“know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.”
Deuteronomy 4:39 ESV
Mid-October has an advantage that will fade away overnight in two weeks. Right now I don’t have to get out and about so early to make my way to the fields east of the house to witness such an awesome start to the morning…like this one! But when standard time arrives two weeks from today, I will need to venture out an hour earlier than I did last week. I do wish we could leave the clock alone, one way or the other!
The nearest beautyberry at the edge of the yard has struggled all season because of such dry conditions. I questioned whether it would hold on and have the energy to produce any beauty berries. But, so much in nature around us is resilient and designed for survival when times get tough.
Later in the day, after the amazing sunrise, I headed toward the river with the intention of checking on the black walnut tree that is always weighted down with walnuts. Most years the limbs are about to break under the load. I took a shortcut that required climbing over a barbed wire fence or scooting under the fence. With my ailing knee, I chose to slide under the bottom strand in a spot that allowed me plenty of clearance. Lying on my back after clearing the fence, this was my view looking straight up. I apologize for keeping on about the numbers of persimmons on every tree, but I couldn’t help myself. I decided to rest a while and take a photo or two while lying in the grass!
Just before getting up from the short but pleasant rest, a red tail decided to check me out. He moved on, deciding on picking a prey that was somewhat smaller. I had stirred up a little curiosity. By the way, that walnut tree did not have a single walnut on it or on the ground beneath. I certainly wondered why. Other walnut trees in the area that I checked the next day were not loaded, but all had plenty of walnuts.
There may have been no walnuts on my favorite walnut tree, but there were plenty of round green clusters hanging all over the popcorn tree (Chinese tallow). These green balls, come winter, will be the white popcorn that gives this tree its name. The leaves are starting to show signs of change. This is an extremely colorful autumn tree, but very invasive!
Thursday is crabcake day at Chez Fonfon in Birmingham. Since we had business not too far away, and Pam loves crabcakes, why not take advantage of the situation. The butter sauce is called Beurre blanc, but PJ just calls it fabulous!
We are all about October and enjoying the cooler air and blue skies. But with that said, it is still a bit sad to see summer pass. When a season is gone, it is gone forever, never to return again in exactly the same way. So, I am still hanging on to a few things that spent the summer with us, watering them every day, kinda being stubborn to let go!
One of the prettiest dahlias of the season bloomed last week, Dahlia Avignon. A very “summer” bloom with an autumnal background, thanks to photographer Pam!
We have 2 terra cotta pots that contain what we think is Madagascar periwinkle, often called bright eyes. We don’t remember for certain and lost track of what we purchased, but these plants have bloomed constantly since May. The foliage is looking a bit thin and worn but the blooms just keep coming!
Over 2 months ago I looked at the clematis and figured the brown lifeless vines were finally history and that I should dig it up. As I started to remove it, I did notice a small amount of green tint on stems near the ground so I abandoned the task. If there is even the smallest sign of life, I guess we should never give up!
Mounding Mandevilla has always been a season long performer and requires very little maintenance. Still blooming and with new buds after 5 months, I figure it deserves to be here until frost!
We plant a couple of mandevillas every year and the big blue pot always gets one!
After finding no walnuts earlier, I took a longer route back toward the house. Walking through the changing fields and viewing the mountains under October blue skies is never disappointing…worth a much longer trek!
A lot of the tall grasses and weeds have a pale grey color this time of year. I walk through these fields and see much of the same growth so it’s easy to think about dinner and hurry on home. But, like last week with the cow, I once again felt like I wasn’t walking alone! This is happening too often!
I do enjoy finding a neat reflection and taking a photo. The conditions and timing have to be just right and include a willing subject that is permanent or one that doesn’t spook away. More than a photo however, I get lost in my mind with wandering thoughts when I consider reflections in a very different way. Memories! And, did you see the curious turtle that wanted to see what was happening on the surface?
I continue to discover murals around town that I have never seen. This one on Friday really caught my attention. Two main area attractions are depicted so well by the artist…the Broad Street bridge, a 98 year memorial over the river to honor World War I veterans, and Noccalula Falls. Our state bird is the Yellowhammer and our state flower is the Camellia. I don’t know the exact intention of the artist, but these state declarations were my first thoughts. There are two more murals, one on each side that are really part of the entire display, but I thought a close up of each gives a much better look at the fine work of this artist. I don’t know the artist, Bethany Kerr, but I hope to show the remaining murals next week!
Growing east and south of us in coastal areas, usually on Southern Live Oak trees, is a plant that is mostly called Spanish Moss. It really isn’t moss and it doesn’t come from Spain. At a distance I spotted something hanging on a tree that reminded me of Spanish Moss, but I knew we did not have such around these parts. Turns out it was wild autumn clematis that is abundant here, and has finished blooming for the season. It reveals a very interesting look even after the blooms have stopped stealing the show!
Most people’s favorite bark is that of their dog, but mine is that of the sycamore tree!
I usually enjoy a few sunsets during the week and choose to share one to close things out. Today I will leave you with a scene that occurred a few hours before sunset. While sitting on the steps I happened to look up and see that a sky bear had stepped in the middle of a nice cloud and made a mess of things!
Hope this October week is pleasant and peaceful wherever you might be!
“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
Love the care and joy you put into your posts. You always teach us something new. Thank you. That sky picture is a super Wow.
Thank you Ruthie. So glad you read and comment. I learn something new every time I get out and about. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Your flowers are beautiful. My periwinkles and mandevilla have done well this year also and are still going strong. I’m not lookng forward to time change. I’m with you -leave it alone one way or the other!
Thank you Rachel. I proclaimed that yesterday was the final day of watering, that it was time to move on, but I’m thinking those plants along with mums will still get attention. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
It’s 30 here at this hour. I picked the last of my tomatoes and peppers late yesterday. Goodbye garden. Your cloud pictures are so gorgeous today. And lying down In the grass allows us to see things we don’t usually notice. The sycamore trees bark has healing properties, my mother would gather it and make a tea. She would have my sister who had acne drink it and the acne would disappear leaving no scars . My grandmother knew a lot of these natural healing things and the doctor was hardly ever called on. Wish my mom had written them down. Blessing to you this cold Sunday morning,
Than you Alice. 30 will put a halt to a garden. I see a 39 predicted here for Wednesday. Don’t we all wish we had a lot of things in writing from parents and grandparents. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
I don’t think I’ve ever seen wild autumn clematis. The photo of the remnants of its blossoms remind me of spiderwebs. Have a delightful Sunday.
Thank you Karen. You are right, I hadn’t thought about spider webs but that is a great assessment. We hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
We got a rain storm last night bringing with it cooler temps this week. I’m ready for it! I’m with you, leave the time one way or the other. I pulled our zinnias up last month as they were struggling and dried up for the most part. The temps have been so hot that we have 2 inch volunteer zinnias coming up! I was hoping to have them next spring but that’s not going to happen. I enjoyed your walk. The mural is beautiful! Looking forward to seeing more. Have a good week! Didn’t Pam have a birthday last week? If not, I know it’s this month. Happy birthday Pam! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. Pam’s day is the 30th. We had 3/8 inches of rain this morning. Not very much, need a lot more. We had our first autumn Monarch stop by yesterday and visited the fading and ragged zinnias constantly. I guess the zinnias can be pulled up. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Butch, I thought one of my clematis had died too, and was going to wait until spring to decide for certain. Lo and behold, a fresh green vine sprouted and is about 18″ tall now! Beautiful photos of a summer hanging on. Today is high wind and rain for us, we’ll see if it ushers in a true fall as expected.
Thank you Rita. We had the same passing front I guess but only received about 3/8 inches of rain. Very breezy today and cooler this week. We’ll probably attempt to hang on to a few plants a little longer but I must allow a lot of them to fend for themselves. It’s time. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Greetings, Butch and Pam! I’m with you on the time change, just leave it alone. As much as I love fall I also hate to see summer fade away, especially when the hummingbirds leave. Your photos this week with those crisp blue skies are really beautiful, and the clouds with the bear claw were something. Growing up in Charleston, we had Spanish moss everywhere. When I was about EK’s age and playing with my little friends, we decided the moss would make great “hair”. We drape ourselves in it and paraded around the neighborhood. What we didn’t know is that Spanish moss is full of chiggers!
Thank you Roxanne. I imagine it didn’t take long to learn about those chiggers. Who would’ve thought! I brought some Spanish moss home from the coast one time years ago to see if it would last hanging on an oak tree here but of course it didn’t. We think our hummingbirds are probably gone now but the monarchs finally came yesterday. I’ve seen them other places but not in our garden this fall until now. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Hello Folks! That sunrise was gorgeous! God is good!
I was amazed by all the turkeys. Wow!
I enjoy reflections as well and that crane being eyed by the turtle is a great one.
Thanks for taking us along. Enjoy your October fun!
Thank you Nancy. Turkeys are quite plentiful here but rarely let me walk up so close. I guess they thought they were hidden in the tall grass. Enjoy October and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
My beauty berries are full of berries (tidewater area of Virginia)
Thank you Gail. Lack of rain had our beauty berries looking very stressed for a while. We hope you have a wonderful week in tidewater Virginia!
Butch and Pam
I always enjoy my walks with you to see all the beautiful nature. I planted a clematis but mine looks like it was eaten by something. I’ll leave it be and see if it rebounds. The mural is such a pretty site to behold and I learned about your state. It was actually in the 70’s here all day today. Oh, what a relief! Enjoy your week ahead.
Thank you Kitty. Glad you are cooling off a little. 39 predicted here tonight. That clematis might make it so no harm in leaving it for now. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
This is the second time in two days I’ve seen beauty berries and I’ve never seen them before. They are beyond magnificent. And I love that sycamore bark photo. At first I thought it was a painting. Happy week!
Thank you Jeanie. My first thought when I looked through my photos at home was that the sycamore looked like a painting. It struck me that way too. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Another interesting walk today…and so much to see. You are so brave to “roll under” a barb wire fence…when living in the mountains of New Mexico, we were always repairing fence and although we wore work gloves…there were times we got “stuck” . My husband tried to get the 5 fence strands so tight that he would say…the cows (and deer) couldn’t climb through it but would bounce off it! LOL. The turkeys are so interesting…we also raised them and they are not very smart. Strange about the walnuts. We had black walnut trees in Kansas and had a dickens of a time mowing when they were dropping those black walnuts. We had to rake them up and one can only use (or give away) so many of them. I always try to look at cloud formations…so beautiful and interesting. Have a great rest of the month…the days are flying by for me. Guess that is what happens when we get old(er). LOL
Thank you Kari. Barbed wire gets me often no matter how careful I try to be. I only snagged an old work shirt this time, no injuries. I would think those black walnuts could be very hard on a mower. I have fond memories of visits to New Mexico. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Love reading and seeing your beautiful pictures each week. The Crane reflection in the water is beautiful. You really capture Gods beauty in your pictures. Have a great week. Pam I know with your visit to me you are behind in visiting blogs. I too am just getting home from a weekend in Michigan and catching up. Have a beautiful week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. I do like reflections but the water needs to be fairly smooth and the light at the right angle. And of course something nice to reflect. Pam said she’s just trying to keep up these days. We hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
What a lovely “gift” those detailed murals are to your community.
I would imagine the closer one gets to Thanksgiving, the more
“photo unavailable” the turkeys become…not so dumb…I am with
Pam on that crab cake order.. Also agree on the time change…
although leaving clocks alone would make changes more pronounced.
As ever, Butch, your Sabbath stroll is laden with God’s splendor and
your keen insights. Fascinating spider moss…. Farewell flower-drenched
Summer landscape..welcome honey-colored Autumn. Blessings ~
Thank you Mary. I do believe it is time to bid summer farewell. With upper 30’s here, I would think you could be nearing a morning with frost up your way. Today I decided I’m finished with all but the mums as far as giving daily attention. Monarchs are visiting the worn out and tired zinnias anyway. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I’m so happy that you get to enjoy some blooms in October. Love love that last sky shot – the first was pretty amazing too. The murals are beautiful and what a great idea. I’m with Pam on the crabcake – it looks delicious. I’m with you on the time change! Alberta actually took it to a vote in 2021. Turned out that 50.2 were in favor of the status quo and 49.8 wanted permanent daylight time. Most of the status quo votes came from rural voters but I’m not sure why. Interesting. Anyway, have a great week ahead both of you!
Thank you Kim. That vote was so close on the time change. I wasn’t aware of your voting but those are surprising results. We may get through October without frost and if so there will be blooms hanging on, even if they are a bit ragged and weary looking. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I’m impressed that so many of your flowers are still blooming–even that dahlia! No doubt a tribute to your master gardening!
Thank you Nancy. If we keep watering and don’t get an early frost we can hang on to a few blooms into November usually. I don’t know much about gardening but I’m getting by with knowing how to use the hose and sprinkler. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Yes, to chasing the last blooms of October! And those delicate coastal treasures – goodness in every bite!
Thank yo Mary. We began removing the finished zinnias yesterday. We have to travel to Birmingham to get fresh coastal treasures but it’s worth it. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I think the cloud formation looks like water gushing upward from a fountain! I’m so glad you didn’t give up on the clematis! It reminded me of the story Jesus told about the man wanting to cut down the tree because it wouldn’t produce and was just “cumbering the ground,” But the other man wanted to wait and give it one more year. That is how God is with us! He keeps giving us another chance. He is so faithful! May He bless you all today!