Showing posts with label photos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photos. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

Monday Musings

 


Reality Check by Dave Whamond

I know, right?! My husband really struggles with those bags. 😡‍πŸ’« 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?" πŸ˜ 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. πŸ’•πŸ˜ 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. πŸ€” 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! πŸ’’

❣️ 🏍️ Ride Safe πŸ️ ❣️

Friday, January 26, 2024

Friday Fotos

πŸ“Έ 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. 

πŸ“Έ 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.

πŸ“Έ  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. 

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

Friday, January 12, 2024

Friday Foto

We've been feeding the deer sweet corn down on the gun range which also attracts lots of other hungry wildlife. Mostly birds. These are only a few of the one's that have shown up. Usually the migratory's come through but they're late this year. Perhaps they'll grace us with their presence for the next Friday Foto.

Enjoy the photo overload. 


Blue Jay
The blue jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America.
It lives in most of the eastern and central United States; some eastern populations
may be migratory. Resident populations are also in Newfoundland, Canada;
breeding populations are found across southern Canada.


Brown Thrasher (Georgia State Bird)
The brown thrasher, sometimes erroneously called the brown thrush or fox-coloured thrush, is a bird in the family Mimidae, which also includes the New World catbirds and mockingbirds. 


Northern Cardinal (we named our property after these beautities)
The northern cardinal, known colloquially as the redbird, common cardinal,
red cardinal, or just cardinal, is a bird in the genus Cardinalis.


Red-bellied Woodpecker
The red-bellied woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae.
 It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Florida
and as far north as Canada. 


Eastern Grey Squirrel with Blue Jays
The eastern gray squirrel, also known, particularly outside of North America,
as simply the grey squirrel, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus.
It is native to eastern North America, where it is the most prodigious
and ecologically essential natural forest regenerator.

Towhee
Pipilo is a genus of birds in the American sparrow family Passerellidae.
It is one of two genera containing birds with the common name towhee.


It is such a pleasure, an honor and a privilege to be surrounded by God's beautiful handiwork. I try to thank Him every day for allowing us to live here. Can I get an amen?! 

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Bits And Pieces

 

Sunset On New Year's Day

New Year's Day the weather was gorgeous. The sunset was stunning too, even though the photo doesn't really do it justice. I was sitting on the back deck enjoying the moment when suddenly the woods behind the tall Slash Pines became back lit by the sun's rays. It literally looked like the woods were golden. So lovely. 

I learned a new word today: perihelion.

Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford LanguagesLearn more
per·i·he·li·on
/ˌperΙ™ΛˆhΔ“lyΙ™n/
noun
ASTRONOMY
  1. the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is closest to the sun.
    "today Mercury is at perihelion"

Today marks this event with the sun and the earth being closest. I do find astronomy interesting. The stars, the sun and the moon and their movements don't effect us or determine our personalities (that's astrology which is strictly forbidden), but these elements do reflect God's nature since He is the Creator. This past year  at Christmas we watched the film "The Star of Bethlehem". I enjoyed it so much that I bought it on DVD to watch anytime. The film does glorify God as it shows how great and big and wise He truly is. All that's happened and will happen has been planned from the very beginning. He is awesome.


Not much going on at Red Bird Acres this week. Our days are somewhat askew thanks to all the holiday's. They're fun but it's nice when they're all over and things go back to normal. I did put all the Christmas decorations away on Jan. 1st. Now it's the normal routines of grocery shopping, buying supplies and the like. Rain is expected for the weekend. Again. One good thing about rain is it keeps the 4 wheelers off our narrow dirt road. Those machines are a pest here in the country! I pray for all those that whiz by because I'm worried that those underaged drivers will end up in a ditch. It has killed a lot of young folks these past few years. I guess their parents don't care. I don't get that. 

Anyway, off we go to our Adventures In Grocery Shopping. 😁 I'll be glad when it warms up so we can go for a ride again. Cold weather makes my joints ache. That's so uncomfortable. It's been too long since I've felt that delta breeze on my knees.

I pray y'all will have a safe and enjoyable day. Stay warm and Ride safe. Thanks for stopping by. 


 

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

The Day After Christmas

πŸŽ„Through mutual consent by all the family, our Christmas was today. It's been a nice day of tasty treats, new memories, laughter and renewed strong connections. I love these folks greatly. That love doesn't come naturally for me. It's the love of Jesus Christ that's put that there. With the renewing of my spirit I pray often that we may all lived closer to one another again some day. Hopefully, very, very soon, some of our other treasured kin will be living in our little county here in Georgia. The plan is that presently Steve's sister and her family will be quitting South Florida for good. Can't wait! 

πŸŽ„These are from yesterday. It was just me and Steve. 



πŸŽ„That's it for now. I'm bone tired. Gotta go get comfortable before I fall down, maybe watch one of my British or Irish flicks, and open that new bottle of bubbly. 

πŸŽ„I pray everyone had an enjoyable day too. Thanks for stopping by. 






Friday, May 20, 2016

From Pain To Gain

Ziggy

Something wonderful has happened. The crippling pain in my hands, and subsequently my wrists, seems to be subsiding. But let me back up a bit. Last  April 22nd, I dutifully visited the Orthopedic doctor to address this problem. He listened to the ailments. Then after many more questions, and hmmm’s and uh huh’s, Doc diagnosed the pain as “Lesion of left ulnar nerve with trigger finger”. Fancy words, huh? This resulted in two very freakin' painful cortisone shots in the palm of said left hand though! Which resulted in me whimpering quietly out of the office with both wrists encased in large black braces, trying to act like an adult and therefore keep what’s left of my dignity intact. Also, on the advice of a former blogging colleague who is a retired Nurse, I’ve also began taking an over-the-counter vitamin called Turmeric (i.e. Saffron pills). Well, it’s taken several weeks of rest but I think there’s a breakthrough. I’m actually typing this missive without having to stop and hold the left wrist in agony. And that includes using this goofy laptop with the broken “s” key that slows me down to a crawl. Who knew so many words have an “s” in them?! Oy.

Hey, look, there's a cute elf weeding
in the garden so I don't have to!

Thanks to seasonal rains, the vegetable garden and the flower areas are prospering. So far we’ve already enjoyed many meals of Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Bell Peppers and Red Potatoes. The Tomatoes are a disappointment, but, I can live with it. Oh, and we now have a herb garden consisting of Basil, Cilantro, Dill, and Rosemary. I didn't realize that fresh herbs truly are a tasty accompaniment to a meal. We’re not financially rich but, doggone it, we sure eat good.
(Doesn't this little guy look like our Sam III?)

There’s a lot of birthdays in our small circle of friends and family in May. Today is my 60th. Our plans this year are to stay home and have a cookout. Hubby plans to grill juicy Rib Eyes from the local IGA topped with cooked buttered mushrooms. We will also dine on baked Idaho potatoes (gotta smother them in butter and sour cream, don’t ya know) and eat more of those scrumptious fresh squash. He’s also baking a homemade apple pie. *picture me dreamy eyed and drooling* Oh yeah … that’s one of my favorite sweets! I’ll share the loot gifts next post.


Speaking of dogs, the Boys, the Jack Russell Terriorists Jack and Sam III, are both healthy. They’re still actively ‘protecting’ the property from those nefarious bushy tailed intruders. I feel so safe now. *giggle* That first year I thought I'd got run away from home trying to discipline those two cuties but now they've finally turned into two really fine dogs.

For Wrent

Hubby has started making Blue Bird houses. He’s given some away to fellow Sunday School attendees. The nest boxes have become so popular, he’s having a hard time keeping up with requests. I think he’s on a one man quest to reestablish this lovely bird back into our area. Works for me. (As long as he doesn't start tilting at windmills, I won't worry.) They’re one of my favorite local winged creatures, alongside the Carolina Wren (their song sounds so sweet to me). We have several nesting on the property every year. I see God in nature, don’t you?

Preparing for the 200 mile ride to
Valdosta and back.

Now that my wrists have improved, I’m even back to riding more often. The F.A.I.T.H. Riders sponsored a local ride over to the Smoke ‘N Pig again. Their BBQ is worth the trip folks. Afterwards, I was so physically drained, that the whole next day all I wanted to do was rest, but, gosh, it felt good to be back in the saddle.


God is indeed good to honor me with so much answered prayer. He answers ALL prayers, of course, but being able to ride and type again is especially sweet. Anyway, even if the pain returns making surgery necessary, I know He loves me and cares. All He wants in return is our FAITH. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

I’m truly blessed all around. It is indeed good to be back on-line! Whole hearted thank yous for the prayers, kind words, and patiently waiting for my return. May the LORD bless and keep you too.


Mount up! LET'S RIDE!

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Thankful Thursday: The Adventure Begins

The garden area is gradually being transformed into an area of plenty and beauty. Hubby planted Tomatoes, Red Potatoes, and Bell Peppers. Next will be the Straight-necked Yellow Squash, Zucchini, and Green Bush Beans. Around one end of the humble 20 x 20 plot is also planted Giant Sunflower seeds.

In the bare spot next to my office, that I've dubbed Butterfly Haven, there will be Giant Sunflowers, California Poppy, and Cosmos. Already in residence is the Shrimp plant and Butterfly Bush. Oh, yeah, and lots of wind chimes. I take great delight in hearing them tinkle in the breeze. *giggle*


I ran out of steam about 10 am but hope tomorrow to plant the remainder of the seeds: Shasta Daisy, English Daisy, Johnny Jump-up, and Bachelor Button.


There should also a "mystery plant" in Butterfly Haven that Hubby and I found growing along Wall's Siding Road here in our county. Last year we collected seeds from it. These seeds have joined in with the domestic's above. At maturity the mystery plant is taller than me with long white flowers. I've tried and tried to identify it to no avail. Anyway, in about 8 weeks, if all goes well, there should be a profusion of color. All these flowers are dandy attractants for the Butterflies, Hummingbirds and other of God's creatures that I so enjoy.

There's a lot to be thankful for today and every day, one of which is it seems I can garden almost as well as I could before the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome symptoms and surgery. There's no pain, lightheartedness, vision loss or nausea. Thank you LORD Jesus for your mercy. Being out of pain is like being released from years of imprisonment. I don't know why but it reminds me of how all of us who trust and believe in salvation by the innocent shed blood of our LORD are being transformed inside into a thing of beauty for Him. These small reminders of His majesty are all around us if we'll only look.


There is 'joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart' today! I pray your day is joyful too. Share what you're thankful for.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Throw Back Thursday: Our Love Was Once In Tents

Hubby and Sparky

In 1979, we were newly wed, full of the moxie of youth, bright eyed with great hopes for the future. Gainful employment was easy back then. Jobs where plentiful. The future was bright. We weren't rich but we weren't broke either. Whatever life was to throw at us, it didn't matter, we where ready. And, ultimately, loves conquers all.

Our first trip together was on a shoe string budget, so, we planned for a location close to home in western North Carolina. This trip we spent a lot of time camping and hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville and all parts in between.

Hubby brought a vivid blue two man pup tent into the marriage. This was the start of a long love affair for me with camping. Soon after this trip, we 'moved up' to a 6 man Hillary canvas cabin tent sold by Sears. It gave us many years of faithful service and happy memories. Many years later, tired of sleeping on the ground, we bought a towable Recreational Vehicle. Now that we live in the woods, an RV was no longer exciting. I really miss being outdoors on our trips, though, but Hubby grew weary of all the work. Can't say that I blame him.

Above is the dear man during his salad days sitting by a stream on the Blue Ridge. I fell in love with that charming smile the first time we met. I am happy to report that he is still that wonderful guy and more.

Thank you LORD Jesus for all our wonderful years together.

 "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." Ephesians 5:31

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Scooter Poopin' In Southeast Georgia

Yesterday, we took off zigzagging around Southeastern Georgia. If one could ignore the bone chilling wind, the day was picturesque. The sun was incredibly bright making the sky like unto an enormous blue diamond. It was charming. Like a prelude to Heaven. How could we resist!? Our first stop was the metropolis of Valdosta. We lunched at Smok'n Pig on Valdosta Road.

I just had to snap a pic of the pink pig BBQ grill. Hubby burst my bubble, though, when he said that the first time he cooked on it, the paint would chip. Oh well ...

Sated with good 'ol southern BBQ, we traveled further west to the little community of Dixie (how original, right?!) in neighboring Brooks County.
Winter Road, Dixie, Georgia

The above picture is downtown Dixie, a sleepy little burg, never destined for greatness. I never knew this county had such easy to ride, meandering, shady, scenic roads! Now I want to move there and ride every day.
Emanuel AME Church
County Road 78, Dixie

I snapped a photo of this black church only because it has the most unusual architecture for the area. It must have been built on a shoestring and perhaps with more than one chef in the kitchen.
What is the round room for? I wonder. The front had one style, the windows don't fit the design of the front, and the back is ... well, unusual. At any rate, it was interesting.

One nice thing about old age is it doesn't take much to amuse me anymore. *lol*

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your day is blessed.