Blue, Red, and Yellow Plus Some

Guess what? I didn't go to work yesterday (Saturday)! I will probably go this afternoon for a while, but NOT all day. The Democratic party has picked a candidate to run for Circuit Clerk in November.  The newly appointed clerk begins his reign next week, which means I go back to doing ONE job. Yay!!! All those other responsibilities are gone. I feel like a building has been lifted from my shoulders. I just hope, if he is good at the job, he wins in November. Otherwise we will be back to another new clerk.

Of course, I didn't get to lounge around on my day off. I spent the entire day dancing with Mrs. Mop! Have I mentioned how much I dislike housework? I used to enjoy it, now I would much rather play.

 The sunflowers were a busy place Friday night. Indigo Bunting.

Mr. Cardinal and his wife, but she wouldn't show herself.

 The Goldfinches were dining, as well. Again, the Mrs. was camera shy. 

The pretty yellow petals are all falling onto the ground. I'm not sure if it is the birds landing on them and knocking them off or if they are merely falling off. They are not as pretty as they were. But the birds make up for the missing petals.

 I planted some sunflowers in our garden, but they are slow to bloom. This is the first.

I also planted zinnias and they are in full bloom.

HAPPY SUNDAY!!!

Linking to the Bird D'pot

Cloudy With a Chance of Rainbow

July 24th was The Dyl's birthday and today it is Ad Schmad Addie's birthday. Two of my four favorite grandsons. Like the bad grandma I am, I am late on both presents. At least I'm consistent. They would be shocked if I were actually on time—or early! Maybe I will suprise them next year. I don't get to see Dyl as much as I would like since Bri and Dyl live farther away than Punky Doodle and The Grands. I know there are better opportunites for everyone where they live, but selfishly, I wish we all lived within a few miles of each other so we could visit more often. When Bri and Punky Doodle were little, before we moved away from Illinois, we went to their Grandma's for Sunday dinner every week. Spending time with family—the best way to spend the day. 

On to the critters!

 Coming home from the garden we almost always see at least one deer. This one stayed where she was for quite a while. Too bad there were weeds between us.

Last evening I was sneaking through the garden trying to get a shot of an Indigo Bunting sitting on a sunflower, when I looked down and saw this little bit of bunny. He was a tiny little thing. I bet his mama was hiding nearby whispering for him to be very still. He didn't move an eye winker. I guess he thought he was invisible. 

Mr. Toad was hiding under a watermelon leaf.

The evening light made this guy glow! I think it is a Brown-spotted Yellow-wing. 

Linking to Saturday's Critters

Last night we picked zucchini, tomatoes, okra, and cucumbers. We also checked out the pumpkins. There are a couple of huge ones. The kids will get to come pick out their pumpkins when they are ready. The rest will be put outside with a free sign for the local kids. I might save one this year to make pumpkin pies the old fashioned way. Or maybe not. 

The garden was in dire need of a rain. As we worked, we started hearing thunder and then the rain started. Yay!

 Back home, after the rain stopped, JD walked down to get the mail. On the way back he yelled inside for me to hurry and get my camera. Too bad he didn't go outside earlier...

...otherwise I might have been able to get a really nice rainbow shot.

HAPPY SATURDAY!!!

Linking to Saturday Photo Hunt

Good Fences

Today I'm posting more shots of my last visit with — okay I'm going to get off the track here and go with a name explaination. We always call daughter Tex, but since bloggers might get her confused with TexWisGirl, I'll now refer to her as Punky Doodle. This was my name for her when she was a pretty little redheaded girl. Today she is a pretty lady, but I still see her as Punky Doodle. Anyway, today I'm posting more shots of my last visit with Punky Doodle and the Grands.

Some people are irritated by slow moving farm equipment on the roads, but I always try to be patient and wait for an opportunity to safely pass. We followed a tractor for quite a distance with no room to pass on a narrow road. The tractor turned in here, where this cow was peeking over the fence. We might have missed him had we been traveling at a normal rate of speed. 

A bit farther down the road was a field of sunflowers. No fence, but there were gates.

Back in town, we took a walk through the downtown area and then walked to the library to meet up with #1 Grandson. On the way back to the car, we spotted this place of business.

After reading the sign and a little persuasion from a Grand or two, we decided to go in...

...and this is what we found. Yum! Punky Doodle doesn't allow her family to eat a lot of sweets or snack foods, so this was a special treat.

I'm linking to Good Fences today. Click on the picture below and come join in the fun!

Hodge Podge and a Bird or Two

1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon."~Kellie Elmore  Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.

Summer always seems to slip away too soon. I love summer, despite the heat. I would rather be hot than cold any day. Cold hurts. Before air conditioning, a glass of lemonade and a shade tree made the heat tolerable. My brother and I also went wading in a creek near our house, oftentimes having water fights to cool off. But my all time favorite thing to do in the summer was ride my bike to the library. I would bring my book home, find a nice grassy spot under a tree, and read the afternoon away.

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this?  Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about?

I grew up with an older brother. He liked cars and racing. I remember listening to the Indianpolis 500 on the radio every year. When my brother was in high school, he was on a pit crew for a friend of his at the local stock car track. We also had a drag strip where some of our friends would race their cars. Other than a movie theatre to go to on Saturday night, going to the races was the thing to do on the weekends. Now I follow Nascar. JD is a Jimmie Johnson fan. I root for Rowdy Bush. JD doesn't like Rowdy so we have some fun banter during races. I have never been to a Nascar race, but we talk about going to our favorite track in Bristol, TN. One day maybe we will go.

3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game?

I think health issues. Ones health should be taken seriously.

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?

JD cooks most of our meals. He likes to cook. I think instead of a teacher he should have been a chef. He is full on German, born and raised in Pennsylvania, but lived most of his adult life in Upstate New York in a city filled with Italians. He loves Italian food, so spaghetti is served a lot in this house. I'm not a big fan of spaghetti. As a matter of fact I can hardly face it any more. But being the nice person I am, I don't complain. So, my pick would be lasagna. I would much prefer a plate of chicken alfredo, though.

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life?

Hanging out on our screened in porch with a good book and a bottle of wine.

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?

I would choose not to be. I prefer a job where I don't dread going to work. So, I would forgo the heavy duty paycheck.

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.

Too much sadness, glad it is over.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I share a love of reading with a couple of attorneys who come in the office frequently. We seem to like the same type of books and share our favorites. Ms. KB came in yesterday raving about The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel, which is  a true story about the wives of the Mercury Seven astronauts. A new TV Series on ABC to air this fall is based on this book. I grew up during a time when the TV was on in the gym at school so we could all watch the Apollo missions take off from Cape Canaveral. I'm looking forward to reading the book and watching the series. Has anyone read anything good recently?

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Another shot of SIL's sunflowers. I can't get enough of seeing these guys!

While standing in SIL's yard talking, I heard Mr. Oriole singing, so turned around and zoomed in as much as possible. Wish I could get closer!

After Anni's comment, I dug out my bird book and agree with her that it is a Scarlet Tanager. Now I'm even happier with my really bad shot. :)

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

Rubish Tuesday #13

Farmers always have plenty of old stuff around. Friday evening while JD picked cucumbers, I took a few shots of some of Bro O's old things.

Like this old pile of tires/wheels. Some were truck tires and some from tractors.

This old wheelbarrow was once bright green. Now it is mostly rust.

As is this old disc. Is it disk or disc? I've always spelled it d-i-s-c, but when I googled I see it spelled both ways. Hmm. Which do you use?

Farm gasoline. This old tank has kept many a tractor/combine/cornpicker in the field.

Lastly, a little old and a little new. This rusty barn roof makes a nice place for a hornet's nest. It is new and not very big yet. The really bad thing? It is right by our garden. 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'.  Anything old and/or deteriorating such as old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

Nothin' But Yellow!

Yesterday, Saturday, I went to work at 7:00 a.m. and stopped for the day at 4:00 p.m. Daughter, a.k.a. Tex, (not TexWisGirl, just Tex) came down to help. To add to the short staff in our office, our newest clerk's brother passed away and she will be off work Monday and Tuesday, our nightmare days! So, Tex was kind enough to pitch in. I'm still way behind, so will be heading off to work as soon as I finish this post. I'm only staying 3 or 4 hours though. Really, that's all!

The Democratic party has picked a successor for the office, but he won't start until the 11th. He will be green as grass as to the duties, but I'm sure he will quickly adjust. 

Friday night we went down to the garden to pick tomatoes, zucchini, acorn squash, and okra. We also pulled up a few radishes. I use the term 'we' loosely. JD, a.k.a. Hubs (daughter doesn't like the word Hubs, so from now on he will be JD. JD is an inside joke, which I may explain later. No time today) JD did most of the picking while I wondered around with my camera. Well, I did pick the okra.

 The Gold Finches were out in force. Enjoying SIL's sunflowers.

Above is one of my sunflowers. It is only about 4 inches from tip of petal to tip of petal. Not sure the variety, but they are pretty.

 Now back to SIL's. Beautiful, huge..

...and stately.

Linking to the Bird D'pot

Going to Seed

This week my Willy Nilly has a theme. It seems like summer doesn't really want to hang out this year. We've had hot, then cool, back to hot, and now it's cool again. Still, it's that time of the year. All the weeds are going to seed.

1. Queen Anne's Lace has been abundant, but it is slowly ending its run. It is one of my favorite wild flowers. As you can see, the clover flowers are turning brown.

2. I'm not sure what kind of plants caused its seeds to be carried on the wind to the surface of Bro O's pond, but here they are.

 3. Thistle is spreading the wealth.

4, Another shot of Queen Anne's Lace through the already brown weeds.

5. I have no idea what this seed pod is, but it has a cool shape.

Happy Friday!

Linking to Willy Nilly Friday Five

Good Fences

Another fence daughter found for me. She saw it a couple of weeks ago when more of the clover was in bloom. She was disappointed in the number of blooms but I still like it.

Next camera club assignment is clouds. What do you think about my using this shot?

Linking to:

It's Wednesday!

I almost had an owl! We were driving down to Bro O's house to work in the garden. We always stop on a bridge to see if Mr. Heron is visiting the creek. No Heron, but a huge owl took off from the empty creek bed and flew up into the trees. Sadly, I wasn't fast enough to get his picture. 

However, we did see this guy by O's pond. Kingbird or Phoebe? Tex?

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday


1. When I look at the sky I feel..
in awe of the angry clouds before a storm and happy when laying on the ground looking up, picking out familiar shapes in the clouds. But mostly, the vastness makes me feel small. 

2. If you had to run for political office, which one would you run for? Do you have any real desire to actually do this?
The answer would be Circuit Clerk of our county. This is an actual delimma I am facing now. My boss was the Circuit Clerk. Since she passed away, I have been appointed to the position. There will be an election in November and everyone expected me to run. I have declined. I am not a politician and have no desire to be one. There are few politicians who are really in it for the good of their community, state, or country. Most are in it for the money, power, and glory. Sad, but true. 

3. What scent makes you think of home?
I can't think of any scent in particular that reminds me of my home today. I enjoy scented candles, but buy lots of different varieties. There is one scent that takes me back to my childhood home and that is apple pie baking. My mom's was the best.

4. How often do you take a step back to think about where you're headed in life? Do you need more or less self-reflection?
Not often, normally. Lately considering whether or not to run for Circuit Clerk has made me take a step back and consider the idea seriously. Of course, the decision was no way!

5. July is National Ice Cream Month...besides a cone, what's your favorite food item to top with ice cream?
Fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream. Yum!

6. What might your autobiography be called?
Life in Short. I have written about 150 short stories for my memoir. I'll probably add a few more and call it done.

7. Your least favorite mode of transportation? Why?
I would have to say a bus. I've never actually rode a bus anywhere, but daughter has. She was traveling from Dallas to Raleigh, NC where I lived at the time. She had to get off in Charlotte, NC because some weird guy wouldn't leave her alone. She got her luggage and hid in the ladies room until the bus left and then called me to come get her. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Fergus is in serious need of a long walk. I've been at work and working late this week. Fergus has had to settle for a few throws of the ball and a frisbee toss or two. This morning he is standing on the bed behind me, his paws over the back of my office chair, and his chin is now resting atop my head. I think he is wanting some attention. What do  you think? Guess I'll go for a walk before work. I'll be spending the day with the auditors. We are in the midst of our yearly review. Ugh!

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Rubbish Tuesday #12

Daughter and family often ramble around in the country. On one such adventure, she found some wonderful items to post for Rubbish Tuesday. So, Saturday she took me for a drive down to see this odd place. These items are all along the fence leading up to a house.

 Coffee anyone?

 How about a canon?

 Or a slightly used and weathered pair of shoes from this shoe tree? 

Ahoy Matey!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'.  Anything old and/or deteriorating such as old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

the Bird D'pot

Linking to the Bird D'pot