“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
What a life well lived for Mrs. Jean! Beautiful pictures as always.
Thank you Rachel. Very true of Jean. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
What a lovely woman Jean is! We bought peaches from a nearby orchard on Friday but I don’t think they will find their way onto my homemade pizza, being of Italian descent, I will stick to my pepperoni, anchovies and mushrooms. Different tastes for different people, nothing wrong with that. We have been getting rain here everyday. No complaints from me, no watering and good for the well. Waiting for a break from the high humidity, Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons. Take care.
Thank you Maryann. We are on the road today and on vacation but we are hoping we get rain at home. We still need it. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning. The velvet mushroom is amazing. So pretty. Oh my gosh Jean! How beautiful she looks for her 100th birthday. God truly wanted her here to bless so many lives.
Happy Birthday Jean! Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. Yes, for certain Jean looks great. Hard to think about all that happens in 100 years. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Jean is a pretty lady at 100. She looks so sweet. I can only imagine how many wonderful memories she has of times past. The sunrise you caught was beautiful and so was the rainbow! That moth is huge! The mushroom looks hand painted. God paints things beautifully! When my husband comes in, he soaked to the bone too. Sometimes it’s rain and sometimes it’s just the heat and humidity. We’re ready for fall temps. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. We are traveling and encountered some rain this afternoon and hoping it might do this at home, we still need it. Fall temps will be welcome. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Love your “ found at every ending is a new beginning”. Your photos prove that too. The clouds are wonderful today. Gods fingers are one. The young lady having her 100th birthday is an example of how a person is to live their life. I would have been tickled to have had a picture of Pam when she would have first seen the purple streak in your hair had you chosen to go to extra time to do that. The blue heron is an architectural design by God of the mighty airplanes our military flies. What a beautiful world we have. If only we would take care of it. We are still in the 100’s and still no rain at my house. God rains on the just and the unjust. May God bless you with beautiful rain fall this week🙏🏻
Thank you Alice. We are traveling today and encountered rain in the Carolina mountains and wishing we could send it on to our house and to you. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Pam and Butch, what a beautiful Sunday scroll! The “total cedar eclipse” made me smile, and I’m intrigued by that peach, prosciutto and ricotta pizza too. 😊 Most of all, I loved seeing beautiful Jean celebrating her 100th birthday—what an amazing milestone and testimony to a life well lived and loved. And how special to celebrate with more than 100 family members and friends! The rainbow after your soggy walk was the perfect reminder of His promises. Thank you for another uplifting Simple + Southern Sunday. Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead! ❤️
Thank you Mary. The 100th celebration was quite amazing. We are on the road today and currently in North Carolina, some rain in the mountains. We hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Happy 100th Birthday to Ms Jean; what a blessing!
You guys are fantastic descriptive writers. I feel like I’m right there enjoying the moment with you as I read each post. 😊
Thank you Vivian. We much appreciate the time you and others take to read the captions. We hope you enjoy your week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam on this beautiful Sunday morning! Once again, the skies and scenery you captured this week are magnificent. And that mushroom…I could decorate an entire room around those colors! The blue heron was fascinating to me. We have some regular visitors to our pond because the fishing is good, but I usually see them gliding in from the side. What a beautiful lady Queen Jean is with her big smile. Just think of what she has seen in the last 100 years. And your ending quote is one to remember! PS. On Friday I was released from wearing the sling during the day!!
Thank you Roxanne. Glad for your bit of daytime freedom, that’s welcome progress. We are out and about for a few days so hoping to capture a few scenes. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
What a lovely post this morning, so filled with grace, be it a lovely 100 year old gentle lady, an astonishing flying Blue Herron, calm waters carrying sweet and growing little families, a new beginning with a new day’s sunrise, a promise, and sunsets of awe. Life is good…thanks Pam and Butch!
Love when you share Bottega’s with us, everything always looks delicious and beautiful. I admit I would eat a peach in any form, I think! We are looking forward to getting some fruitstand and homegrown peaches soon. Happy Summer!
Thank you Sue. We are on the road today but enjoying good scenery and surely great food a little later, maybe some of it homegrown. Have an enjoyable week!
Butch and Pam
The coastal barrier thought was new to me. I don’t know much about that sort of thing. I do know that pizza looked great, the skies fabulous and that lake a wonderful place for the kids. Happy week!
Thank you Jeanie. Those lakes are rare and interesting to read about. We are taking a few days away but not on the coast. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good Sunday to the both of you! I’m so glad the two of you spend so much time in nature together. Because you are so active now, you will surely celebrate your 100th birthdays on this sweet journey of life!! Peach pizza sounds so very unique, but tasty!
Thank you Mary. I’m afraid my activity has worn everything out. The pizza was exceptionally delicious, surprised me. Have a wonderful wee!
Butch and Pam
Butch, believe it or not…when I was a little girl… I thought those white lined sphinx moths were hummingbirds…LOL. Imagine my surprise when I saw the real hummingbirds. So glad your family had a great time in the Panhandle…and the beautiful photos of Jean and her 100th birthday. What a wonderful milestone. And your Lady’s zinnia and sunflowers in the yellow pitcher was a perfect life and hope sentiment. Yum to the peachy pizza…who would of thunk it? But all the ingredients are delish in my book so what is not to like? I always stop short when a rainbow is on the horizon and thank God for his promise to us. In an uncertain world these days, Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us…”God isn’t asking you to figure it out, He’s asking you to trust that He already has”
Blessings my friends!
Thank you Kari. It’s certainly a comfort to know we don’t have to try and figure everything out. The family did have a great trip. We are traveling some this week!
Butch and Pam
A wonderful post as always Butch. Wow, may we all be so spritely at a 100! Yes we have those lakes here on the east coast in a few spots. Blessings to you & Pam on your travels this week.
Thank you Jennifer. I read you had a few of those lakes. We are away from home but returning soon. Have a great rest of the week!
Butch and Pam
Hello Jean! You are so beautiful! Happy 100th birthday! 💐
.
Good Day, Butch and Pam. What lovely pictures today. The Tennessee River valley is gorgeous. What a view.
Your Cedar tree eclipse is stunning, reminding me of when I try to get a saguaro in front of a setting sun. Your cedar tree silhouette is a keeper. The pizza with peaches on it sounds delicious! I want a piece.
Thanks so much for a wonderful stroll.
Enjoy your week.
PS, I liked your quote at the end, Butch. Well said!
Thank you Nancy. I think Pam will collect everyone’s comments about 100 and Jean and share them with her. She will be excited. Have a wonderful rest of your week!
Butch and Pam
So many nice things in your post today, I enjoyed my morning coffee with you. Days are getting shorter here as well, the first and only (so far) hint that autumn is coming, still very very hot.
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia. We’ve been in the mountains and getting a break from the heat and got word we had a decent rain at home. Hope so. Hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I enjoyed the walk, lots to see and enjoy. 100 yrs. old that is a life well lived, what a blessing. It is very hot here in Okla.and my gardens are looking so sad so, it is wonderful seeing yours. Thanks and have a blessed day.
Thank you Marlene. We are away and getting a little break from the heat in the mountains. The folks sitting next to us at dinner tonight were on vacation and from Okla. Hope the rest of your week goes well!
Butch and Pam
That must have been an amazing birthday party = wow 100 years old! Happy Birthday Mrs. Jean. She looks great too. Loved the picture of the Blue Heron and the Cedar Eclipse made me smile. The pizza looks and sounds delicious – the peaches with prosciutto and ricotta would be perfection. The last sky shot is gorgeous and so is the one of the Tennessee River! Have a wonderful trip you two!
Thank you Kim. Too much good food around when on vacation and it will bring on some strict dieting when back home. I’m sure Pam plans to give Jean everyone’s birthday greetings. Hope you’re having a great week!
Butch and Pam
Oh yet another amazing post. I tell you – it is a highlight of my week! And Jean? She is BEAUTIFUL! WOW! She is 100 years. And looks that good and still lives at home. JEAN has good GENES to be sure. Bless her! I wish her for many MANY more healthy happy years to come. Thanks for a lovely post.
Thank you Michele. Jean will be thrilled to hear your comments. Her longevity and life is amazing. Hope you are having a good week!
Butch and Pam
I so enjoyed the beauty of the Total Cedar Eclipse, but most especially of the beautiful 100 year old Jean! How very special to be able to celebrate with all her friends and family!
Those grands and their parents must’ve had a fun vacation. Thank you for sharing the joy with us.
Thank you Kitty. The grands had a great vacation and we left shortly after they returned so we are kinda missing seeing them. We’ll make up for it. Have a good rest of the week!
Butch and Pam
Such an interesting post! I loved reading about Jean. What an incredible lady! As I looked at her photo, one of the first things I thought of was how much sorrow she has had to experience! Because living to be that age, she has had to say goodbye to so many loved ones. I can only imagine all the changes she has seen during her lifetime. I love sitting and talking to older people and hearing their experiences! It would be amazing to hear Jean’s.
Cheryl, she has experienced great sorrow and great blessings in her 100 years. Older people are libraries that need to be cherished!