“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:25-26 ESV
Last Sunday I took WL and EK on an easy walk to the pasture’s edge behind the Sunshine Cottage. Ella Mae and PJ were busy reading so we left them in the garden. We were surprised by an up close encounter with a bald eagle, just above the field and then soaring over the pines toward the river. Of course, no camera handy. I went over to the river on Thursday with camera handy, but of course, no bald eagle. This rock is one of my river perches. It was nice to sit and watch for a while even without the eagle dropping by. Maybe next time!
The walk from the house to the spot on the river takes about 10 minutes. I usually encounter things of interest along the way. Squire the squirrel wasn’t bothered the least bit by my presence and in no way was I going to interrupt lunch!
Meanwhile back in the cottage garden, the look of fall is beginning to show this week around NE Alabama.
The annual jack-o-lantern pumpkin carving, along with grilling dogs and roasting marshmallows by the fire took place Friday. It was such a fun time, and as always, precious memories were made! We are planning a jack-o-lantern post for Tuesday!
There is something about bluejays we had not picked up on, or noticed until this year. We had not seen a bluejay around our place since probably late February until about 10 days ago. I did not recall in the past going an entire warm season without a bluejay coming by. We had realized it and had actually discussed it, wondering where the bluejays were. I suppose they chose to hang out where it was cooler!
When the jays did arrive, they came in numbers. We sometimes see 8 or 10 in an area!
Our coral bark maple is putting on its autumn show. And there is no better background than white clouds and cobalt blue October skies. I said I wasn’t going to do this but I can’t help it…do you see a face in the clouds? You have to focus for a few seconds but it does appear. Pam says it looks like George Washington! The reason I couldn’t resist can be attributed to what our friend Roxanne found and sent to us last week…
…this spotted on a sign somewhere. We thought it was hilarious, especially since I often search the clouds for images shaped like something!
We were surprised by a sudden burst of gold last week along the roadside near the house. This is not a group of trees that we typically think of as providing fall color. Chinaberry! Not at all in our memory from past years, but definitely caught our eye.
And look at all the berries! The trees are loaded. We had so much fun with Chinaberries as kids, and also used them at times for a bit of mischief I must confess. I realize none of you ever participated in mischief!
On the hike to the river, I discovered several mature honey locusts trees that were loaded with their long black bean pods. Wildlife will no doubt find them delicious. These pods aren’t quite mature but close. I broke one open and the gooey green honey oozed out. Deer love these pods, but can’t reach them. They will fall a bit later, and then I guess it’s first come, first serve!
I say the bald cypress is a self-decorating tree, providing its own ball ornaments. I found this one near the lake, and it is weighted down with the round balls (cones) that contain seeds. A larger tree next to this one did not have a single ornament. Bald cypress is a conifer, but unlike pines and others, it loses its leaves every autumn!
Cypress trees are known for their strange looking root protrusions called “knees”. I told Pam this one reminded me of one of those Old World Santa’s. Of course maybe that’s like those clouds, it’s only my imagination going wild again!
It seems autumn color arrived overnight. As invasive as popcorn trees can be, it’s hard to complain about them in late October. And, from this photo made yesterday, I’d say there will be plenty of the white “popcorn” this winter for the birds. We had to remove several of these trees years ago because they were too close to the driveway and the roots were causing problems. I am glad we left this one which is a safe distance from the driveway and structures.
Hay season has come to an end once again as the final mowing, raking, and baling happened last week.
Very dry and dusty here as it looks like we will go through October with no rain.
But somehow the grass managed to produce, not the yield hoped for, but not bad for such a warm and dry late summer and early autumn! Wild turkeys and crows can now enjoy a lot of easy to find seeds.
A bit of maple-magic is taking place this week! Next Sunday we will be on central time and November will be upon us! My, my, where did October go?!
Have a blessed 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
It’s lovely to be back and revel in your beautiful Sundays, Butch and Pam. As always, your photos and words are such a balm! Happy day and week to come.
Thank you Jeanie. We are glad you are home safe and had a great trip. Now it’s time to have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Fun post and I didn’t realize you had bald cypress knees in your area. I thought they were further south. And yes I can see the old Santa too. Your fall color is indeed beautiful, on our journey to SD we saw gold leaves everywhere. Our leaves are still holding on here in Colorado also. Your scripture verse is a must for me.
God bless you Alice. You are such a blessing to all of us. I’m thankful that you saw the Old World Santa so I’m not alone in my imaginings. Praying for you as always!
Butch and Pam
Lots of interesting observations. We’re glad you take the time to take the pics and share a narrative too. I can see George Washington and the old world Santa. All the fall colors are beautiful. The decorated landscape is so cute. Everyone did a good job on jack o lanterns. Isn’t it just like an eagle to show up when there’s no camera? Years ago in Yellowstone, Old Faithful was spewing with an eagle above it. I was so busy looking at the geyser, I missed the eagle! My husband captured it on film. It’s one of my favorite shots and memories. I missed the forest because of the trees! 😂 Enjoy your week! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. I can visualize Old Faithful with an eagle above and understand why that would be a definite favorite. I wish cell phones did a better job when zoomed in but the pics are grainy when I try that. Of course with the bald eagle the other day I fumbled around trying to get the phone out of my pocket until the eagle was gone anyway. And you saw George in the clouds…great. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Fall color is finally arriving in our trees! It looks like the pumpkin carving party was a big success, so cute! The sign about the clouds is hilarious! The Tide certainly looked better in yesterday’s game 🙂 Happy last week of October Pam and Butch!
Thanks Jenna. Color is really showing more each day now. Seems to have started overnight here. And maybe the Tide is turning. We did love that sign. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
We love to come along with you on your walks to see what you get to see. Have a great new week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris for walking along with us each week. We are glad you do. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Autumn has now painted TN with stunning hue…a drive through it all is captivating. Bravi to the pumpkin sculptors who well deserved the hot dog and marshmallow rewards. Where is George? I’m perplexed. However, on the left of the pic the cloud formation looks to me like an angel on its back floating backward while blowing a trumpet ??? Your Santa to my eyes is a gnome…
The pictures of the blue jays, surrounding trees (just love that bald cypress)
and the closure of hay harvesting adds to the aura in anticipation of the next
season. The cloud sign is a hoot… and the words of the Psalm say it all when
contemplating this lovely Autumn Sabbath. Filled with gratitude.
Thank you Mary. Wish we had time to take a short trip into TN. We normally do but it’s a busy autumn at home for us. I see the angel and trumpet. Love that. It’s the same face. And yes,a gnome for sure. You’re imagination is delightful. That cloud sign Roxanne found is definitely a hoot. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Sorry folks I can’t see George or Santa
In those clouds.😔. But on a trip to
Germany I saw and took a picture of a cloud heart right over the church
Where Martin Luther preached!
Love and enjoy RM’s Sunday blog.
Thanks Nancy. Mary at Heritage Hall saw the face in the left cloud but described it so well as an angel on it’s back blowing a trumpet. We can definitely see that. Would love to see your cloud picture. What an opportunity that was! Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
How wonderful to have seen a bald eagle even if you didn’t have your camera so that you could have shared that beautiful bird with us. No complaining however as your fall photos are terrific.
Thank you Karen. We are fortunate to have bald eagles that we can watch on occasion from our yard. That one was really close. I usually keep a camera nearby on walks but can’t keep up with a camera and two very active grandchildren so the camera stayed behind. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Everything is so pretty and the cloud quote is classic funny! I’ll remember it for a long time. We have two giant cypress trees in our yard and on the coast, it’s one of the only fall colored trees we have – lots of orange needles falling in a month or so.
Thank you Leslie Anne. There is one lone cypress up on the edge of the lake that has the brightest orange needles every year and you’ve reminded me to go check it out. Possibly changing colors soon up here. That cloud quote is a good one. Have a splendid week!
Butch and Pam
Gorgeous landscapes and great Bible verse. Happy Sunday dear friends!
Thank you Maristella. Hope you are having a happy spring. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
A beautiful post Pam & Butch, as always I loved the walk through nature. 😊
blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thanks so much Jennifer. We hope your springtime is going well. Blessings to you and have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! You have shared some beautiful captures of autumn. The trees are beautiful, and I was just looking at coral bark maples when I visited a local nursery yesterday. They are one of my favorites, and I am trying to plan a spot for one. The bluejays are so pretty with their bright color. The Jack-o-lanterns are adorable, and I know everyone had a wonderful time. Wishing you both a blessed week ahead!
Thanks Shannon. The coral bark is pretty and interesting in the winter too. Hope you can find a spot for one. We did have a great time with the kids and the pumpkins. Wishing you a pleasant Sunday evening and a great week ahead!
Butch and Pam
Always a pleasure, Butch and Pam. I enjoy reading about your natural surrounding. I saw Bald Eagles this summer in Basalt, CO Magnificent creatures! The bluejays are pretty! Happy Halloween!
Thank you Sarah. We do enjoy the eagles and never tire of watching them. Birds of prey are so amazing to me. We are glad the colorful bluejays returned. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Yes I see George and the old Santa….the jack o lanterns are adorable and getting a bit more elaborate with each passing year. We adore the beautiful changing leaves on the Elms, Cottonwoods, Mulberry and Locusts. The long pods are good for hard seeds that the grands put in empty water bottles and use them for rattles that “assist” with their dance moves. LOL. Oh to be young again with great imaginations. Have a great week Pam and Butch. God Bless you and yours.
Thank you Kari. When those pods dry they do have a lot of seeds. Maybe I’ll suggest to our grands that they put them in their water bottles. We need more noise makers. That might not work with ballet. Look at the cloud face again and you can see what Mary imagined, an angel on his back blowing a trumpet. Neat. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Hello Folks, I saw the face and I saw the Santa in the root. We all have wonderful imaginations.
What a fun stroll, as Autumn has decided to visit your area. Enjoy it while you can; it has come and gone so fast here in Pennsylvania!
It’s funny you mentioned the Blue Jays. We have a lot here in our backyard and some do not. It’s a mystery to many.
Thanks for another lovely stroll!
Have a happy week!
Thank you Nancy. We are seeing the fall color coming fast now, after thinking we might now have a lot of color this year. It’s really shaping up to be a pretty autumn here it seems. After many months with no bluejays, they are now everywhere. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
It looks like autumn has arrived and I love all the glorious colors against the blue sky! I can see Santa but George Washington not so much. The pumpkin carving looks to be a success and I’m happy for the new memories with your family. I had forgotten about the upcoming time change and yes, where did October go? Have a wonderful week both of you!
Thanks Kim. See if you spot a face in the left cloud that looks like an angel on his back blowing a trumpet. That’s what Mary sees and I can visualize that too. The pumpkin carving was fun. I wasn’t sure if your time changed but apparently you do. We get that extra hour of sleep Saturday night. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I know what you mean. September literally flew by, and I think October went by even faster! I just don’t understand how time seems to be speeding faster than it used to. My dear Mom used to tell me she thought God was speeding up time to hasten the day that Jesus will come back. The sign you shared was so funny! I must be an idiot, too, because I am always looking for faces in clouds! God bless you both today!