“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 ESV
Welcome to the final week of August. A thought struck me when viewing this chapel. Quite a few songs have “chapel” in their lyrics, and/or their title. For example, if you are old enough to remember Elvis, you may have heard his version of “Crying In The Chapel”. That song reached number 3 on the charts in the US and number 1 in the UK in 1965. There was no crying in this one, only perspiring on a very hot August day!
Henry the heron seemed right at home, and in fact seemed irritated that I had the nerve to walk along the sidewalk and boardwalk beside the river as if these were built for humans!
It’s that time of the summer season which rolls around each year where it is almost impossible to keep some plants and flowers alive, much less healthy. I gave up on this one after several weeks of few blooms and more and more brown foliage. At first glance you might think you are looking at a strange pot, but this is the plant removed from it’s terra cotta summer home. I would say root bound is an understatement!
These wispy grasses growing near the entrance of a local wildlife park remind me of artists brushes, or maybe feather dusters!
WL loves dirt and vehicles that are designed to work in dirt. This loader and dump truck belonged to his daddy, who was also quite fond of playing in the dirt (and still is). At around 35 years old, these toys are probably with their last owner. You never know however, the loader is metal and Tonka tough!
In a previous post I explained how one of our old cast iron little people had broken in half. Since our girls (grands) were really fond of the boy and girl pair, I just couldn’t dispose of them. The bottom half made a nice planter, but some of you asked, “what happened to the other half”. And now you know. I will place her brother somewhere nearby, but I am waiting for an opinion or suggestion as to where to locate him. The statues, when in one piece, weigh well over 100 pounds each!
I was pleased to finally have proof that the rogue wildflower garden contained cosmos (even several varieties), and that I was not raising a healthy batch of additional ragweed! These blooms got me off the hook!
It helps me to relieve my frustrations to show you some of my yard and garden menaces. I would tell you about it if you were here. Dallis grass is absolutely terrible, and look at those roots. I believe it outgrows everything and there’s not much that can be done except dig it up…and you must get all the roots! I did read that a pre-emergent applied in winter is the best approach. Might be worth a try.
Another gripe of mine is gripe weed, the little mini-mimosa, also with extensive roots. Even worse is that gripe weed (appropiately named) has those underground roots (rhizomes) that spread. Rhizome should be defined in a plant dictionary as an ugly, slang term! Dallis grass spreads by rhizomes also. Dirty word!
My bright yellow garden visitors disappeared for days and I thought had moved on for the rest of the summer. At least one decided to hang around a little longer. They do love those zinnia seeds!
As I was inspecting the places where I always find the purple passion flower vines, I discovered that many had orange caterpillars feasting on them. I only found one bloom last week on a long vine. I am wondering if the caterpillars are the cause of fewer blooms? As it turns out, the passion vine is to the Gulf Fritillary butterfly as milkweed is to monarchs…and we have an abundance of Gulf fritillaries around!
One of my insect eaters was caught in the shade under an umbrella sleeping on the job! You can’t get good help these days!
When I see Partridge peas creating bright patches of yellow along the trail, I get a little excited about autumn since they are late summer bloomers. This is a legume that produces bean pods that remain in sound condition through the fall and winter, making it an important food source for wildlife. In Alabama, this pea is a very important food for quail.
Not only is Partridge pea a favorite of wildlife, dodder, a parasitic vine, seems to embrace it along with anything else it can entangle!
I can count on Cardinal flower for at least two things…it shows up in August as one of only a few wild plants that bring bright red to the landscape; and, it is always found in moist places such as stream banks.
Do you ever get a feeling that someone is watching you? I wasn’t sure if he was interested in praying or preying!
Even a summer sunset last week teased us with fall color!
Have a wonderful week!
“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
Oh how I love visiting your place~your words, your pictures,…the feelings that make my heart smile! I love WL’s face~and his little soul is so evident. He’s a cherub! The chapel and the yellow bird~I had to save these! I can understand your chagrin on the bad grass and long roots! That’s me trying to eradicate the poke weed that keeps growing back! I’m reading solutions on eradicating them! Fall is around the corner, Pam. My favorite time, a new life lease in my recovery, still seeing you and the beauty around you~it gives me such hope! God is so good! This is the day that the Lord hath made! I love you and pray each morning for you both and your families.💛💕🙏🏻🐛 💐
Thank you, sweet Karla. We love your visits and your sweet comments. Our blistering heat will improve this week, only in the 80’s. I am still rejoicing over your new life lease, hope lives eternal! We love you and pray for you and family every morning. 💛🙏🏻🎶🙌🏻💚
Isn’t it exciting, Pam? I still can’t believe it! Well, yes,….I can believe GOD’S miracles! It’s my pleasure to visit your place. It will bring me comfort in healing just as it has these years prior! Today we are in the 80’s too~and all week! Last week’s 100’s are gone, like you all had. Another praise! Much love!🎶💛🙏🏻💕🙌🏻❤️💐💐💐🤗🤗🤗🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
So exciting, God is still doing miracles!
Amen! 💕💛💚
🙌🏻💕🙏🏻
Ugh, that Dallis grass! I was digging that out of my newest grass areas yesterday, and have plenty more to go. Adding insult to injury, I found a rogue lily-of-the-valley too, my spring nemesis. Those trucks WL is playing with look brand new! They have lots of life left. Thank you for always bringing good nature info each week, Butch. It’s very informative! Have a great new week to come, Richardsons!
Good morning, Rita. Son always took great care with his toys growing up. WL loves trucks and earth moving vehicles. Every time I drive the golf cart to their house, he jumps in and wants to ride. The first thing he attempts to do is put on his seat belt. Happy new week!
Pam
That lizard is pretty cute taking his nap, amazing that you even saw him. It is hard to dig up those plants past their prime this time of year.
At first, I didn’t even see the lizard. He was well hidden with his coloring. Thanks, Carole!
Pam
Such a peaceful post, Butch. I love the photo of Wyatt. And the lizard! I am sure that Mike and I will see plenty of lizards while we are in St. Maarten. Have a blessed Sunday.
Thank you, Patti. Wishing you and Mike a wonderful stay in St. Maarten!
Pam
Well, I just posted, and it may have disappeared. Not sure.I will wait and see if it reappears!
Your first comment did post.
Good. I could not see it.
My goodness Butch. However did you get up those wild grasses? Their roots go deeper than mine. We have two difference wild grasses that have invaded our lawn this Summer. Both are nasty. It’s impossible for me to get them up so I’m thinking a pre-emergent will hopefully do the job. Our lawn guy said I would have to wait until next Spring. Good grief. Nothing to do as our next door neighbor doesn’t take care of her yard. Her health is poor so I’m thinking I’ll ask if I can help with her yard. Love the dirt loving happy faced grandchild! You have an eye for the must unusual things and I love the sleepy little critter in the shade of the zinnia. Blessing being sent for a peaceful and safe week.
Alice, that is a very sweet thought to want to help your neighbor with her yard. Be careful and don’t over do yourself. Happy new week!
Pam
I love all your critter captures Butch, you have quite an eye! WL steals the show playing with his Tonka trucks, so cute! That root bound plant was amazing! Good luck with your weed battles, and hopefully we will see cooler temps this week 😅
Thank you, Jenna. Weeds are always a problem, some are worse than others. I am excited that we will see lower temps this week. Happy Sunday!
Pam
Good morning! Sending cool thoughts your way! Dallis grass and crab grass are trying to outpace my centipede. I keep digging up the crabgrass, but I’m losing the battle. My sister had a statue break and planted the top half in a big flower pot with lots of flowers cascading…at 50 pounds, though, RM might need to build a planter. I think the Tonka will survive another generation. Pam, do you still have all your childhood dolls? I do! We are on weather watch for that tropical something that is currently brewing. Stay in the shade and keep that sweet tea handy at all times!
Sweet tea is always available here. You and Butch are fighting a losing battle with the weeds. Your sister had a great idea. The 35 year old Tonka toys were built to last. I only have two of my childhood dolls and the girls love playing with them. Prayerfully no bad weather. Happy Sunday, Roxanne!
Pam
Beautiful pics as always Butch. We feel we are right there with you. The capture pic of the praying mantis was awesome. They are such unique looking creatures. Happy Sunday to you and Pam. Hugs. Kris
Thank you, Kris. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Now THAT is a serious rootbound plant. Loved that photo! Lots of beauty here as always — happy Sunday!
Thank you, Jeanie! Happy week to you and take care.
As ever, the photos are amazing….. captures in nature that took keen observation to
achieve. Garden “visitors” that might be missed by others… The dirt truck guy just melts my heart and his equipment looks as though it has been preserved to last beyond the next generation. I believe it is Dallis grass that has overtaken a corner our garden thanks to a period of plentiful rainfall. Charge! Eradicate! From the beginning with the Chapel and Scripture through to the beautiful sunset, you have greatly blessed our hearts and minds
this Sabbath. Merci ~
Thank you, Mary. I had trouble seeing the lizard under the zinnia, he was camouflaged. Wishing you a wonderful week!
I found out the hard way that Praying Mantis are good for your garden. One bit me as I interrupted him and it hurt. I swatted it and killed it. When I looked it up I was sorry I killed it because I found out it eats the bad bugs in your garden. Haven’t seen one since.
I have all the weeds and they have taken over. It has been too hot to pull weeds.
Beautiful sunset! Darling pic of Wyatt. Very special you saved his Daddy’s trucks.
Praying mantis aren’t seen around here too often. I agree too hot to pull weeds. Thank you, Bonnie and have a good week!
Pam
I lost my comment. Praying Mantis are good for your garden. They eat bad bugs. I killed one once after it bit me. When I looked it up and found out it was a good bug I was sorry.
Cute photo of Wyatt. It is special that you saved his Daddy’s trucks.
Lovely sunset. I’m looking forward to the moon on Tuesday.
Your first comment came through.
That lizard looks like part of the flower. But on second look, it appears he is lounging under an umbrella. Great shot! Those Tonka trucks will be around a long, long time as they’re made with really good products; 35 years is just the beginning. The plastic toys never last. WL is seriously enjoying himself. We have the same weeds! Dallis grass and grip weed never ends it seems. We’ve gotten a break from the oppressive heat and high temps. We hope it’s all the triple digit temps we get this year. Take care. Hope you’re getting a break from the heat too. Clara ❤️
Thank you, Clara. I agree that the Tonka trucks will be around a long time. Hopefully we will get rain tomorrow and temps in the 80’s. Enjoy your week, Clara ♥️
Pam
Lovely loundging lizard. My sons used to love to play with them! Thanks for the words of perserverance amongst the weeds of life.
Thank you, Leslie Anne!
Another lovely Sunday Stroll.
I loved the lizard under the umbrella flower! That should be entered into a contest!
WL playing in the dirt reminds me of my boys… ☺️
All is lovely! Thank you so much for the beauty and the information as well!
Have a Blessed week!
Thank you, Nancy. Little boys love playing in the dirt. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! I enjoyed the post and scripture today. Those are two of my favorite Bible verses. The opening photo of the chapel is beautiful as well and the sunset. The sunsets have been breathtaking lately. I had a couple of little boys that once loved Tonka trucks. In fact, their collection is stored away in the attic. Wishing you both a blessed week ahead!
Those little boys loves their trucks, they grow up too fast. Thank you, Shannon and have a wonderful week!
Pam
Love the photo of your grandson playing with his Tonka trucks. My husband has two metal garbage trucks that I bought for him at an antique store from the ’40s and 50’s…I think the ones your grandson is playing with will be around for a long time. BTW, we leave for Austria tomorrow and I believe you have an upcoming holiday as well. If I’m right, have a wonderful time.
Thank you, Karen. Wishing you a wonderful trip to Austria. We leave next week and we do have a couple of days in Austria! I will look forward to your travel blogs. Safe travels!
Oh, that sunset! Just gorgeous! It always encourages my heart so much to come here and find such steadfast normalcy in the midst of this upside down, sin-benighted world. Your blog is one of my very favorite places on the internet. God bless you both.
Cheryl, you are so sweet! God bless you and your family!
Pam
This is one of my favorite Psalms – “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Those Tonka trucks are in great shape and how sweet your grandson is now enjoying them!
Thank you, Mary. Grandson loves them just like his daddy did!
I’m sorry for your pesky weeds – they have quite the root system! WL looks adorable playing with his Tonka trucks and my boys played with them too. I didn’t notice the lizard at first and s/he is certainly well camouflaged. Love the heron and the sunset pic is gorgeous! Happy new week you two!
Thank you, Kim! I look forward to your tablescape tomorrow!