“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”
Proverbs 23:24-26 ESV
Summer and Father’s Day have arrived in style and here are a few bright faces to greet you. Take a look and see if you see the “happy face” that a couple of bees helped to create while they were sipping a little early morning nectar-delight among the sunny flowers!
A pop up shower passed through downtown in the late afternoon while I was attempting to get a workout in at the gym. Upon leaving, I spotted a partial, but bright rainbow. By the time I could travel to a decent spot for a view, the sky had mostly cleared, but surprisingly a faint remnant was still visible.
The grands love to sketch and draw. They have sketch books at our house and will sit and draw for hours. It is a fun thing, but at the same time we use it for teaching and learning things together. I guess WL knew I didn’t get a good view of a full rainbow, so he made one for us. We researched the order of the colors and other facts about rainbows. And of course, we discussed the story of Noah and God’s purpose and promise, which is the only true significance of His first rainbow, and all those since the flood!
This made me come to the conclusion that we should have photos of just the two of us made a bit more often. I had to go back to a day in January where we did some cold riding along the trails to get a little time together before my knee surgery!
If there had been a “National Best Father Award” given for his generation, Pawpaw (Pam’s Dad) would have been the clear winner. Pam certainly misses him, as we all do, but his love, legacy, influence, character, and faithfulness lives on and through the many he touched! Having a Father of his kind, and for 94 years, is a treasure and unspeakable blessing that not everyone gets to experience…truly thankful!
“The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!”
Proverbs 20:7 ESV
We had an unusual last week of spring, cooler than normal with skies that dazzled us every day. No two skies have ever been or ever will be exactly alike. Like people and snowflakes, and most everything else if you think about it. This is my Father’s world!
It’s not that the entire sunflower garden decided to turn its back on me, but they are inclined to face east, awaiting the next sunrise. They, by their very nature, stand gazing in anticipation of the next coming of the sun. This should give me something to consider!
The waxing crescent was so faint and the tiniest slither Wednesday before sunset. I call crescents “fingernail” moons. A closer look through my long lens revealed the moon appeared to be enjoying a nearby companion. The neighbor was Venus. Appearance can be deceiving and perhaps “nearby” is not exactly accurate since the two are roughly 106 million miles apart.
Crocosmia in bloom, a hiding place, and patience is the key for the hummingbird experience. I watched as it appeared that a male was chasing her earlier and she thought him to be aggravating. They don’t sit still very long, but I imagine she was tired. He wasn’t giving up however…
…because he decided to briefly join her at the crocosmia about two feet away. Sensing her frustration he left quickly, barely giving me time to make a photo. The little birds have been hard to capture this year. I could put up a feeder and make it easier but I choose to try and catch them on the flowers.
I was able to get a photo of a male hummer yesterday and wanted to show how much difference the lighting makes in how we see the ruby throat. Facing me, and with a bit of filtered sunlight, it is easier to understand the species being called a ruby-throated hummingbird.
Pam probably wishes I wouldn’t show off her zinnias, but wait and let her do that in a post. I couldn’t help but take out my phone and get one pic as I walked up the driveway after my 3.5 mile trip out on the trail…a tiny bit of jogging (don’t tell) but mostly a brisk walk!
Crows have invaded our lawn and even the garden. I remember when crows were so cautious that it was very hard to get close to one. And, they can see so well. They would take flight or detour way around you. I’m not certain that “scarecrows” even work very well these days. One year I placed one in the garden near the blueberries, and it seemed the crows and other birds used it for a perch. This crow (I named him Edgar Allan Crow) is sitting next to, but above a large clump of mistletoe. He is confused in his hopes for what mistletoe might bring, since he is above and not beneath, or he is simply keeping his distance from…
…a fellow creature far below at the edge of the pasture near the Sunshine Cottage. We had experienced a rain shower and this guy was very wet. I was downwind so he kept walking right at me, occasionally shaking off the water. I waved my arms and made crazy noises, but since they don’t see well and he didn’t smell me, he was not bothered at all by me being a few feet away. But, I was greatly bothered by him being a few feet away. He has been spotted in the yard several times now. They dig holes too. Convincing a skunk to leave the area is not a simple task.
Father’s Day is a day about family and relationships. Good, bad, happy, or sad, the day brings with it many emotions. Swamp mallow is a beautiful plant that is currently brightening up the wet, marshy areas, hanging out among cattails and willows. Again, I was thinking how much variation there can be, even among family members. This plant belongs to the same family as cotton and other warm weather sun loving plants. The buds and blooms look so similar to cotton, yet they bloom weeks apart and thrive in very different environments.
I struck gold yesterday, gold finches that is! I have been seeing gold finches for a while and patiently waiting for them to start hanging out in our garden. I knew it was just a matter of time. This is probably a first for me, a foursome. I don’t think I have ever viewed 4 close enough together and remaining still long enough to all be in one photo. I hope to get some close-ups for next week
Tuesday evening shortly after sunset. This needs no introduction!
“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 cheery faces of the sunflowers and your hummer captures! Wishing you a Happy Father’s Day and Summer Solstice. 🌻🌞💛
Thank you Mary. We’ve had a cheery afternoon too. Hope your day is going well. Have a great first week of summer!
Butch and Pam
Happy Father’s Day to you. Thank you for sharing your thoughtful insights and beautiful pictures. Your family is indeed blessed to have you in their lives.
Thank you Ruth. We’ve had an enjoyable afternoon with family and hope your Sunday has been good. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Your sunflowers are gorgeous! I would be extremely nervous also being that close to the skunk. I smelled one close by as I was mowing yesterday. Maybe he or she had walked by earlier. We’ve had rain, lots of rain. Hope you have too. Happy Father’s Day.
Thank you Rachel. Seth encountered a skunk while mowing yesterday late and it did spray. Fortunately not on him but now the area knows a skunk has been around. We’ve had a good day. Wishing you a pleasant and skunk free week!
Butch and Pam
Love the wildlife! I am amazed at your photos of the hummingbirds! I have yet to see one this year.
Thank you Carole. Seems the hummers were late showing up this season here too but now we have a good number every day. Maybe hummers will arrive there soon. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Father’s Day Butch. The picture with your son is wonderful. All your photos of the beauty and wildlife are gorgeous as always. Enjoy your special day and all the days that follow. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. It was a special and very memorable afternoon. We hope your Sunday has been good and that you have an enjoyable week ahead!
Butch and Pam
Happy Fathers Day, Butch. What lovely photos and memories. I hope (and know) that you will be well-treated today! (and, I suspect, always!!)
Thank you Jeanie. I have truly been well treated today, better than I ever deserve for certain. We trust you are having a good day and hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Fathers Day Butch. Loved the happy face of the sunflower and all of the bird photos. I enjoy time on the porch listening too and hearing the songs they sing. Can you imagine how the birds will worship God by their singing in heaven? Even skunks will worship Him! Here on earth we avoid skunks at all costs. Enjoy your time with Seth today and of course the grands.
Thank you Alice. We love your thought, in heaven we won’t have the need to avoid anything. We have definitely had an enjoyable afternoon and now I think everyone went home to take a nap. Wishing you a delightful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Father’s Day wishes❣️
Thank you Sue. A good day here and hopefully one for you as well. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Father’s Day! We celebrate it in August in my country. Beautiful post as ever! Greetings, dear friends.
Thank you Maristella. I was reading that you celebrate on the second Sunday of August. We are always the 3rd Sunday in June. We hope you are having a great Sunday and that you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
I can see the cheery face on the sunflowers – so fun! I bet the goldfinches love your zinnias, but to see them in the crepe myrtle (that is blooming, which mine has probably another 3-4 weeks to go), is encouraging. I spotted my first hummer yesterday on my red crocosmia (seems to be their choice flower in my garden too, and I got one good shot)! Love the photos of Pam’s Dad, and you & Seth. Happy Father’s Day to you both!
Thank you Rita. The gold finches have definitely discovered the zinnias but are enjoying time in the crepe myrtles too. Hummers love it all but crocosmia is currently first choice. We’ve had an enjoyable day and hope you have as well. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful post as always, Butch. Happy Father’s Day!
Thank you Sarah. I’ve had a blessed day. We hope you’re Sunday has been good and that you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Hi, Butch. I hope you printed a large wall print of you and your son. Worthy to be hung on the dinning room wall! I sure enjoy reading your posts.
Happy Father’s Day.
All the best.
Debra @ Life Captured
Thank you Debra. We did manage to get a current photo this afternoon, not that the other one was was very old, but some flowers around us was a good thing. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Father’s Day, Butch! Hope there is a delicious dessert planned for you at some point today!
Thank you Roxanne. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, there are always delicious desserts at every gathering. I don’t meet many bad desserts. Hoping you are having a good day and a blessed week ahead!
Butch and Pam
Happy Fathers Day Butch and what beautiful photos of Pam’s Dad and you and Seth. I spotted the Happy Face right away (thanks to the bees) in your flower bed and I have to admit, even though I grew up with Sunflowers and know their growing habits …they must have been a little miffed at you so they turned their backs on you….did you forget to water them? Just joking of course. Love the hummers and finches….haven’t seen any down here, but always looking. The rainbow…God’s promise…is always a welcome and lovely sight. WL’s drawing is adorable. PS…I would think all your early morning walks and working around the gardens would be all the exercise you would need, so I have to admit the GYM reference convinced me you are an over-achiever! LOL Have a great and wonderfully Blessed day with your family.
Thank you Kari. A couple of bees did give us a perfect set of eyes on a big yellow sunflower. I may just be an over-doer (according to Pam). I do go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week when I’m able. Retirement keeps me busy, ha. We had a great day. Hope you did as well. And, have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
So much joy and beauty are in your photos! I love the pic of you and Seth, Butch. I’m envious of the zinnias, the hummingbirds and the goldfinches. My two zinnias that I planted were eaten and all that’s left are bare stems.
I hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day and thank you for the gorgeous sunset.
Thank you Kitty. We have a lot of challenges with zinnias as insects and disease give trouble every year. We’ve had a busy but very enjoyable day and hope your Sunday has gone well. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Father’s Day Butch! Love the sunflowers and hummingbirds. That’s a great picture of you and Seth. I know the family misses Pam’s Dad. He was a remarkable man! Have a wonderful week! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. We’ve had a long, busy, but wonderful day. Hope your Sunday was a good one and that the rest of the your week is a blessing to you!
Butch and Pam
Wishing you a grand Father’s Day Butch! I know Pam and the children and grandchildren will spoil you like a king!
Thank you Mary. This group spoils me all the time. I don’t merit any spoiling but they show grace and do it anyway. We hope you enjoy a wonderful first week of summer!
Butch and Pam
Happy day after Father’s Day! I know you had a wonderful celebration.
Cheery sunflowers and happy rainbows, along with beautiful sunsets, definitely made me smile. But how about your hummingbirds and goldfinches! More beautiful sights! Happy Summer!
Thank you Nancy. Summer has arrived in style and now the daylight begins to get ever so slightly less every day. It seems to come and go too quickly. We hope you are having a pleasant day and that you enjoy this first week of summer!
Butch and Pam
Haha – loved your happy face sunflowers, and the rainbows and goldfinches too! Hope you all had a wonderful Father’s Day – thanks for sharing.
Thank you Barbara. It was a wonderful day yesterday with family, making memories. We hope you’ve had a good day today and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
What a great picture of you and Seth! I love all the bird captures and your patience paid off with the hummingbirds. WL’s picture of the rainbow is precious. It looks like you have a bumper crop of happy sunflowers and I love to see them facing east. We can see Venus up here too in the Western sky shortly after sunset, and apparently Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars are also visible (although I haven’t been able to make them out). I’m so glad that you had a wonderful Father’s Day with family and wishing you both a lovely week ahead!
Thank you Kim. We do have a good crop of sunflowers in our little space for them. I did find Jupiter also and I read the other planets were visible but didn’t see them either. We hope your Monday was a good one. With summer officially here maybe you will have some very pleasant days ahead. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
That beautiful sunset! The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Only He could create such beauty for us to enjoy! So thankful you catch so much of it and share it with us here!
We appreciate your visits and sweet comments, Cheryl!
Summer, sunflowers, humming birds and rainbows make for a perfect week. I know you two must have enjoyed all your blessings as you celebrated Father’s Day.
We are most thankful for blessings of family! Thank you Karen.
Butch and Pam