“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”
Psalm 147:10-11 ESV
Most days last week found the skies filled with high top cotton candy clouds. Clouds often take the shape of an animal or an object and you immediately notice the resemblance as soon as you gaze up at it. I searched the heavens all week thinking something obvious would appear, but only beautiful clouds! And beautiful clouds are quite enough!!
I found this native wildflower growing in an opening just below the house near the creek. It is called rosepink. I don’t think I have ever seen it in this spot before, and I roam through the area a lot. I was amazed at the perfectly shaped yellow-green stars outlined in red in the bloom centers!
I do find blazing star in the same location year after year. I knew July should be the time to find it…and so it was! I noticed a lot of buds below these blooms, so I will return in a few days to hopefully see stems filled with lavender colored blossoms!
I was riding along observing those tall cumulus clouds I mentioned earlier and I entertained a thought I had never considered. Freight trains are very heavy and this old trestle is around 100 years old, (some of it wood), and I am about to drive under it. I am not a “what if” person but I did briefly think about the fact that there is something in the news daily concerning an unexpected happening involving transportation of some type. But, I kept right on traveling. If not for my cloud search I would’ve probably not even noticed the train!
We sure missed our folks as they recently spent a week at the beach. WL could have no better place than this white sand to operate his toy tractors, graders, and other equipment. And, it was reported he did a lot of road building in the sand. But sometimes a boy just needs a break to enjoy the surf!
Pam often does garden posts, but I spend a lot of time in the garden. So I thought, since this is everyday living…watering, weeding, planting, pruning and such, why not show a few garden photos. You can’t clearly see every bloom, but this luna rose hibiscus had 18 blooms, some as big as 8 inches across. This is the most ever at one time. The plant is a perennial and we had two of them last season. I mulched them very well and placed both wooden containers in a place for the winter that was protected somewhat from the weather. This one lived and has been prolific with it’s blooms. The other one died?? No rhyme or reason!
Growing along the fence line I found this interesting looking plant that will become a real aggravation if I should brush against it this fall. We always called it “cuckle” bur, but the real term is cockle bur. If you grew up in the country here in the south (and maybe where you live too) these are the spiny little balls that stuck to your clothes, and especially your socks, sticking like tiny needles. This is actually known as common burdock, slightly different from the cockle bur, but they both have the hooked bracts that burrow into clothes, skin, and animal fur. A Swiss inventor in 1941, while hiking in the Alps, found these burs all over his clothing. He examined the plant and later came up with an idea of a sticking, gripping mechanism. The idea is mainly known today as Velcro!
We have realized that there are some things that were important to us years back, of which we have few or no photos. Unlike today in the digital world where everyone has a camera with them at all times, we didn’t have that luxury. I guess we didn’t even think about photos much at the time. I had a 1972, bright blue metallic Mach I mustang. I loved that car and my first mustang, a 1967 model. The only photo Pam and I have located of the Mach I shows only a part of the car as we were leaving the church after our wedding ceremony. I saw this blue Mach I in a parking lot the other day, and even though it is a new model, it immediately reminded me of ours from over 50 years ago. I would be thrilled to still have either of those mustangs!
It only takes a couple of rain showers to bring out the mushrooms. I thought this one was most unusual in color and shape. It belongs to a family of fungi with a long uninteresting name, with around 300 species, causing me to be content to just call it a mushroom!
You know I love a story. WL and I were out watching the hay mowing in front of the house. He asked me to take him to see the tractor, so guess what we did for over an hour! The young man, (whom I’ll call ML) who mows our fields always stops and talks to Wyatt, and this day was no exception. I happened to ask about the old International Harvester tractor. ML said there’s a story with this tractor. I said, “I would love to hear it”. I’ll make this as short as I can: The tractor is 50 years old. His great grandfather bought it new. When he retired from farming he sold a lot of equipment including this tractor. ML said that his grandfather was saddened by this tractor being gone. Years passed and the new owner retired from farming and his equipment came up for sale. ML’s grandfather found out about it, was able to buy the tractor, and once again it was in the family. ML’s grandfather passed away about 3 years ago and now ML is doing the farming…using his great grandfather’s tractor!
Of course the girls did their thing while the boys rode around in hay fields. Finally, it was time for supper, and everyone loaded up on the cart. It was an opportunity for PJ to follow our version of country roads and take everyone home!
We have 2 or 3 “bicycles” in use in garden areas. It has been a challenge to keep everything alive in the heat this summer. I’ve really pampered our plants but I figure most are root bound and won’t hang with us much longer. Pam has enjoyed these and made this photo. Today’s temp should be around the 100 mark again (we hit 100 yesterday) which is hard on everything, especially me!
Another bicycle is in the Cottage Garden, this bike actually the real thing, has a basket filled with vinca. Pam is planning a tea in this part of the garden for Tuesday’s post, so it would not surprise me to see this again in the background.
It may appear that a lot of editing has created the lighting effect seen here, but we do very little in the way of editing photos, especially in ways that make things look unnatural. This early evening shot that looks more like an old faded photograph was simply reflecting…
…light from this sky, viewed from our back yard just after sunset on Wednesday!
We wish you a pleasant and safe week. May we all be reminded to pray for America!
”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
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch! Beautiful clouds for sure! Love the photo of WL at the beach, such a cutie! So interesting about the invention of velcro~ My first car was a burgundy 1968 mustang and I loved it too. I love the bicycles in your garden. Try to keep cool this week…I am praying for our country and the violence that occurred yesterday is horrific…
Jenna, my 1967 mustang was baby blue and I learned later that was a special color. Don’t we wish we had those cars now! And yes, prayers for our nation. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
That hibiscus is beautiful! All of your plants are so healthy and prolific. WL is so cute with his little cherry colored cheeks having fun at the beach. What a nice story about the tractor. I love stories like that. Pics were rare years ago. We have very few pics of our first or second cars as well. The mustang back in the 60’s was a handsome car. I remember the Mach 1 looked so different from the initial design with the slanted back roof. It looked tough! The retro ones of today is a nice tribute and confirms how iconic the design really was. We got a quick downpour yesterday which we were thankful for. Happy Sunday! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. WL is out watching hay being cut again this afternoon. Glad you got some rain, we’re still doing a lot of watering. I guess we all loved our cars back in the day. Hope you have a wonderful week !
Butch and Pam
As a born again believer I should be praying for this country everyday but sometimes with everyday living I fall short. My dog had a run in with the velcro plant! So have I for that matter, thought those sticky burrs would never get out of my hair! We have so many leaves on the ground here in PA from lack of rain you would think it is almost winter. I noticed the lack of precipitation doesn’t seem to stunt the growth of the weeds. Maybe that has something to do with what happened in the Garden. We have a 2000 Firebird we are holding onto, it has classic tags now. Lord willing next year we plan on registering it as an antique. God bless you and all of your subscribers. Still as hot as blazes here!
Maryann you are so right about the weeds. And for sure those burrs are rough on pets. I would definitely keep that Firebird. We definitely should always pray for our nation. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
What gorgeous photos this Sunday. Love the flowers. The tractor story is wonderful, thank you for sharing that.
Thank you Carole. The old tractor is mowing again this afternoon and WL is so fascinated with tractors he just sits and watches. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
That’s the cutest little surfer dude I’ve seen in a long time – and the tractor story is so sweet! Blessings to you and all of America today!
Thank you Leslie Anne. The little surfer was not too far from you. That white sand is kind of a gulf coast location giveaway. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I love the story of the tractor, and the origin of velcro, Butch. I love the luna rose hibiscus. I’m working my best to keep my mostly unestablished plants alive.
May God bless America in this latest turn of a divided people.
Thank you Rita. The unestablished plants definitely struggle more than better rooted mature ones. This summer has been rough on everything. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
It is always so illuminating seeing nature through your discerning eyes, Butch. This week is no exception. My, do I remember those burs as a youngster.. The Lord’s velcro. Love the tractor story…one of life’s special happenings. Mother had one of the first Mustangs off the assembly line way back when…she wanted pale yellow and got it… it was her pride and joy and took her Grandson all through his college years…what a car. The Grands look delighted with all aspects of Summer fun Pam and WL seems to have equipped beach fun down pat… Joining in prayer this Sabbath for reason and peace among us all….. Blessings.
Thank you Mary for your comments. I remember the pale yellow mustangs. I saw a pale yellow ’65 for sale in Georgia several years ago, for $35K. It was showroom sharp. I’m reading today I’m not the only one who remembers those burs, guess they are worldwide. Praying with you for peace and that you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Thanks for sharing so much beauty
Thank you Gail. May you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Lots of glorious photos here. That blazing star is so pretty and little Mr. Wyatt is too cute for words. Love the bicycle photo, too. Oh, I love them all! Have a wonderful new week!
Thanks Jeanie. Sometimes I think Mr Wyatt is a blazing star as I have trouble keeping up with him. We hope this week is wonderful for you as well!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Pam and Butch! I looked at that mushroom picture a looong time before reading the caption, trying to figure out what it was! We call those sticky burs “hitch-hikers, impossible to remove from clothes and dogs. Wyatt is such a cutie pie and so blessed to have strong father and grandfather role models. It is 100 here at the moment and no rain predicted. Stay cool and keep the tea cold!
PS your post didn’t appear in my email feed today which made me panic momentarily. I finally hunted it down on the website
Thank you Roxanne. Sorry about email feed but so glad you found us. I’ve never heard the burs called “ hitch hikers” , but that is a perfect nickname. About the time we reached 100 today we had clouds and it cooled a little and that was welcomed. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
How beautiful is the rose pink. What detail God includes in His flowers. I would like to have them in my yard. . And the chuckle bur is definitely a weed you don’t want to get in. It’s what we called them too. The summer sunset is so beautiful. It’s so hot and dry but it’s summer and I love it. WL had the right idea. Hope the sharks were taking a day off. I would have been with the girls as I’ve found out how much hey makes me itch. The flowers in The bicycles show they are well watered., we haven had rain in many weeks. Glad you are getting a good watering.
Alice, God’s detail is so incredible and that little wildflower is one of millions of examples. Glad you’re loving summer but I do pray you get some rain soon. I remember how fires can be so devastating out your way. We may not be so glad about watering when the next water bill arrives. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I love your storytelling. I always find your Sunday posts so peaceful, and after yesterday’s events, I loved that you finished your post with a prayer for America reminder. Have a beautiful week-ahead.
Thanks so much, Angie! I hope your week has been wonderful.
Butch & Pam
Oh. my dear friends do I ever remember what we called sand burs. They stuck to everything and if you were trying to remove them, and stuck your finger…the sting and burn lasted for hours. We knew they were cockle burs but we combined the name to include the many thorned sand burs too. Cloud formations always fascinate me, thank for sharing them and the sunset. My first (used) car was a 58 Chevy Impala, red and white. Quite large for little ole me and it came with plastic seat covers…another story in itself. LOL Love the bikes…I have had two here in Florida but the weather just allows them to rust so I gave up on trying to keep them in the garden.
Thank you Kari. Most of us have a lot of memories associated with our cars. We can envision you in that Impala. I do still hike through the pastures and fields around here and get into those cockle burs. No more pleasant now than years ago, maybe worse. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
the bicycles are pretty with flowers. looks like Paris floral shops. but the grands are the prettiest. sweet tractor story. my dog when I was a little girl always found those burs and I didn’t like touching him. when I met my husband he had 69 chevele and when we married we purchased a 66 and 67 mustang. sure wished we had those cars today. his brother had the fastback.
O my Nancy, a 66 and a 67, that would be a treasure to have today. Maybe Pam and I should have dinner outside near the bicycles and pretend we are in Paris. That would be more economical but I doubt I can convince her it would be just the same as a trip to France. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Good Monday Morning! I tend to show up for my Sunday Stroll on Monday.
I enjoyed seeing the littles. They are so adorable. And WL at the beach was so sweet. A proud surfer, cowabunga dude!
Those burs are dreadful. My neighbor’s dog would get them, but they had to be cut out! I can see how they invented Velcro.
I love clouds and enjoy the big, puffy ones!
We do remember our old cars! I had a 2 door Corvair coupe in high school. I painted it green with gold metal flake in it. It had gold pinstripes. I put mag wheels on it, and I thought I was something!
Oh, and I love that sweet story about that tractor. ❤️
Enjoy your week folks! Thanks for the lovely stroll!
Good Monday to you Nancy. I’m trying to imagine a Corvair with mags. To see a Corvair now is rare but I did see one a few weeks ago In Birmingham and would’ve taken a photo if I’d had the opportunity. Your description of your car somehow made me think of a leisure suit I had. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
There is SO Much to love here, Butch and Pam. THANK YOU for sharing the beauty, words, and stories. The pictures of the grands, WL at the beach, and the story of the tractor touch my heart! And of course, vroom vrooom for the mustang. I spent the weekend near K.C. with my youngest son and family–the trestle and train was a perfect way to end the weekend. My youngest began his training with the railroad today (he left the Air Force after 8 years). God bless you both! In a world of turmoil, heat from every direction, and just plain craziness, your world provides hope and love! I pray for you all as you do for me (and our country, too!). Love, Karla💕🙏🎶
Great to hear from you Karla and as always thanks for your encouraging words. We have a friend who works for the railroad, your son will do well. Prayers for you and our nation. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Love all the wonderful pictures, especially of the kids. I love clouds and just last week the grands and I were sharing with one another what each of us saw in the clouds. Hope the week goes wonderful for you both. Thank you for your prayers. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you Cindy. We had a lot of those cumulus clouds today and eventually rain and some faint rainbows. We are surrounded by reminders of God’s faithfulness and promises. We pray you find encouragement this week and beyond!
Butch and Pam
Oh my gosh, we had those burrs too when I was a kid. I don’t know if they were the same plant as there, but there were definitely hard to remove! The hibiscus is lovely and I’m sorry the second one didn’t make it but given how beautiful the first one is, maybe worth another attempt with another plant?? WL is an adorable surfer and all the grands on the golf cart with Pam is priceless. Great story about the tractor and the sunset pic is gorgeous! Oh, and Butch, I would so be thinking about the weight of that train on those old tracks and be gunning it as I went under it lol. I’ve missed SSS over the last month or so and it’s good to be back. Happy Monday you two!!
Thank you Kim and we are glad you are back. I heard you’d been “on the move”. Those old burrs must grow all over the world. We tried to find another hibiscus of the same type but the nurseries around here had sold out of that particular one. I went under that track and a locomotive with no cars was crossing and the timing had it directly over me. I think I did subconsciously speed up a bit. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Adorable post. Thank you dear friends!
Thank you, Maristella!
Oh, my! Your photos are just amazing! I really love that one that you said looked old. So beautiful! God bless you all!
Cheryl, I’m behind on seeing everyone’s comments but I so appreciate yours. I did think one photo looked like an old faded one you might find stored away in a shoe box! God bless you!
Butch and Pam