A Christmas In Bloggyland Tour

Our dear bloggy friend in the strange far off land of Florida is hosting a Christmas in Bloggyland Tour on Monday, December 15! Everyone - and that means you - is invited to participate and share your holiday spirit with your bloggyfriends - however you wish - on the 15th.

Show your decorations, your memories, stories, pictures, recipes, music, art, poetry, nature - anything - whatever you like on your Christmas in Bloggyland post for the 15th.

1. Leave a comment on the MuseSwings post saying you'll be there!
2. Make a copy of the invitation and post it on your blog!
3. Add the HTML back to this post or to MuseSwings.
4. Tell your bloggiebuddies and bring more friends! Party! Party! Party!

MuseSwings will post the names of all of the participants on the 15th so everyone can take the Bloggyland Tour and visit all of the wonderful Christmas in Bloggyland posts.

Travel from blog to blog to see what wonderful things our bloggyfriends have done to celebrate the holidays. Leave comments! Have a wonderful adventure.

As always, the tour lasts all day and evening and covers every time zone and country.

I personally will only be able to participate half a day as I have Jury Duty in the afternoon. I love having Jury Duty here, it's actually fun! I get to see who's doing what to whom and why. I enjoy that but I'm nosey. [tee hee]

So jump in! The water's fine (or snow, if the case may be). See ya there my friends! Hope you can make it.

♥ ∞

On-Line Typing Test

I've slowed down a bit due to arthritis, but, I've still got it!

67 words

Speed test

Years ago, in the early 1980's, when taking the test to work for a job with the State of Florida Vital Statistics, I was clocked at over 75 wpm. That was with youthful fingers and long polished finger nails. I guess, the 'ol girl has still got it. :o)

Hey, how do you like the new background? It was time for a change.

It has rained cats and dawgs all day. It rained so hard earlier that it was actually raining sideways! Southeast Georgia was under a tornado watch but thankfully that has passed uneventfully. Well, can't go outside. Decorations are up. Everything is done. Sweetie is on a western Georgia hunting trip.

Not much going on today. [sigh]

Maybe tomorrow will be more fun.

God bless y'all!

♥ ∞

Southeast Georgia Alien Plant Life

Stepping through the sliding glass doors, rather than being greeted by the deliciously sweet aroma of dried autumn leaves to which I am accustomed, I was repulsed instead by a most odious smell. I searched around this area of the house, attempting to locate the perpetrator of my nose hair burning.

Finally, I pin pointed the source.

Under a back stoop, lo and behold, there was a freshly born alien plant life. I screamed at the top of lungs "Sweetie, come here! What is this!?"

My husband came tearing outside, "What's wrong?!" Probably thinking I had cut my hand off or something.

I asked him, "WHAT is THAT!" pointing at the odious offender.

He calmly responded "Oh, that's just a Stinkhorn. We used to call it 'stink cabbage' when I was kid." Then he continued to relate how they as youths would throw these horrible things at each other! [sigh] Boys ...

I had to look this thing up on the internet.

At the web site MushroomExpert.Com, the little monster has a rather fancy name of Clathrus columnatus, aka Stinkhorn.

"Ecology: Saprobic; growing alone or gregariously; often near woody debris (and apparently sometimes growing right out of the sides of living trees); in lawns, gardens, cultivated soil, and so on; from North Carolina to the Gulf coast, and in Mexico (reported as far north as New York); October through March."

Sure enough, there's wood mulch under the stoop and it's the right time of year.

Well, next time my nostril radar picks up one of these, I'm running the other way! The mushroom is a lovely orange color but it smells like dog doo on steroids. So, it just goes to show one, you can't judge a mushroom by it's color.

♥ ∞

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Photo Graciously Donated by Kirk M. Rogers

♥ ∞

Este Blog Investe E Acredita Na Proximidade! Yeah, It's Another Award.

NanaTrish (also known as Blue Foot this week .. ha ha) of Nana's Living The Dream has honored my humble bloggy home with another award! Nana lives in Blog Land that I am priviledged to call Friend.

This is the special "Proximidade" award. This award is a fine one because it focuses not on the glory and fanfare of blogging, but in the PROXIMITY to one another through this on-line world (kind of a Six Degrees of Separation sort of thing).

I wonder who the guilty party was that started all this award giving?

Anyway ...

"Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors.This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Nearly everyone I know has this award. I could only come up with 5 recipients (sorry) but I am proud to pass this award to:

1) Steviewren at A Little Birdie Told Me So

2) Rosezilla at All About Whatever

3) Linda at Chicken Soup

4) Marie at Cpaphil Vintage Postcards

5) Steve at Wiregrass Musings

Y'all enjoy! And thank you for being my Bloggy Friends (especially my husband, Wiregrass Steve).

Off subject, it has been EXTREMELY cold here in Southeastern Georgia! Last night it was 29 degrees! Every morning we awoke to frosty grounds. I know I got some giggles from some blog friends because they live further north. :o) Well, that's cold for us! I wish now I had been keeping track of how many days of frost we've had.

Motorcycling has been put on the back burner .... one would REQUIRE a burner in one's pocket to ride comfortably ... because of the cold. Try imagining 65 mph wind in one's face for over an hour at a time. Extreme weather can wear one down physically and that can be so hazardous on 2 wheels. I try to always dress appropriately but it's still tiresome, so, we keep them parked until balmier days.

Is it Spring yet?

♥ ∞

This Is The Day The Lord Has Made

Yesterday, we drove our Jeep to Emanuel county here in Georgia. The roadways are so alive with color this year! The Turkey Oaks are absolutely stunning with their bright orangy red leaves. The Cherry Trees are brilliant yellows. Slash Pine trees stand out like sore thumbs now with their perpetual green leaves. There's just so much color everywhere.

This was a combination Genealogy and Motorcycle trip. I had a couple of tombstones to look up at the Old Canoochee Primitive Baptist Church cemetery for genealogy research. Then, we scooted on over to Statesboro to look at .... yeah .... you guessed it, dirt bikes. [blush] I still want one doggone it. I have looked at every possible 200 or so size dirt bike except the one I really want: 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250. But, I think this 'want' will be put on the side line. Got too many things that need to be done to the ol' homestead. Aw, well. There's always next year. I feel very, very blessed (more than I deserve) and oh so thankful. I don't know what it is about being out in the woods. I always feel so much closer to God than in any building (but if you're reading this Pastor Scott, todays sermon was very good indeed).

Here's some of the views we were treated to yesterday.

This is the day the Lord hath made;
He calls the hours His own;
Let Heav’n rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.

Today He rose and left the dead,
And Satan’s empire fell;
Today the saints His triumphs spread,
And all His wonders tell.

Hosanna to th’anointed King,
To David’s holy Son;
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring
Salvation from Thy throne.

Blest be the Lord, who comes to men
With messages of grace;
Who comes in God His Father’s Name,
To save our sinful race.

Hosanna in the highest strains
The Church on earth can raise;
The highest heav’ns, in which He reigns,
Shall give Him nobler praise.

Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid, 1719.
Music: Ar­ling­ton, Thom­as A. Arne, 1762; ar­ranged by Ralph Har­ris­on, 1784

God bless y'all!

♥ ∞

Casual Friday

I was never lucky enough to find a job where I could be THAT casual! [lol] I always had to dress 'just so' being in accounting.

Have a good'en!




♥ ∞

Sparky and The Church

Everybody that knows me personally, knows that I am not a “church goer” anymore. I had many years hence given up on the earthly church. I have my own strong personal beliefs and am seeking God’s face in my own way and pace. Also, I don’t like crowds. I’m not the least bit shy, I just feel real guarded around people I'm not sure of. I imagine all kinds of horrible scenarios or mind numbing confrontations.

But, since the elections, I have felt a deep need to be with others that are like-minded in loving God.

This being 2008, I picked out a local church by "Googleing" it. I knew the church was there I just never paid attention to their teachings or the people inside. So, I read about their core beliefs, read about the pastor and perused his writings. “Ok, that one looks ‘safe’”, I said. Wouldn’t want to accidentally attend a snake handler church or something equally bizarre.



I do imagine some strange scenarios, don't I? I’m so distrusting (or maybe just disturbing .. lol). I've seen and experienced too many bad things. (Thanks Dad.)

So, courage in place, I picked out a Sunday to attend. Wore my nice togs, picked out a stylish outfit, styled my hair, dabbed on my nicest perfume. Well, just my luck, it was pouring rain that morning. Not a gentle “Gee, this is nice” rain. But a gully washer, frog strangler, can’t see 5 feet in front of you rain. “Oh great. So much for having a good hair day.” Already this was not going well and I kept wishing I’d stayed home.

There’s the church building in front of me. It looked imposing. Oh God, now there’s people coming up to greet me. I mentally check them for weapons. Here comes the constriction in my chest, the ringing in my ears as I tense.

But, hey, they’re nice but not overly nice (that can be disconcerting). They don't try to hug me or anything really disarming. There are no heads flying out of windows, no human sacrifices on the altar. It’s the typical church with the fake gold cross and plain jane ‘altar’ with adjoining pulpit. Pews were cushioned. That’s nice on the tooshy. Hope I don't doze off.

So far, so good. I breath a little easier. The constriction in my chest has eased and the ringing in my ears has subsided.

The church service started. The people were friendly, the songs fun and the sermon inspirational and short (take note here preachers, keep it short and you keep my attention). Before you knew it I was actually enjoying this place! I relaxed and smiled.

After the service, Sweetie and I got to stand around and talked to the minister. He asked how and why we chose this church, so, I related the event leading up to that point. He got really tickled and a bit puzzled when I related how I “Goggled” him and the church (I reassured him it wasn‘t anything bad). He was impressed by how much I already knew about his writings.

Then I thought I'd be brave and added, “Also, I was making sure y’all weren’t snake handlers.” I thought I’d get just the classic giggle and wave goodbye.

Without skipping a beat, the minister retorted, “Oh, we use those in the evening service!”

We all laughed so hard our sides hurt!

Well, this guy has just passed the first part of the Sparky Sez You’re OK Test.

As we were leaving, the minister also told us this joke I thought I'd share:

A guy goes to a new church. The service started when they locked the doors and got out a box of snakes.

Frightened, the man shouts, “Where’s the back door?”

“We don’t have one,” the preacher shouts back.

To which the man said, “Where would you like one ….!!!?”

I can‘t wait to see how next week goes! Stay tuned ... :o)

♥ ∞

Advertisements From The 1930's

Make sure to check out the Lysol and the "dieting" advertisements!

Enjoy!

Aw, yes, we all long for the days of carrying our own church key, I'm sure!

(For those of you too young to remember,

a 'church key' was a common vernacular for can opener.)

I'll bet it's really hard keeping those camels rolled after their lit too.

They probably put up quite a fuss! har har

I'd rather get hit by a bus, thaaannnk yooou ...

However, his medical insurance company is canceling his policy.

Uhhhhh .... no comment ...

Ewwww ... I think I'll go with the lap band treatment first ...

Santa!? For shame!

(cough, cough) How sexy. (hack, sneeze)

And, on that happy note, I'll say good night ....

♥ ∞

My Letter To Santa

Dear Santa,

I was told that if I was good, I could have want I wanted for Christmas.

That's a verbal contract .... right?

Ok then. I waaaaant ....

... a 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250. It's cheap. Honest!!

It's not expensive and I promise to always wear my protective gear. It's just a little single-cylinder street legal dirt bike.

Are you listening Santa?

So, can I have one ... huh? Pleeeeeezze?

I'm a reasonable person.


Well, SEMI reasonable anyway. [lol]

I have been a really good girl. [That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.] Therefore I feel like you owe me ... big time!

So, are we golden?

Goooood. Feel free to leave it in the carport next to my Suzuki.

Thank you!

Your Fan,
Sparky ♥ ∞

(Now Santa, my husband, who is totally unreasonable [but very cute], wants a Ducati Desmosedici. Don't know what that is? Don't worry, you don't want to know ... it's $72,500 and forever more out of your elves price ranges!! See I'm VERY reasonable!) [lol]

♥ ∞

Those Wacky Terrorists ....

... they're at it again! Dressing as women! They are sooo brave, don't you think? Gosh, I'm scared. Ewwww. I caught one of the cross-dressers below.


The dead (no pun intended) giveaway was the moustache. Plus, a lady really should not have such a deep voice. (Where's Dr. West when you need him? I feel a faint coming on ...)

♥ ∞

KABUL, Afghanistan — U.S.-led coalition troops killed a Taliban commander dressed as women during a raid in southern Afghanistan, officials said Saturday.

Soldiers killed four Taliban fighters in Friday's operation, including the Taliban commander named Haji Yakub who was dressed as a woman to evade capture, the U.S. military said in a statement.

Yakub directed roadside bomb and suicide attacks against Afghanistan's government and coalition forces in Ghazni province, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Afghan and coalition forces killed 33 militants when their patrol came under attack in southern Helmand province, a military said. The troops responded to the attack with small-arms fire and air support, it said. [Our guys are the BEST!!!]

In the Ghazni raid, the U.S. said coalition forces discovered Yakub as they questioned a group of women and children inside a compound. The Taliban commander was dressed in a burqa, a traditional robe that covers the entire body. He was killed when he "attempted to engage the force," the statement said.

♥ ∞

Those wacky terrorists. What will they think of next? They are a laugh a minute, don't you think? I guess they're just *pretending* to oppress women. Maybe they secretly want to be one?

And you know how it is ladies. Applying makeup is an art form. Looks like they need some help in this department. Maybe the Obama girls can work for the terrorists now that they've outlived their usefulness. I hear they're looking for a job. We'll be happy to send them to Kabul. Postage Due, of course.

♥ ∞

Happy Thanksgiving!

In early autumn of 1621, the 53 surviving Pilgrims celebrated their successful harvest, as was the English custom. During this time,

"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, Many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest King Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

From this we know that the feast went on for three days, included ninety Indians, and food was plentiful. In addition, to the venison provided by the Indians, there was enough wild fowl to supply the village for a week. The fowl would have included ducks, geese, turkeys and even swans.

Martha Stewart Tablesetting

Some Fun Facts About Thanksgiving:

• President George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in the year 1789 and again in 1795.
• The State of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817.
• Sarah Josepha Hale, an editor with a magazine, started a Thanksgiving campaign in 1827 and it was result of her efforts that in 1863 Thanksgiving was observed as a day for national thanksgiving and prayer.
• Abraham Lincoln issued a 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' on third October 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving. Whereas earlier the presidents used to make an annual proclamation to specify the day when Thanksgiving was to be held.
• President Franklin D. Roosevelt restored Thursday before last of November as Thanksgiving Day in the year 1939. He did so to make the Christmas shopping longer and thus stimulate the economy of the state.
• Congress passed an official proclamation in 1941 and declared that now onwards Thanksgiving will be observed as a legal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November every year.

This is supposedly an ancient (1600's) recipe you might enjoy. It is a wheat pudding on the order of an Indian Pudding [just sounds like a lot of work to me]:

Furmenty

Ingredients1 cup cracked wheat
1/8 tsp. ground mace
1 quart milk
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp. salt additional brown sugar

Directions:In a large pot, bring the water to a boil and add the wheat. Lower heat to simmer, cover, and continue to cook for 1/2 hour, or until, soft. Drain off all the water and add the milk, cream, salt, mace, cinnamon and sugar. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed (20 to 30 minutes). In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks and slowly stir 1/2 cup of the wheat mixture into the yolks. Then stir the yolk mixture into the pot, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve sprinkled with brown sugar.

I hope that everyone out there in Blog Land has a blessed day and that you’re surrounded by lots of loved ones.
.
Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

♥ ∞

TAG!! Now I'm It!!

I've been tagged by that rascally ChaChaNeen. :o)) She snuck this on her post and by reading it, I was tagged. So be prepared to be bored to tears. Here goes:

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I don't think so. I'm adopted and could be named after the dog as far as I know.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Right after Sweetie's last shoulder surgery.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yep, I do.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Smoked turkey meat sliced for sandwiches.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? No

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yeah.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Not usually, but if the opportunity calls for it, I'm so there with a SA remark!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS. No, they went South (and I live in the South so that's dangerous ... ha ha) and had them removed in the 1980's.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No freakin' way. And I don't jump out of perfectly good airplanes either ...

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Heart To Heart by Kashi

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Sometimes, but usually don't.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically: I used to be very strong, alas, those days are over. Too many doctors know my name now. Emotionally: I have an iron will.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Blue Bunny Ice Cream No Sugar Added, in Vanilla or Bunny Tracks .... droooool ....

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their character.

15. RED OR PINK? Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My grammer needs work.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My mother. She died in 1966.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure, if they have time.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Grey New Balance sneakers.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Turkey sandwich and pretzels for lunch.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? XM Radio, channel 46. They're playing a song by "The Who".

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Sweetie cooking supper.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A wrong number. She apologized and I wished her a pleasant Happy Thanksgiving.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Totally! She's a fun blog friend too and very sweet. Just a little sneaky that's all .... [lol]

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? MotoGP or World Superbike.

27. HAIR COLOR? Blond ... out of a bottle now. [blush]

28. EYE COLOR? Hazel

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Eyeglasses, but I am going to go back to contacts soon.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Cooked. I love just about everything!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy ending

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Best Years Of Their Lives (black & white)

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Orange T-Shirt

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? (see Ice Cream above .... still drooling)

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Whoever feels like it

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Anyone who doesn't have time.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? By The Pricking Of Their Thumbs (Agatha Christie)

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Buck deer with cross hairs on 'em ....

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Family Guy, Simpsons, Seinfeld

42. FAVORITE SOUND. Silence

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Well, it depends but I usually like the Rolling Stones.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawai'i .

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can find people, dead or alive, and follow a paper trail like a blood hound. It's almost uncanny.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Ft. Lauderdale, Florida USA.

If you're reading this, you're invited to be tagged! Have fun and I look forward to reading your posts! Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

♥ ∞

Salvation Army Kettle Receives Diamond Ring

This is one of those "why can't this happen to me ...." moments. [sigh]

A volunteer ringing the bell at a Salvation Army kettle in the south-central town of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, got an unusual donation: a diamond ring. The ring was handed to August Memmi, who volunteered for the Salvation Army in Harrisburg during his lunch hour Tuesday.

The young man told Memmi that he'd bought the ring for his mother using money he'd earned mowing lawns, but she died this year and he wanted to put it to good use.

The ring's value was unclear Tuesday; the Salvation Army planned to have it appraised.

Nice gesture, but he really should get a girlfriend to help him with his disposable income. Or ... I could always help!! [lol] (Aren't I sweet??)

♥ ∞

A Thanksgiving Recipe From My Home

Before The Thanksgiving Meal

The one thing I do miss about this time of year, is traveling to western North Carolina and consuming mass quantities of my step mother's cooking. She was *the* best, bar none, in the kitchen. Myra could have been a gourmet cook easily. She tried to teach me her ways in the kitchen but too no avail. Poor dear went prematurily grey from it! I'm hopeless. But I managed to save some of her recipes after she passed away in January 2004.

Below is one of her receipes that was absolutely to die for ... not literally, of course. Sweetie fixes it nearly every year (good thing he can cook or I'd starve). I thought I would share it with my bloggy buddies since we'll all be knee deep in turkey leftovers after Thursday, searching for some way to 'dispose' of all that yummy turkey! This is one tasty way that we use up those tasty remainders.

Myra's Pie Pan Turkey
2 cups chopped turkey

1 1/2 cups diced onions

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

4 1/2 ozs mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping:

1 1/2 cups skim milk

3/4 cup Bisquick

3 eggs

Combine topping ingredients first, let sit. Combine turkey, onions, cheese, mushrooms and seasonings in large baking dish. Pour topping over turkey mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.

What we'll all look like after the meal!!
"Oh MY goodness, I am soooo stuffed!!"

Do you have any receipes for using leftover turkey or whatever? Share it here or at your blogs. I'm sure we'll be all ears!

Enjoy!
♥ ∞

Big Creek Trail, Laura S. Walker State Park

Since the desiccated disk in my neck is ailing again, Sweetie took me for a much needed walk at our local Laura S. Walker State Park near Waycross, Georgia. It's a lovely, quiet place. We strolled through the mature growth piney woods and made observations along the way.

The start of the trail is across a paved road just outside the camping area.

The trail is well marked.

Shady trails add to the adventure.

(I wish our driveway was this overgrown ... no mowing!

I'm really into 'natural' gardening these days.)

Anybody out there know what this is? Anybody? No?!

Ok, it's a 'cat faced' Long-leaf pine tree.

This tree was once tapped for turpentine.

Lions and tigers and bears ... oh MY!!

NOW they tell us!!?? Yipes!

Closed?? Close to what?

After that bear sign, I'm NOT leaving the trail!

Sawtoothed Palmetto are prevalent in our woods.

The little birdie's love palmetto bushes, especially the Towhee.

"The long and winding road ..." uh, trail.

There's one area that crosses the swamp.

It was very cool, dark and damp there.

Last leg of the journey.

The Bald Cypress is the only conifer in the US that is deciduous.

And, that's all there is. Journey is over.

I hope you enjoyed the walk as much as I did. I know I say it frequently, but this part of Georgia is so pretty and so very photogenic. It's especially nice when the bugs have disappeared for the rest of the year. [smile] There is something about 'communing' with nature that always makes me feel even closer to God the Father.

♥ ∞

♥ ∞