Everyday Living

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 491

~ Flowers, Simple + Southern Sunday, Wildflowers

”Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.β€œ
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

A fiery orange and yellow glow greeted me early one morning last week. The cool daybreak air quickly gave way to the sun’s warming, and I expected to see, or at least hear, a turkey gobbler out and about attempting to win over the ladies. I was surprised, even after several hours, that I had not seen nor heard anything from a turkey. But that didn’t mean other creatures were not entertaining spring ideas…

…and doing their best to be the star of the show. I suppose this Green Anole thought he would achieve greater visibility if he climbed up on the garden statue. Unfortunately, I think Pam was the only one that spotted him. He did get his picture taken which was probably not the lizard’s ultimate goal. A lot of harmless reptiles that eat insects are not a bad thing to have in the garden and yard!

Poppies are “popping” up in the wildflower bed from last year’s planting. This California poppy looks like one that is called cup-of-gold or California sunlight? There seems to be quite a few cultivars, so I can’t be sure. The internet says that the poppy is California’s state flower and that April 6, yesterday, is considered to be California Poppy Day. Surely this is true if it was stated online? I hope our California readers will correct me if needed!

WL, who turns 3 later this month, was old enough this Easter to realize that these colored eggs lying everywhere in the garden were filled with candy and money! He wasted no time getting his share, but was probably disappointed that no egg contained a toy tractor or something that could be used on a farm or construction site.
 

EM and EK were quite patient with all the photo stops. PJ likes to get pics in front of every bush and I’m sure made several hundred. Oh well, why not take advantage of the digital world. We couldn’t do that with our old film cameras. However, Seth did take a few photos with my dad’s old 35mm film camera which he has restored.

A small patch of wood sorrel comes up in the yard behind the house every year. I mow and trim around the spot, leaving it to grow for a few weeks until I finally get tired of avoiding it, or hotter weather takes its toll.

You would expect blue birds to lay blue eggs. It is not an easy task to get a quick moment and enough light to capture a photo in a tight spot!

It is azalea time in the south and I thought I would create my own azalea trail. We have only one remaining azalea which is just now blooming. The bush is huge, grows in an area just in front of the house, and is over 40 years old. It is a variety called “Pride of Mobile”!

Wild azaleas are one of our prettiest native flowering plants in my opinion. We get to enjoy them a few short weeks in the early spring.

There are quite a number of wild azaleas near our house and along trails I roam often.

Some blooms, like this example, are almost entirely white. Most however are pink, pale pink, or a mix of colors.
 

While a lot of the plants grow along the woods edge where they get plenty of sun, they can also be found in the woods beneath deciduous hardwoods. This one is on a steep place on a ridge in the woods. I believe they flower well in the woods because they bloom early, before the trees leaf out and shade them too much…just my reasoning!

I was very surprised when I pulled back some bushes and found I had stumbled onto a burial ground. Ok, it’s not a grave, but honestly, for a second, at first glance, I thought that’s what this was. There are old neglected graves in this area, some marked but unkept, and others with no markings. 

Near a roadside ditch, a short way below our drive, a small patch of Bearded Iris graces the otherwise bare shoulder. It seemed like they came up and bloomed overnight. I know they didn’t, but I travel this route almost every day and one day early last week white irises appeared!

I kept observing crows going in and out of a thicket of tall pines that are west of where I was mowing. They were always coming and going in the same general area. I knew something was going on other than coincidence. This is what I found. Crows build nests using twigs, a lot of them about pencil size. Squirrels build nest, but use mostly leaves from hardwoods. Crows like treetops of evergreens. I read a lot of different ideas as to where the term “crows nest” originated when describing the lookout that was found on the mast of sailing vessels of the past. It seems to me maybe someone got the idea after watching crows building a nest?

This old timer of a tree is humped over yet determined to remain a contributor to the forest. It might be difficult to see in this photo, but new growth in several places arises from the trusted foundation that is well rooted. Can you believe I had encouraging thoughts by observing an old tree? Down but not out, and not ready to give up, the weathered tree is productive…giving support and being an anchor for young new growth. Looking closer at the greener more mature leaves…

…they look like leaves typical of a white oak. Even if the old timer doesn’t make another season, I believe acorns from the younger tree limbs will see to it that many mighty oaks will be around for seasons to come…and the old man will have done well!

Do you have seasonal allergies? Pam does, me not so much, but pollen season has been going strong here in NE Alabama for several weeks. I think the worst is yet to come. Pines are plentiful and pine pollen is a biggie! A lot of folks are still getting snow! I guess that eliminates pollen, at least temporarily.

A really nice day yesterday to spend some time on a trail with quite a view. Weiss Lake from atop Lookout Mountain, a few minutes from home! I hadn’t been able to get up this way in a while, so that made a visit even better!

Have a blessed (and sneeze free) week!

”May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.β€œ
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭67‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ (‭ESV‬‬)

Linking with:
 Pieced Pastimes,  Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
 Life and Linda

Comments

  1. Good Sunday morning Richardsons! I woke up to scattered frost on pur newly cut grass, ran out to check on my peony buds (safe!), and hope that was the last of our winter threat! Your yellow poppy and white irises are happy sights this week, as is the young oak supported by the old. Love the bluebird nest shot, and the aniole, but let’s talk about those beautiful grands!! Oh my, EM and EK are like little ladies now! and that Wyatt is SO going to be a heartbreaker when he so much as looks at anyone! You are so blessed! Enjoy your new week coming. I’m hoping to start digging and planting this week!

    Reply

    • Good morning to you Rita. We had unexpected scattered light frost too this morning but maybe it’s the last one. Thanks for your comments. We will hopefully start some planting next weekend. Have a wonderful week!
      Butch and Pam

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  3. Happy Sunday Pam and Butch! I enjoyed the Sunday morning stroll with you, love the sunrise and the capture of the Green Anole~ WL is looking so grown up, I can’t believe he is almost 3. The girls in their Easter bonnets are so cute, and they are looking very grown up too! Your “Pride of Mobile” azalea is beautiful! It is such a treat to drive around these days and see beautiful blooms everywhere! I love the white bearded Iris, stunning! I love your thoughts on the origin of a sailor’s crow’s nest Butch, I think you’re right! The view of the lake from the top of the mountain is wonderful. Have a great week ahead~

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  4. Butch if I commented on every detail it would take all day. The anole looking for a mate and the crow building a nest for his mate.Lowell ha a pet crow when he was young. The crow would follow the car to town and wait for them to go back home. It roosted in a tree by the back door and kept an eye on his comings and going’s. Oh the blue eggs waiting for mama to come back to her nest to keep the eggs warm are so beautiful. And blue is the color of WL’s big eyes! Iris are a favorite and there is a story behind the white one beside the road. Azaleas were my mother’s favorites and she chose a variety that smelled so good. I miss them. You are so blessed to have them grow wild in your area. The old oak tree that fell in the forest may be down but not dead. I feel that is how our lives go as we walk toward our destination. Wind blew so hard last night that it shook the house. The sound was awful but God put me to sleep and when He woke me up the sound was gone but we still have a little wind. The power company cut power to some areas to keep the lines from falling and causing fire. We never lost power. Hope everyone has power todayπŸ™

    Reply

    • Alice you did share so many wonderful comments. Thank you. Amazing about the crow following Lowell. They are said to be very intelligent birds. We had high wind and 24% humidity one day last week that prompted a red flag fire alert which for us is very uncommon. We thought of y’all and our California readers because of all you face with those type conditions. Have a safe and blessed week!
      Butch and Pam

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  5. That sunrise shot is gorgeous! All the blooms are so colorful and pretty. The grands are so cute and they’re all growing up too quickly! That old tree is hanging on truly. It’s a beautiful view from Lookout Mountain. Enjoy your Sunday. Clara❀️

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  6. What an edifying stroll – ala Butch – commencing with that stunning sunrise. Even a green anole’s worth is recognized. Have had azaleas, but not the wild sort and those are a delicate treat for the eye.
    Speaking of which, WL, EM and EK never cease to amaze with their growth spurts and overall adorableness… Just love your thoughts on the old timer tree; that even age cannot dim one’s contribution
    to ongoing growth, on still remaining “useful”. If that view from Lookout Mountain is just a few minutes
    from home, you are blessed, indeed. So glad to also have the crows nest information. Just love your sense of anticipation and discovery as you venture forth to garner these keen insights to share with us.
    How you and Pam enrich our world….

    Reply

    • Mary, you bless us with your words. If you ever write a book, please allow us to have an early signed copy. I am astonished at what can be gained by observing God’s creation. I must take care to remember it’s the Creator first and creation second. I’m an β€œolder” timer by one more year as of today, and praying I remember what was said by one who is now in heaven…”I’d rather wear out than rust out”. Have a wonderful week!
      Butch and Pam

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    • Good Sunday to you Kris. I’m still finding eggs in the garden with candy inside. Guess some were hidden too well. Ants have no trouble locating them when candy is involved. Have a great week!
      Butch and Pam

      Reply

  9. Your sweet Grands always make me smile! How adorable! Beautiful flowers too. Have a lovely week ahead dear friends.

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  10. Good day Pam and Butch, your grands are growing up too fast. How adorable they look. The old timer tree is a survivor. Love the flowers and that bright green lizard.

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  11. Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! The sunrise you captured is gorgeous! I always enjoy seeing all of the wonderful treasures in nature that you find. I adore azaleas, and the wild ones you shared are so beautiful. Wyatt is so handsome, and the girls are so pretty in their Easter hats. I know they must of had so much fun hunting eggs. Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead!

    Reply

    • Thanks Shannon. It was an enjoyable Easter. I’m glad you mentioned nature’s β€œtreasures”. Creation is truly filled with treasures, some harder to find than others. We pray you have a great week!
      Butch and Pam

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  12. Good Evening Butch and Pam. I enjoyed seeing the grandchildren in their Easter finest hunting for eggs. They are growing in leaps and bounds.
    The wild azaleas are so pretty. I was not aware of wild azaleas.
    I love all the flowers around your home but the lizard was a cutie!
    Have a blessed week my friends!

    Reply

    • Thanks for your comments Nancy. I seem to find the azaleas on ridges, whether by the house or in other locations where I spot them. I found a darker pink wild azalea on Lookout Mountain near here and may share that next Sunday. Have a great week!
      Butch and Pam

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  13. Praise God for springtime flowers! You certainly enjoy a large variety right in your own backyard. Thank you for sharing their beauty with us, as well as your darling grandchildren!

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  14. we have so many of those little geckos or lizards or anoles and they are all different colors. They are harmless and fun to watch here in Florida. Thank you for the weekly nature walk so many sights to see. The crows are too loud and too messy around here but what can one do? I don’t want to stuff myself with straw and yell at them like the older lady in the commercial because it would scare away the “good” birds too. LOL. But this noisy birds also do their business around our pool’s edge and the Captain has to clean the area daily. We have not replaced our pool screen since the hurricane which would be a solution but we lived here for 8 years without a pool screen and the crows were bot a problem. Don’t know what made they come around now, unless it is the neighbor putting out a huge tray of all kinds of bird seed. (she didn’t used to care). LOL. Have a great week dear Pam and Butch.

    Reply

    • Kari, thanks for sharing. We know all about the messes the birds make. Crows in years past were very shy and cautious. Now the come right up to the door almost at times. I found another nest on the other side of the house today. They never nested close by back in the day. Have a wonderful week!
      Butch and Pam

      Reply

  15. I always love your Sunday walk-abouts Butch – so much to see! The sunrise is gorgeous through those trees. The azaleas are beautiful and it’s so cool that they are wild. The poppy and the beaded iris are both really pretty and I love the color of the wood sorrel. Such a lovely thought about the old tree. And of course the grands always steal the show. They really are growing up quickly and it seemed like just yesterday that WL was a baby. Where does the time go? Wishing you both a lovely week with no frost.

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    • Thanks for sharing Kim. We had light, scattered frost Sunday morning but no harm it seems. No more frost expected this week, only possible flooding on Wednesday. Hopefully you are beginning to see signs of spring. Have a wonderful week!
      Butch and Pam

      Reply

    • Thanks Linda and we pray you are having a good morning. One of our bluebird boxes has a side door that opens for clean out and the eggs were a surprise. I’m staying clear, trying not to disturb. Have a wonderful week!
      Butch and Pam

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  17. Those blooms and the darling little grandchildren are a sight to behold! Thanks for the journey through nature!

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  19. The world needs more Richardsons! From the colorful lizard, beautiful colorful foliage and flowers, the overlook of the trail, the wisdom from the “old timer” tree, to my favorites–the darling grandchildren (they are strikingly beautiful). Like Pam, I have the allergy issues, unfortunately. I’m not sneezing, but stuffy! A few health hiccups. God is good and I’m learning and leaning on him. Thank you for sharing his beauty, truth, and wisdom. Your photos are always so stunning! Much love and blessings! πŸ™πŸͺ·πŸŒΌπŸŒΉπŸͺΊ

    Reply

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