“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Psalm 90:1-2 ESV
With the days a little shorter, rising before the sun and taking a nice walk is somewhat easier now. Nothing major, but we are definitely noticing the difference in daylight. On this day mid-week the air was perfectly still and it was an unusually quiet morning, at least until the crows awakened. A little fog hanging toward the river made for some nice reflection and I was glad I came!
As I began to move along the fence line this awesome scene stopped me in my tracks. An eastern red cedar did a marvelous job of providing the perfect shield and allowing a look straight into the risen sun. I guess this could be called a total cedar eclipse…when a cedar tree passes directly in front of the sun!
I walked for a bit until the thought of breakfast took over the mapping and began to guide me toward home. Out of nowhere I spotted a blue heron that was flying straight toward me. Why it would or where it was going was a mystery, but I quickly pointed the camera upwards for the fun of it. By accident, this photo is the result. I think it is educational because this view lets me see the total shape and form of the wings, the square tail, and legs extended backwards. I suppose boring to most everyone, but the silhouette really reveals a lot about the bird to me.
I ran into someone who, for the fun of it, had used a purple berry to dye streaks in her hair. It should wash out…I think. She was describing the berry and asking what kind it might be. Honestly there are several that came to mind, but not all are in the “purple” stage right now. The next day on my walk I passed this pepper vine and thought, “I wonder?” It would probably do the job and hopefully not be harmful, but the berries are toxic if eaten and the vine can cause a rash in some people. I considered trying a streak on my hair (as a prank for Pam) but thought better of it!
A small shower was enough to bring out a few of these very “velvety” mushrooms. This particular kind, whatever it is, I don’t recall popping up in the yard before, but I liked the soft colors.
Americanized versions of pizza normally don’t have peaches as a topping, although a local pizza that is a favorite of our grands includes pineapple. Peach, Prosciutto and Ricotta however are very Italian style, and this particular pizza from Bottega’s wood fired ovens is a good as it gets. The peaches of course, were from orchards just a few miles down the road! Pam convinced me to try it. No persuading will be needed in the future!
Last Sunday we had the honor of being invited to a party like no other we had ever attended. A friend celebrated her 100th birthday, where she greeted and entertained over one hundred friends and family…a very appropriate number indeed. Honestly, I had never seen a real cake that said 100. Folks call her Jean, which is her middle name. Her daughter and son-in-law have been our dear friends for decades. It is impossible to even imagine the hundreds of people she has blessed and the lives she has impacted as a Godly lady, friend, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother! And by the way, Jean still lives at home, where she has resided for over 70 years!
Jean was the best dressed at the celebration by far. She is definitely the undisputed Queen of the area where she lives, a quiet community near Huntsville, Alabama. Jean has been asked to serve as Grand Marshall of the Christmas parade. Maybe they will name her Grand Marshallette?? We felt so special to be in her presence on this day…to celebrate an entire century of a life well lived!
I asked another beautiful, special lady if she might provide a colorful summer bouquet of fresh flowers for Jean. I wanted to follow her photo with something bright and filled with life and hope. I knew just who to call on!
A beautiful lake, yes. Next to the camp site where our grands and their parents spent last week, yes. But there is much more to this than only a pretty scene. This is known as an outfall lake or coastal dune lake. The sand barrier in the distance separates the lake from the ocean. When springs, creeks and enough rain fills the lake high enough, it breaches the sand and flows out into the ocean, called outfall. These lakes are found in only a few places worldwide, and in the U S, only in South Carolina, Oregon, and here in the Florida panhandle where there are 15! Australia and New Zealand have some. They are rare!
And, these outfall lakes offer a nice peaceful water experience where a family can enjoy things like paddle boarding together. Daniel is quite content to ride while mom paddles! She must be doing a good job as the others are trailing behind. Far in the background you can again see the sand barrier that stands between the lake and the ocean!
I teased Pam late one afternoon, telling her one of the crepe (crape if you prefer) myrtles was on fire!
I’ve waited and watched seeking a better opportunity for a really great photo of the White-lined Sphinx moth, but I’ve not seen another one since my brief sighting a few days back. My apologies, but this is the best I was able to get, and he (or she) hasn’t returned. We have 3 types of hummingbird moths that show up in Alabama, but this is the only time thus far I have ever seen one of these. The Sphinx moth is part of the group we call hummingbird moths even though it is a different genus than the Hummingbird Clearwing and the Snowberry Clearwing, which we’ve shown in previous posts. The Sphinx is bigger than the other two. Hummingbird moths are unique from other moths in that they are diurnal, flying in the daytime. Unlike the others, the White-lined does fly day and night. Maybe it’s coming around in the dark to elude that strange looking gardener who runs around chasing everything with a camera or phone in hand!
On two occasions last week I found myself on foot, over a mile from home or my truck, when one of those typical pop up summer rains poured down upon me. There was no lightning and I was soaked anyway, so nothing to do but finish my planned walks. Like the light at the end of a tunnel, I had a dry towel at the end of this walk…and was also greeted with a promise as I rounded the corner!
While there have been spotty downpours and even good rains a half mile from our house, we’ve not experienced much rain at our location. I was watering a pot filled with vinca when a preying mantis seemed to be doing its best to let me know that he was not happy about being soaked and washed to the bottom of the pot. He climbed out hurriedly and dared me to do it again. So, I did, because I wasn’t finished. He disappeared, not returning again!
We made a stop on the western edge of the Sand Mountain plateau when traveling home from the 100th birthday party. This spot offered a spectacular view of the Tennessee River and the Tennessee River Valley. We wished for an earlier or later time for maybe a sunrise or sunset, but being an hour and a half from home, we settled for the time and weather as it was. No complaints!
“Found at every ending is a new beginning!”
~Butch Richardson
“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
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