“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
1 John 4:11-12 ESV
Welcome to our Sunday and the final day of May. Were you able to view the full Blue Moon last night? It is a bit different for us to begin a post showing our old, worn out, welcome mat that sits at the patio door where no one goes in and out but the two of us. A close look will reveal the story. There is a real, live, pink million bell growing from the crack between the steps and the patio. We don’t have any pink million bells this season anywhere close to the patio. We believe, like the one at the front walk earlier, it must be from a plant that we had last year.??? The neat thing is that the bloom is a perfect color match with the mat, and you wouldn’t notice it just passing by!
Seth’s golden rain tree was all aglow last week. This is one tree that definitely lives up to its name! In a few months it will be covered with pods that look like little lanterns.
While on my walk by the lake, I knew before my eyes verified that there were new blooms along the path that weren’t present, or at least not mature when I walked here the previous week. I could tell by the fragrances that were drifting in the breeze. After going 3 years without the ability to smell (Covid-19), it is a blessing to enjoy nature’s ever changing perfume. Our pink mimosas have a warm honey-like fragrance that is very sweet and pleasant, but subtle. Our pink trees aren’t used widely in perfumery, but others that bloom yellow, and live other places, are used extensively in perfumery. I discovered that those mimosas were used in iconic fragrances such as Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom…which happens to be Pam’s favorite, and can be found not too many steps from where I sit and type!
I enjoy walking on the boardwalk. It is scenic and easier on my knees than some surfaces. I was startled when Henrietta the heron came in suddenly and landed on the handrail. She was like a sentinel keeping watch over everything. I paused until she decided to fly away. If you make a close observation, perhaps you would agree with me, Henrietta has a minnow in her mouth!
Nothing seemed bothered by my closeness this particular day. If I pause, turtles always fall off their log and disappear in the murky water. Not these two. In fact, I didn’t realize there were two until I examined my photo. There is a small one on the left that blends in quite well with the surroundings.
While walking along the river bank near the picnic table I came across this shell. Kinda pretty I thought as I started on by, when it occurred to me that this was a mussel shell and had to be brought here by an animal who enjoyed dinner at this spot. We have river otters, muskrats and other creatures that would enjoy such a meal. Other land dwellers like raccoons will wade the shallows and might have been the responsible party. There was nothing that interesting about finding a shell until I decided to research mussels that live in our Coosa River system. Seeing things prompts me to read. Our river system once supported 53 mussel species, 11 of those endemic to our river. Today some are extinct and 8 are endangered. Alabama has the greatest diversity of freshwater mussels than any state in the US, with some found in the river system by our house that aren’t found anywhere else in the world. I had no idea. Even an empty shell lying in the woods tells a story!
Near the mussel shell was this weird shaped, mossy stump that made me think of a ship’s anchor. I also thought about the “stumpery” we ran across in the botanical gardens, and featured a few photos in a recent post (SSS 599). I went back another day and was able to free it from the ground and debris, thinking I needed to find a way to use this in the garden or woods by the house. I was able to flip it over, and while it wasn’t extremely heavy, it was very bulky. I’m still considering a way to get it home, but PJ is not excited about it.
One day we were invaded by small, fast flying birds that were zipping under the carport, porches, patio arbor and all around the house. They were such that it became necessary to watch before opening the door in order to not invite one inside. We first thought they might be chimney swifts since those swifts are normally seen in the east part of the country. Finally one decided to take a break. Barn swallows! We’ve not seen them for a couple of days, so hopefully they are migrating and have moved on! They do eat a lot of insects but we felt like we were having to dodge them every time we went out.
Elderberry is in bloom and it is in abundance. We try to be faithful to take elderberry in some form, mainly in the winter months, but get lax at times even then. It’s mainly forgetting to include it each week when putting together other vitamins and supplements for the daily routine. Do you take elderberry?
A lot of the roadside elderberry is still not in full bloom. We order elderberry syrup, but I suppose there’s plenty growing wild. If I was industrious enough and had the know-how, I could make our own…but ordering online remains my current source!
I have often bragged on vines as having some of the most beautiful blooms, even though we know a lot of them are aggressive and invasive. This is one of the favorite native late May bloomers. Often called “cow itch” because it can cause skin irritations in some people, Trumpet Creeper is popular with butterflies and hummingbirds.
When May arrives I begin to look for the Purple Passion Flower vines. I discovered numerous very healthy vines weaving their way through the tall pasture grass just behind the garden, a place I had never found them before. This intricate bloom gives us a very tiny glimpse of the infinite design and handiwork of the Creator!
The ole lizard’s tail, sometimes called swamp lily, was very busy last week with a whole lot of blooming going on (just blooming, no shakin’). I found it all along the trail where I took several walks. Growing in standing shallow water suits this vine-like plant just fine. However, it might appear like it could be a vine, but really grows upright, and thus, not a vine.
Recently someone reminded me of the song “Sunrise, Sunset” and we talked about the lyrics in comments on a blog post. One line says something like “seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers”. What you see behind the fence are sunflowers, no blooms yet, but you may recall a recent photo I posted of the small plants. We don’t think our sunflowers have ever grown so quickly. They simply took off almost overnight! BTW, the song is from the 1964 Broadway Musical, Fiddler on the Roof.
I had to trim a couple of low hanging limbs off the magnolia. In 2024, the 13 year and 17 year cicada broods emerged simultaneously, which had not happened here since 1803. The damage done is still so evident. There are literally hundreds of small limbs and branches on our big magnolia tree and every limb on the tree, except for the newest growth, looks similar to this one. I find the same on most other trees. This would surely have to be harmful to some extent!
We have all had those moments where we’ve felt like someone or some thing was looking at us. This was another thing Pam was not excited about when I texted and said look out the kitchen door, but don’t open it. From her view she could clearly see the remaining 3 or 4 feet of our marigold visitor hanging down the pot, stretched out on the porch. I had started up the steps when I happened to notice I was being watched. I have better photos but it was only after serious negotiations that Pam agreed that showing just the head and portion in the pot would be allowed. A non-poisonous rat snake which we often call a chicken snake, but PJ said he had to move on. He did depart with some coaxing, but aggravated me because he broke a couple of plants upon leaving. No respect!
The Sunshine Cottage is a fun place in all seasons, but spring and summer might be my favorite time simply because the cottage is surrounded by color, new life, and the promise of more to come. You will probably catch glimpses of it in tomorrow’s Monday Morning Blooms!
A mixture of sun and clouds was our daily outlook last week. We received several helpful rain showers but the drought monitor still shows we are in a moderate drought. We received a half inch late yesterday afternoon, but the clouds cleared away before sunset and later we even had a view of the “once in a blue moon” Blue Moon!
Have a pleasant 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
Everything has come fully to life here and it’s beautiful. I love that doormat! It’s cheery and the little surprise flower is perfect. Henrietta is looking good. That boardwalk is a lovely spot. I hope you have a terrific new week!
Thank you Jeanie. Sounds like your spring is in full swing now. That doormat is very old but I keep putting it down somewhere. Guess the flower likes it too. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch, thanks for all the flora and fauna this morning! Love the million bells volunteer that matches your doormat as well as the ‘Henrietta’ capture! I almost missed the snake in your pot. It looks like you’re going to have a bumper crop of sunflowers…!🌻❤️
Thank you Mary. We may only have stalks and leaves but if the sunflowers bloom like the plants have grown they will do well. If the snake head was the only thing showing I would probably have missed it but the rest of it was stretched lengthwise on the porch and impossible to miss. It was harmless but not exactly what you want at your door. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning Pam and Butch. Oh my gosh I love the little million bell flower growing up by the mat. How sweet and it just makes your guests and you smile to be welcomed. The wild life you have is amazing. Interesting about the mussels. Have a great week ahead. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. That doormat is old and I almost tossed it. Guess I’ll keep it around since flowers seem to approve. We enjoy the wildlife as long as it stays outside and not right at our door. We don’t even remember having million bells that color last year. Hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
I think the stump would be an interesting feature in a flower bed if it stays mossy. A small concrete frog or some other animal in the open spot underneath would be fun for Wyatt. The lone volunteer flower near the mat is the perfect color! We have volunteer ferns between our bricks and weeds. That snake was sunning his head and keeping his body cool. I don’t care for snakes! The garden has taken off and bursting with new growth and color. That sunflower patch really took off! The trees are gorgeous! Our flowering purple tulip magnolia has flowers at the very top. The turtles, Henrietta, and the barn swallow are all colorful. We had a finch that built a nest in our front door wreath and it came in the house a few times one year. It was interesting getting it back outside! We ended up leaving that door undisturbed until the baby birds flew away that year. Have a wonderful day. Clara ❤️
Thank you Clara. It wouldn’t be easy but I really think I can get my Polaris close enough to that old stump to load it up. It would need a shady spot so the moss would remain. Some volunteer plants are nice but unfortunately most are weeds. Our tulip magnolia bloomed a second time this year but has no blooms now. Finally we are getting rain which is helping everything. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Every photo today teaches me something. Even the day snake! The elderberry bush was here when we bought this house. The elderberry is toxic when eaten raw. The two we had died and I’m glad. I do occasionally take the supplement but mine you I forget all about it. Henrietta Must be around all the time to be named. The passion flower seems to have a face. Gods designs are impossible by humans and are much loved. The little flower on the welcome mat wasn’t seen by me until you mentioned it. Amazing how God put such a small thing in such a way that it showed up as a welcome. Have a blessed week ahead Richardson’s,
Thank you Alice. It is amazing how some parts of plants are toxic but maybe their fruit or certain parts are used for medicinal purposes. My grandmother used to gather greens from pokeweed and make poke salad and now I read the plant is toxic. No one was ever sick from it. We don’t have elderberry right by the house but plenty nearby. God’s design is truly far beyond human understanding. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Such pretty photos! blooming trees and fruit trees are so pretty this time of year. Mimosas are a mess of sorts, but they are one of my favorites to see each spring!
Thank you Leslie Anne. Mimosas are kinda messy but they’ve been around so long now they seem to belong. As a kid even, mimosas always announced summer is almost here. We hope you have a joyful week!
Butch and Pam
Oh yes, that snake needed to skedaddle and move along. I do love seeing all your beauty coming alive. Our Creator never fails in the beauty department. I did live the volunteer pink flower near your welcome mat. Have a happy Sunday!
Thank you Kitty. I’ve not heard skedaddle in a long time but that brings back grandmother memories. And yes, the snake needed to find another spot to hang out. Maybe the snake thought the welcome mat was meant for him. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Oh Butch…you know me and song lyrics…and when you mentioned poke salad…yep! you know where this is going…Poke Salad Annie!
“Everyday before suppertime
She’d go down by the truck patch
And pick her a mess of Polk salad
And carry it home in a tote sack
Polk salad Annie
‘Gators got you granny (Ooo)
Everybody said it was a shame
Because the mama was working on the chain-gang
A wretched, spiteful, straight razor toting woman
Lord have mercy”
Sorry, I just had to do it. Have a great Sunday.
Thank you Kari. That poke salad family was an interesting bunch to say the least. I makes lot of statements to Pam purposefully knowing it will trigger a song lyric from her. I think there’s a song lyric related to any thought or subject we could think of. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Adorable Bible verse and beautiful photos. Have a blessed week.
Thank you Maristella. We hope your Sunday was a pleasant one and that you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
We didn’t see the Blue Moon…we were experiencing some much needed rain, for days…it was lovely and everything has turned so many beautiful shades of green now…
Just loved the perfectly matching little pink flower by your welcome mat, such a will to live!
We have a local Bee and Honey business near by and they occasionally have elderberry syrup one can buy! There was also some elderberry tea for sale that we enjoyed, but we haven’t taken any supplements. I’m thinking it in Anne of Green Gables where the girls had mistakenly drank elderberry wine? Such wonderful books…
You shared so many interesting creatures with us this week, but I agree with Pam 1000% on Snake photos or lack thereof!!! And a rude snake at that!!! Oh my…
Your trees and flowers are growing so nicely, it’s so fun to see what is growing in the South…
May you all have a blessed week…
Thank you Sue. We too have been receiving the needed rain but had some breaks in the clouds to see the moon. I’ve read Anne of Green Gables at the request of a granddaughter who loves to read but it’s been a while so I don’t remember the part about the elderly wine. Sounds like you have a great local source of honey, syrup, and tea. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The welcome mat is such a happy friendly addition to your home. And so is the little flower growing out of that spot beside it. Darling!
Everything is blooming so nicely in your neck of the woods. And your sunflowers are going to be a bumper crop! Wowza!
Henrietta was fun to see along with the turtles. But the snake, oh my!
Beautiful Sunset! Happy June!
Thank you Nancy. I’m unable to convince Pam that a non-poisonous snake is good to have around, she just doesn’t see it that way. Rain and cooler than normal temps have combined to make growing things really come along these last couple of weeks, especially weeds. But, life comes with weeds as well as blooms. Hope you have an enjoyable week!
Butch and Pam
Sweet story about the doormat and such a sweet little flower that matches perfectly with the mat. Butch and Pam, you do have such a very special place, lovely home, cottage and gardens. It is such a pleasure to read your posts, you share so many informative stories. I love seeing your many different plant varieties and hearing your family stories. Wishing you both a blessed a week. Happy June………
Thank you Emily. We looked at that little flower by the doormat today and it looks like it may have 2 more blooms. We are just leaving it alone. With all the rain we’ve finally received I’ve had to mainly pull weeds. Hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I enjoyed the charming doormat story, and going along the scenic route and soaking up the petals with you! 💖
Thank you Mary. The scenic route usually takes longer but I like to take it myself sometimes. We hope you enjoy this first week of June!
Butch and Pam
I’m a little late to the party but wanted to stop by anyway – we’ve been dealing with water in unwanted places from a significant rain event here is Calgary. The million bells flower by the welcome mat is delightful and I think that you are right in that most wouldn’t notice because it blends so well. The heron is magnificent and what a great shot. Sorry I can’t say the same for the snake (ick) pic even if it is harmless lol. It looks like you will have an amazing crop of sunflowers this year – they look so tall already. The garden pic with the Sunshine Cottage in the background is so pretty – such wonderful gardens that you have! And as always, I love the sky shots. I hope you get more rain (you are welcome to some of ours) and have a fantastic week ahead!
Thank you Kim. Sorry to hear that you have had way too much water. It was stormy here yesterday with a lot of wind damage in places, even some very close to us, but we didn’t have any issues. We could use a little more rain I’m sure. Hope you don’t have any water damage. Dry out and have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
No unfortunately we didn’t get to see the blue moon here Butch, too many clouds.
What a lovely walk you took us on, through boardwalks, beside rivers & your garden! And I agree it looks like Henrietta has a small fish.
Blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. Sometimes clouds do get in the way. I think that phrase is in a song lyric? We’ve had some cloudy days here lately and a little cooler than normal for June so far. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Butch and Pam