“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
Stay safe dear Pam and Butch. I’ve never seen the beechnut. It reminds me of the Brazil nut although it doesn’t seem as large. The table set for Saint Patrick’s day is definitely a sign for Spring. My redbud tree was beautiful last year. My friend Juanita was delighted to see it and took pictures of it. Redbud is a favorite for me. That animal den is huge. Wish you had the trail camera with you that day. Beautiful moon but I didn’t stay up to watch the eclipse.
Thank you Alice. We are safe this morning. We didn’t have a tornado track near us in NE Alabama but many people and places were devastated by storms. Brazil nuts are larger than beech nuts I believe. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Enjoyed the post and photos you’ve shared. I’ve always wanted to travel to Ireland, some day I will.
Have blessed Sunday and Happy St Patrick’s Day celebration
Thank you Jo. Maybe the Ireland trip will become a reality for you, hope so. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning Butch and Pam. Ireland is just beautiful. Terry and I are half Irish and it is on our bucket list to visit one day. Terry’s mom still has family living there. Beautiful country and beautiful people. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day and a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. Maybe you will make the Ireland trip one day. I did one of those ancestry things and if that’s reliable, I am about 60%-40% English-Irish. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
A wonderful walk through the woods. I guess the color red is based on a wide spectrum of red. The beech nut is very similar in shape to Brazil nuts. Mr. Blue Eyes is really growing! He’s a cutie pie! The storms fortunately didn’t do any major damage around our area but NW Arkansas got hit. Ireland is a beautiful place from the pictures you shared. It will be lively tomorrow! Take care. Clara ❤️
Thank you Clara. We didn’t have storm damage either but many areas of the state did and there was loss of life. Other states were hit hard too. Beech nuts are shaped similar to Brazil nuts but I think Brazil nuts are much bigger if I remember correctly. Hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
The sun is now shining through, belying the lightening, thunder and torrential rains of last evening…Sabbath peace restored..Great photos of the nature stroll. beechnuts interesting shape…The trees are blossoming forth in our area, as well. Trinity also the site of the Book of Kells,..which topped my “must see” list when there. What a glorious place to visit. Pam’s table setting celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is spot on. The beaming face of Master Blue Eyes announces to all his joy of life and fascination with the Family’s new arrival. He is so huggable….Blessings of the day.
Thank you Mary. We agree, the Book of Kells is a must and we were privileged to see…fascinating. It is a sunny and peaceful Sunday here also, what a difference a day makes. We had no damage but so many today have a different story. Prayers for all. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Butch we raised cattle on our ranch in N.M. and I learned a lot about calves and mothers. I don’t know how they convey it, and perhaps it was just our cows but I’m sure it is instinct…but every day the mama cows would assign a cow (different each day) to be the baby sitter for the day. The baby sitter could keep an eye on about This allowed the other mamas a day away from the 6-8 (or more) youngsters. It was fascinating to watch how she could keep them all near her…usually they lay down under a Mesquite or Cedar tree.
For the newer mamas, they would wander back to the baby sitter so they could nurse a young one and then go back out to finish their day away. I could sit at my kitchen table and watch these antics and I always smiled. Perhaps the one mama you saw was the baby sitter.
I smiled immediately when those beautiful blue eyes and sweet smile appeared on your post. He is so mesmerizing and adorable. I want to fetch him some chocolate milk and anything else his little heart desires. I know the girls are beautiful and enchanting and new baby Daniel will be in the middle of the mix…but WL stole my heart today.
Ireland has a special place in my heart also…as I too, am part Irish. We have dear friends there and I will be sporting my claddagh necklace and pin tomorrow.
Have a great and wonderful week.☘️☘️☘️
Thank you Kari. I appreciate the insight about the cows and calves. I wondered why one cow had all the little ones around her and seemed to attempt to discourage the calves from heading my way. They didn’t listen of course. I’ve spent some time on a couple ranches in NM, near a place called Pie Town. Blue eyes usually gets what he asks for around here. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I thought Ireland looked a lot like parts of Alabama. Trade the barbed wire for stone walls and the cows for sheep – POOF! Ireland! My husband said we could have saved a lot of money if that’s what I was going to think! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!
Thank you Leslie Anne. Your husband may have a great money saving idea. I may try that on Pam the next time we are considering a trip somewhere. Truly, Alabama does have a lot to offer. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good afternoon, Butch and Pam! Relived to read above that you were safe from the storms. I’m a little bleary eyed from sleeping with one eye open, but we only got thunderstorms around 4 am thankfully. Second night with a lack of sleep because I did get up to watch the eclipse in a crystal clear sky. Tomorrow we will celebrate our Irish ancestors…Kelley on maternal side and Small on paternal side. But isn’t everyone Irish on St. Patrick’s Day?!?
Thank you Roxanne. We had clouds so no visible eclipse for me. No damage here but some really bad situations including loss of life in places to our south. We never missed a day like St Patrick’s Day, even before the ancestry research because occasions call for good food and especially desserts. Sleep better tonight and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I’m very happy to read the tornadoes did not impact your region!
As always, I very much enjoyed your nature observations. Your look back tonyour trio to Ireland looks wonderful. I’d love to visit there someday.
WL is such a beautiful boy!!
Have a great new week, Butch & Pam. ☘️
Thank you Rita. The bad storms were south of us and some places were hit very hard. Strangely though, after the rain we had last night, we are seeing our first signs of pollen settling on things today. Allergy season is also starting I guess. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Thanks for sharing your photo of the bells of Ireland flowers. I love them, but no florist around here carries them. I can’t grow them bc deer eat them
Thank you Gail. Pam says we have one florist who sometimes has Bells of Ireland. They do look like something that would be luscious to a deer. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good Afternoon Folks!
I am glad to hear you are okay after the horrible storms that crossed Alabama. Prayers for those who suffered or perished from them.
I enjoyed the pictures of Ireland. They brought back memories of our trip there. Such a gorgeous place!
Seeing Spring in your area makes me happy. Soon we will see flowers blooming all around your place.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Thank you Nancy. We are safe from those storms but many south of us have been greatly impacted. We do expect to see a lot of flowering soon and even had some of the dreaded pollen settling on things today. Allergy season is coming too. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Dear Butch and Pam,
There’s so much to love in your weekly articles! From the beauty of the sunrise, full moon, nature & the beechnuts (hey, turkey, he had them!), to my favorite–WL’s BLUE EYES and adorable self. I’d be delighted to give him chocolate milk with a big hug! I’m sure he’s loving being a big brother!
The green tablescape is stunning! As are the photos from Ireland! I’m part Irish and have always dreamed of visiting there!
You bless us so much with your views of the beautiful world around you (and you make me giggle with some of your words, too!).
God bless you both! As always, I keep all of you in my prayers!
Love, Karla and Finley
Happy St. Patrick’s Day !🍀
Thank you Karla. We always appreciate your prayers and pray for you. We had a fun time in Dublin and guys on the street sang to us “Sweet Home Alabama”. We were shocked, they knew every word. But, it’s the countryside I loved most. Have a happy St Patrick’s Day and a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! I love redbud trees. They are our state tree, and grow wild everywhere. However, they can be quite difficult to grow on your own. We have a wild one in our back yard. It’s in a crazy place, and my hubby wants to cut it down. But, I won’t let him. It’s just too pretty! I loved seeing all the photos of your trip to Ireland. It looks like such a gorgeous place to visit. It is definitely on our bucket list. Wyatt is absolutely precious. His eyes are gorgeous! Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead!
Thank you Shannon. We were not aware that the redbud was your state tree. I don’t see redbuds much in landscapes, only wild ones, and now I know why. We have a few small redbuds in our woods. Hopefully you can get to Ireland some day. Hav a great week!
Butch and Pam