“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”
Psalm 62:1-2 ESV
An August sunrise back at home this week offered quite an amazing display of fiery color. We miss the cooler mountain temps, but it is always good to return to “home sweet home”. I feel certain that routine becomes a longing for those who for some reason can no longer go about their daily life as normal. I’ve been there! Simple and normal are blessings, even when adopting a “new normal” becomes necessary. My running for example has changed to mostly brisk walking, and I’m slowly getting ok with that!
This is probably my personal favorite capture of a hummer this summer (and I like the rhyme) and I see a sulphur butterfly joined us as well. I thought I was finished with waiting on hummingbirds and posting pics, but this girl made me change my mind!
A hidden perch up the mountain about a quarter mile from the Swag House offers a stunning view if you are willing to walk a narrow gang plank, and if others haven’t discovered and claimed the spot ahead of you.
We made our way onto the little porch in the trees as it seemed the place for two was unoccupied and waiting. Mt. Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern US, can be seen in the distance as we look across the map/locator on the stand by the front rail! The peak is about 19 miles northeast of Asheville, NC. Amazingly, like our picnic near here that we shared last week, we had this area all to ourselves!
School days have already arrived at Richardson Academy? My how time flies. Whatever happened to school being dismissed in May and not resuming until the day after Labor Day?? And back then we all wore shoes to school. It was an excuse to finally get new shoes! Wyatt typically does not go with the flow and he stays true to that here with his hands free sign.
I don’t know how long this old sign has been around, but I thought I would step behind it so we could take another short walk in the park.
This trail was well used and not too rugged at this spot, but it did get steep in a number of places. Slope is difficult to show in a photograph, at least by an amateur such as myself!
Dodder is an invasive parasite that looks like an orange or yellow thread that wraps around its host. We have it in NE Alabama and I have shown it in past years, but I have not seen it blooming at home. We had dodder emerge and invade our sunflowers several years ago and it took a couple of years to rid the garden of this unwelcome vine. And here it is, in the Appalachian Mountains at about 5,500 feet doing quite well!
Purplestem angelica grows widely throughout most of the Appalachian Mountains, but not in the southern reaches into Alabama and Georgia. The manner in which the flower heads form, grow, and escape from being wrapped in a leaf-like cocoon like an egg hatching was really fascinating to me. That is probably not a technical description with proper botanical terminology…but that is the way I saw it!
The plant bursting forth reminds me of what happens when we celebrate with fireworks and light a sparkler. Bees and butterflies loved it and it was everywhere in certain areas along the trail, especially as I climbed a little higher and along the edges where the sun was able to penetrate the canopy. Purplestem angelica held a special place in cultural practices of some Native American tribes. The “angelica” name comes from the idea of “angelic” healing properties historically associated with the plant!
Another view of a beautiful Christmas tree farm. North Carolina is the second leading producer of live Christmas trees in the US. Almost all of the tree farms in NC grow Fraser Fir trees. It is considered by many as “the Cadillac of Christmas trees”! The Fraser Fir is native to the higher elevations of the southern Appalachian Mountains, the only fir endemic to the region.
I was listening to the Eagles doing their version of Desperado as I pulled up in the parking lot near the beginning of the wildlife trail where I planned to walk 3 or 4 miles. The song lyrics have a line that goes something like “you better come to your senses”! I looked at the outside temperature as recorded on my truck display (which is actually pretty accurate) and decided I needed to come to my senses and get my workout indoors or very late in the day!
There’s a storm across the valley, clouds are rolling in…as John Denver sang in “Back Home Again”. We witnessed several summer storms tracking across the valley while away on vacation and it was captivating to watch them form and move over the landscape. The storms at times disappeared as quickly as they formed. Watching from above gave a whole new perspective. Even a storm has its own beauty…
…like this one which came with a rainbow that moved along with the storm. This was truly a sight to behold!
I haven’t encountered anyone else who used berries to temporarily (hopefully it washed out) dye their hair purple since I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago. But, our Poke Weed, from where we get “Polk Salad”, now has ripe dark purple berries and purple stems. I’m thinking this would work well on my formerly brown, now somewhat grey hair. All parts of the plant are toxic, but young leaves, boiled several times, have been used in a traditional dish called “polk salad” or “poke sallet”, including by my grandmother. It is not a good idea! Historically however, the berries were used by early settlers and Native Americans to color cloth, paper, and ink! Ah, so why not hair!!! We will allow some of you to try it first and report back.
This Eastern Red Squirrel really liked Pam and ran along the wooden railings of our balcony every time she was sitting outside, surprising her at times, and scaring her at times, as if he might jump in her lap. We weren’t sure if he was simply curling his front feet or if he was tightly protecting some goodies he had found!
An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail posed perfectly for me as it was having a happy time on Joe Pye weed. It is often difficult to catch the butterfly still with wings out flat for a complete look from the top side. We don’t have Joe Pye growing here at our place, but it is native to the region and is found nearby on Lookout Mountain. We should plant it since the pollinators are crazy over it! Pam plans a Swag Garden post this week, so Joe Pye weed may show up again…we shall see!
After summer storms pass there is sometimes a temperature inversion and the clouds settle below in the valleys. Such a calm and peaceful late afternoon scene. And by the way, the tall pinkish flowers are Joe Pye weed. On such an evening we could enjoy sitting on this balcony until dark, but dinner was calling!
Special twilight times only last a brief few minutes, but that can be an extraordinary few minutes. And, we were able to take all this in without missing a meal!
Have a blessed week!
“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
Gorgeous pictures as usual. I’m longing for fall and cooler temperatures. It was 107 here yesterday. Not sure what the heat index was, but we need a break from the heat wave!
Thank you Rachel. I do believe you could use some cooler days. Fall is really not far away, at least not on the calendar. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The nature shots this week are extraordinary! You captured so many interesting things. The hummer and butterflies are a favorite indeed! The children are really growing up fast. Richardson Academy is expanding it seems! Yesterday a powerful storm rolled through and 25% – 30% of the residents here are without power and will be for several days in these hot temps. The weather across the nation has been challenging this summer. It’s amazing to see the storms from above. I was always fascinated as a child when you could see hard rain in the distance when traveling by car and then you ran into it suddenly. The quiet spots you found were so peaceful with gorgeous views. I know you enjoyed your trip as the temps and views were magnificent! We’re glad you reconsidered exercise outside in those triple digits! The heat can get to you quickly. Enjoy your week. Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. We had storms one night with a lot of lightning including striking one very old huge oak and blowing over a very large hickory tree. Some lost power but thankfully we did not. I need to get disciplined again and get my outdoor exercise done just after daybreak. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Dodder reminds me of morning glories as far as being invasive. They are growing all over the place here and are also trying to take over the porch railing. The squirrel is cute. I once had a squirrel take a peanut out of my hand as I was filling up the feeder. He was peeking at me from the other side of the tree trunk. Back to school time, what happened to school not starting until after Labor Day? The weather is starting to change here in Pennsylvania it is presently 65 degrees going up to 80 with a low of 57 tonight which will make a pleasant Monday morning for cutting grass. On one part of our property I only cut a walking path and left the rest of the vegetation for the wild life. I read that more people are doing that to help the insect population. I hope it doesn’t mean more spiders! Have a blessed week.
Thank you Maryann. I think dodder is in the morning glory family. It certainly winds around things the same way. Your weather sounds very nice. We may not see those kind of temps for a while but it will arrive soon as it seems time does fly. I’m sure your critters appreciate you leaving them some cover and hiding places. Enjoy a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Good Sunday Morning. The picture of the rainbow was gorgeous. Wow that was some hot temperatures you are having. I have a few squirrels that get peanuts from me each day. They are really not afraid. We back up to the woods and see so much wildlife each day. Being in the suburbs it is really quite fascinating, Have a great new week. Hugs Kris
Thank you Kris. Some of the creatures do get used to people and lose their fear. Reading you and Maryann seems to confirm squirrels do like peanuts. Don’t blame them, if you’ve ever tasted an acorn, they are terribly bitter. They must not be that bitter to wildlife. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Love all the flora and fauna, especially the hummingbird capture! I know you enjoyed your getaway to the The Swag. The Richardson Academy looks ready for school despite how early and how hot it still is. Happy Sunday!
Thank you Mary. I’m not sure if the kids were really ready for school but at least they appeared to be with their pose for their mom’s camera. Have a happy Sunday and a great week!
Butch and Pam
What a view! I’d stay there and miss the meal. One of the many good things here is that trees don’t block the view of the storms coming over the mountains. There are only a few trees is this desert. And then only if you plant them and water them. Higher up the aspens grow like a fungus but not down here. They will only live about 20 years at my altitude. I love the grands returning to school pictures. Did EK decide to leave off what she wanted to be when she grows up or was it too much to add to her sign? Precious! The hummingbird picture will win an award if you entered it in a contest. The clouds appear to have opened over the Christmas tree farm to shine His light on those that will go to those celebrating His birth. 105 was too hot to ride in. We had those temps but not this past week. Whew! May God shower you with many blessing this new week Richardson’s.
Thank you Alice. I guess the aspens do best at about 7 or 8 thousand feet? We love their golden color and hope they are showing off when we come your direction next month. Maybe EK is like me, I told her last week that I still haven’t decided what I want to do. She was honest like kids are and said I better hurry. We hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I couldn’t help but think the Dodder vine was like the ole’ boll weevil…fooling you into thinking it means no harm and to prove it’s harmless..it sez “I will produce some of the prettiest white blooms to lull you into a false sense of security.” (I know Butch and Pam…you are thinking I have a vivid imagination.). I’m so glad you both had a wonderful few days to yourselves…no only your trip to the Swag, but your time there, where you found the nice quiet spots.
Of course I have asked the same questions about school starts and stops…down here in Florida not only do they have different school beginnings and ends…their days start at different times and ends at different times. We used to go 8-3 when I went to school but here some start at 10 am and some finish at 1 pm. Buses can be encountered at almost each hour of the school day. At first I thought it was a sort of disciplining method but it is like that every day and the buses are full. However my first thought when viewing the grands bare feet was how do they stand and walk on that gravel…but then I smiled, knowing I did the same thing as well as ran through the sand burs. LOL
I might be just a little different than most, but I enjoy watching a storm develop and will stay right with it until I must go inside. I can’t help but think of how God is the solid rock that holds you fast when the winds of life try to blow you away.
Have a wonderful and Blessed week my friends.
Thank you Kari. The kids never wear shoes and even little Daniel runs on that pea gravel. Hurts me to watch them, but like you said, I guess we did the same thing. I watch the storms too as they can be amazing but the lightning is the thing that does get me headed indoors. That boll weevil was just looking for a home if I remember correctly. We hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
All of this week’s pictures are extraordinary! I always learn so much, and often you show us vegetation I’ve never seen before…Purple Angelica for instance.
Loved the Eagles Album with Desperado on it! Whew, that temperature was pretty hot, so glad, as the song says…you came to your senses…
That’s how we remember it to…school started AFTER Labor Day! Same here, the kids are back to school already! So enjoyed the picture of the grandkids. Wyatt makes me chuckle so. The kids are growing up so fast!
Still having summer temps here, looking forward to September for so many reasons.
God Bless!
Thank you Sue. We look forward to September also. It can be pleasant here in September, but also triple digit heat so we never know. Wyatt is always up to something, but yes, they grow up much too quickly. A bittersweet thing, wanting them to grow but wishing them to stay little. It will probably be somewhat cooler in late September when we get out to your neck of the woods. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The nature photos are amazing on how hummingbirds and butterflies are captured, and then the sky photos are a sight to behold! The cutest photo of all was of the kids attending the Richardson Academy! What an adorable bunch and I hope they have a wonderful year.
Thank you Kitty. Thursday night our skies were filled with constant lightning for a while at a level we’ve not experienced in a long time. The wind was rough and the favorites of the hummers and butterflies didn’t fare so well. We are hoping for enough recovery to have something for the monarch’s in October. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good Sunday Evening.
I so enjoy all the gorgeous pictures you provide for us. Have you ever considered putting together a “Coffee Table Book”? We are so privileged to see all God’s blessings you share. I know so many others would love to enjoy this remarkable beauty.
Thank you for making my Sunday afternoons so joyful.
Have a blessed new week,
Sharon
Thank you Sharon. We have thought about putting together a collection but it would be a mammoth task to do it at the level we would want. With the help of our daughter-in-love we do have several personal books, mostly of family and some are actually on our coffee table now. We hope you have an enjoyable week!
Butch and Pam
An amazing photo of the Hummingbird Butch! As always a lovely post. Your stay in the mountains sounds so inviting. Blessings to both you & Pam, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. Our summer garden is winding down as by now the hot and dry weather takes toll, especially on root bound plants in pots. Hopefully you will soon be experiencing some nice changes in your weather and surroundings. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning Friends!
Such beauty to behold on your “cool” getaway. The skies were spectacular as you watched storms roll along, with a moving rainbow! I enjoy seeing plants I have never seen before. You introduce us to so much. I always enjoy your sunrise and sunset pics. That opening one is captivating. 🔥
But the best picture of them all is the grandkids’ first day of school. How big they are getting! And such cuties!
Happy new week to you! 🥰
Thank you Nancy. The kids seem to grow and change at a pace we can’t keep up with. Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the years, true for us all. We hope you enjoy this new week!
Butch and Pam
That photo of the sunrise is stunning. Well worth getting up early.
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia. I’m trying to get back in the habit of rising early. That can be some of the day’s best moments. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
What beautiful pictures of those mountains. We have the Ouachits Mts. Forest here in S.E. Oklahoma that I have been too and they are beautiful, but it’s been a while. I love mountains and all the beuty in them. I always enjoy these and that scripture. God is so good in all the beauty he shares we us. Thanks and have a great day.
Thank you Marlene. I spent a couple of days some years ago in that part of OK, work related. It is a very pretty place, Creation is such an indescribable wonder. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos! Your Grands are adorable!
Thank you Maristella. We hope you are doing well. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Yes, to balancing a late August nature vacation with the excitement of your grandchildren’s first day of school. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the summer!
Thank you Mary. You put it so well because summer is wrapping up. There’s plenty of heat left but change is stirring as time moves on. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Hello Butch and Pam! You have taken amazing rainbow photos over the years, but this one may be my very favorite! I never knew those berries were Poke Weed, and I have tons of it. Maybe one day I will be the crazy old lady with the purple hair! Barefoot is a good way to start school, but I’m with you on it seems very early. I just read a great article on hummingbird behavior as they get ready to migrate. My hummers are fighting over the food and keeping me busy refilling the feeders, so I guess the long flights are beginning. I always feel a little sad when they leave. This summer sure has flown by, hasn’t it?
Thank you Roxanne. Yes, summer has flown by indeed. Send us all a photo of your purple hair but only if you use the berries. The hummers begin to get restless come September and are few by the end of the month, but October is when our monarchs show up. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Gorgeous photos, as always. The mountain getaway looks so cool and refreshing. 105 degrees – yikes! Good call on the decision not to go for a hike lol. The Purplestem angelica unfolding is fascinating and what great pics of the humming bird and the butterfly. The grands are adorable and are perfectly outfitted for back to school in their bare feet🦶🤣. Our kids here start next Monday and Tuesday so this is their last week of freedom, so to speak. Always love love the sky shots and that sunrise was absolutely stunning. Have a great week, you two!
Thank you Kim. It has cooled a little here so I’m back getting some walking and hiking outside, a good breeze most days too which makes a big difference. The first Monday of September is a holiday for us and we never started school until the day after that Monday. That was a long long time ago. Things change, sometimes that’s good, sometimes not. We hope you have an enjoyable week !
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos. The rainbow is stunning. Gotta love the hummingbird and butterfly photo. Your grands are growing up. Thanks so much for sharing the beauty around you. I am happy to feature your lovely post at Love Your Creativity.
Thanks so much and for the feature!
Wow! Your photos are always outstanding! Just beautiful!
Thank you, Cheryl!