changes, even if it is still the height of summer. Have a beautiful Sunday and fantastic week!
Good morning, Rita. It truly is amazing all of the interesting places within 25 miles of us. So many are visited by people from everywhere and we seldom go. I guess you lose the wonder when it is so close. Happy new week to you!
Pam
Extraordinary photos of the rocks and trees joined at the hip. Loved your preview to fall. Wyatt is one handsome boy. Outstanding sunset photo. Max Lucado has a quote I love: “Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing, and listen as Heaven whispers, “Do you like it? I did it just for you.” Have a blessed week my friends. Thank you for the beauty.
Thank you, Dianne. Love the Lucado quote and thanks for reminding me of it. Happy new week!
Pam
Gorgeous shots of the hummingbird, hummingbird moth, and everything else! I seriously hope you are entering your photos in competition, they are winners, Butch.
Thank you, Carole. Butch should enter his photos in competition. Happy new week!
Pam
Your posts fill me with so much joy. I especially love your garden photos and photos was hiking around your area. Alabama is such a beautiful place. We live in NE Tennessee, so not too far from where you are. I do have a question though. For some reason I only get your blog posts one time a week, and there are many I have not seen unless I look in your archives. I changed my subscription from weekly to daily. Will this fix the problem? Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful days with us.
Lisa, thank you so much for your sweet comments. I am so sorry you have had a problem. That should fix the problem. Please let me know if it does not.
Wishing you a wonderful new week!
Pam
Happy Sunday, Pam and Butch! Hard to pick a favorite this week…sweet Will, “corn dog”, amazing rock formations…so much beauty through Butch’s eye. I do love that pumpkin arrangement. As hot and humid as it is and as much as I can’t wait for Fall, I think I’ve reached the age where I don’t want to hurry time along.
Hope you have a wonderful week with lots of sweet tea! 💖
Thank you, Roxanne. I agree, I don’t want to rush time. August in the south requires lots of sweet tea. Happy new week!
Pam
Wow that hummingbird moth is really cool. I have never heard or seen one of those. Thanks for sharing that with us. Oh boy the eyes have it for sure with your sweet little grandson. He is so handsome and those eyes are just stunning. Have a great start to the new week. Hugs. Kris
Thanks so much, Kris. I think the hummingbird moths are interesting and I love to see them up close.
Pam
Seeing the world through your eyes, Butch, is so often a revelation….have never seen a hummingbird moth before, and red, no less. The Autumnal pumpkin vignette is just the ticket for cooling the imagination in this Summer’s heat and oh that sunset; a visual feast. However, not to be outdone, Wyatt is a delightful eyeful and speaking of eyes..his.. oh my . The Grand-doters must have known bliss having him all to themselves. Thank you for sharing your Sabbath joy.
Thank you, Mary. Butch is an excellent observer and I am always learning something new from him. Yes, we had the best time with Wyatt and those blue eyes melt me. Happy new week!
Forgot to sign as Pam ♥️
Max Lucado’s quote says it all in regards to Butch’s Sunday musings and pics. Hugs to WL….so adorable. Have a great and Blessed week.
I agree, Kari! Happy new week to you!
Pam
I love the blending of trees and rocks – when nature becomes friends! Happy Summertime Sunday!
“when nature becomes friends”…I like that thought! Happy new week, Leslie Anne!
Pam
I always look forward to Sunday morning posts and seeing thing that are so different in your world. I can’t help feeling a bit sad when fall is in the air, I know fall is beautiful, but winter soon follows. I am not a fan of winter.
Thank you, Nonie! Not many are a fan of winter! Happy new week!
Pam
I’m sure Wyatt did like spending the night with y’all. I agree “the eyes” have it. Beautiful blue eyes.
The hummingbird moth we usually see is not red. I have a picture but would be hard pressed to find it. I should label all my pics. I never will forget the first time I saw one! Your picture is quite good.
I am amazed at all the rock and tree formations you found. It is too hot to be outside at all. I guess you went early in the day!! It is currently 94 and our high will be 96 today. Y’all are a lot cooler.
Have a good week.
Bonnie, our temps have been in the high 90’s for days. The nights are hovering around 74. The heat bothers me, Butch is outside no matter the temperature. Cherokee Rock Village is an amazing spot. Happy week and stay cool!
Pam
Oh goodness, your pumpkin!! I looks so pretty with the dried sunflowers! You should give it a bleach bath and keep it inside and it might last til Fall…I always love seeing what you discover on your strolls Butch, I love the “corn dog” and the flowering eggplant! The rock/tree formations are amazing! Wyatt is growing up before our very eyes, such a cutie! Have a lovely week ahead~
Butch loves to explore and I am amazed at all he finds. I usually go along, but it is too hot! Happy week, Jenna!
Pam
Adorable pictures! Wyatt is so cute… Have a lovely week ahead. Blessings.
Thank you, Maristella!
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch! I have pumpkin envy that are already harvesting and love it centered among the sunflower heads. WL is such a cutie, those eyes…😍 Wonderful captures of the hummingbird moth and hummer visiting the zinnias. Stay cool, we’re enjoying a much-needed shower this afternoon. ♥
Oh Mary, we had a small shower, barely wetting the ground. Thank you for your sweet comments ♥️
Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam! As usual you have the eye for the unusual Butch. It is amazing what a seed planted will do to get light and live. You are very patient, a gift I didn’t receive. The photos of the hummingbird moth and hummingbird are perfect. I haven’t seen either this Summer but we’ve had a very short Summer. The thought of Fall being right around the corner depresses me as our cold season is much longer than yours. When I hear people complaining about the heat I think they must live in the south. WL is a handsome young fellow. His eyes are gorgeous! Love the sunset picture.
Thanks for your sweet comments, Alice. WL was a joy to have by himself and he didn’t want to go home! Happy Week!
Butch I keep pumpkins inside to save them . They last for 3 or 4 months and your Panasonic pumpkin is definitely worth trying to save it. Cool is the key I think. I haven’t seen a single hummingbird this summer. Your pictures are amazing and so is your patience. Fall makes me sad. Depressed might be more accurate as our Winters are too long! And this year it was into July before it was warm . When I hear people complain about the heat I think they must be from the South. When I moved here I stopped putting sugar in my tea and now it doesn’t taste good. Lol, I’ll bet WL had a ball with you two! He’s to cute! Have a blessed week.
Thank you, Alice. I know you are sad to see fall in the future because of your long winters. I understand that can be hard. I am drinking a glass of sweet tea now as it is so hot outside! Wishing you a lovely week, Alice and I hope a hummingbird stops by.
Pam
Cherokee Rock is so interesting. It’s similar to some outcroppings in a state park in northeastern Mississippi. I love going to parks of this nature. The shapes fascinate me. The hummers and moth are both colorful. You are so patient in this heat. WL is such a handsome little boy and the extra attention of being the only one around would be a fun, memorable experience for him. Loved all the shots. The pumpkin looks very healthy. It’s just a little early but it’s nice to enjoy them this time of year as well. Enjoy your afternoon and stay cool. It’s blistering outside! Clara ❤️
Thank you, Clara. I have been inside all afternoon, we had a small rain shower after church. Butch has a keen eye and loves to explore. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
WL’s eyes are dazzling!
And the pumpkin with the flowers is quite lovely! And how about that pumpkin being harvested in July? Wow!
The hummingbird moth is quite colorful. I’ve seen them in AZ, but they are not colorful.
And last but not least, I loved the flowering eggplant. I have never seen one before! Thanks so much!
Have a great week, my friends!
Oh, the blue pumpkin, Pam. I’m sure I’ve never spotted one in July … and you make it look like it was meant to be that way. Absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Linda!
Love the pumpkin display, Pam. It’s beautiful and not too early to enjoy a delightful surprise from the garden! I’m ready to start thinking about the more mild days ahead.
Thank you, Debra. I am looking forward to cooler temperatures!
Pam
The beautiful fall photo has me dreaming of cooler days. We have been in triple digits for a couple of days with no end in sight. It is cooking my flowers. I always enjoy the scripture and photos of nature that you share. Wyatt is an absolute doll! Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead!
Hello Shannon, we are in the high 90’s with hardly a drop of rain. Try and stay cool!
Those eyes on lovely WL are so amazing! And that pumpkin and the sights of nature are incredible!
Thank you, Mary. WL melts me with his eyes!
Pam
Hi Pam and Butch,
Lovely photos as always. I have never heard of a hummingbird moth, that is neat! I love hummingbirds they are so tiny and cute. So is your adorable grandson. Oh yea, they all love being the star of the show for sure, and they all need that undivided attention too. Love to see Grandparents who are involved when they can be…..
Have a lovely week,
Blessings, nellie
Nellie, thanks so much for your sweet visit. Happy August!
Pam
Wyatt’s eyes are so beautiful! And he is growing like a weed. I’m sure he did love being the center of attention. That rock leaning on the tree is really something. May God bless you and your family today!
WL is a joy, he is so much like his daddy! Thank you, Cheryl
Pam
Wonderful images.
Thanks so much!
Absolutely stunning pictures, but especially love the hummingbird ‘ hummer’
I visited you via Saturday Sparks Link Party 576
I linked up this week with = 39+40.
If you have not joined us as yet at SSPS, you will find the linkup information under BLOGGING: seniorsalonpitstop We hope to meet you there virtually.
Thanks so much for your visit!