Simple + Southern Sunday No. 540

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Today we find our Sunday sandwiched between the 15th of March and Saint Patrick’s Day. As I write, our meteorologists are telling us to “beware the Ides of March”. A major storm producing system which has a lot of tornado potential was headed our way, due to pass through yesterday and into this morning. I only remember one thing from Shakespeare…someone being warned to “beware the Ides of March”. I thought I knew two things, the other being a raven saying “nevermore”, but Pam informed me that was Edgar Allan Poe. I didn’t do well in literature!

Among our early spring arrivals, redbuds make their presence known in the woods and along the roadsides before they are shaded and overshadowed by the leafing of other trees. Like those invasive pears that are everywhere, redbuds bloom ahead of their leaves which reminds us there are plenty of them around!

Do you recall those song lyrics that speak about the “red, red robin”? Our robins are a burnt orange color. Maybe robins are red where you live? I ask because there is nothing about the redbud, once it starts to break out in bloom, that is really very red when observed by the passerby. To be fair however, the tiny buds examined closely prior to becoming a bloom are noticeably red!

Our lone tulip magnolia remains a survivor after several years of deer abuse. There are a lot of buds awaiting their turn, but with the weekend weather forecast of rain, wind, possible hail, and tornadoes, these fragile blooms will not make it!

Knowing these blooms are fragile, typically getting bit by frost, Pam decided they would be great to use for her upcoming Tea on Tuesday table setting. She informed me these blooms were the perfect blend of colors for what she had planned. With that said, I did what any decent husband would do, I responded to the “strong suggestion” and made her a bouquet. I understand it can be seen on this Tuesday’s post.
    

Mr. Blue Eyes is excited to be an older brother. He loves little Daniel and also…chocolate milk!
 

There are actually quite a few youngsters now in our neighborhood. I gave them some encouragement with my cow imitations and curiosity got the best of them. One mama was not happy with the little ones coming my way, and like children often do, they ignored her attempts at warning them!
  

Number 472 has a mean looking expression but looks can be deceiving. I think he wanted to follow me home. I could rub his nose but holding my phone up in the other hand made the little guy nervous. It was like something held in the hand was seen as dangerous. I was amazed about that response. I did manage this quick photo from a couple of feet away!
  

With St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow, I was searching for ideas involving Ireland and green things. I remembered that Pam had this beautiful setting on the picnic table some years ago. She was happy for me to bring back one of the photos, and besides, I think I assisted her a little with it!

We were blessed with the opportunity to visit Ireland a few years ago. This scene is on the northern coast. I noticed something in this photo for the first time last week. Thistle is growing in the foreground. While thistle is considered the national/flower emblem of nearby Scotland, several varieties grace the fields and meadows of Ireland.

Trinity College in Dublin was fascinating. The library is amazing and a must see if by chance you find yourself in Dublin!

Dublin’s Temple Bar area is a place not to miss. Can you believe these flowers, and this was in the month of July. There is also something in this photo I had never noticed before…a shamrock on the side of a building, the shamrock being the national emblem of Ireland!
 

I made a river walk last week to see if anything new was taking place. We have an abundance of large, mature beech trees, especially near the river. When they get very old, I’ve noticed there is a tendency to hollow out like this one. This makes a perfect place for animals like raccoons to live and raise little ones.

You are probably familiar with beechnuts, but for many who may not have the trees or may not get out and about, the nuts are triangular, shaped somewhat like a 3 sided pyramid. The ground around this beech tree was still covered with nuts even though a lot of wild creatures have clearly been feasting here.

I brought a hand full of beechnuts home along with their outer husk to get a better look at them, and to show them to Pam. I mentioned that beechnuts can be ground and used in the absence of coffee. She did not ask me to return and gather her a few pounds. I mentioned that beechnuts were a favorite food of the wild turkey. Pam seemed happy for me to leave them in the woods for the turkeys.

The trees that are still hanging on to last season’s leaves are young beechnut trees. We have hundreds of them in the nearby woods. Many people thin out the young trees claiming they hinder and shade out other needed trees by being so prolific!

After leaving the young calves I stepped into a brushy field and headed toward the river. This lone turkey gobbler thought he was hid and made no effort to flee. Maybe he thought I had a pocket filled with beechnuts!

This hole is clearly very active. The entrance was worn and the ground all around was clean. I think this could be the type place an armadillo would call home. I did not have a trail camera in my backpack or I would’ve placed it nearby to see what might be coming and going. 

Last weeks full moon was in total eclipse later Thursday night/Friday morning (around 2:00 AM). I was up, but it had become cloudy at our house by that time. This photo of the moon rising was made standing at approximately the same spot that today’s first photo of the sunrise was made!

Have a peaceful and pleasant week!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)Linking with:
 Pieced Pastimes,  Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
 Life and Linda