Yesterday...

The roads have turned dusty again and it is very annoying when a car or truck whizzes by me, knowing it makes such a cloud. It is almost like the driver is angry, but onward I go, traveling slowly and enjoying nature's gifts in the area. I only took a few pictures as I was having a bit of difficulty avoiding the terrible large potholes in one area. 

It is rhododendron time and their beautiful blooms prevail over the countryside. The good news is that they were FULL of bees!

As I rode the back roads, I saw red clover, purple sage, buttercups galore and many other wildflowers but the woodland flowers always grab my attention. This variety with four petals is called Dame's Rocket. They are fragrant and smell like cloves. Rocket reflects the super-rapid growth in the spring and the "dame" in the name marks this flower as a favorite of women and mothers in medieval flower lore. 

And then there were dried out  leftovers from last year still standing! I thought they were pretty too. I think it is a variety of wood sedge grass. How are they still standing after winter? Hmmmmm......

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Out and About Short Ride

Except for the funny running deer, I didn't see one other animal on my trip around the lake and the neighboring lake! Even the flowers were scarce and it wasn't a very interesting ride. The sun was out, the breeze was light, my cart is very dirty. No baths for it, though. The water faucet  where the hose is hooked into leaks so much that it has been tightened and capped until a plumber can be afforded and then called. Oh well, maybe some Windex will help with the windshield. I have now learned how to hook it up to the charger and still need to learn how to do the automatic distilled water system for the batteries. 

There are many wild hickory plants that are in full bloom along the roadside now. They aren't very impressive as a side-of-the road weed, but the individual close up shots show their beauty well.

For several years now I've seen the wild sweet peas blooming among the branches of this little blue spruce tree. This year they seem to have taken over the tree. I don't know if they cause harm as they die off after frost hits and the tree still looks OK.

Did I mention that my daughter brought me some more of her garden tomatoes? I shall share these beauties! I've already saved seeds for next year from her first one!

Here! Have a better look!

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Everything's Good in the Neighborhood

It never reached 60° but the sun was shining and it was a bright and breezy day. The first thing I saw was a weathervane at a neighbor's home. I never saw it before today.

Just down the road and around the corner the male Mallard had this little pond all to himself; a pretty boy to be sure. There must be good eatin's there because he did a lot of ducking!

I thought this little window was sweet! The old house at a neighboring lake was three stories high.

Evident were many wild phlox of all shades and the buttercups are popping up everywhere, along with ferns. 

Back home again just checkin' on the Mister's pink geranium. All is OK here.

I wasn't bold enough to take pictures of the many bleeding hearts, both pink and white in yards of homes nearby and I didn't want to trespass when no one was home. These are from a year ago.

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Look for the lily, iris and clovers which will be next to bloom - among others - in my neighborhood!