“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”
Acts 17:24-25 ESV
It is very soggy here as we leave May behind. I am making a conscious effort to enjoy how lush and green everything is because that is very likely to change soon. Last week was very wet, but sunshine returned yesterday, a welcome sight, although it was filtered by Saharan Desert dust and possibly smoke from Canadian wildfires. We received more than twice the average rainfall for the month of May! Rain is essential and a blessing, but sunshine makes me happy!
The plants are weeping and drooping as most are water-logged. I am surprised that we have as many blooms as we do, given the lack of sunshine last month.
The ‘Endless Beauty’ daylilies refuse to allow a little rain to dampen their spirits!
Late one afternoon sunshine made a brief appearance and I had to do something to celebrate. The purple petunia..the classic, traditional, iconic, and essential summer flower…me likely being the only person with this opinion. But through the years I have many memories of them, mostly those a bit darker in color than these. From Billings, Montana, to Alberta, Canada, from somewhere down in Texas, up to New England, and south to Florida…the purple petunia has its place, even in the southwest. Most of all, both my grandmothers grew them. I always plant at least one. It is a must! Pam scratches her head every year when I come home with my petunia. BTW, have you ever seen a petunia planted inside an old used tire that was painted white?
Pam discovered this Lacecap Hydrangea in the prayer garden of a local church downtown. We agree that we’ve not seen a prettier one anywhere!
My weekly check on the wheat fields found them golden, but very wet. I named the fields Jericho (Joshua 6:1) because none were going out, and none were coming in, but the farmers wish they could!
With a forecast of dryer weather this week, maybe the wheat and the farmers will get the needed sunshine which should help in completing both harvest and planting!
I much prefer to offer blue skies and bright colors, but when this is what most of the week looked like outside the front door, I felt the need to post such as it was. After all, this is everyday living!
This neat little toadstool earned the name “mushy”. Not only is it a mush-room, but the surrounding soil was quite soft. Without all the rain, we would’ve missed the opportunity to have such a gracious appearance right in the front yard!
New growth is at a fast pace all over the garden. We just don’t look down because the weeds grow faster than anything else. Another of the many reasons I remind myself to keep looking up!
I guess the golden rain tree has felt right at home lately, even though it is not native. This very old tree is the only one on the farm. We have no idea how long it has been here. The tree withstood extreme heat when the historic wooden house that once stood a few feet away tragically burned a few years ago. Every spring we proclaim, “this will be the year it will not come to life”, but once again, we were joyfully wrong!
Our golden rain tree (actually beside Seth’s drive) is not quite in full bloom. It is a native of Asia. The fruits that will develop from these blooms look like 3-sided paper lanterns and will be here in the fall and persist into winter!
Crepe myrtles only a few miles south always bloom earlier than ours do and many are in bloom now. But this white one is ahead of schedule this year and the bees are thankful, between rain showers anyway!
Get your kicks on Route 66 by visiting the leaning tower of Texas. This throwback is 10 years old, taken with my iPhone 6. The tower was a functioning water tower in Groom, Texas before being scheduled for demolition. Mr. Britten bought the tower and moved it here to advertise his truck stop along old Route 66 and I-40. The 10 degree lean is intentional and it does get your attention. The Leaning Tower Truck Stop is closed but the tower remains as a tourist attraction along the route…at least it was still there in 2015!
We must not finish this post on a cloudy, gloomy note…and because the sun returned yesterday we scurried around the area so we could brighten things up. Our dear friend in TN sent us elderberry extract last year when we were struggling, trying to stay well. When the supply ran low, we began ordering the immune syrup from an online source. Elderberry is blooming all over the place now, which serves as a reminder to not forget a daily dose!
We knew Little River Falls would be a perfect spot to visit after a rain-filled month, so when the sunshine showed up, we headed out. The 25 mile trip via a scenic route was a winner!
We are amazed at the resilience of trees like the pine that is literally growing out of the rocks in the middle of a raging waterfall. This tree and others have been here several years to grow this tall. More than that, how did a seed lodge here and stay long enough in a spot where it could germinate and take root?? What an amazing Creator!
Clouds or no clouds, rain or shine, wind or calm…we hope your first day of June is a bright and hopeful one!
Have a blessed week!!!!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Test
Happy June, Pam and Butch! Sunshine makes me happy too, and yesterday was the turning point from much rain for us as well (but very windy!! And a very chilly 48° this morning). Today’s supertunias are not your grandmother’s petunias that had to be deadheaded, and I say bring on the petunias! I’m trying to amend grass and so far I’ve grown at least three different types of mushrooms in the bare spots throughout May. Lovin’ your Little RIver Falls, which is looking like Big River Falls right now. Here’s to the plants that bloom in spite of all the rain!
Thank you Rita. Petunias growing in a tire was a true southern thing that I remember well. It was in the 50’s here yesterday morning and low 80’s today. Comfortable for June. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Pam and Butch! It seems impossible June has arrived!! The waterfall is magnificent. Hubby John always comments there is nothing more powerful than the force of water. I need to learn more about elderberry extract. Does it really help? Our yard is stating to look like a jungle from the rain and like you, I dare not look down. We are surrounded by fields and fields of the greenest corn ever, there should be a bumper crop this year. Enjoy your week and sunny skies!
Thank you Roxanne. We had so much trouble last winter with the crud that we were ready to give elderberry a try. We did get better and a lot of people believe firmly in it. Can’t hurt so we are going to keep it around. We hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
God loves to landscape and wherever he plants something I leave it alone knowing it will be the prettiest plant of the season. The pine tree is a perfect example. We have had a wet May also and I’ve never been accused of saying Colorado is lush and green but it is. Brown is the usual look everywhere however God has given my slice of earth beautifully green, PRAISE HIM🙏🏻 As I type old man Sun has peaked out and so we will have sunshine for Sunday. No excuse to stay home. Must worship my King today. Happy Sunday Richardsons❣️
Thank you Alice and happy Sunday to you too. God is the true landscape artist. Colorado lush and green with sunshine today sounds like a wonderful place to be in. We pray that you have a delightful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy June Pam & Butch! I don’t remember having such a rainy May! Your garden looks beautiful as always…Love the waterfalls and the leaning tower of Texas! Have a great week ahead~
Happy June! The sun☀️ is finally shining today here in Pennsylvania! Hallelujah! We too have had lots of rain plus its been COLD!
I enjoyed seeing the falls. How pretty they are.
The pink lace hydrangea is gorgeous!
Your gardens will be happy now that the sun is out.
Happy June Folks!
I am commenting from my phone… somehow I replied here. But I will say, I was overjoyed to see Jenna commenting.
Thanks Nancy. Glad you were able to use your phone. We get frustrated with Jetpack. We too were so glad to hear from Jenna.
Butch and Pam
Thank you Nancy. Maybe the sun will warm things up for you. It has been unseasonably cool here too but we aren’t complaining about that. We are experiencing very hazy skies but the sun is shining through. Have a wonderful first week of June!
Butch and Pam
Thank you Jenna. So good to hear from you. At least the rain has gone away for a few days now. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
We’re way ahead on the rain gauge this year as well. I’m hoping we’ll still see some rain this summer instead of a drought. The sunshine is glorious even with Saharan dust and fire smoke. Petunias are a favorite and we had them growing up as well. Petunias in a white painted tire in the rural South was common where we traveled and I remember them with fondness! The falls are gorgeous! Enjoy your day! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. I figure petunias in a tire was a very southern thing and I’m glad to know you saw them. It really was common in the past. Maybe some still plant them? I’m going to be on the lookout. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The gardens looks spectacular — that rain is doing something good, even if it wears a bit thin. Loved seeing the beautiful falls and delightful leaning tower!
Thank you Jeanie. We were traveling from New Mexico on I-40 when I spotted that tower. I had never heard about it or the story behind it. Hope you have a great first week of June!
Butch and Pam
Happy June Pam and Butch! Spectacular shots of the falls! Our May has been like yours but we needed the rain to get us out of drought conditions here in NC. We have some welcome sunshine today, albeit hazy from Canadian wildfires. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday ♥
Thank you Mary. I didn’t have any idea how widespread the haze was but apparently it is covering a large area. Glad to see the sun but it does produce a strange look. We needed the rain too so I don’t need to complain. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Your rain gauge has been full to overflowing these past weeks…The photo of your beautiful garden should be labeled path to paradise….I recall from childhood white tires on the roadsides spilling over with petunias when we drove sightseeing through the South. What a splendid stroll today, highlighted by the grand waterfalls, leaning tower and exquisite early blossoms. Hope the
sun is shining in your corner of the world today….blessings ~
Thank you Mary. Yes, the sun is shining today again, some haze around but still shining through. It’s good to hear from several that I’m not alone in remembering the petunias in tires. Rain gauges definitely had a busy May. We pray you have a blessed first week of June!
Butch and Pam
Butch, I love it when a little John Denver comes out of you!! The sunshine felt good on my shoulders too! haha. And, yes, I do remember a tire painted white with petunias growing in it, in my Grandmother’s yard! Thanks for the memories!
Thank you Judy. So good to hear from you. You know John Denver was my favorite and I can’t help myself sometimes. Have a blessed week!!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday. I need that sunshine too. Even with not having much sunshine in May your flowers still looks beautiful. Have a great new week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you, Kris. The flowers probably like the rain much more than the heat and drought that’s common in the months ahead. We hope you have a great week as well!
Butch and Pam
A lovely post as always Butch & Pam. Yes, we too are looking forward to sunshine but it still seems to be evading us at the moment.
The waterfall is truly breathtaking, I just love waterfalls they’re one of my favorite things in a landscape.
Petunia’s are a favourite of mine too as my late husband & I used to plant them on the farm each year in our garden surrounding our homestead.
I really feel for the farmer’s there with so much rain when the Wheat crop is ready for harvest, as that can be quite devastating at this stage. What can happen is that the seed in the heads of wheat can start to shoot (germinate) before harvesting which downgrades the wheat to stock feed, here in Australia it’s called ‘shooting in the head’ & is bad news.
We had that one year & all our hard work was gone, as selling the wheat for stock feed barely covers the cost of producing it.
Hopefully that doesn’t happen to your neighbours wheat harvest.
Blessings, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. I didn’t know that about wheat, thanks for sharing that. It’s getting dry enough to harvest so I’ll have to ride over and see what’s going on with those fields. We have an abundance of waterfalls in the northern part of our state and we enjoy visiting them when we can. Most are reasonably accessible without long hikes. Hope you get some sunshine as you are about to head into winter. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good evening Richardsons! The falls are magnificent and I’m sorry to hear about all the rain. If only you could send some up here to help with all the northern fires that are burning and I was quite surprised to hear in some of the comments that the smoke has reached parts of the U.S. Yikes. Love the Lacecap Hydrangea and the Leaning Tower of Texas, and your gardens look lovely. We always have petunias here – such a hardy little flower, although I don’t so much remember them from my childhood but I do remember sweet peas and honey suckle. Wishing you both a sunshine-filled week!