Friday Fotos

 

Welcome to Friday Fotos!

💖💖💖

Thank you everyone for the kind words yesterday. Y'all are the best.

I took a stroll around the property. I have a new FujiFilm XP camera (water proof & shock proof) I had to try out. It's supposedly just like the other yellow one I accidentally dropped in the woods when the land clearing was going on. The chipper chewed it to itsy bitsy bits. So, these are the images that stood out the most. Enjoy!

First attempt. Maggie moved. She was looking so cute too, all curled up and snuggly. Little stinker.

Of course, I had to snap a pic of our "pretend" veg garden. Yeah, ok, it's 90% flowers. I admit it. The veg's are on the corners. We're mostly carnivore's anyway. That's how we've both lost 45 pounds. I'm down to 160 from 205 now! Woot woot! 🥳💃

The Windmill

Down by the road (above)

Royal Purple Petunias (below)

Yellow Petunia's (above)

White Petunia's next to my old chair (below)

Petunia's in an old repainted wheelbarrow (above)

Petunia's next to the gate keypad (below)

The Catalpa tree bloomed this year. (above)

Confederate Jasmine (below)

And, last but not least:

Steve is changing the oil and filter then performing general maintenance on his motorbike (2018 Honda NC750X). I think his is prettier than mine. 😎

Then, lastly, my nearly constant companions. Maggie in the foreground, Sam next to her (white) and Jack next to the junk pile. I circled him because in the bright sunlight he nearly disappeared! I didn't notice that at the time.

I hope y'all enjoyed the tour. We've got places to go and people to annoy. 🤭 Prayers that the rest of your day is pleasant, profitable, edifying and full of the joy we receive from the Holy Spirit. Every day is a gift from God. I hope I always remember to enjoy it. 😇🙏

Ride Safe, 

Welcome May And Catching Up

 

That was nice to take a little breather from many social media's. After awhile they begin to "own" you body and soul if one isn't careful. 

It's been so terribly busy here at Red Bird Acres: planting, gardening, yardwork, clearing more land, and so forth. You'd think we owned 20 acres the way I've found so much to do! (There's "only" 6 1/2 acres.) 😁 This is my hobby for now, until the health can no longer support the desire. God is good to have blessed us with a pleasant, quiet, tranquil, safe area to live in. Oh, it has it's non-plus's too but I try not to go there, like, the warmer weather brings out the biting bugs. 😥 One simply wears the appropriate cover ups and carries on. And I could definitely do without whomever the neighbor(s) is that keeps littering our beautiful countryside. 

There's lots of birds either migrating through or here to stay for the Season. This year, we have at least one nesting pair of Summer Tanager on our property! (below) When the resident Mockingbird allows, they are scarfing up the Mulberry fruit. The tree is huge this year. It's gorgeous. I'm going to try to find another Mulberry to plant near this one. That spot must be just dandy for fruit trees. 

Summer Tanager (male)

Summer Tanager (female)

Our View Off The Back Deck

There are only a few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at the moment but I expect more will arrive soon. They do love all the Red and Purple Salvia's that are planted along the back deck and in pots. The veg's are taking their own sweet time but we did get to harvest one Zucchini. I'll be glad when they all ripen so we can have them all through the Summer. 

Maggie and Sam

Jack in better days

All three of the brats (dogs) are still with us. Jack is not doing well, though. He's always had poor health. His digestive system is messed up or something. It seems to be catching up with him. Now the frequent vomiting and poor eating habits seems to be affecting his mind. I watch him walking down the hallway to get to one of his beds but now he stops mid-stride and acts confused. Earlier today he was digging at the basket of toys I have for them. He was acting as if his mind was vacant and troubled. I guess he's in pain somewhere. Poor dear. The Vet is mystified too. Could be simply old age. I'll keep him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. All my fur-babies are so precious to me.

That's it for today. We're off to the Big City to get our weekly sugar-free frozen frappe's. Thanks for stopping by. I hope everyone has a lovely remainder of the day. Keep looking up because The Rapture gets closer every day! 

Ride Safe, Sparky💙

Monday Musings

 

Reality Check by Dave Whamond

I know, right?! My husband really struggles with those bags. 😵‍💫 Bless his heart. Tomorrow is our day to forage for food but today Steve took an ailing neighbor to our local grocery store because he can't drive. He rides his bicycle nearly everywhere but the journey from Offerman to Blackshear, then back again on that busy Highway 84 is just too scary and lengthy for someone with dim vision. No way would we let him ride there when we can take an hour out of our day to help. Happy to do it. God always supplies what we all need when we need it. To Him be the glory. 

While Steve was performing said errand I noticed a HUGE limb had broke lose on the ancient Water Oak near the pump house. In my futile mind it was still dangling precariously when returned home. People get killed by those things every year! I informed him that I was going to get the old pickup with lots of rope to yank it down before it squished me or one of the dogs. He walked over and pulled on it one time ✨✨CRASH✨✨ went the limb! Nobody died but it did shake the ground a little bit. He kinda looked at me, like, "So, what's the problem?" 😝 I laughed at my silliness because I am terrified of loose limbs or dead trees. Ok. Well, now that has to be chopped up and disposed of. 

Sunday after Church most of our Sunday School class met at El Vaquero's in Patterson for a noon repast. We had such a great time. What a lovely bunch of folks these are. ❣️ We've prayed together, cried together, rejoiced together, ate together, and learned together. Because of Jesus and His Holy Spirit I have come to love all these dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ more than anything. They are good for me and to me. I hope I am the same for them.

I finished "Breaking Free". Now I'm halfway through "All My Knotted Up Life" by Beth Moore. On page 2 when Ms. Moore says, "Several of these knots I've kept clenched in a sweaty fist all my life" I nearly dropped the book!! That's me! I was stuck on Age 10, cowering in the corner ready for any fight or defense from an abusive parent. I had realized this flaw in my character well over a year ago. God had revealed that. Thank you Lord! I was treating my dear Holy Father who truly loves me, like he was the earthly broken one I got stuck with. What an eye opener Ms. Moore's book is already proving to be.  I give Him permission to continue to reveal my flaws, sins, and errors that need correcting. May His will be done. 

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have arrived! The males have started rolling in at our property yesterday. I'm so excited. Love it when they're in residence. That means that the Great-crested Flycatchers can't be far behind. One of the best things about Spring and Summer is all the birds that nest here. 

Well, I've got laundry to finish up, yardwork to do, limbs to cut up, flowers that should be watered, a house that needs attention and Maggie 🐶 is staring at me like I'm some oracle of wisdom. 🤔 She must think I have food. Brat. That's life in the Country. 

Thanks for putting the kickstand down and staying awhile. Remember, Jesus loves you and wants you with Him forever. "Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey." Keep witnessing to this lost and dying world and looking up. He'll be comin' to get His Bride soon! 💒

❣️ 🏍️ Ride Safe 🏍️ ❣️

Friday Fotos

📸 Welcome to Friday Fotos. Not too many this week. Just a few from around the yard because the weather has been so odd for January:  hot, humid, and rainy. The unusual warmth is causing the wildflowers to pop open and the buds to set. Not a good thing as when we do get another freeze, and we will, the bud's will be nipped off and there will be fewer flowers by the time we have a real Spring. Anyway, this week we've mostly only run errands for groceries, met with our financial advisor (it's not as impressive as that seems), attended Church, etc. Nothing earth shattering. 

📸 Enjoy the tour around our Estate. 

Heavy dew hanging off the Red Cedar branches.

I wish there was sound with this too as the birds are singing to beat the band. I'm wondering if they're already pairing up? Kinda early but it can happen.

Maggie.

My almost constant companion. Little darlin'.

Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church & Cemetery

More rain approaching. This is where our bones will rest one day if the Rapture doesn't come by then or something else happen. Steve's Mom is already there.

Mushrooms are popping up from all the moisture.

Carolina Yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

A native to Southeast Georgia. They usually only bloom starting in late February. Their flowers will dot the roadsides and the sweet aroma wafts through the air. This lovely wildflower is one of our harbingers of Spring.

📸  I'm doing laundry, cleaning house, straightening the homestead today. After lunch we may go into the Big City. I still haven't gone to Hobby Lobby to buy felt to make the pillow covers for the new sofa slip covers. I need a project that doesn't involve work or errands. 

📸  May y'all have a gloriously wonderful day. Stay safe. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Pining For A Pantry

It's been a hoopla of activity in our neck of the woods with yet another 'remodeling' project for our almost 24 year old home. (I blame the new hormones ... they're working splendidly, much to my husbands chagrin!) Next to the last thing to be changed was the pantry I've been pining for. OK, here's a brief history of the house for the newbies: this room started out as the laundry but because it leads into the carport, it migrated into a sort of impromptu front door for the neighbors. My fellow country friends will understand why. Anywho, now that the carport is looking so lovely, I just couldn't have folks weaving past dog smells and clutter before entering the house plus our kitchen is teeny tiny with very little cabinet space. Thus, the pantry idea.

BEFORE

First, we sold the coffin style deep freezer on Craigslist. You know, that thing sold in two hours!? I had no idea freezer's where so popular. It was taking up way too much real estate for just the two of us, and since it was still in excellent working order, we where able to obtain a top dollar resale price.

Next, purchased a smaller upright frost free freezer on sale (my favorite word!). Whilst at Lowe's purchased a single door white cabinet with lots of shelves and matching coat hooks. Moved all the dog items to the left hand side of the room (in the back). We are so organized now.

AFTER

Voila! Just add food.

Sam III was cool with the whole renovation thing, but his brother Jack was totally freaked out. Someone moved his cheese! I found him cowering in my office with a shattered look on his face. Poor little guy. Several dog cookies, a chew bone and hugs later he was much improved.

The, hopefully, last scheduled remodel is the guest bedroom or The Blue Room, as I call it. The new flooring is purchased, so, we're all set. All that remains is removing and disposing of the 23+ year old carpet. I think that should wait until after Thanksgiving. The older I get, the longer it takes to recover from all this 'fun'. *lol*

Wordless Wednesday: Jack And Sam III

Jack (left) and Sam III

19 October 2015

Wordless Wednesday: Outside My Window

Tiger Swallowtail (male) on Butterfly Bush

Silver-Spot Skipper visiting Mexican Petunia

Not identified mushroom

(They're bright yellow if anyone knows what they are.)

Jackie Boy 'helped'.

Absent From Our Presence, Forever In Our Hearts

It's been two years. Two very long years since Maxie died. But don't worry, dear reader, every day is better and I promise not to dwell on this subject much. I only wanted to remember her for a few minutes before moving on.

FindAGrave Memorial

Miss ya little angel puppy. Rest in peace.

Thank you folks for your indulgence. I do appreciate your kindness. Comments turned off.