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

The Village of Porches

Every year Hubs and I plant a garden down at my brother's farm. To get to Bro O's house, we pass through the Village of Greenup. 

Sign Photo courtesy of Wiki

1. Greenup's nickname is The Village of Porches. Population approximately 1500. Greenup got its name from National Road surveyer William C. Greenup, who platted the town in 1834. 

Greenup's claim to fame: Abe Bowman, pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, James A. Peters, herpetologist at the Smithsonian Institution, and Cy Warman, 19th century author. 

Not included in this list is actor James Woods. I was up late one night watching a late night show starring Tom Snyder. His guest that night was James Woods. A lady called in from Illinois and he told her he had lived in Greenup as a child. Although none of the information I found lists Greenup as his residence, when I asked around, it seemed to be a well known fact among the older citizens. 

2. Almost all of the buildings in the downtown area have porches. Greenup has always reminded me somewhat of New Orleans, without Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras. They have parades and festivals, but I've always wondered why they didn't participate in a Mardi Gras celebration. It would be the perfect setting. Don't you think?

3. When I was a kid, we sometimes drove the 5 miles to Greenup and occasionally would stop by the Candy Kitchen, which was known as The Greeks back then. They had the best ice cream!

4. Greenup also has a winery. Reminiscent of California Wine Country, Cameo Vineyards is perched atop a hill overlooking the Embarass River Valley. They have several varieties to choose from. Although my favorites are Niagara, Pink Catawba, and Embarrass Blush, I haven't had a bottle of wine I would send back.

5. The Jackson truss bridge is located in Cumberland County, just outside Greenup. The covered bridge spans the Embarras River. Visitors often mispronounce the river name, embarrass, as in red-faced; however, the correct pronunciation should be um-bray. We local folks just call it am-braw. This bridge has the honor of being the longest single-span covered bridge, not posted with restrictions, in the United States.

Jackson bridge was completed and dedicated in 2000. It is an exact replica of the original bridge built in 1832, with the help of such notables as: Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Lincoln, and Dennis Hanks.

Linking to Random 5 Friday

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Good Fences #3

Somebody put these beautiful flowers behind bars. 

Oh, guess not. The back is open. My mistake.

Linking to GOOD FENCES #3

A Bud, Petal, Bird, and a Hodgepodge

Mr. and Mrs. House Finch

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

***

Sunday I went outside to check for leaves on the trees and look what I found!

 It's a bud, but what kind of bud is it?

It's the Bradford Pear tree and will soon look like this shot from last year.
Linking to 52 Photos Project

***

HodgePodge questions:

1. April showers bring May flowers, or so the saying goes. When did you last 'shower' attention on someone or have attention 'showered' on you? Did you love it, or did all that attention make you squirm?

It isn't in my nature to shower attention or be the receiver of the shower. The last time was at my bachlorette party. I was given a foot massage in front of everyone. 

2. Share a favorite 'spring break' memory. Not talking about just the 'college spring break' thing, but any favorite spring break memory you'd like to share. Keep it family friendly please!

Sadly, I can't think of a single spring break memory.

3. It's National Pecan Month...are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite dish that calls for pecans?

I am a fan. I eat them from the bag as a healthy snack, but my hands down favorite—pecan pie!

4.  'Put all your eggs in one basket', 'egg on your face', 'rotten egg', 'walk on eggshells', or 'a good egg'...which egg-spression could most recently be applied to your own life?

'Walk on eggshells' for sure when dealing with upset family members. 

5.  In my experience___________________________________.

...you never write down anything you don't want someone to read. A hard lesson learned after my brother broadcast my diary entries to the whole family.

6. What's a  favorite song with the word rain in its title or lyrics?

Who'll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival



7. What does the word hope mean to you?

Wishing for something that will not likely happen, i.e. I hope I'll win the lottery.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have the day off. I hope the rain stops soon. 

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

***

Wordless

Linking to Wordless Wednesday

***

Pioneer Plaza Dallas, Texas

Linking to Black and White Wednesday

Rubbish Tuesday

Does anyone remember all the advertising on barns, etc along the highways? I do. Mostly what I remember from around here are the Meramec Caverns and Mail Pouch Tobacco signs. I remember on a trip to Tennessee once I saw ads for Rock City. This is one remaining along Route 40 here in Illinois.

The building is about to tumble down. If it wasn't for the missing sheets of tin, this sign would be in pretty good shape.

There is something about old things that has caught my interest. Before my blogging break, I thought about making this idea into a meme, but never did. Now that Barn Charm is no more, I decided to post old things on Tuesdays. The idea would be to post a photograph of anything old and deteriorating i.e. house, barn, outbuilding, something rusty, antiques, interesting junk, or just plain old. If you would like to join in, feel free.

Happy Tuesday!

The Race

I grew up with a railroad right across the road from our house. Bro O and I always ran outside when we heard the train coming and wave. The engineer would pull the cord and blow the whistle all the way by the house. It became such a habit for him that he started blowing the whistle whether we were outside or not and eventually even when he went by in the middle of the night.

I'm not sure what that has to do with the fact that every time I see a train traveling beside a road, I find myself driving faster, trying to catch up and ultimately pass the engine. But I do. Yesterday was no exception. I held my camera out the window and snapped a shot, expecting it to turn out a total blur. What I got wasn't a great picture, but it's the best I could do while in the midst of a train chase.

I beat him, too!

Happy Monday!

Linking to Blue Monday

A Goose and Nessie?

The weatherman said it will be a beautiful day today. I hope he's right. I plan to spend the afternoon outside with Fergus. It will be a good day for a long walk. His training is seriously lacking. He thinks sit is lay down. Silly dog!

I enjoy going to The Rez early hoping to see a duck to pose for me. Yeah right! I think critters see me coming from miles away and hide. Occasionally I do get lucky. On this particular day, I saw two geese floating on the water. Did I mention it was early?

Not early for me, but obviously early for some geese. One was still sleeping with its beak tucked beneath a wing. I tried to be quiet. Shh, goose sleeping.

Linking to Camera Critters

Yesterday, Fergus and I walked to The Rez. I like to go early in the morning or later in the evening, which is a better time to find critters. Last evening, we rounded the corner to find lots of SUVs and Trucks parked near the water. This is extremely unusual. It is a rare occasion we ever actually see a person at The Rez. The only time there is ever a crowd is during the summer when lots of people gather for family reunions. So, needless to say, I was a bit curious.

Seems a couple of guys decided to try out their kayaks on the water.

It didn't take long for them to get from one end to the other, but they would turn around and start back.

At one point, they stopped and turned in the water.

I wonder what they saw. Was it Nessie? Does Toledo have its own Loch Ness Monster? Excitement! But, whatever it was, it didn't hold their attention long. Probably a fish.

Happy Sunday to you!

A Bird, Trees, Fudge, and an Old Photo

Mr. and Mrs. House Finch were out and about this morning.

Mrs. hid before I could get the camera out, but Mr. posed nicely.
Linking to Saturday Critters & I'd Rather be Birding

Last weekend, I drove down to Newton, Illinois. Newton is a little larger than most of the villages/towns I have visited recently. It has a population of approximately 3,100. Notable native, Ross Wolf pitched for the Texas Rangers and the Marlins before going to a team in Korea and Author Irene Hunt used the Newton area as the setting in her civil war book titled Across Five Aprils.

There is a very nice park with playground equipment and a swimming pool. Lots of trees. And a quaint downtown area.

 Newton has a town square with hardly any empty buildings. Impressive for this area. I wanted to check out this store called The Country Touch, but it wasn't open.

This sign caught my eye. A Cappuccino in middle-of-nowhere Illinois? I had to have one. I do miss having a Starbucks down the street.

I went inside to browse. It was an Arndt's store. We used to have one of those in Greenup where Mom went to pick up embroidery yarn for her crafty projects. This store had a little bit of everything. Lots of fun things to look at and a Hallmark card section. They also had bulk candy—and fudge!

This is a half pound of praline fudge I brought home to share with Hubs. The texture is creamy smooth, easily the best fudge I've ever tasted. They sell it to other companies and online at Arndt's Fudgery.

And last, but not least, here is an old picture Bro O printed from an ancient negative. Taken at Grandma's house. It is me and daughter about a gazillion years ago. It isn't in very good shape, lots of white specks, but a great find anyway!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! I'm taking Monday and Tuesday off, so I'm looking forward to a 4 day weekend. Woo Hoo!