During happy hour one day last week, we saw this rainbow.  No rain, but a beautiful rainbow.  Love it!!!!

 

LIFE IS GOOD!

 

I love seeing these fireworks and Uncle Sam's hat.  Lots of American flags on the hillside too.  
 

Just so you know, Patty Tegtman and I created these things last year.  She's not afraid of a table saw, and I'm not scared of glitter!!!  We had fun making them, and  they live in her garage the rest of the year.  Bill's a good sport to share his garage with glitter.  
 

 

 

 

Oh my goodness!!!  When I looked at the Angelcam on Wednesday, I saw this!!!  Then a few minutes later I saw this!!!

 

 

Here's the link:  https://wildbirds-1.click2stream.com/

 

There is a real-time camera inside a bluebird box.  Go there and check it out;  it is fascinating to watch the process.  Looks like we're going to see some baby birds soon.  Thanks, Linda, for sharing.

 

HAPPY CRITTER SITING!!!
 

 

Eighteen members volunteered, Monday June 29th, to spread crush & run along newly-paved portions of Bella Vista and Beacon Hill. Rip-Rap dams were also built aside Laurencove. Thanks to everyone who turned out for this important event.

 

        

 

I love this picture of a dad and daughter out collecting crabs from their traps on Linkhorn Bay in Virginia Beach.  It was Father's Day, 2018.  It was early morning, and I watched them for a while.  They didn't talk much, but I could see that they worked well together.  Probably been doing it for a long time.  See the lookout?  
 

I have happy memories of my dad; (very old memories,) he died in 1975.  I don't send him cards anymore, but I always celebrate Father's Day with happy thoughts.  
 

The Father's Day cards I send now are from Ranger, our cat.  Not sure he'd like the boat, but he'd probably love crabbing with Jon, his dad.  

 

To all the great dads, and granddads:  Happy Father's Day!!!  
 

 

 

 

 

This year the Summer Solstice is on June 20th.  It marks the beginning of summer.  
 

The summer solstice occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun.  This creates the longest day of the year.  
 

I added the picture of STONEHENGE, because over the centuries there have been festivals, ceremonies, and rituals associated with the summer solstice.  Lots of interesting lore.  You can find out more at:  

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

 

                                                    American flag and Juneteenth flag

 

As I was putting in today's date, I realized that today is Juneteenth.  My blog today isn't about gardening, it's about history.  

 

I have heard of Juneteenth, but didn't really know much about it, so I looked up, and learned some good stuff.  Here's my internet source:  

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth?wprov=sfti1  
 

I don't need to copy and paste the whole article, but it is very interesting, definitely worth the look-see.  I made it easy for you;  all you have to do is click on the link, and go read for yourself.  It's good to be informed.  
 

Thanks to Patty and Bill for putting up the Independence Day decorations in time to include the Juneteenth Independence.

 

It's important to celebrate our nation's holidays.  

 

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I saw this picture on the internet:  Monarch butterflies in Mexico.  I love the picture, but what really caught my attention was the note beside it.  I can't document this, but it is a lovely thought:  

 

The collective noun for a group of butterflies is "a kaleidoscope."  I hope it's true, cause that just makes me smile.

 

I hope it made you smile too.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

I wish you could have hopped on the Flexible Flyer with me, and ridden it down Crabapple Lane.  It was fabulous!!  

 

We haven't had enough snow the past few years to get out the sled, but on Saturday we had 4-6 inches of beautiful snow!!!!   We got to sail down our road!!  

 

Going DOWN is great fun, but at our age, hauling the sled back UP is a bit of a chore.  But worth it!!  

 

We got in a few good runs, then decided that 30 minutes of fresh air and exercise was enough for one day.  Then, spent the rest of the day inside reading books and appreciating the snow from our cozy living room.

 

Hope you got to enjoy the snow.  Now, maybe we can start looking for signs of Spring.

 

 

The winter solstice occurred last night at 11:20. The sun entered the sign of Capricorn, officially welcoming winter.  So I'm here to say HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

I'm having a little trouble finding things to blog about, but I haven't forgotten about you.  We're always on the lookout for interesting things in the neighborhood!  Check out the picture above.  

 

Not sure, since we didn't see the resident, but we think it's a hummingbird nest.  It's only about 2 inches in diameter. The bird book didn't give a size, but it said the nest is made of plant down, covered in lichens, bound with spider's silk, and located on a horizontal branch 10-20 feet above the ground.  I can't be sure, but I want it to be a hummingbird nest.  Anyway, thought you'd like to see our winter find.  

 

Hope you all have HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!  See you next year, 2020!!!