Wednesday, June 30, 2021

The Poppies

The Poppies are just done blooming here. They always make me think of the scene in The Wizard Of Oz where Dorothy and her friends fell asleep while skipping through a field of Poppies.






Did you know there are white Poppies? I only saw them once, and was so glad I had my camera!


"Poppy seeds are as fine as dust, and the petals as delicate as fairy shawls."


Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Words

 This house about ten minutes away has a nice large lawn. And they always mow words in it!


The year is divided into four seasons: Shoveling, seeding, mowing, and raking.

 ~William D. Tammeus


Monday, June 28, 2021

The Birds

 Betcha thought this was going to be about Alfred Hitchcock! No, it is a jigaw that we recently finished. It was really a fun one!






Sunday, June 27, 2021

Scotto's

 This is our local Italian restaraunt, Scotto's. It is owned by a real Italian family who live nearby. It has been here for maybe over 50 years.


They only recently had these murals painted on the building. They have now closed down because they cannot get any help. Restaraunts all over are having this problem. I don't know why. Our daughter-in-law says that wait staff only make $3.00 an hour plus tips. And why do that when there are other jobs around that pay $15.00 an hour. How are the restaraunts doing where you are?





Saturday, June 26, 2021

Arabian Knights

 Last week, we passed by these lilies a few blocks away. I had never seen any this color. The darker color is not black, it is dark blue. I think they may be a variety called Arabian Knights. 








Friday, June 25, 2021

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Bully Birds

 A couple posts ago, I posted a pic of a Blue Jay. Quite a few of you remarked on it. But truth be told, I have never been very fond of them. They seem to be such bullies, and reading about them confirms this. One day I saw a Blue Jay pull the worm right out of the beak of another bird!Here are some of our local ones.




But reading some of the facts at the end of this post made me feel a bit differently about them. What about you?


Busted!


FEMALE AND MALE BLUE JAYS LOOK THE SAME.

This is a rare characteristic among birds, and it is called sexual monomorphism, meaning the males and females look the same. 

BLUE JAYS LIVE A LONG TIME.

On average, Blue Jays live about five to seven years, but the oldest known Blue Jay lived for at least 26 years and 11 months.

BLUE JAYS MATE FOR LIFE.

The mating season typically takes place from mid-March to July. Once a female Blue Jay chooses her mate, they are typically together for life in a monogamous relationship.


Tuesday, June 22, 2021

The Three Cities

 This is a church about three blocks away from us. They put little white flags in their yard. Each flag represents a death from Covid. One flag group is our city, and the two other groups are our nearby cities.




viruses are contagious
so is panic
fear
hysteria
calm
love
enthusiasm
kindness
joy
choose wisely


~Dr. Caroline Leaf


Monday, June 21, 2021

A Walk On The Wild Side

 Or maybe a DRIVE on the wild side. We happened to pass the local furniture store, and spotted this groundhog on their grassy patch,



Driving into their parking lot to snap him, we noticed that there was a semi wooded area behind the store. We decided to investigate. Sure enough, this was a good idea.


Oops, busted!


A little further on, we saw that he had a neighbor.


Get a  load of those EARS!


We did not investigat any further, as we saw they had a lookout on duty!


Disastrous beauty shone out —
a halo of spirit — wild and brazen and dainty…
~Terri Guillemets


Saturday, June 19, 2021

Sunday Sunset

 This evening up on the hill. In order.








“The low sun stares through dust of gold... “

~Alexander Smith


Thursday, June 17, 2021

Finally!

Today we were finally able to get together with our family, after maybe two years? All due to Covid of course. The occasion was Phil's birthday and our granddaughter Dara's birthday. Their birthdays are only three days apart. We celebrated outside, in perfect weather, and our son and daughter-in-law had such nice things in the back yard. Pizza, ice-cream cake, and layered salad were served.


Miss Vivian was never far from where there was food to be had.


Jazz had learned how to do a handstand.


Time for gift opening!



We brought over this tower throwing game, and fun was had playing it, even in the twilight.




Here I am with all three Grands.


Back home and pulling into our driveway, this strange and beautiful cat was sitting there waiting for us. she didn't even run from our car!


The moon was a perfect half at the end of a lovely day.






Autumn Azalea?

 Just a few days ago, we passed this beautiful bush. Blooming in the fall!! I have never seen the like. It does not even look like a fall-bl...