Driving Through The Georgia Backcountry

I packed a hurried repast to satisfy the hunger pains

while ensuring that the camera was charged and ready.

Then we cranked up the trusty "cage"

for a trek through the countryside.

These are a few I, or husband, snapped along the way.

Gladiolus alatus

A local herald of Spring, they're not native but they grow wild here.

Byrd Farm

Ralston Road

Corn field

on Cross Swamp Road

Mother Goose and her two

surviving goslings.

Sinclair Road

Abandoned farm

Ralston Road

Otter Creek

Otter Creek Road

Ride Safe,

(NOTE: More photos reside here. All where taken in Pierce County, Georgia USA)

The Sweet Smell Of Undress

Caught ya lookin' ... *giggle*

This morning, the unseasonably cool temperatures where calling. It was a siren song of the South of "Come outside and play."

As if I needed a good excuse to exercise the metal steed, I told myself I was dearly in need of more No Natz Bug Repellent from Thompsons in Baxley.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

This is what happens when one

puts the camera and the iced

Peanut Butter Energy Balls in the same tank bag.

Guilty! :))

Appling county really needs to

consider bringing back road side tables.

After the ride, I noticed my usually white riding jacket was a dingy grey. Hubby's was so dirty it looked completely black. We took the time to hand wash the jackets. Then I gently pulled all the liners from the helmets to be cleaned. Hubby washed down the outside of the helmets.

Remember this Dial soap commercial from the mid to late 1970s?

It's a woman is riding her bike and the lyrics are

"then Dial has enough to bring you home again,

still refreshed, feeling fine ... aren't you glad you use Dial?"

So we're smelling sweet now! And it's definitely Chef Leftover night.

Ride Safe,

Hydrangea Macrophylla And A Dog Day Morning

After years of fruitless growth, the Hydrangea macrophylla (commonly called Bigleaf hydrangea) next to my office is blooming!

I finally got serious about getting this plant to bloom and used the Hi-Yield Magnesium Sulfate available at our local Ace Hardware.

And Sam and Jack, aka The Jack Russell Terriorists (a well earned nickname!), where looking so deceptively cute whilst sunning themselves on the front stoop, I had to stop take a snap.

I hope this made you smile and everyone has a fun filled, sunny day!

Ride Safe,

A Two Wheeled Journey In The Country

It was one of those days that brought so much beauty to the table of life that it begged to be eaten with a spoon like fresh, homemade ice cream. Light, cool breezes. Azure blue skies. While the light lasts smiling wild flowers in full regalia gazing up at the sun. Oh yeah, I must put some time in the saddle!

My husband agreed that I needed to celebrate my 58th birthday all weekend and said we should toil not. (I suspect an ulterior motive here ...) That's OK. I'm a willing participant. "Throw me in that brier patch ...!" *smile*

For this Day Trip we stayed mostly in Ware County, Georgia. Riding from our home to Waycross, we proceeded north on Highway 82 (Corridor Z) to the unincorporated community of Millwood. From Millwood, turn on the Manor to Millwood Road and travel all the way to Manor. (Pronounced "Mainor". So named after the pioneering family of that area.) That part of the trip was especially enjoyable. The road is in dire need of resurfacing but if one pays attention to that, it's quite fun. In Manor, crossing Highway 84, it becomes Suwannee Chapel Road. Stay on it until it dead ends into Swamp Road. Hang a left on Swamp Road and stay on it all the way back to Waycross.

Abandoned train tracks.

Millwood, Georgia

 We took time to reflect

on how this community

once was a bustling little town.

Yellow planted Daisy's and a red Honda

go good together.

Trains are the arteries

that connect our communities

to the outside world.

Busted!

Enjoying an ice cream sandwich.

I hadn't enjoyed one literally in years

and Sweetie tempted me.

I caved.

(That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. lol)

All in all our trip was a little over 100 miles. One can view Blueberry farms, vegetable farms, small cattle ranches, piney woods, swamp, abandoned homes and train related items, and other interesting features.  It was truly a nice day. And we got to see a lot of what is our ever vanishing Georgia before it is lost to history.

Ride Safe,

The Garden Is Healing

As all my regular readers will well remember, I had an "incident" with the garden awhile back. I'm calling it an incident so as to protect the guilty. *cough* After determining which plants weren't going to make it, I put them on the compost so nothing goes to waste. Then very tediously on hands and knees, I diligently picked as much of the fertilizer off the soil as I could before I felt like the heat and humidity was going to cause heat stroke. Running the sprinklers until the soil looked a little safer was a good measure too. Waited a few days, then replanted, using the top soil and composed cow manure bags that MonkeyWrangler so kindly suggested.

Something really grand has emerged from my mistake. We plan to leave the top soil and cow manure to amend it even further for the fall garden. If finances allow, we'll add even more. Hubby and I have been discussing making the garden even better next to round. There's plans for a permanent fence, a possible greenhouse and other amenities. This has been such fun, I really want to get serious about growing vegetables again.

Lo and behold, some of the plants survived the onslaught! The tomatoes have lots of large ones waiting to turn red and juicy.

Most of the Yellow Crookneck Squash on one side are doing pretty well also. I noticed today that one even has a flower. I forgot how long it takes to go from flower to squash but I've got my mouth all set for that little banquet. I love, love, love squash!

And since today is so such bright sunshine and the sky so blue, I took a couple of snaps around the house.

Confederate Jasmine

There is a swing that Hubby built under there ...

somewhere ...

Trumpet Creeper

Remember "Tranquility Base"

and how I fixed it up last year?

Only need to trim the Blue Jack of a few dead limbs,

but otherwise it's lookin' real good.

Mostly I'm staying inside, though, because of the heat, humidity and biting bugs. Outside activities are just not very enjoyable right now, as I'm sure Simply Linda can remember. Lucky Dawg doesn't have to put up with such nonsense anymore. *grin*

Thanks for putting the kickstand down.

Ride Safe,

Two Wheeled Musing

The weather was perfect for two wheels: slight wind, hazy enough to tone down the bright sunshine, and 70 degree temperatures. Can life be any more perfect? Me thinks not!

First to Baxley to lunch at Captain Joe's Seafood.

After a scrumptious meal of fish sandwich and a turkey burger, the trusty steeds carried us to a drug store to purchase a birthday card for our brother-in-law. Cards always brighten my day, so, I assume it's a joy for others. I hope so.  

After insuring aforesaid birthday greetings was safely winging it's way to beloved brother-in-law, we took the long way around the barn home through the Bacon County countryside. Bacon county has some of the most interesting motorcycle roads in southeast Georgia. We had so much fun that we put more than 120 miles on the bikes.

It was truly a good day.

What was your day like?

Grazin' In The Grass Is A Gas And Diggin' In The Soil Is A Toil

It's still a little chilly in SE Georgia for March almost April, but this is what we did today.

Started the vegetable garden!

Hubby planted Blue Lake Green Beans, Fordhook Lima Beans, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Straight Neck Yellow Squash and 6 Beef Stake Tomato plants. The garden should produce more this year because we spent more time preparing the soil with fertilizer and composed cow manure.

I also planted Giant Zinnia's next to the water hose, seeds left over from last year. So not only will there be food, there will be color.

Oh, and furry kids helped.

Sam (8 1/2 months)

"Throw it Mommy!? Huh? Would ya?!"

Jack (left) and Sam taking a breather from the

exhausting work of supervising a garden! *lol*

While Lucy, the one good dog, looks on ...

I'm also learning how to use my new Windows 8.1 HP Desktop computer. I finally gave up trying to "save" everything to an external hard drive. Starting over is just so much less drama.

I hope everyone had a lovely, happy Sunday. What did you do today?

A Hodge Podge Post With A Craft Idea

Hubby has finally returned from his central Florida trip to assist his recently widowed father prepare the house for sale.

Hubby's 2013 Honda CB100 in the

Bethel Primitive Baptist Church and Cemetery parking lot

Folkston, Charlton County, Georgia

What a job! He said there where multiple garbage bags of clothing, knick knacks, and just plain garbage to get rid of. He said they're still not finished. Makes me kind of thankful I stayed here. Less work and I get to sleep in my own bed. *smile* Now I understand that his father has major blockages in one or both of his legs and needs surgery. Poor man. When it rains it pours.

While perusing the Yahoo! News, which I try to do every evening, I noticed this interesting article titled "5 Things To Do With Old Sweaters".

They offered some really interesting ideas! From dog beds to pillow covers and purses, etc. I love this! I think that using old sweat shirts may work as well. Has anyone made any of these or anything similar? Please share. I enjoy "repurposing" old clothes and furniture.

Have a great evening folks!

It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

It is so nice to be over that head cold. I finally stopped coughing like an old smoker, and can finally breathe well enough to walk without weezing. Needless to say, it's been a lost week for me.

As I strolled around the property, I noticed that during the heavy rains we had, the Wild Plum have started blooming. This makes the Yellow Jackets (a nasty brute of a wasp) and other more tame bees very happy.

Also, I noticed the Eastern Red Bud tree is at the tail end of blooming. A mature Red Bud can put on a spectacular show. I missed most of it this year.

Did you notice? I've learned how to add picture frames to my photos, just like Haven For Vee. Her blog always looks so pretty. And I feel like a pro now! *lol* For anyone that has Corel Paint Shop Pro, it's right there in the menu. All these years of using the program and I never noticed it. Silly me.

Husband is in Florida for a few days. He is helping his father cope with the impending demise of his wife "C". "C"s kidneys have shut down. She has ceased seeking treatment and is now in Hospice awaiting the inevitable. Please forgive this ugly comment but she's not well liked. By anyone. The woman has zero friends. Sad, isn't it, to be in your 80s and not a soul will grieve your passing. At least she does acknowledge Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour so she has the hope and promise of resurrection. I just think it's really tragic that someone's life has been such a waste. It's not a happy home there, but Husband being the good Christian man and dutiful son that he is, is with his father. Father-in-law is also not in the best of health. At least having his son there will help him during his passage from long-time marriage to widower. I admire my Husband so much. He always thinks of others first. 

Therefore, I have been busying myself with yard work today to pass the time. I find it comforting to finish something and working on the property is a healthy way to work out the "head cold hangover" kinks. 

That pile of debris at the bottom left hand corner is what I accomplished this morning (click photo to enlarge). I couldn't believe how many Catclaw, Potato Vine, and wild Confederate Jasmine where snaking through the trees. Now I'm sore and tired. But it's a happy tired, knowing that I'm doing my bit to make our place look a little nicer. I plan to put a wooden swing by the walk through gate. Maybe also some bird houses, wind chimes, feeders and any little yard decoration I can afford.

Well, I hope everyone is also having a pleasant weekend. 

Thanks for stopping by and putting the kickstand down.

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

[Psalm:118:24]

A Ride Through The Country: Our Day In Pictures #Motorcycles

The floors need cleaning. The yard needs raking. The laundry is piling up. But the weather is so pleasant again we took the bikes out for another spin. I figure all these things will still be there tomorrow and the memories will last forever.

Enjoy the ride. ~:)

Not far from home, we stopped on Tyre Bridge Road at Fishing Creek (near Big Satilla Creek) and snapped the last three photos.