Intruder Alert!

In case one hasn't noticed after spending more than five minutes on my blog, I'm a big fan of nature. I especially have a penchant for reptiles. (Must be the "goth" in me.) This weekend, whilst purging the exterior house windows of those pesky little green tree frogs that leave smear marks on the glass, I spotted a new visitor. Luckily, Sweetie had the camera on stand by and he grabbed a snap of this little guy over our front door.

What is it, you may well ask? Don't fret, we had to look it up too.

Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

"Hold still for the camera and don't blink ..."

"I can't. I'm a Gecko."

He, or she, is a Gecko?! In Southeast Georgia!? This is not part of their normal range.

"Intruder alert! Intruder alert!"

Fear not, for they are harmless, and are actually beneficial little creatures. They eat bugs and that's just dandy in my book.

I only hope there are more of them. If I find more, for any fellow amateur herpetologists out there, I'll be sure to share.

And that was yet another exciting weekend in the country. *smile*

Ride Safe,

Giants Among Us #Flowers

Anyone else having difficulties with Blogger this week? I can't get all my blogs to display as previously.

It's giving me this business, as above, which is pretty useless. I can only see one post at a time and not all the blogs. If I'm missing some of your posts, this is why, and I do apologize.

Silly thing. *sigh*

It seems that most of my blogging buddies are posting photos of their sunflowers.

Guess I'll jump in. *smile*

I planted Giant Sunflowers all around the garden. At least these are doing well.

Also, sewed Giant Zinnia seeds under the Purple Martin houses near the garden.

What we lack in vegetables [gee, I don't know why ... cough] I've made up for with a profusion of color.

"O LORD, how manifold are your works!" [Psalm 104:24]

Ride Safe,

Hay Fields And Pickerelweed

I am so bone weary from a sleepless night. Ever have nights like that? They're becoming a bit too frequent of late for my tastes. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. There was no burden weighing on me. The storm that blasted through took it's liberties with our trees but other than a few limbs to pick up, everything seems just dandy. There was just an uneasiness I couldn't shake. A restlessness like I wanted to go out and howl at the moon. That merciful, life generating deep sleep was being an elusive, ethereal thing that one sometimes can not quite grasp.

UGH!

I was going to go on a brief photo shoot today. So, Hubby very kindly snapped a few photos of our neighbors. My morning devotional from Two Minutes With The Bible (Berean Bible Society) by Pastor John Frederickson was about how we as Saints should be like Peppermint.

Among Paul’s praises of Philemon was that “the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee” (Phile. 7). This precious saint had chosen to be like a peppermint for all the believers with whom he came in contact. It’s wonderful to read about this kind of testimony and what made him so refreshing to others. He demonstrated a sense of “love and faith … toward all saints” (v. 5). When these characteristics are present and genuine, they manifest themselves in a warmth and interest in others that is unmistakable. It will also be obvious in the tone and content of every word that comes out of one’s mouth.

Boy, that hits home, doesn't it. Well, I hope this refreshes you too my friends. After lunch, I may crash again.

Lake Chapel Road

Appling County, Georgia

Lake Chapel Road

Appling County, Georgia

Pontederia (Pickerelweed)

Ride Safe,

Mushrooms Are Such Fungi's

I think I enjoy nature as much as I enjoy riding.

Today, I found a few Cracked Bolete's growing in our woodsy yard. They're sprouting up everywhere! It must be all the rain and high humidity.

"You'd be a little 'cracked' too if you

had to be out in this humidity all the time!"

Bolete's are an interesting breed of fungi. Instead of gills they have spongey undersides. These are described as tubes in some books but they contain the reproductive bodies of the mushroom.

As I walk the woods in June, I can find lots of multi-color boletes. There are those that are bi-color, those that are red, blue, green, brown, etc. -- fungus come in all colors and in all seasons.  Personally, I call them Leopard Mushrooms, but that's just my title because I can't pronouce "Bolete".

If you want to learn about mushrooms please join a mushroom club. I also suggest a good field guide but DO NOT EAT wild mushrooms unless you are a trained professional or are with one. I understand that in the northern region of Georgia there is the Georgia Mushroom Club. It meets regularly and takes wonderful nature hikes. There are special interest groups for growing mushrooms, using mushrooms to dye fabric and to eat mushrooms. You can find them at www.gamushroomclub.org/.

Then, further south, in Macon, Chris Matherley, at www.morelmushroomhunting.com/ takes folks on walks to find all kinds of mushrooms. Probably every state in the union has a mushroom club which is a great way to discover these delights of the woods, the lawn, and the trees.

"Whatchya doin' Mommy?"

Jack had to "help", of course. *cough*

After a quick trip into The Big City, I plan to be back outside tomorrow in the heat, enjoying the woods, fields, and wild lands of my front yard. Mushrooms are such "fun guys", aren't they?

Ride Safe,

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)

Ode To A Tiger Moth

Much to my chagrin, and the bird's delight, it's warmed up so quickly that the bugs are out in force. Jack (of Jack Russell Terrorist fame) found a Tiger Moth resting on a weed next to the carport in the early morning light. The picture didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped. I used the wrong camera, so, I dressed it up with a "Picture Frame" in my Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 and thought I'd share. 

Moths

BY JENNIFER O'GRADY

Adrift in the liberating, late light

of August, delicate, frivolous,

they make their way to my front porch

and flutter near the glassed-in bulb,

translucent as a thought suddenly

wondered aloud, illumining the air

that's thick with honeysuckle and dusk.

You and I are doing our best

at conversation, keeping it light, steering clear

of what we'd like to say.

You leave, and the night becomes

cluttered with moths, some tattered,

their dumbly curious filaments

startling against my cheek. How quickly,

instinctively, I brush them away.

Dazed, they cling to the outer darkness

like pale reminders of ourselves.

Others seem to want so desperately

to get inside. Months later, I'll find

the woolens, snug in their resting places,

full of missing pieces.

Source: Poetry Magazine

In spite of the seemingly endless bad news, the sad checkbook balances and the fear of living under an unchecked, lawless government, I still hope everyone has had a pleasant day.

Georgia Springtime Flowers

The one (there's only one) bad thing about being retired is I keep forgetting what day it is. So, instead of a Throwback Thursday post, how about some pretty Spring flowers from around our property.

Cherokee Rose

Georgia State Flower

 

Wisteria

We've spent the day working around the yard clearing trees, picking up debris, all that 'fun' stuff that goes with property management. So, for a treat, we plan to ride our motorcycles to a Barbeque joint this evening to meet with our local Swamp Runners Group. It's a friendly little group with like-minded Christian riders. We make plans to ride en masse to a predestined Restaurant or event on the weekend. And, notably, this will be my first night ride ever. Yes, I promise to be careful. Night riding can be very dangerous.

What are your plans for the evening?

Just For Fun ~ Our Day In Pictures

A Banded NetWing beetle

landed on the office window.

(Sorry, it's a little blurry.)

Hubby was greeted by a baby Hognose snake

in the workshop this morning.

And we enjoyed zucchini lasagna for supper. YUM!

(our receipe here)

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

The Fascinating Fungus Amoung Us

We've been getting a lot of lovely rain this year. Along with the green grass and budding trees, our yard is full of so many interesting mushrooms! I've been on a real tear taking photos everywhere. (Hey, I'm a poet and don't know it! ha ha) I didn't try to learn all the names since mushrooms are very difficult to identify unless you're practically an expert. There are so many varieties! Below are a few of my favorites from around our property.

~Ride Safe~
Sparky

Watch For Comet PanSTARRS In The Twilight

I really enjoy sitting on the back porch and looking into the night sky. Living in the country the skies are inky black with little sparkley stars from one end to the other. [Ok, so I'm technically challenged ... ha ha] The 'heaven's' are truly a wonder to see. It's just part of God's miracle of creation. Tonight be sure to look in the Northern Hemisphere for the comet C/2011 L4. There's only a few nights (March 12th to 18th) it will be visible to the naked eye. Pretty cool.

More here or here.

Country Surprises In Pictures

Living in the country, sometimes one sees all manner of nature. Today, driving down a frequented nearby road, I spied a sleeping Barred Owl on a branch. He was a few feet off the road, so, I managed to snap this photo from inside the vehicle.

I made sure to not disturb his beauty rest.

Below, I saw this long ago abandoned barn on Scuffletown Road on our cold, sunny, winters day and had to stop and take a photo.

When I see it I wonder, "Why is the barn abandoned? Are the owners long gone?"

My hubby snapped the photo below of a pond, also on Scuffletown Road. Scuffletown is located in Pierce County, Georgia.

I always see God's handywork in nature. It's His signature on His beautiful creation.

"And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” Genesis 1:20 ESV

Thank you God for reminding me who You are and who I am in your creation.

Me, From A To Z

I've received a challenge to explain who I am from A to Z. So here's my vain attempt at such a task:

A - I love any food made with Apples. I even like the Aroma.

B - Wild Birdwatching is a much favored hobby.

Our little country road.
C - Living in the Country is the only place for me.

D - I love my Doggies. Ok, I just love doggies period. :)

E - Just had two Eye surgeries for cataracts.

F- I've got more Friends than I deserve.

G - I'm a Genealogy addict. And I like Guns.

New wheels!
H - Happy to be married to wonderful my Husband.

I - I dislike Injustice. Intensely.

J - Jesus is my Saviour.

K - I get my Kicks on two wheels.

L - Lilac colored flowers are in bloom everywhere right now.
M - I live, eat, dream, think, talk, breathe, function best around: Motorcycles.

N - I lean towards Neat freak but have my messy moments.

O - I am an Only child.

P - Love digital Photography!

Q - Been told I'm Quirky. Is that just a nice way of saying "weird"?

R - Did I mention I like Riding motorcycles?! :)

S - Snakes are cool.

T - One can never have Too many motorcycles.

U - For me, the Unknown is not to be feared but is to be explained.

V - Vtwins rock!

W - It's always two Wheels for me.

X - I dislike getting X-rays. For any reason.

Y - One of my favorite words is Yes, let's go for a ride.

Z - Would you believe there's a motorcycle called Zundapp?

Now, how cool is that?!