Short Walk

I took a short walk up the road this morning. Sure wish I could take my cane and a chair to rest. It would have been too much because I took my camera intending to shoot wildflowers.

This will give an idea of what the lush foliage and area has become after all the rain.  It was a bright and warm day. There are pontoon boats awaiting passengers and another with visitors enjoying the lake.

First I saw blossoms on the bank

The Thimbleberrys are blooming earlier than usual

I hope to gather some for jam soon

Daisies are everywhere

There is much Crown Vetch

Fleabane Daisy:  Flowers are about ¾ inch across.

The Ferns show their glory

Sumac are flourishing

Queen Anne's Lace is starting to bloom. They smell like carrots.

These blackberries are ripening

These are starting to ripen

A 6 petaled berry blossom is unidentified-not a Dewberry

Tiny tiny yellows

It's a good year for Hosta

And lilies

And shade-tolerant Hosta varities

Rhododenrum

Lilies are everywhere

Click on image to view larger

The Day Of....

The 4th of July is almost over. We aren't as active at all as we were in our younger years. It is just nice to have visits from friends and relatives and watch the boats on the lake pass by. Our daughter and grandson and his friend finally were able to start fishing a bit around 4PM after the rain stopped. They didn't catch anything besides panfish but stayed out for a couple of hours. The Mister watched Nascar qualifying instead of fishing,  the friend's daughter took a nap, and the son-in law and I chatted for quite a while and watched both the fishermen and the pleasure riders pass by. We also saw the great bald eagle swoop down and then up and away. A kingfisher did the same while the cardinal high in a dead tree sang and viewed it all.

The early evening turned quite a bit cooler so it was decided to eat indoors - in shifts! The foods they brought were more than enough and delicious. We had bar-b-que chicken, grilled dogs, homemade potato salad, homemade baked mac & cheese, melon, strawberries, red grapefruit, bing cherries and more. I'm disappointed in my indoor photos. It seems that when the lights are on, everything is too orange.

click on image to view larger

It is now 9:30PM and Pal has received his medicine to prevent high anxiety during the fireworks that we now hear. Our bedtime approaches and we look forward to it. 

My Mushrooms HD

* "Red, brown, yellow, black or white"…….they’re amazing to my sight! 
As I have mentioned before, mushrooms fascinate me. They are both beautiful and ugly. They remind me of people, but I'm only talking about their lifespan and outward appearance.   

We all arrive on this earth in many various colors, shapes, and vigor.  We grow fast, changing as we mature. Most of us propagate so more will come. Each one of us is different from the other, yet we are all of the basic sameness. We all leave when we are at our individual end, be it by accident, catastrophe, poor health, or by having a completely natural death due to age. Some die quickly and others linger, but we all die.

* (I was taught the child's bible song as a child and never forgot it.)
~Jesus Loves the Little Children~



There are only 159 pictures here! I have many others.

The Day Before

American flags wave at Cabin Tranquillity on Lake Chrisann. It's hopeful that more rain won't spoil this significant holiday which gave us independence and freedom from control by another country. We are sincere patriots. 

Today's the day before our Lake Association fishing contest, which the Mister and daughter and grandson anticipate.  Many of the families already have guests here who are swimming (YES!) and fishing and boating. Golf carts zip by and walkers and joggers are many. In spite of the activities, it is very peaceful and quiet. 

The Mister and most people have just completed lawn mowing and weed whacking projects. 

It is also the first day I have been able to hang laundry on the outdoor line! The checkered quilt that I made a long time ago is wool lined. The thick tapestry piece is used as a draft drape in the winter to cover the window which contains the air conditioner. There is a light breeze and the temperature at 11am was 68° which is perfect for drying.

I must confess that I "jury-rigged" the flagpole on the driveway side. Around here we often "make do." It is only temporary and my makeshift fix works well.

Young neighbors came to fish a bit today. Our boat still gets some good use.

Alyssa and Kyle

click on image to view larger

Mushrooms

I don't know why, but mushrooms have always fascinated me. I think it is the fact that they are so varied in nature and seem to grow so fast! I LOVE to eat the edibles but am afraid to try to distinguish them so the grocer benefits. I have posted many others several times before today, but these are home-grown.

One day there is a large one on the lawn and the next day it has totally collapsed. The squirrels nibble on some, and the birds land on others. I'm not the only critter that likes mushrooms!

These grow right in front of the cabin!
...................................
A few of my previously photographed and posted below:

Agaricomycetidae Gill Subclass

Boletaceae - Bolete Family

Giant Birch Polypore

Puffball

click on image to view larger

Critters

Our Pal "Heza Pip" is approaching the age of 16! He is full of spunk, though only in spurts, now.  He spends most of his time on his pillow on the couch, but still gets very excited, dancing and jumping, when the Mister fixes his meals and when I'm preparing our meals.  For many years he has had thunder anxiety. We tried everything and finally had to resort to medication from the vet. It has to be administered two hours before the event. Well, we found out that if we crush it and only give half a dose, it works speedier. There is no hope for an unexpected storm in the middle of the night. He is traumatized and it takes a day to recover. Poor little boy.

Last night was a bad one for this little guy. Darn!

Just a quick peek at my Ruby throated Hummingbird. SO TINY!

And my friend's bear. 

"If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better go in disguise!

For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain,

Because today's the day the

Teddy Bears have their picnic...."

 

That's it for today! 

(Click on image to view larger)