“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Psalm 84:11 ESV
No clouds around Friday morning but still an absolutely wonderful sunrise. With a light breeze and a temp of about 64, it was a great time to get some fresh air and anticipate the upcoming day. I was out before the crows started their routine, but they were on the move with their noisy cries only 5 minutes after this moment. Hope your day starts and ends well!
The old barn is still something we enjoy seeing every day. Seth does a great job keeping up the mowing and other work around the barn so that it looks like an old barn should. It has served as a background for a number of family photos, as well as photos of friends and their families!
My bothersome knee has hindered me from hitting the trail around the wildlife park, but Monday I decided I was going regardless. I passed this plaque, did a double take, and turned around. I must say the creature sitting atop the column is not normally seen in the park. An hour later when I finished my trek, he was still hanging around and seemed happy to be there!
The guy on the left is my friend Lane Sitz. The guy on the right is my friend Lane Sitz. Will the real Lane Sitz please stand up. Well…he is. You all know I like a story, and especially one that is both real and encouraging. Lane and I have great conversations at the gym most every week. His dedication and discipline to accomplish something that was incredibly difficult (understatement) remains an inspiration to me and many others some 8 years beyond the fact. Lane lost 246 pounds. I have trouble staying on a disciplined program of any kind for more than a few weeks, so I was totally amazed when Lane shared that this challenge took him well over two years.
Lane was motivated by a national promotional when Planet Fitness sponsored a weight loss competition. He had been encouraged to join a gym, and in spite of hating gyms, he became a local member in our hometown of Gadsden. With a lot of support and encouragement, he participated in the nation wide competition known as Planet of Triumphs. And of course, there was a nice grand prize for the winner. Lane said he had been heavy since he was 10, and at 40, he felt 70. Would you care to guess who won? I know you guessed correctly!
The other photos are 8 years old, but this was last week. Lane still works at it very hard, and helps others do the same. He’s always in a sweat and often has the hood over his head. He’s not hiding, but hoping to sweat more! What is truly amazing is not just the fact of what it takes to lose such an enormous amount of weight, but what it takes to continue some years later, maintaining the discipline to stay in the battle. You might enjoy seeing his 2016 youtube video. It is brief but very informative. Lane likes sharing this story, but says he prefers sharing the Good News of the Gospel even more.
A walk in the nearby fields and pastures is something I really enjoy any time of the year. Every season has its beauty. I will say however, that extra care must be taken when wading through thick brush in August. A lot of challenging things can be encountered, and critters like ticks and chiggers love to go home with you. I’ve seen more snakes this summer than any summer past, but thankfully, none on this hike!
This sea of cedars covers quite a number of acres. When it’s this tall and thick, deer and other creatures that like to shelter in thick hideouts during the day will feel safe and hidden here. It is probably used more when the weather cools a bit since it doesn’t offer much shade. It isn’t actually cedar, but we call it summer cedar.
Speaking of taking extra caution when wading around in overgrown places in the summer…I would not wish to stumble into this bull thistle, that has at its base a large fire ant mound, and directly behind it, a locust with very long thorns. In spite of what I think about the thistle, our American goldfinch is very fond of the seeds!
While watching out for hazards, I remembered the location of this plant that I used in a previous post when it was blooming. If you recall the post that had a plant called common burdock, and the inspiration it provided for the invention of Velcro, then you may also remember the discussion about cockle burs (or cuckle burs, depending on where you live). It isn’t so attractive now and I did not want to rub against it and have some of it go home with me by hitching a ride on my pants or socks!
If I ever awaken from a coma and have no calendar or guidance as to what the date is, I think I could get in the ballpark by roaming the woods and looking for things in the wild that are “signs of the times”. This is a good one to indicate late August and a favorite little yellow legume I love to discover called partridge pea.
Another good “sign of the times” is a real standout by mid-to-late August, usually near water and liking sunshine is Virgin’s bower. It is a native vine to our area and a type of clematis.
I wish this wasn’t an indicator of the season but unfortunately sneezing can be a sign. I stumbled across this horseweed and fibers took to the air and sneezing ensued. This is not a plant I have had any problems with but I seem to be having seasonal allergies this year. This is new for me. Outdoor allergies have never bothered me at all. Do you have seasonal allergies?
You may have heard the question “if a tree falls in the woods and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound”? While on one of our woods trails this week I ran across this item. I always thought that if a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to see it, that it would always fall to the ground. Not necessarily true!
I had completed today’s post as far as photos were concerned, at least I thought so, until I spotted this passion flower yesterday. While mowing brush and weeds in the early morning I saw one flower on top of the thick grass and weeds. There wasn’t another bloom anywhere in sight and the dew was heavy in this overgrown area near the creek. Against all odds, this fragile, intricate gem of creation rose to the top to shine among the weeds! Just one of my many thoughts as I climbed back on the tractor!
A dear friend of ours is constantly capturing photos of interesting things around our city and she is kind enough to allow us to use them from time to time. Once a church, this building is called The Walnut Gallery and is now an art gallery. The gallery offers a variety of art exhibits, classes, plays, music, and other art related events! I mainly remembered this building as being in disrepair and had really not noticed the nice renovations.
Some of you were commenting last week about the Sturgeon Supermoon. The first supermoon of 2024, called “super” because it is near the Moon’s closest orbit to earth. Some called it a blue moon because there are 4 full moons in the 2024 summer, this one being the 3rd. I suppose I wonder why would the 3rd be called the rare one when it is the 4th that is not normal within any season? I guess I will stay with the traditional meaning of a blue moon, the second full moon within a calendar month. Harvest Moon coming up in September! (It’s also a supermoon)
A sunset on the water is always a winner!
We hope your week is a winner!
”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
I enjoyed all the photos and the commentary. Good way for me to start the day
I understand “blue moon” to mean the 2nd full moon in 1 month
Butch the photos are beautiful this morning. And the story of your friend Lane who lost so much weight is very inspirational. The fact that he did this while not liking gyms is a good message. We sometimes have to do what we do not want to do to be who we want to be. Thank you for the effort that you put into posting the blog. It is a bright spot in my Sunday morning.
Thank you so much Patti. I wasn’t sure my friend would see comments about his weight loss so I shared a few with him today. Your thoughts meant a lot to him. Good words. We hope you have a pleasant Sunday evening and a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Thank you so much Gail. That’s my take on the blue moon also. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good Sunday morning everyone. The picture of the church turned art gallery is beautiful. Butch I wish you were here to identify the bush we have here. It is a fast growing one never looses it’s leaves, at times it gets small white flowers and some type of a thorn. It was planted by the former owners. I like the picture of the barn too! When you talk of the old homestead is your house old? Our’s was built in 1870, the original part that is. We don’t have a old barn on our property, just an old outhouse! Have a blessed week.
Thank you Maryann. Our house is just over 45 years old but the barn is much older. The old homestead is not here anymore but was near where the barn is. It dated to around 1860. I’ll have to think on that plant. You’ve got me curious. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Passion flower is beautiful. Does it also have thorns? Even the fire ants knew to have their home where it’s protected from humans. How do you keep from bringing those clinging vines home with you? And the ticks and chiggers? They are everywhere when you walk through tall grass and weeds. I thought it was interesting that you were walking through them at the beginning of this post but at the end you were mowing them. I don’t get to see much of the moon but last night someone decided to set off the loudest fireworks I’ve ever heard about 9:30. My neighbors lights were all out but their new baby snd their young son were wakened and so was my husband. We’ve had another sleepless night thanks to that noise. The moon lights our way on those nights. Whew. God bless you and God Bless the United States of America.
Thank you Alice and we are hopeful it gets quiet and you have a restful night. The passion flower grows on a vine and no thorns. My mowing was about a half mile from my walking, but we have yellow jackets that nest in the ground this time of year and they do not like mowing. I didn’t encounter any, so very glad. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
You go Lane. Your friend is doing so well. Congrats to him on his weight loss. Your pictures are always beautiful. Have a wonderful new week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. I’ll pass along your congrats. We sure hope you have a wonderful week too!
Butch and Pam
The cooler morning temps and lower humidity have been so nice the past few days. I think you are brave to venture out into those fields Butch, with chiggers, ticks, and snakes! Congrats to your friend Lane, that is incredible. I love the photo of the tree that didn’t fall in the woods! I always love seeing a beautiful full moon, no matter what it’s called 🙂 I hope you both have a wonderful last week of August.
Thanks so much Jenna and yes, lower humidity and the cooler mornings have been a nice break. I see some upper 90’s back in the forecast. I think maybe stupidity might be a better term than brave concerning some of the places I find myself in. Have a delightful week!
Butch and Pam
Butch, you are so attuned to Nature and so privy to many of its hidden wonders. I thank you for sharing what we might not otherwise discover.. Lane is such an inspiration…what tenacity… I imagine
he has inspired a number of memberships at the gym. The barn is a perfect backdrop for memory making
family photos. I can imagine the spiritual closeness that the small church may have created, not always achieved by vast cathedrals. Bless the one who restored it. So pleased that you remain hardy enough to
challenge the challenges of hiking and bringing to us your Sabbath enlightenment. The fallen tree, the
moon, the passion flower and all the wondrous photos garnered from your journeys warrant a book.
So good to read your kind words Mary. I know my friend would agree with me that there are certain things at the gym’s corporate level that we don’t agree with however our local people are really good folks and Lane definitely encourages a lot of folks there. I’m blessed to be doing better physically these days in spite of a worn out knee. Lots of miles. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations to Lane! That much weight loss took determination and lots of work! I’m ready for September! We must endure another hot week, but hopefully, temps will moderate in September and we’ll have a little more rain as it’s much needed. The barn is a wonderful backdrop. The restored church/gallery is beautiful! It’s so good when buildings are saved. We enjoyed all the nature shots too! Happy Sunday! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. I guess we are all kinda getting ready for September. You’re right about the need for rain but September and October are usually our driest months. We shall see. I’ll pass on your congrats. Have a splendid week!
Butch and Pam
Butch we usually view your Sunday Posts after Church (8:00 a.m. start) and Sunday School (11:00 a.m. ending) after lunch which the Captain and I usually like eating out. By the time we get home and change clothes and settle into viewing our KC Royals baseball game or KC Chiefs football game (depending on the season) then it’s together we read your text and view the lovely photos you take. Your Sunday posts have also become part of our Sunday ritual provided there are no other interruptions. LOL In that case our viewing is later in the evening. The point is, we try to never miss it because of your love and dedication to nature. And the stories…Lane is an inspiration! God Bless him. Love the church…it reminds me of the little Methodist church in our little town in Kansas. Thank you and Pam for sharing and giving us such great information, Have a great Sunday and BTW…the Royals are losing! LOL
Kari, we are honored that we are often part of your Sunday schedule. Your Sundays sound busy but fun. With college football starting, is it Jayhawks or Wildcats? Maybe neither? I know about busy Sundays and interruptions and in fact I’m late with looking at the blog comments today, but it’s been a good day. Hope your week is a good one!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations Lane on such a major achievement! It sounds like he is a blessing to many. That beautiful little church is exquisite. How wonderful it is being revived and repurposed. The woods around our house are a hazard trap, burglars wouldn’t run very far before getting entangled in all sorts of thorny vines and stinging things…been there, done that myself. This past week has been exquisite weather-wise, I’ve stayed outside as much as possible. Hope you have an adventure-filled week!
Thank you Roxanne. You remind us of what happened a few weeks ago. 5 sheriff vehicles pulled up at our house and deputies unloaded. One came to the door, very nice, and said they had a cell phone ping of a missing person and gps had them right behind our house. A missing person that didn’t know their way around wouldn’t fare too well back there. They found no one and we never heard another word. It has definitely been a great few days weather-wise. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos, as always — and how very inspiring is Lane’s story. Thank you so much for sharing that. It’s a wonderful thing to read. So glad your weather is a bit cooler. Fall is inching in!
Thank you Jeanie. Lane is an encourager. The cooler weather may not last but if the humidity stays away it sure helps. Fall will not be denied. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! The photograph of the red barn is beautiful! I have a soft spot for old red barns. My grandparent’s had a similar one on their dairy farm. I enjoyed seeing all of the wonderful nature photos. Lane’s story was inspirational. I wish you both a happy and blessed week ahead!
Thank you Shannon. We too love old red barns. So glad to have one on the property. Still searching for someone who can help us do some repairs and restoration. Not easy work. We hope you have a blessed week as well!
Butch and Pam
That last photo! Wow! Breathtaking!
The old red barn tugs at my heart. I love red barns, especially old red barns.
Beautiful photos for our stroll today. Thank you!
And Lane is an inspiration!
Have a wonderful week!
Thank you Nancy. There’s something about old barns that many people love, especially the red ones. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I always enjoy your walks and tractor rides, Butch. The passion flower is amazing out in the thick brush. I had one in a pot a few years back and it grow so long and thick on my antique fence that I finally pulled it up for fear it would ruin the old fence.
As you know I am a fan of sunsets and yours is a beauty today. I also am impressed with the shot you got of the supermoon. We jumped in the car around 9pm to see the moon clearly over the golf course. We could see it through the trees but not well. I gave my big camera and zoom lens to my grandson so my iphone shot was not nice like yours.
Have a great week. Bonnie
Thank you Bonnie. I wish I knew a lot more about photographing in low light situations and could get really clear shots like some I see. So many vines like passion flower have the most beautiful blooms but you do wonder if they are damaging what they’re growing on. Kudzu blooms are so fragrant right now but the stuff smothers out everything. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
your post is always a delight. Thank you. I love your great appreciation for God’s creation.
Thank you Hilda. His creation is beyond magnificent. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos and adorable post. Thank you for sharing. Have a lovely week ahead.
Thank you so much Maristella. Hope all is well with you. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I love the Bible verse you shared at the beginning! So precious to think that there is no good thing God will withhold from us, if we walk in obedience to Him! I so enjoyed the post, too, as always!
Thank you, Cheryl. We appreciate your visits and gracious comments.
Butch and Pam