”I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.“
Ecclesiastes 3:14 (ESV)
I wandered to my “sunrise place” a couple of mornings before sunrise last week only to find mostly clouds. This is typically a really good spot to enjoy a lot of color with spectacular skies , but having perfect weather and cloud cooperation is not always a part of everyday living. It was nice to see I was not the only one who had gone to a bit of trouble to be browsing around in the cool of the day! I think we surprised each other.
I thought it was time to take a stroll along the river to see what changes had taken place since March. An easy walk on a cloudy day with not many folks around was really nice. I spent some time under the bridges along the waters edge and…
…and some time on top of the bridge. This catalpa or more commonly called catawba tree, is quite tall and towers above the bridge. The tree is also called cigar tree and Indian bean tree due to the bean-like seed pods. These trees are the sole source of food for the catalpa sphinx moth caterpillar. The caterpillars are excellent bait for fishing and folks around the south like to fish with “catawba-worms”!
We are hoping this will be a good year for our blueberries. So far it appears that late frost did no harm and if the birds stay away…well that’s a big “if”!
Daughter-in-love went out to check on the grands who were playing out back, and this is what she found. WL got a new fishing rod for his birthday and I guess his sweet sisters decided to take him fishing. I can tell you they caught as many as I caught the last time I went fishing. I love their imagination and creativity. With enough imagination maybe I can catch a few!
This old covered bridge was relocated and restored and placed in the park from an original location a few miles away. It dates to 1899. This was one of those days when I had the area to myself. Arriving early helps.
Honeysuckle had a prominent place in last week’s post, but I had to include it here again today. I can’t say I’ve ever seen honeysuckle growing in such a place. A small amount of dirt on an old stump that had fallen into the edge of the river is all that was needed for this honeysuckle to establish a water front home!
Back under the bridges to find that the oak leaf hydrangeas are in full bloom mode. An azalea adds a nice foreground. The oak leaf hydrangeas here bloom a little earlier than ours along the trail at home, only about 10 miles away.
The Etowah Memorial Bridge is dedicated to the veterans and heroes of World War I, and turns 100 years old in 2027!
After spotting what I thought was a decent sized bass near the surface I eased onto the rocks to see if I could locate the fish. I didn’t see the fish, but I am glad I did not miss discovering this reflection! It really made for a weird but unique photo.
Pam and I spent some time Thursday at Jacksonville State University (JSU) here in northeast Alabama. I graduated from JSU in the 70’s and now it was time for my nephew to graduate. He played saxophone in the band, (The Marching Southerners) for 4 years. We made a lot of photos for him around the campus, and somehow ended up with access to the football field and had the stadium to ourselves. He has marched on this field many times, but this was a first to do it solo! We had a fun time with Ethan!
Pam is thrilled that one of her favorites, Queen Anne’s Lace, is already gracing our pastures and roadsides!
A Before & After – This is “Before” – Pam was not happy about me choosing to give space to these noisy and messy creatures that have invaded us. But cicadas by the millions are simply everyday living in May of 2024. Our area has a fair share of the critters and we are hearing their song quite loudly these days. Is the invasion going on where you live?
After – Once the shell is gone, the red eyed things can be found crawling and flying all over. They really love our birch tree. It has been like a cicada magnet. Creation is so astounding. I read that we have a year where particular groups of 17 year cicadas and 13 year cicadas with some overlapping in their territories have emerged together, first time in 221 years. Like the recent solar eclipse, I’m sure you’ve seen a thousand photos of these fairly ugly bugs, and now you’ve had to endure mine or move quickly by! I’m not offended if you did.
I made a brief visit to a very historic central Alabama town last week. This is Autauga Creek in Prattville, and the buildings and waterfalls are part of what was a cotton gin factory, the largest in the world at one time. Daniel Pratt, the city’s namesake began making gins in the 1830’s, and the facility here closed it’s doors in 2013. This is one of the South’s first industrial manufacturers and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
These buildings have been restored and converted into upper end housing, appropriately called “The Mill”. The historic downtown is just across the creek, some of the buildings can be seen here in the background. Oddly enough, Mr. Pratt was considered Alabama’s first industrialists, but he was born in New Hampshire in 1799. He moved south, originally to Georgia in 1821. He was involved in much more than cotton gins, but the story is too long for a Sunday post!
Near downtown Prattville, and just across the creek from the old mill, stands the Autauga County Courthouse with its impressive clock tower!
It isn’t summer for a while yet, but some of our late afternoon skies have had that “summer look”.
Wishing all of you a wonderful 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.“
Psalm 67:1-2 (ESV)
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Test
Rita C at Panoply says
Nice recap of the week’s events, even the cicadas. After all, it does document the 221 year phenomenon. We are not in the territory map of this year’s event, and I can say I’m not disappointed!
Love the photo of your nephew having the field to himself and that reflective view of the WWI memorial bridge!
Happy Sunday, Richardsons!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Rita. Glad you are missing out on the cicadas. It is an amazing phenomenon though. I think we have the 13 year brood. That reflection caught me by surprise in the viewfinder. Looking for one thing and discovering something else. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Jenna says
All the bridge photos are so pretty, especially the unique reflection one. I loved seeing your grands “fishing!” I’m not a fan of any bugs so I rapidly skipped past that part! How nice to have that special time with your nephew. I’m glad you have been enjoying your morning walks again Butch. Happy Sunday and Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks Jenna. The reflection caught me by surprise as I looked through the viewfinder. I thought something was wrong with my camera. We did enjoy our college visit. Pam commends you for skipping the cicadas. Happy Sunday and a wish for a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Kari says
thank you for another amazing Sunday stroll. I loved the grands “fishing”…I’ve always said you will know I am near the end when you see me fishing off the front porch so I had to chuckle. The reflection photo is so beautiful as is the honeysuckle struggling to survive in it’s little corner of the world. I hope the cicadas don’t end up here in Florida but I do remember their sing-song during the hot summers in Kansas. Have a great and blessed Sunday to you both.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Kari. I can imagine someone sitting on their porch fishing. That’s a funny scene in my mind. The maps I saw didn’t show the periodical cicadas in Florida but we could try and send you some. Have a blessed Sunday and great week!
Butch and Pam
Clara says
The reverse bridge shot is a favorite. The blooms are all beautiful to see. The kids practicing for the next fishing trip is adorable. The cicadas we have are not either of the invasive series but we understand the noise they make is quite loud and depending on the numbers in your area, they could also harm trees. It looks like the cow was waiting on you. That’s a beautiful morning shot. The ending cloud shot is so pretty. I enjoyed the buildings and their history in Prattville. Enjoy your day! Clara❤️
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks Clara. I wasn’t expecting to see the bridge upside down. I guess you are only experiencing the annual cicadas. I believe these periodical bugs are noisy and messy but probably don’t harm foliage. I’ve used my leaf blower twice to blow dozens off the porch and outside walls. There was a lot about Mr Pratt that I never knew so stopping by historic places causes me to research which is a good thing. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Love seeing the kiddos in the boat and going fishing! So cute. We have the Cicadas here too. I guess 2024 is a historic time for solar eclipse and bugs lol! Love that the old building in small towns are being renovated and preserved and not torn down. Have a great week ahead.
Hugs, Kris
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Kris. I saw maps that looked like parts of the Midwest especially Illinois had overlapping broods of the cicadas. Maybe you have tons of them?? It is good to see old things restored. I enjoy the small towns too. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Heritage Hall says
That overlap of the cicada sound invasion has recent settlers here from out of State wondering what possessed them to relocate.. it has been a dinful season. Love the Grands imagining great catches
while trying not to rock the boat. I am in Pam’s camp with the Queen Anne’s Lace.. so delicate.
The reversed bridge reflection was a momentous capture… and Ethan will long treasure his photo
on the field. I believe we shall rue the day a cotton mill such as Pratt’s has been retired… we will
seek a source one day and it will have been buried in memory. Many thanks for another delightful Sabbath stroll… You are fortunate, indeed, to occupy such a picturesque corner and we are fortunate
in your sharing.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Mary and please tell the new settlers to be patient because the critters will fade soon and not be back for a while. I complained but retracted my thoughts and told Pam I pray I am around to see and hear the cicadas when our brood returns in 13 years. Learning every day to be grateful. Most things after all are minor aggravations. Delicate is a perfect description of Queen Anne’s lace, Pam would agree. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Alice Genzlinger says
There are hanging baskets by the covered bridge. Who watered them? Oh maybe they have a drip line. Can’t wait to see the pictures of WL fishing for real. His little sisters are a wealth of information. They will have him fully prepared. As children we played with the “dry flies” and their noise didn’t bother us at all but my ears have started ringing and extra noise is deafening. The last picture is beautiful but appears to be angry. It’s beautiful here in SD. The Missouri was beautiful yesterday. People were fishing! May God bless and keep you this week and always🙏
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks Alice. Glad you were able to get up to SD. I have fond memories of camping several times on the the Missouri in the Missouri breaks in Montana, quite a few years back. Thanks for the reminder. We used to play with summer bugs, especially June bugs. They were called June bugs but most of ours didn’t show up in numbers until July. Hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Kay Hess Grogg says
I look forward to your Sunday posts!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Kay. We hope you visit every Sunday. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says
Good morning, Butch and Pam! I enjoyed taking a nature stroll this morning. The photograph of the azalea and oakleaf hydrangea is so pretty. I am so excited my oakleaf finally has some buds on it and will be blooming soon. It has taken a few years with deer and Mother Nature causing problems. The photo of the grands is precious! I love it when children use their imagination and play outdoors. So many have lost this ability, and I think that it is an important part of childhood. Wishing you both a most happy Sunday and week ahead!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Good afternoon Shannon and thank you. We understand the deer problem when it comes to hydrangeas and many other plants. We have a lot of oak leafs along the creek and I can’t view those from the house. I plan to take a hike in a few minutes to check them out. We are grateful that the grands have their outdoor space. I grew up in the country and so did their daddy. Have a happy Sunday and a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Roxanne Bernard says
Hello Pam and Butch, the Sunday stroll is beautiful. I love the grands all in the boat! We have a cawtaba tree right on the edge of our pond, and that spot is where the bass all congregate. Is it just me, or is this year flying by? Hard to believe oak leaf hydrangeas and Queen Anne’s Lace are already blooming. All the old mills in our area are being converted into pricey condos too…I imagine they all have very high ceilings and beautifully worn wood floors. The cicadas have emerged one county over, so I guess we are next!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Roxanne. Maybe the cicadas will skip you but I’m thinking they won’t. You aren’t the only one who feels like time is flying. Interesting about your Catawba tree. The spot where I thought I spotted a fish and caught the reflection of the bridge is directly beneath the Catawba tree in this post. Maybe it was a bass checking things out already. Hoping you have a splendid week!
Butch and Pam
Maristella says
Your post made me smile! Fishing is so fun… Sweet and magic imagination! Cicadas remind me my childhood… Now they are rare here where I live. Hugs and blessings, dear friends,and thank you for sharing!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Maristella. I don’t know where you grew up but childhood memories are special. Isn’t it amazing that we have memories of things like noisy bugs? Glad you smiled. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Leslie Anne Tarabella says
A pretend fishing trip and a pretend half time show – good imaginations and wonderful pictures of memory making days!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Leslie Anne. A pretend halftime show, that’s great. You have quite an imagination yourself. Making good memories is truly important . Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Kitty Penrod says
I enjoyed my stroll with you today! I remember catalpa trees from our home in Ohio as they lined the streets out front of our house. How fun to see the grands pretending and to see the pretend halftime show. Happy Sunday, Pam and Butch!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Kitty. There were catalpa trees in my maternal grandparents neighborhood and I remember they were popular with fishermen in those days. I guess they still are. Glad you strolled along today. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Nancy says
Hello Butch and Pam! The pretend fishing trip was my favorite today. How fun! I love seeing imagination at its best with little ones. Children need to have time to have free time to play and pretend along with all their structure.
The azalea with the oak leaf hydrangea was a lovely picture. It’s such a sweet combination. And that reflection was quite remarkable!
Thank you for another fabulous stroll!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Nancy. I think the little ones having such an imagination helps inspire me to look for playing and pretending time too. Anything to help me feel a bit younger. Hoping you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
bonnie morgan says
My sister in Lagrange, Georgia has cicadas. I remember them in 2011 when we were in Provence.
I love Queen Annes lace, too. Maybe it will appear in MMB.
Love the picture and story of the kids fishing in the boat. Very sweet. Much better than video games!
Hve a great week.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Bonnie. Cicadas in Provence. Who would’ve thought! I don’t know when the Queen Anne’s will hit MMB but I think it probably will. To me, any outdoor activity is better than video games. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Kim says
Lovely walkabout Butch! It’s so nice to see that so much is blooming there= the oak leaf hydrangeas, azalea, and Queen Anne’s lace are so pretty. I’m always happy to see historic buildings being restored no matter the reason. That reflection photo is something else – what a great shot. And of course the grands fishing is precious. The photo of your nephew walking solo down the field is pretty cool too. Wishing you both a lovely week!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks for your comments Kim. I know you are some weeks behind us down here but I hope you start seeing some blooming and new growth soon. Perhaps you are? Adaptive reuse of old structures is really good to,see. The reflection surprised me, I hadn’t noticed until I looked through the camera. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Awakening Wonders says
Well, I enjoyed strolling along the path of these historic areas and Mother Nature never disappoints with you two! I love your grandchildren’s creative minds at play, and they are so cute!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Mary. I guess there are some things related to creative, imaginative, and playful childlike minds that we don’t need to grow out of completely. Hope you missed the bad weather and flooding and that you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Butch and Pam