Simple + Southern Sunday No. 616

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

A September Morn with a little fog to start the day. Neil Diamond might declare in his song about a September Morning that they “danced until the night became a brand new day”, but I assure you we haven’t done that lately. Maybe now that September has arrived, we might plan to do that, but I’ve not mentioned it to Pam just yet! We had triple digit temps last week so nighttime is a little cooler!
 

Pam and I were out at the picnic table when she mentioned to me that even though the heat and drought had taken toll on the garden, there were still some nice changes taking place. She told me to have a look up the hill, and when I did, I decided to make this photo. I saw beginnings of the “fallish look”.

Some of our smallest pots with the least amount of soil have somehow fared well in spite of the fact that September is here and most of the garden has given up. Everyday living consists of everyday watering!

We enjoy butterflies, but along with that comes caterpillars, and they love to munch on the flowers instead of sampling a little nectar here and there. And, Pam says they are not as pretty as butterflies!

I occasionally hike through one of our neighbor’s pastures, but hadn’t done so since spring. I headed over last week and I was shocked to find that it was absolutely thick with hogwort. I couldn’t walk through it very easy and gave up after a bit. What is strange about this is that they run cattle on these acres and hogwort is supposedly toxic to cattle. Maybe that is why there’s a hundred acres of hogwort, smart cows don’t eat it!
 

Ironweed is always my purple reminder that late summer is here, and along with goldenrod, signals that autumn will arrive soon, regardless of the current weather. It never fails to happen!

EK is taking piano lessons. PJ is giving piano lessons. I understand the first two sessions have gone very well. The girls are having such fun, and that’s the main thing! 

This time of the year I like to use this side road after leaving the house because it takes me by a lot of crop land. I enjoy seeing what is growing and what the farmers might be harvesting. It’s one of my “country roads”.
  

Upon heading “Back Home Again”, in the direction of Lookout Mountain, I often let this country road take me there. With the world (soccer) singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads” all summer, the song definitely had a huge revival…and I am enjoying taking this route even more!

Richardson Land Works was contracted to do some clearing on a large parcel of land that is only 3 or 4 miles from where we live. I was amazed to discover a 30 acre lake nestled in the ridges at the base of Lookout Mountain, completely hidden from roads and with limited access. I had no idea this existed, so I rode over on the Ranger to watch the guys do some of the work. And since I am fascinated by reflections, I had to have a photo of this secluded, calm, reflective, nearby mountain lake!
 

That newly found lake gave me the urge to look back through my photos of favorite reflections. I decided to post a few of them…I guess you could say I decided to reflect on reflections! This is Gibbs Gardens in north Georgia.

Pam and I hiked quite a distance from here to get a closer view of Colorado’s Maroon Bells and Crater Lake. This stunning view and reflection is at Maroon Lake near the trailhead. This is a very popular hike near Aspen. One of our most memorable reflections and hikes no doubt!

This spot is one of the Grand Teton’s most popular viewing locations and it is easy to see why. We had seen similar photos displayed in books, ads, in magazines, and on calendars, but to visit Schwahbacher’s Landing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in person was breathtaking. And what about that reflection!!
 

Perhaps one of the most photographed places anywhere, we were at Oxbow Bend on the Snake River on a picture perfect day a few years ago. Lord willing, we plan to visit this iconic spot again in a few weeks. I wonder if it is even possible to have a repeat of such a sight…Mt. Moran and golden aspens reflecting in the smooth waters of the river. 
 

On top of reflecting on reflections from the past, I also found some nice reflections last week not far from home. It was late afternoon but still 100 degrees when I ventured along the wildlife park trail on Friday. Henrietta was content to remain near the shore. I think it was even too hot to fish.

Button bush and one water hyacinth were hanging out together, taking advantage of the final days of this growing season. They almost look as if they are growing from the clouds. I had a day of reflection along the trail, in more ways than one!

The blooming water hyacinth in the previous photo, being the only one I saw, and probably my final observation of this beautiful aquatic for the season…made me think it deserved a closer look!

The skies are changing as the sun is now over one third of the way on its journey south. Our location for viewing a sunset from our place without obstruction along the horizon changes a lot as the days move along. Without moving about a quarter mile and to a small hill past the barn, trees and terrain would obstruct this view.  
Stay cool, calm, and collected this week if at all possible!