Our daily walks always provide great photo ops.  This day, it was the fog.

 

We were just past the resting rock, nearly at the top of the mountain, when I took this picture.  When we reached the top, the fog was below us, and it was perfectly clear.  Strange.  And wonderful.  

 

HAPPY HIKING!!!

 

 

 

 

Here we are:  at it again!!  We changed the display to Flags and Fireworks.  We got it done in time for Juneteenth and it will stay up through the Fourth of July.   (That's Patty and me trying to hide our grubby works clothes behind Uncle Sam's hat.)

 

We hoped to just give the flamingos a rest, and bring them back after the Fourth, but the haybale is too tired.  (It has been on this hill since last fall.)  So we asked Mike to get George to take it away.  He loves any excuse to play on his tractor.  

 

Funny story:  After we got it all done and came home, we were out in the garden and heard George and his tractor driving up Stonebriar.  I ran across our yard and through Dan and Lisa's yard to try to catch George to tell him we didn't need him to pick up the haybale yet, cause we had it covered with the bunting.  But he was on his way to meet Jim and Mike down there.   So I guess the haybale is gone now, and our display is a bit different.  

 

I hope it still makes you smile when you go past it.  

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Even though this picture is from last December, it looks like the perfect Fathers Day entry.  

 

This is what Fathers Day looks like at our house. I hope your house is as loving and peaceful.  

 

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

 

Can you guess where we were?  Recognize anything?  Fast flowing water, rocks, little blue bridge?

 

We were at the Ocoee, TVA dam #3.  Sunday was a gorgeous day for a Jeep ride, so we rode down to the Ocoee, just 30 miles.  We parked at the first Information Center on the left and walked the one mile trail around the rafting rapids.  It was so fun to see the rafters up close.  Way better than trying to look and drive at the same time, or parking on the side of the road.  This way we got to see them up close, and get in a little walk too.  It is a fee area, so take along $3 to put in one of those little envelopes.  Then you can stay all day, go inside the interpretive center, and enjoy the shade and walking areas.  
 

I couldn't help taking this picture of Mullein growing out of the rocks.  How do plants do that?  They are truly amazing.

 

I'll tell you about Mullein some other day.  I just wanted you to learn about the Ocoee, cause it's a fun thing to do on a hot summer day.  

 

HAPPY ALMOST SUMMER!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Our flock is growing!!!  We noticed 4 new flamingos have joined our little group.  

 

It is becoming a Flamboyance of Flamingos!!!!  Love it!!!

 

THANK YOU!!!!

 

 

 

Since World War I, the red poppy has been a symbol of remembrance and a way of honoring those who served and lost their lives in war.

 

I read in Wikipedia:   Memorial Day (previously called Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

 

There are other interesting articles on the subject:  Check out Red Poppies and In Flanders Fields   to learn more about the history of these symbols of Memorial Day.

 

Let's take time this weekend to remember those veterans who served their country to the end, and honor them and their families for their sacrifice.

 

 

THANK YOU !!!

 

 

 

HEHEHEE!!!  I've been thinking about this since Valentine's Day.  Finally got to do it.

 

Patty and I had fun on Thursday.  We repainted the haybale.  Had to fight off a few hornets who were thinking about setting up a nest in it.  But we won that battle.  

 

We started by painting white over the daisy, then put in the light pink heart shape.  Then I got to paint this adorable flamingo.  That was really fun!!!  I painted a small jar lid black for the eyeball and screwed it into the hay.  

 

Jon noticed that there was a bit of grass growing on top of the haybale, and thought about putting two of the little flamingos up there like they are eating the grass.  

 

We tickle ourselves.  We hope you get a tickle out of it too.  

 

HAPPY DAYS AHEAD!!!

 

OK.  Here's our chance to use technology for a good thing.  Click on the link and go find out about St. Patrick's Day.  Way more there than I need to copy and paste.  

 

 

Have fun!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!   

 

Signing my cards:  Gerry O'Trout

photo: compliments of The Farmers Almanac

 

 

Today is the Autumnal equinox, when day and night hours are nearly equal.  Astronomically, it is when the Sun is directly above the equator.  Astrologically, it is when the Sun enters the sign of Libra.  In the Northern hemisphere, we will begin to see more hours of darkness than light, until the Winter Solstice in December.  

 

According to the Farmers Almanac, Autumn officially begins at 9:31 a.m. EDT, September 22, 2020.

 

 

Wow, this picture looks huge.  Actually this mushroom is about 12 inches in diameter, and grows right on the ground.  But you couldn't miss seeing it;  it sure grabbed our attention.  It is commonly known as Berkeley's Polypore.  Its scientific name is Bondarzewia berkeleyi.  

 

From Wikipedia:  Polypores and the related corticioid fungi are the most important agents of wood decay, playing a very significant role in nutrient cycling and carbon dioxide production of forest ecosystems.  Huge responsibility there.

 

My National Audubon Society field guide says it is edible when young, but as it matures it becomes tough and intensely bitter with a rank odor.  Yeah, No thanks.  It also says that they often attain a span of 3 feet and weigh more than 50 pounds.  That's a lot of decomposition!!!  

 

We had so much rain in August, the mushrooms have been popping out all over.  And we have had the privilege to see some in the wild.  

 

 

HAPPY HUNTING!!!