“For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,”
Psalm 89:6 ESV
The dog days of summer are now over, but the lazy, hazy days will linger for a while. Even with the haze, a view of Weiss Lake and the Coosa River valley from atop Lookout Mountain in the southern Appalachian foothills “ain’t bad”. For the record, this pic was taken on August 11, the last official day of dog days.
We had 2 heavy cast iron statues in the yard under an arbor for years, a boy and girl. When it came time to relocate them to the garden last year, the young lady broke in half. What to do? I knew the grands, especially EM, liked the pair so I stored them away instead of scrapping them. Then I came up with an idea…now to place her brother in a good spot nearby.
The blimp passed our way last week. I thought they were taking aerial video of our garden for us, but apparently not. Seeing the blimp would not have been unusual in past years but I was surprised by this sighting. Goodyear operated a large tire making facility in our city for many years and was a very important employer in the area. The plant has been closed for a while and an investor has purchased the property. Our Goodyear facility was at one time the largest tire manufacturing plant in the world, and seeing the blimp on occasion was not so surprising.
I discovered these twins in my randomly seeded wildflower spot where there was a pumpkin patch last year. I threw out left over seeds from several packets and have given them zero attention. Finally, after receiving a little rain, weeds and wildflowers are popping up. I think these are just too nice to be on a plant named hairy clustervine.
The girls came up last week to make dessert and cards for their mommy’s birthday party. They also planned a show with dancing and singing as part of the mom celebration. PJ assisted in the preparations and the rehearsal time. EK came partially ready for a dress rehearsal. We had so much fun later that night and AR (mommy) was duly honored and thrilled, so much so she joined the dancing. She asked me not to tell, so I better not.
Of the many colors and color variations amongst our zinnias this season, this coral color is probably my favorite. The reason; it reminds me of a sporty convertible that Pam had back in the day and…
…her little T-Bird was “coral”. She allowed me to sit in it for this photo in 2011! Coral was the official Ford color. Only 700 of these James Bond 007 Edition T-Birds were made and distributed worldwide in 2003.
I am attempting to be on a very strict, high protein eating plan right now. “Attempting” is the key word because this was my entree at Bottega Cafe a few days ago. If you only give this a quick glance, the pork tenderloin and sausages are all that you will notice and those are mostly protein!
August brings changes along the trails I like to roam, and it is good to take a hike every week or two this time of year. Late summer and early fall bring new looks to the wild landscape. The heat index was about 110 but that’s just summer in the south. Mountain mint surrounded by dog fennel all under a blue sky…typical mid-August sight along the trail.
A couple of observations: If you saw either of the last 2 SSS posts, you may recall the hummingbird moths. They prefer the Lantana you see here. I observed however, that they also very much preferred the lighter colored blooms than the darker yellow, almost 100 % of the time! I mentioned this to PJ as we were both out making photos.
On another note: Lantana is a staple that requires almost no attention and I plant only 5 plants in this spot every year. I buy the smallest 2 inch plants which can hardly be detected when I place them here, typically in late April. With a single stem, no blooms, and a only few leaves I depend on the label to indicate the color…and these were supposed to be the same darker yellow. Fortunately for the moths, someone mis-labeled them. All the lighter blooms in this Lantana jungle come from two tiny plants that would sit in the palm of your hand!
I don’t think I’ve ever posted a pic of one of our most common butterflies, so much so, common is part of its name! Introducing the Common Buckeye.
This is one of many very healthy looking and architecturally neat plants in the random wildflower garden. No blooms yet. I think it may be a type of cosmos but maybe a coreopsis of some kind? I’m leaning toward cosmos. One thing I did notice, when the plants were small, they looked a lot like ragweed! There’s enough ragweed here in northeast Alabama to go around the world!
The scaly blazing star grows in the open, dryer and sometimes rocky spots along my hiking trail. I spotted it along the way last week and decided to get my first pic of the season of this wild perennial. While focusing to make the photo, a gulf fritillary appeared in the view finder when it landed on the flower! I’ve not had that happen very often! Normally an unexpected invader is not welcome in a photo and often not noticed until later. This was an exception and a welcome surprise!
We were blessed with several nice August sunsets last week. There was also a lot of stormy weather across the region with lightning and strong winds causing a lot of problems and damage.
We pray you have a pleasant and peaceful week.
Pray for the folks in Hawaii! What a tragic and catastrophic situation on Maui!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Happy Sunday. Love all the pics. I remember seeing the Goodyear Blimp flying over on occasion. What a shame they closed the plant and no longer make the tires there. Love seeing the cuties and how sweet to do a dance for their mommy for her birthday. Have a great week. Hugs Kris.
Thanks so much, Kris. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
That butterfly is an absolute stunner. (But then, what isn’t in this post?) I used to see the blimp go over the MSU stadium during games but not lately. Maybe they use drones now. That purple wildflower — I think I posted that same bloom on my current blog — I saw one on my walk, just all by itself, no context or garden at hand. They’re pretty. Loving the vintage convertible and of course the girls are always so darned cute! Love the party planning and all! Happy week.
Jeanie, you did post the same wildflower. Happy week to you!
Pam
PJ’s cute TBird is my favorite color. Hope she still has it. It’s a keeper. When living in NC I saw the blimp often and as a child we saw dirigibles very often. We don’t see them here I suspect because of the altitude and mountains. Hot air balloons are quite popular here though.
I love AR comment.Hope she doesn’t read your post . Haven’t seen butterflies this year.,it’s been a very short Summer. Where is the rest of the broken girl stature? I’m sure the grands are wondering the same. I once tried an all protein diet. It worked but I didn’t stay on it very long as I craved fruit. Thankful for a day of rest. Have a blessed week.
Happy Monday, Alice. I sold the TBird ten years ago. I bought it for my 50th birthday and ten years later decided it was time to let it go. Butch still has the rest of the statue and plans are being made to repurpose it. Wishing you a blessed week.
Pam
Good morning from hot, steamy, stormy SC. Buddy, Clark, and Poppy said to tell you every day is Dog Day at Belle View Cottage and that they are hawt! I am seriously swooning over that coral T Bird…y’all look like rock stars!! Happy Birthday to sweet Allison and applause to the dance troupe! Every August I would put on a show…I had enough dance recital costumes to outfit the entire neighborhood. Mom would type up a program and make refreshments, and all the mothers would patiently sit on the front porch in the heat while we “performed”!
Your dogs are loved and cared for, Roxanne! I love your story, that is a sweet memory. Ella Mae writes out her program and we have had many dance shows! We are supposed to have cooler temps tomorrow and I am ready. Stay inside and take care!
Pam
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch! Such a beautiful aerial photo of Weiss Lake~ How special the girls had a special show for the mother’s birthday, I know it was adorable. The butterfly captures are beautiful! Love the coral zinnia and Pam’s fabulous car! The sunset is gorgeous. The weather has been rough this past week with the excessive heat and strong thunderstorms. The devastating wildfires in Hawaii were horrendous, unimaginable… I hope you have a lovely and peaceful Sunday~
Thank you, Jenna. Hopefully tomorrow we get a reprieve from the oppressive heat and strong storms. Happy Monday!
Pam
Love the T bird! The Goodyear blimp is in Memphis for the FedEx St Jude Classic golf tournament this weekend. Your lantana is so healthy. The girls looked like they were having fun. They’re really growing up! Maui is such a tragedy; the loss of life and history. We remember going there many, many years ago and it was a quaint town with a huge banyan tree offering shade for the adults and climbing for the children. While it’s an insignificant thing in the scheme of things, I do hope the giant banyan tree can return to life in some form… I think it would be significant to the people living there. The views you have of the valley are beautiful. All the pics were great! Happy Sunday! Clara ❤️
Thank you, Clara. In our travels, we have never visited Hawaii and I am not sure why. I know that historic and quaint town was magical. Prayers continue for them. Happy Monday ♥️
Pam
That fritillary is lovely, surely a photo contest winner! Gorgeous sunset!
Thank you, Carole!
Pam
So much beauty to absorb…Weiss lake, creative use of the iron statue, the memorable Goodyear blimp, those dimpled darling dancers performing for lovely Allison, Pam’s iconic coral cruiser, the Bottega tribute to protein, the lacy dog fennel (new to me), the almost miraculous burgeoning of the Latana in the butterfly moth-preferred yellow, the exquisite butterfly captures, all topped by that glorious sunset and Butch’s gift of curiosity. Prayers for those experiencing such loss and devastation in Hawaii. Embrace this Sabbath.
Thank you, Mary. Happy Monday to you!
Pam
What a beautiful color Pam’s T-Bird was! Since I am a redhead, I lean more to softer coral colors rather than a red. Coral Flowers are always a favorite and your pretty zinnias are stunning. Yes, we are definitely feeling the heat here in Florida too! My sweet little 4 year old grandson has made the daily heat advisory part of his vocabulary! He tells me daily what the heat advisory is and I have to chuckle as I probably didn’t even know there was a “heat advisory” until I reached high school. LOL Thank you for your wonderful pics and musings as we have headed through the dog days of summer…into the hazy crazy lazy days of early Fall. Hugs and Blessings.
Kari, how cute that your precious 4 year old has made the daily heat advisory part of his vocabulary. Thank you for reading, dear one!
Pam
Gorgeous pictures, dear friends. The queen and the princess are so beautiful. We had a busy and adorable day here… It is our Father’s Day in my country. I had lunch with my precious husband, my sons and my stepdaughter and her family. “Our” Grandson is so cute! My dearest father lives in my heart forever… Sending prayers for him… Blessings!
Maristella, so happy you spent time on your Father’s Day with your husband, son, and grandson. Your beloved father will always stay in your heart, my friend ♥️
The coral zinnia is beautiful! But Pam’s coral T Bird is adorable! What a fun photo. I got a kick out of it. I was never so hip!
The girls look great too. The birthday party sounds like lots of fun!
Butch, you find so many interesting things to show us. The Goodyear Blimp history in your area was interesting. Sad, such a large plant closed.
Love all the butterfly pics. The Buckeye butterfly is not so common here.
Sunsets and cloud photos are always lovely.
Enjoy your week.
Thank you, Bonnie. I hope you stay cool this week!
Pam
The butterfly photos are beautiful! How sweet that those adorable girls planned a performance for their mother’s birthday. I love Pam’s car. The coral color is gorgeous! Wishing you both a blessed week ahead!
Thanks so much, Shannon. Happy week to you!
Happy Sunday, your pics are stunning as always. The broken girl statue looks cute even without her upper body. Your grands look cute as a button.
Thanks so much, Judy. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Looks like your granddaughters ‘just wanna have some fun’ like their grandmother did in her coral T-Bird! Keep celebrating the good life in your lovely paradise for summer days will soon be drifting away!
Yes, we all joined the birthday dance party led by the girls. It was fun!
Oh my goodness – that car. Wow and you two look fabulous in it!! Those little girls are so precious and how sweet that they danced for their mommy. The butterflies are gorgeous and what a happy mistake that amazing lantana was for them. The sunset photo is beautiful. So sad about all the devastation in Maui and prayers for them all. Wishing you both a lovely week.
Your little grands are just the cutest! Love seeing you in the T Bird. Monnie had a Mercedes convertible. I can close my eyes and see him behind the wheel. What fun memories!
Sadly, the Dog Days of Summer continue here.
That was so amazing how that butterfly literally flew into your photo! Wow! Just beautiful! I love the Scripture verses you share in your posts. Always an encouragement to come here. 🙂
Thank you, Cheryl. We enjoy God’s creation!
Pam
The T-Bird!! All of your images are wonderful. The strict diet image struck a cord with me. I have started Weight Watchers. My diet has changed, some. I am learning what portion size means 🙂
I am now hosting linkup parties and I would like to invite you and your friends to come and join the party!
https://gmasphoto.website/gmasphoto-linkup-party-3/