“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:4-5 ESV
Amazing, a week of June has almost passed and summer is settling upon us here in NE Alabama. Autumn goods are already on store shelves, which frustrates me. I’ll get over it. After a slow start, a few rain showers have aided in bringing relief. Green and growing is now taking over, yet there are bare spots in the yard that are still slow to fill in!
A lower pasture near the river was reclaimed last year and has not been grazed this season. I was on a hike with plans to top the hill and get a better view of Lookout Mountain and then proceed to head down to another spot on the river. The grass was chest high and not easy walking, besides the prospects of ticks and other unwanted encounters. It was breezy and I briefly imagined I was in a windy Kansas wheat field…and then I turned around. There had to be a better route!
It isn’t difficult to figure why I find the trails along the lake really inviting. This kind of scenery makes a long walk not feel like a dreaded exercise, but seem like a pleasant stroll!
Egglayseeus (no relation to Julio) the egret paid me a visit on the boardwalk last week. I decided to not pause, but attempt to walk by and see what happened. She allowed me within about 10 feet, but lost her nerve I guess! What’s with these herons lately?
Pam got a nice shot of a butterfly, along with some of our daylilies. The daylilies are in ‘full bloom mode’ right now. We have a variety. Pam’s camera identified the butterfly as a Monarch. Did you recognize what species it really is? It is a metal butterfly. Sometimes these smart apps and devices aren’t so smart!
Some unseasonably pleasant afternoons made eating outside seem like a perfect idea and WL agreed. After we polished off some chicken with mac & cheese, it was time for me and Mr. Blue Eyes to do some trail riding in the ranger. His mom and big sister were on an outing, daddy was working out of town, little brother decided on a nap, and Emma and PJ chose to hang out inside. So we boys were free to stay out until dark!
We found ourselves under close observation from the pasture behind the garden. The girls have put away their heavy, gray, winter attire and switched to a lighter weight, reddish brown outer wear for the summer.
Wyatt wanted to check out the river down by the picnic table, so of course we did. It was a good choice. I love reflections and the slight ripples on the water made this reflection appear as if it were on canvas.
These mushrooms had markings and carvings and immediately brought a memory to mind that will probably be strange to you, but came to me in an instant. Maybe it is one of those situations which requires personal experience to make sense; you know that, “you would’ve needed to have been there” kind of thing? I will let the next photo explain.
A throwback to a very interesting day I experienced a few years ago in a remote area of the high desert of New Mexico. A friend and I ran across a number of these type exhibits in the rocky hills that day, as well as finding many broken pieces of pottery/vessels and artifacts with similar markings. Of course, we left everything alone and in its place.
The bluebird version of DoorDash. Food delivery on demand, or maybe it’s a good parent doing what good parents do. I believe that’s it!
Recent rain showers made everything fresh and green after a very dry start to spring. The cows have found the new growth to be tasty and to their liking!
A little afternoon clearing brought beautiful skies and a reminder of a beautiful promise. We haven’t seen many rainbows this spring but it is always a thrill when we do. I never tire of witnessing a simple scene like this one!
I called Pam to the kitchen window. This visitor first came under the carport, studied the golf cart, and then proceeded out back. He or she was now a few feet from the garden fence. I mentioned it was a groundhog and Pam asked, “what do groundhogs eat”? My reply…gardens. It didn’t hang around when I went out, but we wonder if it was on a scouting mission and will return? We have groundhogs nearby and see them on occasion, but never in the yard by the garden. You know the saying, “if it isn’t one thing, it’s another”!
I heard that a group of classic car owners and organizers set a Guinness Book World Record recently for the “Largest Parade of Classic Cars” during Tulsa,Oklahoma’s “Route 66 Capital Cruise”. It occurred along a 5.5 mile stretch of the famous Route 66, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Our city hosts a First Friday event, and among the many attractions is a huge gathering of classic and vintage car owners. We hadn’t dropped by in several years, but hearing the story of the Route 66 parade prompted me to say, “let’s go”!
As a one time mustang owner, I had to admire this beauty. The mustang is still my all time favorite car and how I wish I still had my first car, a blue 1967 mustang! Pam was visiting the shop seen behind the car. It is owned by a friend and a favorite of hers.
We had no idea how the First Friday event had grown since our last visit, especially the gathering of vintage vehicles. We walked through about 7 city blocks of cars, food vendors, entertainment, street dancing, and had conversations with friends we hadn’t seen in a while. I believe Peace and Love was the theme for this VW!
My mom and dad had a 1953 Ford that looked a lot like this one, only a different color. I’m not sure the model of this car, but early 50’s should do it. We didn’t set any records, but there were a few hundred vehicles in town. It was enjoyable. BTW…Route 66 stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica and covers 2,448 miles. It officially opened on November 11, 1926. Can you imagine the traffic that the route will attract this year!
Yesterday’s sunset over the foothills was rewarding to the senses in spite of relentless mosquitos joining me for a sundown walk! Rain is in the forecast for today. May your day be a good one, rain or shine!
“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
Beautiful pictures as always. Glad we don’t have groundhogs. Squirrels are bad enough! My husband still drives his 1998 Mustang GT. Not many on the road anymore.
Love the wildlife photos, such a pretty egret taking flight. We have a groundhog too, I call him Wilson. They are cute. We have a meadow full of clover and he eats a lot of that. Fun car show!