Rubbish, Duck, Flower, Flower

Today is Spring Cleanup in our village. Everyone takes their no-longer-useful items and kicks them to the curb. Well we would kick them to the curb if we had one. We have sidewalks, a ditch, and then the street. Anyway, I digress, the whole point I'm trying to make is this day is all about rubbish. Get it? Rubbish?

Yesterday, Hubs hauled a year's worth of accumulated rubbish out to the ditch. Those items included the old grill, misshapened tomato cages,  and decorative fencing, an old full-of-holes trash can, and other items too numerous to mention. 

This morning, our huge pile has morphed into a tiny pile. The scavengers were out in force, proving that old saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." As I've said before, sometimes gems can be found in a garbage heap. I guess some people dug through our rubbish and found something of value. 

Hopefully, the offerings below will not be considered rubbish...

...like handsome Mr. Mallard

Linking to Saturday's Critters

I don't know what kind of tree this is, but it is right outside the office window. It makes for a beautiful view each spring.

Linking to Today's Flowers

And last, but not least, this orchid.

Linking to I Heart Macro

Happy Saturday!

Reflections

It's Friday! Yay!

 Time for reflecting. This shot was taken at the Corning Museum in Corning, NY...

...and this one is from a visit to Lancaster,  PA. It was a beautiful morning. Unlike this morning. It's raining here and the farmers are trying to get in the fields.

Happy Friday!

Linking to Weekend Reflections

Good Fences

Fergus and I went for a ramble down some country roads last weekend. Looking for fences, of course. We found a few.

It's kind of hard to see this fence, but it's there. Really it is. Maybe if you squint...

Another far away fence. I think it was part of a dog kennel at one time. I liked the purple carpet.

This fence was used to keep cattle in, but didn't see any this day.

Linking to Good Fences

Dove, Cow, Hodgepodge

First of all, I want to thank everyone who joined and commented on Rubbish Tuesday. I was afraid no one would be interested. And a big Thank You to those who helped pass the word. 

We have several varieties of Doves here, but this is my favorite and the most rare. I like the color. I've looked in the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds and think this Dove matches the Zenaida Dove. But the book doesn't mention them in this area.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

As I was driving down a back road last weekend, I saw this mom and baby up on a hill. They seemed to be enjoying this warm spring day.

Linking to Rurality


1. April 22nd is Earth Day. Are you inspired by nature? In what way?

I grew up on a farm. We didn't have TV, cell phones, or electronic games, so my brother and I spent the days exploring fields, woods, and creeks. When I lived in Dallas, the farm was my favorite vacation spot. To rejuvinate, I required fresh air and quiet not found in a busy city. I would take a book back to my favorite tree and read while listening to the sounds of nature. The perfect holiday. 

2. Down to earth, four corners of the earth, move heaven and earth, not have an earthly chance, or salt of the earth...which earthly idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.

Down to earth. While watching The Voice last night, Hubs described one of the contestants as vain and full of herself and another as kind and 'down to earth'.

3. Share one piece of advice you might give a newly engaged couple.

Be committed. Don't give up after the first argument. 

4. When did you last engage someone to perform a job, task, service, home repair, or improvement? On a scale of 1-10 (ten being the best) how would you rate their work and/or your satisfaction with the job or service provided?

Two weeks ago. I had a leak around the chimney.  I would give the repairman a 10 for both work and price.

5. When did you last find yourself engaged in small talk? Are you awkward or an expert or somewhere in between?

Yesterday, at work. It's easy to come up with topics of conversation if I know the person well, but if it is an acquaintance or someone I just met, I have trouble thinking of things to say. Awkward.

6.  What was the last historic place you visited?

The Hermitage in Nashville, TN. The home of President Andrew Jackson.

7. The world would be a better place if we just be kind to one another.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Rubbish Tuesday

What was once shiny and new is now rusted, old and falling down.

There is something about old things that always catches my eye. Now that Barn Charm is no more, I decided to post old things on Tuesdays. The idea is to post a photograph of anything old and deteriorating i.e. house, barn, outbuilding, something rusty, antiques, interesting junk, or just plain old. If anyone is interested, feel free to join in. If so, please link back to this site. Thanks!

I have no idea what I'm doing with this Linky creature. I hope I've done it right. 

Diona

In my quest to visit small towns around here, last Friday I stopped by the tiny, and I do mean tiny, town of Diona. I have always seen the Diona sign when driving to Charleston, but have never actually been there. So, I decided to see what Diona had to offer.

The answer, not much. What you see is about it. I think there were 3 or 4 houses off to the right and maybe another 3 or 4 on the left. No welcome sign and I couldn't find any information on population. If they have a claim to fame, surely there would have been a sign.

What  you see is what you get. I did see this building, which makes me think there was a downtown at one time.

And I found this interesting old building that looks like it could have been a store back in the day.

I know of a couple of photography club members who go on east of Diona to look for birds, but I didn't look for their hidey place this trip. That will be for another day.

When driving up Route 130, I always drive through Fox Ridge State Park to look for birds. I did see an Eastern Bluebird and a BrownThrush, but they were too fast for me. No pics. I did find this heap of logs left from when the river left its banks.

I also found this tree that I found intersting enough to stop and take a picture. At first I thought it was a Sycamore, but the more I look at it, I'm not so sure.

And last, as I pulled of the highway into the entrance to Charleston Lake, I found this guy spending a beautiful day fishing.

Linking to Blue Monday

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Lillies, Critters, and a Happy Easter

First of all, I hope everyone is having a Happy Easter.

These lillies are from my visit to Luthy Botanical Garden.

As I  mentioned in yesterday's post, I took Fergus for a jaunt to look for photo ops. Our first stop was The Rez. I saw a long skinny neck sticking up over the bank close to the road I was driving on. I slowly stopped and picked up my camera from the console. Just as I aimed, the long neck took flight. As I suspected, it was a Great Blue Heron.

Thinking I was out of luck, I was surprised when he stopped on the other side of the water. I was able to gt this shot and a few others which were no better, but at least I was able to document his prescence.

On the west side of The Rez, I spotted Mr. and Mrs. Goose meandering over the water. This is a place where I can drive near the water to be a little closer to the far side action. I wonder if it is the same couple from last year. I was able to get some shots of their offspring then. I'll keep checking and maybe they will allow me the pleasure of photographing their children.

From The Rez, we drove up to Charleston Lake, where I found several geese foraging for food in the grass. They allowed me to get fairly close. I think these may be used to seeing people around.

This guy was looking a bit skeptical, but posed anyway.

There were American Coots swimming in the lake and I saw what I believe to be a Lesser Scaup, but it was so far out all I could get was a very blurry shot that I cropped enough to see the colors.

Linking to the Bird D'pot

Spring has Sprung!

Yesterday was a great day for being outside. I took Fergus for a jaunt to look for interesting subjects and critters. Didn't find much, but we both enjoyed the 70 degree weather.

This is my friend Mr. Sparrow, watching me suspiciously as I took this picture of the buds on our Bradford Pear tree late Thursday evening.

Linking to Saturday's Critters

 This was the next day. Once spring finally showed up, it has been moving fast.

Bradford Pear blossoms.

Linking to I Heart Macro

Some of the lillies at Luthey Botanical Gardens. I can't express how fragrant this room was. I could have spent the day on that bench...

...or enjoyed a nice lunch at this table.

I'm looking forward to going again when the outside flowers are in bloom.

Linking to Today's Flowers

Casey

Casey, Illinois has a population of approximately 2,700. To me, Casey was where we went to the drive-in to see the latest movies. I remember seeing Elephant Walk with Elizabeth Taylor and Clint Eastwoods spaghetti westers there. Of course, as a teenager, we used to pile into the car and sneak a couple of friends in by hiding them in the trunk if we didn't have enough money for everyone's ticket. I always wondered why they didn't search the trunks. Alas, the drive-in is no more.

Casey's claim to fame comes in the form of 1st Lieutenant Paul Conrad Burrus, USMC Infantry Officer during the Korean War. Also, David Hanners. Mr. Hanners, a reporter for The Dallas Morning News won the Pulitzer Prize for a special report on the 1985 airplane crash at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. 

This is the downtown area, complete with a stop light. During high school, I applied for a job at a restaurant in Casey. Sadly, I didn't get the job.

The main street heading north.

Fairview Park has a swimming pool, playground equipment, and a large pond for fishing. This is where we used to go to watch fireworks on the 4th of July.

The park is also the site of the Popcorn Festival in late summer. There are crafters tents set up on the far side of this bridge.

Speaking of the bridge, I had to stop in the middle to take a picture of this beautiful blue sky. It was a gorgeous day for exploring.

Linking to Skywatch Friday

This is a restaurant I want to check out.  Hmm. Wonder why it says Chime in?

This is the front of the Restaurant.  And to the left is the answer to the 'Chime in' question.

 It is the world's largest wind chime!

 Happy Easter!

Good Fences

While driving down the main street in Greenup, I looked to my right and saw this fence.

So, of course, I turned around so I could get a shot out of the car window. Love those drive-by shootings!

I spent the weekend with daughter and family. After dinner one evening, we took a drive. Daughter pointed out this fence. Son-in-law stopped to give me time to take a picture. It was a really long fence.

Linking to Good Fences

Wildbird, Black & White, and Wordless

Another of the Wood Ducks hanging out at The Rez.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

I found this rather stern looking Mr. Sunshine in the gift shop of Luthy Botanical Gardens.

Linking to Black and White Wednesday

Linking to Wordless Wednesday

Rubbish Tuesday

I have taken pictures of this house before. It has always fascinated me. While trying to decide what to post today, I decided to drive by to see if the tree was in bloom. Lucky me, it was. I like the contrast between the old house with peeling paint and the spring blossoms on the Magnolia tree. After a day of rain, the colors were especially vibrant.

I'm not going to post a link, but if anyone wants to join in, feel free. The idea behind Rubbish Tuesday is to post anything old and deteriorating i.e. house, barn, outbuilding, something rusty, antiques, interesting junk, or just plain old.

I hope your weather is warmer than it is here. After a near 80° weekend, it's now a balmy 33° outside. <a href="http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/13974224711_f7a0ab6128_q.jpg" </a>

Lillies and the Lorax

Saturday we went to Luthy Botanical Gardens to see The Lillies and the Lorax Show. We happily entered Thneedville and found these blue Truffula flowers along with a plethora of lillies.

Linking to Blue Monday

Happy Monday!

House Finch

Another shot of my friend Mr. Finch.

Linking to  the Bird D'pot