“Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
Psalm 100:3 ESV
I came across another inviting spot by the river while hiking the other day. It was so inviting I decided to sit on this old log for a while. I’m always in a hurry and feel like I need to be doing something, but a few minutes here wasn’t a bad idea! Reminds me of lyrics in a country song by the group Alabama…”I’m in a hurry and don’t know why”!
It’s free popcorn time, for the birds at least. I have no problem understanding why this one is called “popcorn tree”. Not every common name makes sense to me, but no arguments against this one.
There has been a very fast transition as the “popcorn” showed up seemingly over the course of only 2 or 3 days. I was thinking about how sad it was that only the birds have popcorn to enjoy…
…so I came up with a solution. One thing I haven’t figured out however, is how to get 3 little subjects to offer perfect poses all at the same time. That must truly be an art! They all love to pick a flower when they come over and we still have quite a few blooms on a couple of remaining potted plants. WL was hanging on to his choice!
Much of the area’s cotton has been harvested and is ready to head to the gin. These are typically referred to as modules, but I still call them all bales. I understand several bales actually go into a module. They are labeled with owner and field info for identification. I need to ask about the labeling system and what it all means. Inquiring minds need to know this sort of thing!
We have experienced unusually warm weather this fall and even nights have been pleasant for a while now. This is a first…our coral bark maple has it’s normal golden autumn leaves (background), but at the same time has sprouted new growth on stems where leaves have recently fallen off. Some things have been tricked into thinking it is spring!
These aquatic plants have also sprouted as if this were April. We have a time in the spring that folks have always called “blackberry winter”. It seems each year there is a bit of unseasonably cold weather that I suppose often occurs around the time that blackberries bloom. What should I call this autumn phenomenon? Faux spring, or maybe fall facade?
This corn field was harvested about 6 weeks ago. It has been so mild and the ground temp is still warm, so a new crop has emerged on its own. Some of this is at least 18 inches high. We should get some cooler days this week. I noticed that a lot of folks in places like Colorado, and even western Oklahoma, have received a lot of snow!
This is part of my ‘end of the season’ closeout. I left a few blooming plants in the garden, but have called it for most of this year’s annuals. Used and pre-owned plants failed to bring a good price so it was off to the compost pile!
I stopped by this group and was totally ignored. It seems all were asleep or either pretending. Normally I can walk close by the ducks and they continue what they are doing. But if I stop to get a photo, they move away. Not this time.
As I walked away, a strange thought came to mind. I remembered times when I was a kid and in trouble (which was often) and my momma would begin to question me. Now it requires sufficient time when you are considering a proper response, or excuse as it were. After a lengthy silence, momma would say, “don’t just sit there like a knot on a log”. I started to go back and try that approach with these ducks which had snubbed me!
Groundhogs live down by the barn, but we’ve not had one in the yard, until last week. This one surprised us one morning as it strolled through the yard very close to the house. By the time I grabbed a camera, the fat rodent had disappeared. A few minutes later we discovered it had moved to the pasture behind the garden, where it feasted for a while. Since groundhogs love most anything on the ground that is green, we weren’t excited to see this one nosing around close to the garden!
Tomorrow is Veterans Day, but we celebrate our veterans every day! The gingko is in celebratory form, not at its peak, but starting to shine like a pot of gold! Such a November beauty! We plan a Veterans Day post and hope you will have time to drop by.
I used the day and time I had available, and as planned, made a stroll up to the top of the mountain. In everyday living the sun doesn’t always shine. When I witnessed this scene upon arrival at the top, I was momentarily disturbed, and then I thought of a true story I read a long time ago. It was a rainy, gloomy type of day and John Denver was a bit down and out. I guess he remembered how sunshine always made him feel, because it was on that gloomy day that he wrote “Sunshine On My Shoulders”, a number one song, and my all time favorite!
Our camellia (Alabama’s State Flower) now has dozens of blooms and even more buds. It has become a treat for bees, wasp and butterflies! And I must report seeing a monarch butterfly last week while on a walk behind the house, but none were seen in the garden. Certainly late in the season for that sighting here!
As you’ve seen, many things around our area are being absolutely stubborn about allowing autumn to have its proper place. Our river birch, being one exception, has become cooperative with the season, as most of its leaves came down during the last three days!
We ordered this inexpensive hummingbird rain gauge and placed it in the garden. It has a small solar panel and has colorful lights which come on at dusk. The grands love to see all the little parts lit up, so I guess it is worth what we paid for it. As far as working as a rain gauge, it has remained mostly unemployed, since we’ve had no significant rain in 3 or 4 months! But it has been entertaining, and stands ready to work when called upon!
We wanted to travel back in time to this week, a couple of years ago, and spotlight this maple. It is one of the most outstanding trees nearby and a favorite year after year… but did not have these brilliant colors this season!
A late afternoon in November as shadows close in along the river banks and another nice autumn day comes to an end in our Appalachian foothills. I guess I could say Lookout Mountain is looking on!
We wish for you a peaceful and pleasant autumn week!
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 118:1 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Your photos are beautiful as always! We’ve finally gotten almost four inches of much needed rain over the last week. I pray you get rain soon, a nice slow, gentle rain over days and not a flood!
Thank you Rachel. The slow rain is definitely the best. We are still praying for so many that were devastated by floods so I’m trying to have no complaints about dry weather. Hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Sunday morning I find Everyday Living to see what you have been up to the prior week and this week you did everything I want to do. Take a walk in the country and sit on a log taking in Gods beauty, watch ducks rest on another, and try to figure out the marking on the “bales” of cotton. Oh yes, Boulder had 12 of inches of snow this week and the sun was not on my shoulders at all. My yard looks awful as the snow brought all the leaves down at once and now I have a wet mess in the yard. Looking forward to some “Indian Summer”. Popcorn for the birds must have reminded you to get popcorn for the grands. Color on the trees hasn’t been as bright as previous years as the drought harmed the trees. I almost thought you had gone loopy when I saw so many plants in bloom in the tractor. Are these from pots? Your garden must look empty. Camellia is a favorite of mine. Miss the South and beauty there.
Thank you Alice. We saw all that snow, something we rarely see here as you know. Saw where a place in NM received 39 inches. Those plants you saw were mostly root bound annuals from pots. We still have a few things blooming nicely but I grew tired of watering daily and still seeing the plants looking pretty ragged. Hope you get some sunshine back on your shoulders soon and that you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
We’ve been having a slow, steady rain off and on for several days. Hope it comes your way as we’re all in a drought it seems. We still have our potted plants out and most still look nice. The zinnias look sad but we leave them out for the finches until there are no seeds or I get tired of looking at them. Once the freeze hits, then everything will get tossed. The deer are feasting on some of the annuals as they were tender and held a lot of water. I’ve truly enjoyed the potted plants this year as they were colorful and lush since we watered them steadily. I also cheated and bought them already put together as an arrangement! I do believe that will be the trend for us in the future as it’s just easier. The ducks weren’t paying you any attention. You must have been very stealthy. The kids looked cute and probably enjoyed the popcorn afterwards. Enjoy your day. Clara ❤️
Thank you Clara. We finally removed the zinnias, they looked so worn out. I was worn out from the watering too. Finches do love those zinnias. We’ve bought some of those already put together pots too and they have usually done well. That slow steady rain hasn’t drifted this far yet but maybe it will. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I share your love of the JD song mentioned, Butch. I have many perennials in my garden which I cut back in late September that have grown again, to the point that I will necessarily have more fall work to do! I’m waiting for a first frost this time. My rain gauge has collected more dust particles than rain this year. It is an exceptional drought, but a beautiful fall in spite of it!
Have a great week.
Thanks Rita. We got a chuckle about your rain gauge collecting dust particles. Even some annuals that we just cut down for now and didn’t remove roots have come back. They are supposed to be annuals. We are still waiting for that first big frost too. That will bring change quickly. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I would have stopped for a sit on that log, too. What a lovely spot. (You were just like the ducks!) As always, beautiful. I think the last of my gingko leaves have fallen — there were just a few left at the top, so pretty and yellow. Love seeing the littles with their popcorn! (That tree IS well named!)
Thank you Jeanie. We wish those popcorn trees weren’t so invasive. They are really pretty in the fall. We agree, those ginkgo’s are a beautiful yellow. I don’t think ours will be quite as bright as usual but they are turning so we will see. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam! This has to be the strangest Fall ever. We have almost zero color, the leaves are just hanging on as a tired green. But my 3 Sassanqua camellias have probably hit 20’ and are smothered in blooms. The japonicas are covered in buds but usually open in February…we will see this year. The grands look so happy to be there with all that popcorn! I can already tell Sunshine on My Shoulders is going to be stuck in my head all day (which isn’t a bad thing!)
Good evening Roxanne. Go ahead and post a video on YouTube with you singing Sunshine on my Shoulders and we will have a listen. I think our only camellia is a Sasanqua but I’m not positive. Ours is probably only about 10 feet. The popcorn is always a hit. Wish I didn’t like it so well. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
That is so interesting that you’ve seen so many plants that are thinking it’s Spring because of our warm weather and are starting to bloom again. Crazy! We do desperately need rain. Love the pic of the 3 grands with their giant bag of popcorn! I hope you both have a great week, Happy Veteran’s Day!
Thank you Jenna. When the cold arrives all of a sudden it’s going to really hurt us, not being used to it. And the plants will make a quick change when that first big frost comes. We sent the popcorn home unopened but sure wanted to dig in and help the little ones munch on it. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos and adorable Grands! Happy Sunday dear friends.
Thank you so much Maristella. Happy Sunday to you and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
A beautiful post and good read!!
Thank you Judy. So good to hear from you. Hope you are well and have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
What an enchanting stroll through your Autumn photos. The Grands continue to take me by surprise with their growth spurts. Our local market no longer carries those giant bags of delicious fresh popcorn … miss them. It seems all God’s creatures are confused by this unpredictable Fall weather; inordinately warm, with a mind of its own. Just love the hummingbird rain gauge. Our proud flag waving against the blue sky is a perfect prelude to Veterans’ Day,
which we celebrate with heart-filled gratitude. Thank you, Butch, for sharing that mountain top experience accompanied by John Denver’s famous melody…
a Sabbath blessing.
Thank you Mary. What is it with a market that discontinues popcorn! I don’t know what we’re coming to. Yes, the mountain top greeted me with fog and clouds but I got over it quickly. Veterans Day should cause us to celebrate many things but we agree with you that gratitude should top the list. If we travel your way we must bring you some popcorn. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Just lovely, your weekly walk around the world is an oasis of peace in this chaotic time.
Thank you Carole. Getting out and about even for short periods of time is a nice bit of relief. Hope you are able to enjoy a peaceful week!
Butch and Pam
As I have shared with you before, John Denver is one of my husband’s favorites, too. I loved the backstory you shared about “Sunshine On My Shoulders.” One of my favorite photos in this post is your “end-of-the-season” cleanout. I just love that photo and pinned it. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Thank you Cheryl. Those end of the season clean outs are necessary but I’m usually tiring and ready for a change to what’s next. Have a happy Veterans Day and a great week!
Butch and Pam
Such beautiful photos! You are reminding me I need to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather before it gets too cold here. I am taking my kids to the < a href=”https://www.wasatchpediatricdentistry.com/childrens-dentist-logan-ut”>pediatric dentist later today but maybe after we can go walk in the park together. Thanks for inspiring me to get outside!
Thank you Laurin. We hope you get some time to be outside. Pam often wonders if I’m ever going to come inside. I definitely come in when it’s time to eat. When you are married to the best cook in the world you don’t want to miss a meal. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my goodness – plants and trees reblooming/budding again thinking it’s spring? There really has been some unusual weather from the sounds of it, apart from drought. Love the picture of the empty rain gauge though not what it signifies. I hope the ginko continues to turns for you and the camellias are beautiful. Love the grands with the big bag of popcorn! The maple is stunning and such a shame it didn’t turn this year. Love the top of the mountain photo too. Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead!
Thank you Kim. The rain gauge may have a chance to collect some droplets this week according to the forecast and we are hoping so. We do wonder why new growth is emerging when it shouldn’t be since it has been so dry. We hope you have a pleasant and peaceful week!
Butch and Pam
A beautiful post Pam & Butch. I’ve never seen a Popcorn bush before, fascinating!
blessings to you both, Jennifer ☺️