“May the Lord give you increase, you and your children! May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”
Psalm 115:14-15 ESV
Eye catching sunrises that kinda take your breath away are usually seen very early and with some clouds around. One morning last week offered something a bit different but with a unique beauty of its own. The early sun turned the brown tops of last year’s summer cedars (dog fennel) into golden statues scattered across the pasture!
January is cardinal time. Many birds, male and female, begin to show up and hang around this month. There is a story that developed as I watched this male dropping by for a refreshing drink…
…This mockingbird aggressively approached the bird bath and forced the cardinal to flea. Mockingbirds have a reputation as not being the nicest birds on the planet and apparently other birds are aware and agree that mockers rule the roost!
The poor cardinal sat patiently nearby until the mockingbird left, and then cautiously returned to drink!
Fortunately there was plenty to go around!
Queen EM has a new mountain bike and is really riding well. She rode over to see me. I was thrilled for her, but had a sadness too. She can ride from her house over to our house now, which indicates one thing…she’s growing up! It simply happens too fast!
Scallop risotto with butternut, leeks, and chanterelle mushrooms brought smiles to Pam last week when we had an opportunity to drop by Bottega Cafe. I did get a small bite. Of course my entree was great too! Chanterelles are wild and cannot be cultivated.
We are seeing bobcats quite frequently this winter, both in person and on trail cameras. This cat was caught on one of my remote cameras and the pic sent to my phone. I wasn’t that far away but never actually saw the cat. Throughout the years it has been my experience that it is extremely rare to get a look at a bobcat, even when spending a lot of time in places where they live. That hasn’t been the case the last couple of years. They are beautiful animals!
A neighbor gives horse riding lessons and of course takes good care of their horses. This group seemed to be quite cozy on a cool January morning and were happy to pose for me. “Wearable” blankets are available for people, but I haven’t considered one, however this might encourage me to check them out! Maybe you have a snuggie or some type wearable blanket in your household???
It was good to be able to get out and take a short walk around the lake last week. A lot of egrets were around, but I thought at first glance that this bunch had been joined by a penguin!
Was this egret waiting on lunch to come by? That would be a logical assumption, but I really believe it was just enjoying looking at himself in the mirror! I named him “Fonzie”, but if you aren’t old enough to remember “Happy Days” and Henry Winkler you probably won’t quite get that one!
I can never figure out our remaining snowball viburnum. We lost one last summer that became diseased and this one has now decided it is autumn and time to turn colors and shed leaves. I don’t think it is very healthy, although it was blooming in December! Maybe it is time to plant new, young plants. This tree is over 20 years old.
I was hopeful that winter would eliminate problems with armadillos and have heard it said “they won’t dig in the winter”. I wish I could remember who said such a thing. I recently found this and about 50 similar holes along one edge of the yard! Possibly, like the snowball bush, armadillos have their seasons mixed up.
As I considered the trouble caused by critters and what to do about such things, I remembered the problems created for a friend on his property by beavers. They created a swamp where a swamp had not previously existed, killing timber and flooding open land as well. He decided to remove their dam and clean up the area to re-establish the proper drainage. Some time back he hired a crew with an excavator and backhoe to work several days on the project, which I imagine was very expensive. I dropped by yesterday to see why I was seeing water standing again in places that had previously dried up, and by observation, received a message from the beavers…tear down one of our dams, and we will replace it with three!
You have to admire the ability of the beavers to plan, engineer, and accomplish such tasks. Again, every time I look around I see the intricate and fascinating details of God’s creation.
While battling a few ailments has kept me from taking my normal hikes and excursions over past months, I am slowly making my way back to the outdoors and enjoying the blessings that are all around, like this fiery sunset one day last week.
Have a wonderful week!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Good morning on this frosty morning! Those beaver dams are so amazing and damaging. We have a huge swamp (acres) about a mile away where every tree died due to beavers. Queen EK looks quite grownup on her bike, I’m glad she is growing up to appreciate the outdoors. Remember when all of us kids rode our bikes to school? Butch, I am so glad you are feeling up to enjoying more walkabouts. Prayers continue for a healthy new year. Today is my first outing since coming back from Charleston with Covid!
O my Roxanne, that nasty Covid will not go away. Glad you are better! I rode a bicycle everywhere right up until I was able to get a drivers license. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Sure did enjoy your walk about this morning. Plus so very pleased to hear you are on the mend and able to go for walks. The first picture is truly amazing. All things have their moments of beauty. Not sure I’d want to be so close to a bobcat. But I sure would love to ride with EM. The lesson of breaking down the beaver ponds is to relocate the beavers? Is that possible? Wish we had the red birds in our area as they are so beautiful. We have them in SD at the farm so why do they not travel in Colorado. Maybe it’s those nasty mountains we have. Sure glad I wasn’t here when God was landscaping this area. Have a very blessed week Butch and Pam.
Thank you Alice. The bobcats are really harmless but you have those mountain lions hanging out in Colorado. Trade them for some red birds! Blessings!
Butch and Pam
I’m so glad you’re feeling better and are able to get out and about more Butch~ I know what you mean about EM growing up, so nice that she can ride over to see you now! My oldest grand will be driving in June, which will be quite a change~ The damns are amazing, and I always feel that seeing a cardinal means good luck. The scallop risotto sounds so good. I hope you both have a great second week of January!
O my Jenna, one driving a car is another matter altogether! I am feeling better. Thanks and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
It’s been a warm fall and start of winter, so I’m not surprised by the animal activity. Bobcats can be scary! I hope the trek for EM is not that far so she is safe. It is amazing to see her grown so much (and a front tooth gone!). It’s sad to see the landscape mature and need to replace large plants. It looks as though the viburnum was trying hard to convince itself (and you) it was well.
I hope your new year is going well, and in good health!
Thanks Rita. EM goes over a quarter mile but I can watch her almost the entire way. Our new year is finally smoothing out (I think) and we hope you are off to a great start!
Butch and Pam
We’re so happy you’re feeling better and hopefully gaining your strength back. The sunrise and sunset are beautiful. Bobcats are magnificent beings and many are losing habitat locally due to various construction projects. That may be why you’re seeing more of them as well. Bears are even moving back into middle TN from what I read recently. EM is indeed growing up! She’ll enjoy the bike. We all enjoy your walks via the pics. The cardinals are gorgeous and so are the egrets. The pesky mockingbirds are always so aggressive. They’re the bullies of the the smaller bird group. Hope you have a great week. Clara❤️
Clara, thanks for your kind words. We have a good supply of coyotes too but so far no bears spotted on our place! Have a wonderful week.
Butch and Pam
Oh, my, that cardinal photo in the tree is a contest winner! You should enter it in competition. Those beavers are relentless.
Thanks Carole. Cardinals enjoy sitting in the coral bark maple. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
It is crazy how fast time goes when we have grands. Ours are getting older too so when my youngest daughter had a baby a few months ago it is fun to have a baby again. The cardinal is gorgeous. Happy New Week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. I guess grands are key to keeping us young or at least trying to be! Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful post, Butch. I love cardinals, and your photos of them are so lovely. And I agree completely about how fast the grands grow up; it is hard for me to believe our Mary Grace is almost 19 and in college. Have a lovely day. Love to all.
Thank you Patti and you certainly know about those grands growing up seemingly overnight! Have a blessed week.
Butch and Pam
How pleased the Creator must be when Butch passes by and notes a stunning vision of His
Creation to capture and share with others. Praises that your walks have been resumed,
along with your mentoring observations. Alas, construction is depriving so many creatures of their habitat..we are seeing many bobcats, as well … and some call it progress. The song of the Mockingbird (how I miss it) kind of makes up for their orneriness. Isn’t the male cardinal a sublime creature? Try as one might wish, you
cannot hold back the progress of growing up and our EK is just blossoming. We
learned of the engineering feats of the beavers in school, but never heard of the swamp
production they caused. Excuse them…they are just trying to cross over the waters.Human
bridge builders were probably inspired by them…or vise-versa. LOL enjoyed your 3 for 1
bridge comment. A blessed Sabbath to all.
Thank you so much Mary. You are such a careful observer and quite the encourager. Whether EM blossoming or beavers building, it is simply everyday living! Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
That opening image is a real dazzler. I just love watching egrets (and herons) fish. They are so patient — and so precise. I rarely see them emerge from their dunk without something in their mouth! Lovely, all. Happy week!
Thank you Jeanie. That egret caught several fish while I was observing. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
Hi Butch & Pam: Thank you so much for sharing your little patch of the world. I look forward to your blog each week. It brings me a smile and such joy to see your Grands growing up. Have a Blessed day. Jeannie
Hi Jeannie. We appreciate your comments. Blessings to you as well!
Butch and Pam
Gorgeous pictures. I love being able too your part of the world. Glad to hear you are feeling better and able to get out and enjoy just being outside.
Thanks Nonie. Being able to be outside is a blessing even if I don’t go very far.
Butch and Pam
The scallop risotto with butternut, leeks, and chanterelle mushrooms looks very palatable. I know I’d be licking my plate!!! The season of winter brings so much beauty in your backyard and of course neighborhood. Simple enjoy!
Thank you Mary. Winter can be hard for finding things to photograph but a close look reveals beauty in every season!
Butch and Pam
Hello, Folks! It was such a lovely walk with you. Those Beavers are determined, aren’t they?
EM is growing up. But how darling that she can do it all by herself.
Speaking of Bobcats… I was frightened by one in our backyard just yesterday! I was headed to feed the hummingbirds and 3 feet away from me a Bobcat came out from under our Bougenvilla. He was startled as well and jumped our wall with one leap! I came running back to Sweet Man who was inside and thought I was going to have a heart attack! Believe it or not, the Bobcat came back a few minutes later. I was inside looking out our door. I think he wants my goldfinches and hummingbirds… or the little dog in the yard behind us Yikes!
I am glad Butch is feeling better. Prayers continue for you!
My goodness Nancy that’s a close bobcat encounter. Beavers are determined but it sounds like your local bobcat is too! Thanks for your comments and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Aaaayyy! I get the Fonzie reference!
Thanks for taking your readers along on your beautiful and interesting walk. That is one unbelievable sunset, and I love the first photo of the golden statues. Our Creator sure has blessed us with a beautiful world. May He restore to you a full measure of good health.
Thank you so much Cindie. I continue to be amazed at all He created. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
mis queridos amigos, despuès de una gran temoporada lejos de vosotros, aquí llego de nuevo a poder esetar en vvuestras cosas tan lindas…
Me alegra veros con el mismo talante de siempre: alegres, felices y con ánimo de vida agradable y hermosa.
Yo ya estoy bien, como sabéis estoy en Granada (Andalucia), y la gente es muy amable y cariñosa y eso me hace feliz. Mi casa de Majadahaonda (Madrid) la tengo cerrada porque todavía no estoy decidica a venderla…tengo demasiados recuerdos en ella. Me alegra veros con el ‘animo perfecto y al ver a la nieta me ha dado mucha alegria porque está muy mayor y muy guapa…
Un gran abrazo para todos ….
Dolores, es tan bueno saber de ti. Siempre nos alientan sus amables comentarios. Nuestros nietos están creciendo, tienen 7, 4 y 2 años y todos cumplen años en primavera. ¡Que Dios te bendiga!
Butch y Pam
Dear Butch and Pam,
I’m trying a “test” comment from my P.C. on your website! As always, this walk proved what a “keen” eye for beauty you both hold!
E.M. is growing so fast! I love that bike! You give us so much joy in sharing the beauty that surrounds you! Also, the creatures that happen upon us that are incredible–and strong and scary at times, too (Not Butch! The bobcat!) :-).
Butch, each day I pray for you both. I’m so happy you felt well enough to take a stroll and capture such beauty. I did the same thing yesterday.
Pam, as I pray for you both, I pray for continued strength and healing for your Daddy.
I love you all dearly,
Karla and Finley
It worked , YAY! I am so happy you had that amazing walk yesterday. We love you dearly.
Will email tonight ❤️🙏🏻❤️
Good evening Pam and Butch. Those beaver dams are quite something – they certainly are industrious if nothing else. Queen EM looks so pretty with her new bike and how great that she can ride over and visit with you! I love the cardinal picture – they are just such beautiful birds and are definitely a rare sighting where we are. The scallop risotto looks absolutely delicious and that sunset pic is gorgeous! Glad to hear that you (both?) are feeling better and wishing you a lovely week ahead.
Kim, those beavers deserve credit for such hard work. Thanks for your comments. I am feeling better this week and Pam is well. Have a wonderful weekend!
Butch and Pam
Pam, thanks for the lovely peek into your neck of the woods. We’ve had dozens and dozens of Canadian robins visit us for two days. and now they are completely gone … maybe headed in your direction?
i hope that Butch is healing well and regaining his strength. and that you find yourself encouraged each day.
Thanks Linda. Robins do show up here in large numbers this time of year. They cover the yard and the next day, gone! I’m (Butch) feeling better this week. Have a great weekend!
Butch and Pam
Thanks Butch for your pics and comments and the wonderful variety of subjects. Love the cardinals AND the mockingbirds at the bird bath. Sorry I am so slow at responding to your lovely post but some days are like that these days. Yep, the grands are growing up, love the bicycle pose. The bobcat is such an interesting cat. We had them when living in the mountains of New Mexico…sometimes they were a pest with livestock. Of course we have egrets and Ibis here in Florida so enjoy them as they search for grubs in our lawns. Have a great and wonderful week.
Thank you for your comments Kari. I had a fairly close encounter with a mountain lion in New Mexico once. Enjoy the upcoming weekend!
Butch and Pam
Hope that 2024 eventually turns into a healthy one for both of you. God is working in it all of course.
Thank you Vicky and I hope 2024 is a great year for you.!
Butch and Pam
It saddens my heart that Butch has not been able to get out and about as he so loves to do. I pray for complete healing and restoration and that he will soon be back up to full speed. God can reverse afflictions and heal all manner of disease. I am so thankful He is still on His throne in full control! May He bless you dear ones today.