“For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!”
Amos 4:13 (ESV)
Happy Independence Day week. It seemed fitting to place the red, white, and blue among these black-eyed Susan’s. Why you might ask? First of all, this aster/daisy family plant belongs here, it is native to our area. It is one thing we have sent to China, as it is naturalized there. Secondly, this special Susan was a gift to us from the gardener at The Swag in 2022, an offspring of the original planted in their garden years ago!
The Sunshine Cottage is almost always dressed properly for the season or occasion. It looks like a great spot to sit on the porch on July 4, and sip on a very large, sweet iced tea…while waiting on the ice cream freezer to complete its work!
It’s been more difficult to find a good hideout this summer where I can sit still and remain undetected by our garden visitors. A large sunshine ligustrum and a mature hydrangea were overcrowding things and had to be removed in the off season, and along with that, my favorite little hiding spot disappeared also. The hummingbirds are like me, always in a hurry to get to the next thing!
Rarely do these hummers sit, and when they do, it’s not for long. I made several fast snaps directed at this young lady in hopes I would catch her resting for a second! Some attempts didn’t work, but one did!
Bumble bees are attracted to our chaste trees more than any of the other current bloomers. At the most active times, I will conservatively estimate at least 100 bees on this small tree behind the Sunshine Cottage. Pollinators galore!
Three little bees of a different type, “busy bees” I would say, have the right idea on a 100 degree afternoon. Without a doubt, they are wiser than their “Da” (that’s me). I’m up the hill, sitting in the sun with a camera, hoping some illusive butterfly will come by and pose.
Pam knows how to find a cool space to sit and relax over a meal. She is also an expert when it comes to knowing where to find an awesome southern style vegetable plate!
We talked about kudzu a bit last Sunday so I guess that made me pay more attention to it as I rode along this past week. I wonder, if left alone, would this turn into a kudzu crosswalk? This is a narrow two lane country road so it’s very possible. Our Alabama Cooperative Extension people say it can grow one foot per day in the early summer! June has been very hot and quite dry but the kudzu seems unaffected…
…however, I am seeing a lot of stress placed on other plants that are attempting to bear fruit. This beautyberry along our wood’s edge is having a rough time producing blooms it seems. Not many blooms equals not many nice groups of purple berries this fall. A lot of our days lately have been 8-10 degrees above normal.
This Carolina buckthorn, just a few feet from the beautyberry, is typically loaded with small green berries which turn a dark purple to a black color later at maturity. Normally in clusters, I only spot two berries at the end of this stem! We did get an unexpected rain shower Thursday afternoon after weeks of dry weather. That also gave a brief break from the heat!
My truck showed 102 when I arrived home Wednesday. The smart thing would’ve been to go inside and fill up my new Stanley (Father’s Day gift) with sweet iced tea and sit in my comfortable chair. But no, I had to go hide and wait by the zinnias hoping something would come by. The gold finches love to perch just under the blooms and pick at them from underneath. This female (she blends in well) didn’t make me wait very long. I was thinking too…sitting below the bloom is like being under an umbrella for shade. Smart birds!
We began seeing our first hummingbird moths about a week ago. I wonder if the spider on the stem behind this moth was disturbed at all by the buzzing and moving around. Like hummingbirds, these moths are quick on the draw, staying nowhere long!
Do you have scenes like this where you live? Here in the south, I grew up seeing gourds for purple martins around most farms and farmhouses. It seemed like everyone had them. Reminiscing last week about childhood things, I thought about all those gourds and the birds they housed. So, I started paying attention, and to my surprise, a lot of folks still have them. I read an article that stated the idea of using gourds to attract these birds has been around for centuries, used by native tribes in like manner for hundreds of years! Martins love to eat mosquitoes!
We live in an area where patriotism is very high and love of country and flag is clear and often displayed in various ways year round. This, for example, is beside a driveway about 3 miles from our house. I pass here often and this is a permanent feature along this country road. Similar displays are common around these parts, so I decided to recognize a couple as part of this July 4, Independence Day week.
Just down the road, at our local quick shop/gas station, I ran across an old friend. I actually see him often because he rides the highways and byways of our community year round, heat, cold, or in between. I’ll call him DH for the sake of today’s post. He is probably the most patriotic person I know. The flags (and sometimes more) are always on display. He parades them, along with an Alabama Crimson Tide flag, thousands of miles every year. DH is a real patriot. He lost his parents many years ago and has lived with his aunt and uncle as long as I can remember.
Pam had a beautiful table setting going on in the garden, preparing for tomorrow’s post for Monday Morning Blooms. I looked at these clouds and decided to check the radar. This looked threatening but the radar on my phone app didn’t show anything close. I boldly advised her to carry on with the festivities.
A few minutes later, this was the scene as one of those unexpected summer showers was headed our way. I did manage to come to her aid with a tarp after some items were hurriedly removed. By doing this, and blaming it on a faulty weather app, I managed to stay out of the dog house. And we needed rain! I’m sure Pam will tell you more tomorrow.
We pray you have a safe and enjoyable July 4th, and a pleasant week!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Good muggy morning everyone. The temperature is a little lower here in PA but the humidity is high. In response to your question yes we do see the gourds here. They are also sold at the Mennonite and Fancy Amish stands. One of the local variety stores sells them for the local craftsmen, they are beautifully hand painted in a variety of designs. We had a little rain here overnight which was appreciated by our well and flowers, some of which were a gift from the birds, beautiful gloriosa daisies and a mystery plant next to the Holly bush. There is a bud forming, I am anxious to see what it is. Yes the pool is one of the best places to be in the high heat. Beautiful pictures as always. Have a blessed week!
Good afternoon Maryann. Thanks for sharing about the gourds. I see where a lot of places sell them online. Back in the day, everyone grew their own and made the houses as well as other things from gourds. We are getting some welcome showers too. Let us know about the mystery plant. Have a wonderful 4th!
Butch and Pam
Kudzu is on more thing from China that we don’t need snd should not have gotten. Lowell breaks my coffee mug on a regular bases so I’m always looking for a mug that’s not from China. His daughter was recently in Portugal and I asked that she bring me a mug. She brought me a pretty one. I’ll not let Lowell get near it! . . I’ve been praying your area gets rain and thankful He sent some. Will continue to pray.
Those little bees in the water have the right idea. We are thankful you hide in the hot sun to get those pictures of nature. But you must stay safe and not be over come by the high temps. The sun shine cottage is pure fun for me. I watch to see what you and Pam have done for us to enjoy. And oh the weather app can’t out smart God. It is often very wrong here. I do however also watch radar to make sense of what’s going on.
Stay cool this beautiful sabbath.
Alice, sounds like you need to guard those coffee mugs. Pam has her favorite mugs. I drink tea out of most anything but there’s something about coffee drinking and those mugs. We had another rain shower this afternoon so a little water and a break from the heat too. Have a great 4th!
Butch and Pam
It looks so fun and festive! And warm for those “little bees.” Pam’s veggie plate looks delicious, too! Happy week!
Jeanie, those little bees make everything fun and festive. Pam definitely loves those veggies. Hope you have a happy week too and a wonderful 4th!
Butch and Pam
Good morning, Butch and Pam! The Black-eyed Susan’s are beautiful, and Old Glory looks perfect nestled among the blooms. Sunshine Cottage is gorgeous adorned in her patriotic attire. The grands look like they are having so much fun! What a perfect way to spend a hot summer’s day! It has been sweltering here with heat advisories the past several days. It is supposed to be 101 on the 4th so we will need plenty of sweet tea and lots of homemade ice cream to keep cool. I hope you both enjoy your Sunday and have a wonderful week ahead!
Shannon, you’ll need to eat that ice cream quickly. At 101 it will be a milk shake in seconds. Our holiday is showing 95, not cool, but a break from what we’ve been experiencing. Have a good Sunday evening and a wonderful 4th!
Butch and Pam
Good morning! The black eyed susans are the perfect spot for the flag, especially since they came from The Swag. The pic of the finch and zinnias was worth the effort! We all need to be in the pool today! The grands have the right idea. We have found the weather apps less than reliable, but thankfully a dog house visit wasn’t necessary! I know you were excited to just get some rain even if it interrupted the MMB shoot. Y’all be careful in this heat! Happy 4th! Clara❤️
Good afternoon Clara. The black eyed Susan was a very small little plant when we brought it from North Carolina and it was July. We wondered if it would survive but petted it along. The MMB shoot survived ( hope you’ll see tomorrow) and we needed rain so all is well. And a happy 4th to you!
Butch and Pam
Love the flag decor! And yes, your grands have the right idea, stay cool in the pool! That is amazing that kudzu can grow a foot in a day, no wonder it’s so invasive~ It is hot on the coast too but the breeze comes up every afternoon which helps. I’m glad you were able to help Pam with her tablescape Butch, those pop up storms can be tricky! Stay hydrated and keep cool!
Jenna, those coastal breezes seem to always be present and help make things better. We’ve had good breezes on most of those triple digit days and that definitely is a blessing. Southerners used to say to keep your windows closed at night in the summer to keep the kudzu from coming in overnight. Have a wonderful 4th!
Butch and Pam
Like Pam’s tablescape, we decided to walk this morning, as a much-needed early shower had passed. Yep, we got caught in a cloudburst about 30 minutes later. Drenched. Butch, I haven’t had the chance to catch any hummingbirds on my crocosmia yet this year! It’s been so hot, I haven’t sat very long to wait, but I have weeded and worked nearby. No hummingbird moths either. The kids have the best idea for beating summer heat, for sure. And Pam’s veggie meal makes me hungry for one just like it!
Have a great Independence week. God Bless America.
Rita, if there’s no storms or lightning, a walk in the rain sounds fun. Do you remember the song “Walking In The Rain”? I liked Jay and the Americans version. You’re probably much too young to know that one. The hummers love the crocosmia but it’s really in the open and hard to hide from them. Have a blessed 4th!
Butch and Pam
That Kudzu is amazing. Happy 4th. Have a great new week. Hugs. Kris
Kris, it’s amazing how fast kudzu grows but the first night with a light frost and it is wiped out. Hope your week is a good one and have a great 4th!
Butch and Pam
Adorable post! Cute Grands! Happy 4th of July. God bless USA.
Thank you for your blessing Maristella. We enjoy your replies and wish you a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I have never seen a seated hummingbird…thank you for that. This heat wave will not daunt
the fun plans of Da’s swim team, for certain. Sunshine cottage is all set for the holiday ahead
and your neighbors seem to agree, sharing the message of the wonders of this great Nation of ours.
Bless DH for his contribution. All the photos continue to make our Sabbath visit one of delight
and edification. Yours is an astute eye and heart ……
Mary, I rarely catch a tiny bird motionless as the hummers do not stay seated long. DH is a special guy who cares for the community and the community takes care of him. It’s very dangerous out on the roads on that bicycle but God has protected him and allowed him to do it for thousands of miles and several decades. Have a wonderful Sunday evening and a blessed 4th!
Butch and Pam
Butch it is HOT for sure. Here in Florida we have the heat AND we have had daily heavy rains which helps with the watering of pots but makes it like a sauna soon after. The poor plants are either in feast or famine….so to speak. Thank you for sharing your plants in your neck of the woods. I always enjoy your photos. Kudzu is a definite problem and I read some where that it would take over completely (many native plants) in the South in a matter of years. I don’t know, but it is spreading, isn’t it?
Your sweet littles are so cute keeping cool in the pool. They make us young don’t they? Thank you for all your info, I always learn something from your musings and walks.
God Bless America…. Interesting books on our founding Fathers by David Barton if you ever get a chance to read. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Kari, I’m not familiar with author David Barton but I like to read so I’ll check it out. We understand feast or famine for sure. I see hurricane season has cranked up already but the one this week does not look like it will impact Florida. We’ve actually had enough rain that I won’t be watering today. Have a great 4th!
Butch and Pam
That swimming pool looks so inviting, those little bees have the right idea! We had literally 5 minutes of rain yesterday that turned things into a sauna. Even the kudzu here is looking wilted! You are certainly blessed to have a patriotic friend like DH I know everyone is anxiously watching Hurricane Beryl and the path it may take into the Gulf. I was fortunate to visit the vet/medical school in Grenada, which is now in Beryl’s path. Grenada is such a beautiful island where everyone flies the American flag. Keep the sweet tea brewing and stay cool!
Thanks Roxanne. Everyone around this part of the county knows DH. He’s a special guy. We tease each other a lot when I see him. If kudzu wilts it’s time to evacuate. We have family heading to the coast a bit later and I’m thinking they will be keeping a check on Beryl. I’ve not seen the latest predictions. Not good for Grenada. We’ve heard it was beautiful but never visited. We’ve got the tea brewing. Have a great week and a wonderful 4th!
Butch and Pam
Butch and Pam,
I’m writing this in response to this post, and to Pam’s today–as I’m unable to comment on my reader to hers. Your posts always bring me joy! The pics of the grandkids in the pool (and an umbrella, camera, and Stanley with iced tea sounds like a good plan, too), the beautiful patriotic scenes and people (D.H.!), and God’s creation, including clouds, made my morning!
I love how you pair your words, quotes, and life around you perfectly! Pam’s post with the beach-themed salad platters (her Mom’s platter my favorite), the touch of raindrops, the tarp, and all the beauty, was amazing! I giggled when she said no more beach theme if the rain was coming! The drone shot of the beach was fantastic! When my sons were small, we made several trips to Gulf Shores and their favorite, to visit Pensacola to the Naval Aviation Museum (and see the Blue Angels fly!).
We are all blessed to witness your world, words, and wisdom! I miss it when I’m not here. As we celebrate the 4th, I’ll continue praying for your family (Pam, your Daddy), and continued good health, happiness, and memories! And many sunrises and sunsets and opportunities for table-scapes and landscapes! I love you all dearly!
Thank you Karla. It is so good to hear from you. We continue our prayers for you. I try to assist Pam when she does a table outside, mostly manual labor hauling stuff in and out, but this last one was definitely more involved. She loves doing the tables and I love being outside so that works out well. We thank you for your prayers and encouraging words and wish you a wonderful 4th!
Butch and Pam
Hello Folks! I thoroughly enjoyed our walkabout today! I could not believe your Kudzu! That’s a lot!
The kids have the right idea to escape the heat! Swim!
I loved seeing the Sunshine Cottage dressed up in red, white, and blue. So very pretty!!
Happy July!
Thank you Nancy. It does seem like the beginning of the second half of this year just came out of nowhere. Could it really be July? Have a blessed week and a happy 4th!
Butch and Pam
I have always thought the kudzu is so beautiful! Your little grands look like they are having a wonderful time in the pool! God bless you all.
Cheryl, the kudzu isn’t all bad. I do love to smell the blooms. It always signaled to me that autumn was just around the corner. God bless you!
Butch and Pam