“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Psalm 84:11 ESV
On the second full day of autumn the sun briefly looked like a gigantic pumpkin sitting on the horizon. Maybe I’m just overcome with thoughts of pumpkins since I’ve been called on to get a few…by my people, for my people. And as soon as this particular morning was further along, I did make a run that included searching for more pumpkins!
By the time I made my way back to the house the sun had cast that perfect early morning autumnal light across the front. I was amazed to see all the leaves that were already on the ground, from the stresses of a long summer I suppose. I’m feeling a little bit that way! I try not to complain however, as I do not enjoy cold weather whatsoever!
We finally had an inch of rain one night mid-week. This tortoise was apparently disturbed by the rain and decided to relocate…to our driveway. I think he believed he was well hidden by leaves and debris. Just behind my truck in the path of the tires was not the best place to take a break. He did move on shortly without any assistance.
The beauty of the clouds and sky would be enough for me to say, “I need to put this in a post”. But there is another feature or two. Do you see a bug (as in insect) sitting on a cloud? Not a cloud that looks like an insect, but a real insect. I could also claim a possible UFO to the left but with a lot of noisy crows flying over I suppose it’s only a bird. Was the bug on the lens or did it fly right in front of the lens at a perfect time? Who knows!
Pam was not going to allow fresh vegetable season to become history for 2025, without one more vegetable plate from Bottega Cafe. She said there were 8 different goodies to choose from on this plate. I thought a take-home box would be needed, but not so.
A lone milkweed stands in the edge of the pasture, surviving the hay mowers year after year, popping up in the same spot. Blooming again last week, maybe it’s waiting on a Monarch to drop by. If so, that needs to happen soon as a final cut of hay could take place any day!
After several comments urging an aerial view of some of this season’s road work through our woods, I decided to take the drone out back and see what I could accomplish. As you can see, there is so much canopy above this road that flying and getting a drone shot that showed roads was not going to work. I changed my flight plan and moved to another nearby location where I could take off and feel fairly confident in my flying. I’m not Appalachian Media and also not very good with the drone!
The cleared area you see is a small portion of a large field along the river that was totally overgrown a few weeks ago. You can see how Seth’s clearing opened up great access to the river.
I finally got the nerve to fly out over the Coosa River, thinking I might return home without my drone if I made a wrong move. You can see more of the field on the left that has been completely cleared and Lookout Mountain is in the background. Our house is just slightly out of this scene to the left through a section of woods beside the newly cleared field.
Gaining a little more confidence, I flew up river and had a look at the area of the bank that is lined with white stone. I showed this a week or two ago from the river bank, but since I was close, I talked myself into an attempt at getting an aerial view from the river. I wanted to fly in closer and lower, but when I cannot see the drone, and only have the camera view on my phone screen to guide me…this is close enough. And, the drone did go home with me!
We attempt to grow at least one coleus every summer in a shady spot in the garden. We’ve had to water this one almost daily since early May, but it has been one of the prettiest and healthiest ever. It fits very well with the autumnal changes that surround it.
While on the subject of coleus, this one is a mystery. This plant came up out of the ground on its own about 5 or 6 weeks ago. It is not close to the coleus we planted in the pot, and in fact, we’ve never had a coleus in this spot or one this color. I started watering it along with everything else, and it has earned a place in the fall garden and on a Sunday post! I’ve never seen a nicer looking rogue!
I often encounter preying mantises but not as many of these hard to see creatures that look like twigs. This walking stick decided to join me and attempted to use my feet and my work shoes to walk on. Getting out in the open like this takes away the camouflage advantage.
Magnolias are quite messy, shedding tons of leaves all season, and dropping seed pods everywhere soon. The leaves litter the drive and pile up underneath the carport every time the wind blows from the north or west (which is often). But the blooms are beautiful and offer a wonderful smell, and later the maturing seed pods add their unique color and texture, indicating fall has arrived. The leaves provide for our Williamsburg fan when we decorate for Christmas. The pluses are much greater than the minuses!
Some pods are further along than others and I am seeing some of these candy apple red seeds on the ground already. The dried pods definitely have a fall look and can be used creatively in autumn decorations. After about 45 years of dealing with our one Magnolia, I think we will keep it around as long as we can…in spite of the mess!
5 years ago this week along the Yellowstone River in Montana’s Paradise Valley. Did you happen to notice the bald eagle sitting on a limb? Near this spot, and not far from Gardiner and the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park is Emigrant. If you are ever this way you must eat a burger at the Emigrant Outpost! As someone once said…it was so good it would make a tom cat spit in a lion’s eye!
The skies were magnificent this past week and are a focus of today’s post. This stands alone and needs no comment as it speaks for itself. But again, there always seems to be a vapor trail in the sky and I usually take notice of that too. Someone said people mess up the heavenly scenery by flying around in planes and such. I commented that there are a lot more of us on the ground than in the sky.
The zinnias are fading but Pam was able to capture this one as it was “flirting” with the lantana. You can’t take your eyes off of a young zinnia for a minute. Seriously, we hope enough zinnias stick around for the normal October visits of Monarch butterflies!
This was the first evening of “official” autumn. A nice fall color display in the sky ushered in the season. Creation is truly something! The Creator much, much more!!
“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
I hope you know just how much I look forward to opening SSS each week.
Good job on the drone!
Have a great week.
Thank you Rita. We hope you have a peaceful Sunday and a pleasant week.
Butch and Pam
I’m with you Butch as I do not enjoy our long winters. I don’t have arthritis and the aches and pains that accompany it. But I love being outside and the low temperatures keep me near the fireplace. As always you don’t just show us but explain what we are looking at. And I had no idea you live so close to the River. Nor did I know how difficult it can be to operate a drone and how similar it is to flying an airplane. The autumn skies are beautiful and I always love and keep the flowers that show up unannounced and I say they were planted by God and isn’t the coleus He planted beautiful! Have a blessed week ahead Richardsons🙏🏻
Thank you Alice. The cold does seem to make the joints worse I have that arthritis problem too. Because of the size and limits of my drone I’m not required to have a license but the drones that Seth flies require testing and a license like a pilot to operate. The river is only a short walk, maybe 1/4 mile or so. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
What beautiful territory! Grand vistas but as always, you notice the smaller things in your world too — and I’m especially fond of that interesting turtle. Happy Sunday!
Thank you Jeanie and happy Sunday to you. Little things can sometimes make a big difference. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Strolling with you all this morning was an absolute delight. I learned about Magnolia Trees (which we do not have in our area) and am so greatful that you make the fan from it’s leaves for a Williamsburg Christmas labor of love. What a sweet suprise to find Paradise Valley photos this morning, the majestic eagle perched on it’s branch…be still my heart! And memories of a sweet spot, Chico Hot Springs…sigh…We will look forward to a burger at the Emigrant Outpost on our next adventure. Throughly enjoyed every single photo and commentary, always learn so much. Your rough and flirty flowers especially were fun! Thanks for a wonderful start to this week! May God continue to bless you!
Thank you Sue. You are definitely closer to Paradise Valley than we are but we hope to come back that way one day. Lots of beautiful places out your way, so much to see. We hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
You did a great job with the drone. Glad you were able to get the shots and bring it home as well. That coleus is huge and healthy! It’s beautiful! The mystery plant is pretty too. The sky shots are magnificent! I always enjoy the nature shots. The turtle was lucky you noticed him as well as the preying mantis! Enjoy your day! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. I did manage to fly the drone without a crash. I’m very amateur. Yes, I happened to see the old slow turtle just before driving away which was a good thing. We wish you a great week!
Butch and Pam
Breathtaking photos of our beautiful Alabama!! I must admit that I am unable to see the bug on on the cloud, but I had no trouble with the pumpkin! The coleus is gorgeous and watch out for that brave little turtle~ We have a friend who loves to fly his drone also and he has shown us some amazing videos. Have a wonderful week!
Thank you Jenna. The bug looks like it’s sitting on the top edge of the darker clouds on the right side of the photo. Seth really gets fabulous videos with his drone but I’m very much the amateur. We hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
I searched and searched for the bug, but couldn’t find it! I did enjoy the drone shots and your gorgeous coleus and the rogue red one. I planted some coleus in a hanging basket and the entire thing was eaten overnight. Thank you for today’s beautiful post and lovely scripture verses. Happy Sunday.
Thank you Kitty and happy Sunday to you. Look along the top edge of the darker clouds kind of on the right side and maybe you can see the bug. Something in your neighborhood must love coleus. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday Butch and Pam! Beautiful drone photos and such a robust and healthy coleus! I love your mystery plant volunteer too. Love the Yellowstone River and Bald Eagle capture! Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead. ♥
Thank you Mary. We sure love our nearby Appalachian Mountains but running across that memory from a trip out west made us really want to head back out that way soon. September is a great time to travel and September has quickly come, and now about to go. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos! Those gorgeous coleus caught my eye. Amazing skies too. Have a lovely week ahead dear friends.
Thank you Maristella. Happy spring to you. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Captivating drone views and enchanting floral photos. You have become
more expert with each passing Sabbath, Butch. Just love the closeup of the
tortoise….You are so fortunate to live among such revelations of the Lord’s
gifts of nature to mankind. Time to put things in order in anticipation of
cooler weather secluding us by the fireside with a slower pace of motion and
softer preoccupations. Be blessed.
Thank you Mary. A cool down would be welcome. I was just outside and we have a fall look and a nice breeze. The angle of the light is autumn evident but the temperature in the upper 80’s is still not cooperating. As you say however, there is that anticipation. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Love the drone views and having a drone also, the Captain and I know the pitfalls that can happen with them…(ask us how we know) LOL. Thanks for another week of beautiful color. Welcome Autumn and football and basketball….and good-bye to baseball.(we are not in the play offs) 🥰🙏🏻
Thank you Kari. You do have us curious about your drone experience? Autumn and football are almost synonymous with many folks in the south, maybe everywhere. You can’t have one without the other it seems to a lot of folks. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
A lovely post Butch & Pam as always. We recently found a downed & drowned drone on the waterfront in amongst the rocks, washed up at high tide, so someone didn’t go home with their drone, my hubby & IT grandson tried to find out who’s it was to return it but it was too far gone.
Blessings, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. Wind is a big factor for me when trying to use the drone. Just can’t fly if very windy. Seems like a coastal area would always have breezes that might give drones some problems. We hope you have a wonderful spring and a great week ahead!
Butch and Pam
Lovely pictures. I love the picture of your little Mr. Turtle neighbor coming for a visit. I just got back home tonight from our trip to Rosemary Beach Florida and we also were able to visit Fairhope Alabama. Such a cute and lovely little town. Thank you for the recommendation Pam. The hospitality and kindness of all of you in the south is amazing. Have a great week ahead. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. So glad you had a nice visit down our way. We’ve not been to Fairhope or Rosemary Beach in quite some time. Maybe it’s time for us to head down. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
You did a fantastic job flying that drone. Great pictures!
Your skies were fabulous this week with lots of colorful clouds. Even the insects enjoyed them. 😊
Your coleus is gorgeous. I sure do love them, and your Rogue One is gorgeous!
And how about that turtle!
Happy New Week to you both!
Thank you Nancy. September and October skies are usually amazing as the angle of light continues to change with the shorter daylight. I’m not especially fond of long nights and short days but there are some pluses for sure. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Your image capture is truly nature’s beautiful encore of colors! Vacation memories are the best!
Thank you Mary. We are fortunate to have many fond vacation memories. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
The drone shots are beautiful and I think I’d be nervous too about not being able to see it. Seth has done a lot of work! Gorgeous skies (I can see the bug) and the turtle is such a unique color. But the coleus and the rogue are both stunning – what a beautiful welcome to Autumn. Have a wonderful week you two!
Thank you Kim. We hope you are experiencing some nice autumn days. It is still quite warm here but the nights are pleasant. We hope you have a wonderful week as well!
Butch and Pam
Happy Autumn, Butch and Pam! Those drone shots are beautiful! Seth has done an amazing amount of work, what patience and persistence. I laughed about the drone being out of sight. John used to belong to an RF flying club, and occasionally I would go to the club field which is surrounded by forest. You would not believe the number of planes hung up in the tippy top of trees…an expensive whoops! Have you all been invaded by Joro spiders yet? They are everywhere here. I was letting them be because they are pretty, but then I read last week the webs are as strong as fishing line and can trap butterflies and hummingbirds. Now it is warfare, they are huge, parachuting orb weavers and the webs get to be 20’. Ughhhh, now I am carrying a can of wasp spray every time I go outside.
Thank you Roxanne. I’m familiar with the invasive Joro spider but not seeing any right around here so far this season. Our latest invasion that came on strong the last few days has been stink bugs. They’ve been here of course but all of a sudden they’re on everything. I think you’re on the right track with those spiders, declare war. I think they’ve been around and spreading for 10 or 11 years. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Such beautiful photos, as always! And I am so far behind in reading blog posts, as usual! But, it is always such a joy to come here and catch up on yours. May the Lord richly bless you all!
Thank you Cheryl. We are always grateful you take the time to catch up. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam