“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
Good morning, or good day, should you be viewing at another time. Some of you have been experiencing extremely hot weather, but our past week, while certainly not cool, was a bit cooler than normal for mid-July. We hope to visit the mountains next month. One day the website for our destination showed 69 degrees, and it was well up in the day. That would be a welcome change!
A scarcity this season has been the presence of butterflies. The hummingbirds have been numerous but butterflies have been few. Pam chased this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and finally had it stop long enough for a pic. I saw a Black Swallowtail later in the day. Maybe it’s a sign of many more to come!
I was pulling weeds near the picnic table and then planning to clean debris off the table and from underneath. As I began to look at weeds under the table I realized everything on the table was not debris from the trees. This little thrush had blended in so well that I hadn’t even noticed. I asked where the parents were but received no reply, at least not from the little one. Mom however, showed up just above, landed in the Rose of Sharon, and was very vocal. Too young to think I might be danger, but old enough to understand mom’s instruction, the young one made a wobbly flight into the bushes! Mom was poised to attack me I do believe!
Still managing to keep some things blooming and bringing color to the garden, but July and August can be very challenging. Heat and the need to water everything daily can get to me and the garden by early, or at best, mid-August, and that’s when I say…autumn come on! Considering our friends that have experienced wildfires and smoke from wildfires, and the floods in the Texas Hill Country, I am working hard to have zero complaints!
Tuesday was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A, and our daughter-in-love went all out to be sure our little folks had the bestest and funest time. Wearing something to celebrate earned everyone free food too! Note: No children were harmed in the taking of this photo and WL did not attempt to ride the calf!
This has no interest as a stand alone, but I wanted you to notice the green leafy twig lying on the rock. I wish I had taken a photo before I pulled it up but never gave that a thought. The leaves on top were barely visible as the plant was growing well underneath the evergreen, hardly noticeable. I saw it as I passed by and realized it was literally a small oak tree. Before I tossed it, I happened to notice something that was interesting, at least to me. I’ll show you what I mean…
…The acorn below ground that was the seed for this new life was in tact and still looked very much like, well…an acorn! It germinated and opened up on one end, sending roots downward and a tree upward. This was obviously an acorn from last season and almost certainly was planted in this spot by a squirrel. I never cease to be amazed at creation and the Creator’s world! I look up, I look down, it’s awesome all around!
With no more room in the freezer, and after giving away quite a few blueberries, I found myself facing a dilemma. Then suddenly, from some unknown place, a solution came to me…
…and with total agreement and cooperation from Pam, my idea was put into motion, and a few hours later the problem was completely resolved!
What a treat when something travels from the bushes in our garden to the dinner table all in the same afternoon. I mainly eat low carb, high protein but there comes a time to take a break from that foolishness. It was one of the best cobblers I’ve ever had, mostly because of the main ingredient…love. You can just tell when something is prepared with love. I do think a few calories were also included! (We had it for breakfast the next morning too!)
We went a long time without rain and without rainbows but have experienced several over the past few days. This kind I love, although it’s not the common way we see one, a short strand against white clouds surrounded by blue sky. A nice site indeed while standing by the Sunshine Cottage.
This rainbow is more typical and was nice and bright. Photos, even with today’s technology, simply cannot do justice and bring reality to our eyes. We had days with rainbows, but on those days we didn’t get any rain!
We had so much trouble getting vinca to survive and look like anything this year, I pulled up a bunch and replaced it. You’ve probably seen the million bells that continues to thrive in a crack on our patio? Well, I now have vinca, coming up in the pea gravel walk behind my shop, sharing a space with poison ivy! I was so frustrated trying to get vinca to grow in nice pots most of the spring! Where does this stuff come from and how does it survive? Again, the natural world is a wonderful yet perplexing mystery!
Town Creek, a tributary of the Tennessee River, runs through High Falls Park which is about one hour from us. This was from the summer of 2022. We had hoped to visit last week, but that didn’t work out. Retirement simply keeps us too busy. The next couple of weeks didn’t look promising as far as a trip so a memory from the past must suffice for now! These bridge piers are over 100 years old. Supporting a footbridge today, they once supported a covered bridge!
We remembered being surprised to see swimmers climbing on the rocks, but it was no doubt a great spot to cool off. It was a beautiful place, even though High Falls is not very high at 35 feet, there is much history in the area. I read that people on horses, mules, or with horse and buggy used the crossing just above the falls where the footbridge is now to reach a local mercantile which was located just over the ridge!
Sometimes there is no need to travel any distance to enjoy the closing of the day and get a sunset photo, not even to the yard or nearby pasture…this from the kitchen porch!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Such beautiful photos! Such a cutie pie family photo, my goodness, the grands are growing up!
Seeing the acorn attached was so interesting, I’ve only seen acorns all polished up for sale in stores. Always loved the stories and folklore about the acorn…
Perfect idea for blueberries from your bushes!! Pam is so full of love, even the dishes that served your delight are special.
We’ve been melting here, it’s been very hot and kind of muggy, which we aren’t used to at all. Knowing the winter will bring cold and slippery ice, I don’t dare complain though. Especially enjoyed the photo of the falls and kids having fun on the rocks. The walking bridge was a pretty site…the stories those stones could tell!
Enjoy your time in the cooler mountains! God bless you all…thanks for the fascinating joy of creation and all the love this morning.