“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (ESV)
Summer has a way of bringing to mind the growing up years and school days. I suppose a part of that was the excitement of being out of school. I often reminisce about those years and how much has changed. But then, many of summer’s scenes in essence haven’t really changed at all…like freshly mown hay under a July sky!
Birds apparently aren’t just interested in raising a family in the spring, as a pair of mockingbirds seemed to be building a nest early last week. I kept watching them come and go to the same place in the Lady Banks rose arbor. Upon investigation, my suspicions were verified.
An aerial view of the nest revealed those birds are serious about a summertime brood!
Here in NE Alabama, since childhood, I’ve known that summer and tomato sandwiches were somehow right for each other. The tomatoes must be home grown and sliced on the spot of course. I had several sandwiches last week. This is actually a photo from last July. My sandwiches were as good this year as ever, but this setting was so perfect for the occasion!
A popular summer event in the south is the family reunion. Relatives come together to share in fellowship and it’s always centered around plenty of great food, a royal feast indeed. Such gatherings are not only celebrated by humans, but as evidenced here, rodents are quite social. This “squirrel reunion” left a mess on the picnic grounds, but at least it is all natural and will biodegrade over time!
The eastern tiger swallowtail is a common summer visitor. My grandmother always had flowers, mostly petunias, and I remember seeing these butterflies often. As kids, my cousin and I didn’t know the “official” names of anything and I don’t think we cared. We just ripped and romped in grandma’s yard. I want to know what everything is now, and get frustrated when I can’t recall the name of every plant and animal! This butterfly did not care that I was near and I actually touched it by accident with my phone…no harm done.
A group of male gold finches always spend their summers with us. I hope this one didn’t bite off more than he can chew with the large sunflower seed! There were 3 feeding in this sunflower patch but they simply would not get close enough for a pic of two, much less all three.
A stationary front settled across Alabama last week and has brought with it rain and typical summer afternoon thunderstorms. We needed the rain but I get a little down when I am unable to do things outdoors because of the weather. The sun was shining on the sunflowers while it was raining, and their faces were as bright as ever. There was no lightning at the time, so I proceeded out into the rain!
After the passing of that shower and the thunderstorm which was not far behind, the sun popped out and provided a pleasant summer scene, along with a steam bath!
Just prior to sunset on the same day this was the scene out back. Rainbows after summer showers were plentiful last week, giving us daily reminders of God’s promises and His ongoing providential work in our lives and in our world! And by the way, this was the same day as the “sunny” first photo…the hay got soaked and had to be fluffed and raked again before baling could take place.
Black eyed Susan’s have always been a summer scene maker. They are native here and were always around the yard and farm where my grandparents raised cotton. Again, I probably heard their name but didn’t care about that very much at the time. All that mattered to us boys was that it was summer! These Susan’s in our garden had a strange coloring in the reflection of the light from the fuchsia skies seen above.
After those rainy, cloudy sky photos, I thought it would be good to go back to a day before the stationary frontal boundary brought us such a change in weather. And, for certain, crepe myrtle spells summer in the south. This Sioux crepe myrtle is in our garden and is our favorite color. We have older trees by the drive that are a similar color, as well as white ones out by my shop.
We had noticed a crepe myrtle blooming on the hill near our City Hall and I almost dropped by for a photo. Well, it seems I didn’t have to, because this photo appeared the very same day on Instagram. A big thanks to our dear friend Tiffany for sending the original to us. She is a photographer and also works for our city. The photos throughout this post are all about being in the country. I am calling this exception, “summer in the city”!
One afternoon the sky looking in every direction from our back yard was filled with clouds. This area opened up as if pulling back a curtain. It was such a neat sight, I took a photo. If you’ve followed our SSS posts lately you know I’ve searched the clouds for weeks hoping to find an image in the sky that resembles an object or animal etc. I pulled up this photo on a larger screen when I went inside. Maybe it’s only my need to see something in the clouds, but there is a man laying on his back either gazing at the heavens or taking a nap! The curtains opened briefly to give us a glimpse of a sleeping giant!
I was strolling along out front one afternoon and decided to pause, fight off mosquitoes (another summer treat), and check out the sunset. As this faded and I started up the hill toward home, I noticed this…
…a view of the waxing gibbous moon. Summer’s second full moon is today. We all have a tendency to say “my, how time flies”. With that in mind, only two full moons from today is the corn or harvest moon, 5 days before the autumnal equinox! I do believe man’s first step onto the moon was 55 years ago yesterday. Were any of you around to watch? I remember watching it on TV, sitting on the couch, eating popcorn with my mom.
Have a wonderful 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
Great, great photos, Butch! I DO see the man’s face at rest in those clouds! And I do remember watching the first steps on the moon. I was 12.
We received 1″ of rain last week, for which I’m grateful, but could sure use more.
Watch out for those mockingbirds if you pass through that arbor. They’re mean!
Glad you got a bit of rain Rita. We’re finally getting a lot and everything has turned green. I see you were somewhat younger than me when we viewed the moon landing. I’ve not read everyone’s comments so I’m hoping at least one person was older than me in 69! Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning, my sweet Alabama Friends~
I saw the giant man’s face! He was waiting for God’s picture show to start with the unraveling of the curtain.
Again, this week, there are so many beautiful pictures. The butterfly, the goldfinch, and the crepe myrtle are gorgeous!
I so enjoy your commentary and always look forward to Sunday Morning Strolls. (Even though I sometimes arrive late.)
Thank you for sharing God’s Glory with us.
By the way, that tomato sandwich looked so good. Tomatoes are still not quite ready, but when they are, that will be the first thing I make!
Have a lovely Sunday!
Nancy we are glad you have those tomatoes to look forward to. I’m thinking on tomato sandwiches again for tomorrow. I’m glad I’m not the only one who can see the big face in the clouds. Whether you arrive early like today or later, we are always glad you checked in! Keep an eye on the tomatoes and have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning and greetings today from Charleston! I saw the giant’s face too, thanks to your keen eye. Mater sandwiches and sweet tea have been my go to lunch recently. I was 16 when men first walked on the moon, and my sister was an infant. Daddy had us prop her on a pillow in front of the tv so she could say she saw them walk on the moon too! Everything down on the coast is so green and lush due to all the rain, unlike Upstate SC. Hope you have a great week full of adventures!
Roxanne we see you slipped away to Charleston, have a good visit. I think I forgot to mention the sweet tea but you are so right, it’s a must with mater sandwiches. I’m still looking for someone who was older than 18 when Apollo 11 landed but so far it’s me and all you young folks. It’s very green here now after a few days of rain. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
That tomato sandwich reminds me of things to come — our tomatoes don’t get “good” till mid-August but then, wow! And who knew that birds still were nesting in mid-July! What a treat to discover this!
Have a wonderful new week!
Jeanie it sounds like you along with a few others who are a little further north are still waiting and looking ahead for a good home grown tomato. And those mockingbirds are not happy with me being too close. We hope your week is wonderful as well!
Butch and Pam
Yes, I saw the moon landing on television at 11. Fresh tomatoes are wonderful. I bought candy corn at the store yesterday! That is indeed a sign of fall. Of course, the stores already have fall items and Halloween items on display and for sale. I just can’t get into shopping for fall when it’s 90 outside. The cloud shots, especially the one where it opens up, are beautiful. The fuscia colored sky is gorgeous. Enjoyed all the pics. The flowers and nature shots are always amazing. Those mockingbirds found the perfect spot to build a nest and dive bomb you in the process of protecting their little ones. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Clara we agree that we aren’t ready for fall just yet but some stores even have a lot of Christmas stuff out too. Those mockingbirds are not happy with me and I’m only pulling weeds and mowing. I’m glad all you young folks were at least old enough to witness and remember the moon landing. Glad you enjoyed the pics. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful captures of nature Butch, I always enjoy seeing the world through your eyes! I’m always impressed by the fact you know the names of so many things. I’m glad you’re enjoying summer tomato sandwiches, the perfect summer lunch. I did see the man in the clouds! We drove to the beach yesterday and it was a long rainy drive, and we have heavy thunderstorms here this morning. I hope you both have a great week, try to stay dry!
Jenna we hope it doesn’t rain on you too much at the beach. We’ve sure had a rainy few days with good chances all this week. If it rains we can just sit inside and eat tomato sandwiches I suppose. I do get frustrated with myself about all the plant and animal names I should know but forget. It takes a lot more refreshing of the mind now than it used to! Have a pleasant and hopefully drier week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning. Pictures are stunning as always. Have a beautiful new week. Hugs. Kris
And a good evening to you Kris. I’m a little slow with comments today. Thanks for your kind words and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Love your pictures Butch. And looking up into the clouds to see what God has done. He draws the curtains back for us to see. I did see the old man gazing up into the third heaven where the Father resides over all. Glad you are getting watered! We receive some last night. Thankful for every drop. I love the crepe myrtles, the pictures of the butterfly and birds and can almost smell the hay field. We’ve been enjoying tomato sandwiches for a while and today I’m going to copy Pam and make egg salad stuffed tomato’s for dinner. Yum. God bless you and your family this day and every day. .
We are finally getting watered Alice and glad you are finally getting a little. We hope you were able to try those stuffed tomatoes. Maybe the old man gazing up into the clouds was a reminder that we should be looking upward with anticipation and expectation. Freshly mown hay does have a distinct smell like nothing else. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
How well you capture God’s ever-changing scene that reveals to us His never-changing
love and caring. I saw a similar view of the sky opening up with dark clouds on one side
and white puffy ones on the other in the midst of bright sunlight…interesting. Our crepe
myrtle of similar hue are having a field day in blossoming forth and garnering everyone’s
attention. The simple tomato sandwich of summer outdoes the likes of even caviar. How
so simple a concoction can create a life-long memory begging to be repeated. Your shots
of the rose-blazoned skies are spectacular, Butch. I see a man on the left of your cloud
formation, but also see one in the middle facing in the opposite direction. Bless you and
Pam for another Sabbath joy-filled experience.
Thank you so much Mary. I think I must go back now and search the clouds even closer. I believe those ever changing scenes you mentioned are truly a great reminder of how much we need Him who never changes. And it takes the simple, like tomato sandwiches, to confound the wise, like caviar. Praying you have a peaceful evening and a wonderful week ahead!
Butch and Pam
the second image is lying on his back looking up … turned up nose….lol
Probably my imagination Mary but I’m seeing all sorts of things when I look again and again. I hope to spot a new one this week!
The cloud and sky photos are as beautiful as the flowers. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, and thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you Leslie Anne. We were hoping to catch the full moon but our skies have been cloudy most all weekend. We appreciate your comments and hope you have a wonderful week as well!
Butch and Pam
Butch, I share your love of a tomato sandwich and had a few Alabama tomatoes at the beach this week.We added bacon and didn’t have lettuce so we added spinach and they were just as good. We called them BST’s.
I love your waxing gibbons shot. We saw the moon rise walking on the beach Friday night and the full moon in all its glory very early this morning. It is hard to capture for me on an iPhone.
I remember the moon walk very well back in July 1969. I was older than Rita!
I enjoyed your summer memories. I would add great Chilton County peaches to the list of my favorites.
Bonnie I think if you have fresh tomatoes and bacon then you could add just about anything else and it would be good. We are missing the full moon this weekend because of cloudy night skies but that beach walk sounds awesome. Oh, and I too was older than Rita. I already wanted a fried peach pie from the peach park and now it’s a must have soon. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Butch I saw the moon landing at age 29 so I am older than dirt.
Alice you win the grand prize for moon landing observers amongst this crew. I don’t mind being in second place!
Butch and Pam
Yes, I remember seeing the moon landing on TV and I would have been 13 at the time. Great pictures – I can see the old man in the clouds although had to look at it for a bit. We don’t have mocking birds here (and I hear that they are mean), but what a great photo of the eggs. It seems late in the year for birds to be laying eggs? Garden tomatoes are not quite ready yet, but will be soon and there is nothing better than a tomato sandwich (with bacon and mayo too of course lol). I’m envious of your rain as we have had none here for almost a month now and it is very hot, dry, and dusty. Love the crepe myrtle and the black eye susans. Have a wonderful week you two!
Kim, mocking birds are very common here and they are kinda mean. I believe those tomato sandwiches are eaten everywhere. I thought it was mainly a southern thing here in the states. And bacon is so good. We went from very dry to a rainy pattern, feast or famine type thing I guess. We’d send rain your way if we could. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
So many beautiful photos! I can’t choose a favorite, although the butterfly is particularly stunning. Homegrown tomatoes are the best!
Thanks so much for your visit, Michelle! Wishing you a wonderful Sunday!
Such a gorgeous garden. The butterfly is stunning. I do love a home grown sliced tomato on bread. Happy week ahead. I am pleased to feature your scenes of summer at Love Your Creativity.
Thank you Linda. I think we need to have those tomato sandwiches each week until frost gets the fresh local tomatoes. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam