Flowers in Every Room!

It's Wednesday afternoon so already I am a day late posting my thoughts and photographs in a space we call Camera Crazy. For nearly two decades I've been doing so and it still makes me so happy to both take photographs and write about the beauty we see. I hope it brings you a modicum of joy when you read it and seriously, who doesn't love seeing the beautiful world we live in? Prior to sitting down to write I was fertilizing our plants, both indoors and out. The garden is coming along nicely and as I have mentioned before, we are eating a lot of salad these days. And while the vegetables are pretty, the star of our property as I type are the peonies.

In fact there are so many that I ran out of vases and we had to stop by the thrift store to buy another after pickleball today.

Actually the star of the inside of the house right now is this beautiful bouquet that Michelle and David sent me for Mother's Day.

Mostly blue and white, it is a stunner with lilies that have opened and are competing with the peonies for filling the air with fragrance.

After church we joined David and D'Anna at Lakeside Inn in Nantahala where the food was yummy and the view is seriously, unreal. I looked at the photo and thought, if anyone else took this I would be tempted to think it was fake or overly edited, but you know me, what you see is what you get! 

We did good with our boys. While that sounds like I am bragging, I'm simply stating the facts because when all four of your sons contact you before noon on Mother's Day, you have done something right! 😀 I will say that it would have been my sister Carol's birthday and for some reason it really got to me this year, although it has been a long time now since I wrote this remembrance of her. I cannot really read it because it chokes me up, but you can if you click on the link. She was 18 months younger than me and was I also ever thinking of my mom who became pregnant again nine months after I was born. I've said it many times, our mother was difficult but we survived and in some ways, maybe we are stronger for it.

Back to happier topics....

Bruce finally took this out of the bluebird box and you might wonder, why?

Isn't it so beautiful and amazing? He found it like this about two months ago and because it is so perfectly clean I was sure it was new, however, no bluebirds have taken up residence, so we are cleaning house and hoping for a late clutch.

Mr. Bruce has been working hard on making a lovely frame for the new oil painting that will take pride of place in our home. Here he is talking with the artist.

It is interesting that in our Orlando home most of the art would be considered modern, but for this house, the blue painting above looks beautiful. I will show you when he has finished the frame. 

Speaking of the fireplace....oh my word what an experience we had last week and no, there was no disaster but it was interesting to say the least. Since we bought this house Bruce has been dead-set on having someone help us have a working fireplace. In our case, a company from Waynesville, NC said they have done it many times so we had them drive the 85 miles over to inspect the fireplace and tell us what they could do. It was raining like crazy that day, but the fellows kept everything tidy and kept covering their shoes which looked like a pain to me so I told them don't bother and they said no way!

See that debris rushing down into the bucket? You did not want to see it up close I will tell you that much! Who knows how long it has been since someone looked up there and cleaned it out, but by the number of buckets worth of nests of any number of critters, it had been a while. They were terrific and after returning to Waynesville, sent an estimate of how they can put in a box with gas etc. Complicated and what we consider, expensive, we will be going there next week to see the inserts in person. Wish us luck!

Another day I tagged along while Bruce visited a nursery of sorts for plants for the memorial garden at church. While he talked, after receiving permission to roam around with my camera, what fun I had seeing a new environment.

Don't you just love those little buttercups?  Me too. Out in an area called Upper Peachtree, mostly it is rural and what that usually means around here is abandoned something. In this case it was a house that had both sliders open for what I later learned were years.

A messy and overgrown spot punctuated by these beautiful peonies that were going to waste, 

until I asked the lady in the shop if she wanted them for her florist business that was part of the space? No, but you can have them if you want them and you already have seen the evidence of my affirmative answer. One funny thing was that she had mentioned a snake had been on the road which is not funny at all, but thankfully, even though the borrowed scissors dropped out of my hand into that mass of flowers, no snake was detected! It was my lucky day! 

Any day I see cows grazing is a lucky day too.

I talked about the Spring Fling but never showed you any of it so now is your chance! For the first time ever, the new stage was put to use! Part of Laura's legacy with the town.

After nearly two years of disruption in town, the project is nearly at an end, however, new roadwork remains to be done and that will begin next week. In the meantime, everything is looking very good indeed. The festival featured some artisans at their work including this blacksmith, 

woodworkers, and weavers.

She asked me about recent bird sightings because I met her as one of the counters of Chimney Swifts, and goes on the bird walks as well.

Just when you thought you would be seeing birds in every post, they are mostly becoming hard to see because of the lushness of the foliage. This little Eastern Phoebe though made it easy to spot her!

Sorry for the bird insert; back to the fun at the festival where there were all kinds of musicians showcased.

Pictured with our mayor, Tim Radford, the winners of "Murphy Takes the Mic", the singing competition I mentioned. 

It must have been last Tuesday that we stopped into Fairy Cross and found friends. 

It was just like old times and great fun. We went across the street for dinner with George and Tammy who were leaving in the morning to head to New Hampshire.

We have met some very interesting folks since moving here and this couple is but one of them.

I did not win the contest. The moment I saw how high they placed my entry I knew I was sunk. Either that or the judges don't like birds or appreciate how hard it is to get good photos of them. 

No way can you appreciate tiny drops of snow on his little head and puffy body to ward off the cold! 

My bluebird photo was also in a weird spot, but maybe this one would have done the trick? Hard to get two species in one shot.

I want that worm, said baby bluebird to his momma!

Here's something interesting, or at least it is to me. My bale of hay has taken on some friends.

I discovered these weird mushrooms when I went to grab more hay to add to what I already have around the potatoes which are growing like mad above ground! Hopefully tubers are forming below.

Isn't this fun? Every day I am amazed and thrilled with this process.

As to the flowers in every room, well that is very exciting indeed.

your friend,

Gail

What a Time of Year!

     My cameras are working overtime at this time of year. Every day brings forth new joys and gifts of unexpected bird sightings, a wonderful downtown festival, volunteering and gardening. Last night we joined folks at Mountain Vale for an American Idol watch party that did not end the way we had hoped for as Braden was not one of the top three. That said, it was probably for the best because ABC insisted on the town having a parade and concert should he be in the top three which sounded pretty neat until you checked the weather forecast. 95% chance of rain would have been pretty miserable should it actually happen! Early last week heavy rain was predicted for Saturday and the day turned out to be picture perfect, so there you go.   

     I just came in from a garden survey and much to my surprise, the celery was completely gone. While it didn't seem to be growing as much as I would have liked it to, I never expected it to vanish. Perhaps this fellow is responsible?

.         Of course there is more than enough clover, the little white flowers, to eat but maybe the celery looked tastier? If you like me had always heard the word clover but never really knew what it looked like, now you do! Having just looked it up there is a crimson version as well. 

     The intensity of color that is our Japanese maple tree right now is really something.  Some of the inside leaves are beginning to put on their summer green color but seemingly, there is a long way to go before it is all green again.

     This will be our third Spring here in Murphy and I still cannot get over how dramatic the changes are during the seasons. What once was so barren looking is now so lush it is hard to imagine, even though I am seeing it with my own two eyes. The brilliant yellow flowers are beginning to diminish somewha,t but continue to amaze in whatever stage they are. The scene below has changed so dramatically I hardly recognize it.

          Should you walk the other way it is lush with green foliage.

     The above is where the river runs through the park where the American Idol concert was to be held should he have made the top five. I was thinking last week that people love visiting in the fall when all this begins to change from intense green to a multi-colored landscape and while that is super great, this is darn good as well. Plus the birds right now are abundant, and as I mentioned in the first paragraph present themselves as little gifts to me when I spot one like this Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

     Isn't it so cute??? I also came across some Brown Thrashers that I am pretty confident are a parent and baby.

          While we are still in the park here is a mama bluebird with a goodie for her brood.

           A tree swallow guarding her box.

     Look at this little Carolina Chickadee! So cute. 

     Perhaps you are wondering why, if I have already photographed a species of bird many times, why I continue to do so and my answer is because each one is unique even though I may not recognize any difference; not to mention who doesn't love a gift which I consider each bird sighting? There were several years when my gifts consisted of seeing owl and their owlets, as well as eagles and their eaglets, and believe you me, my long-time readers probably grew weary of my obsession, but they seemed to have stuck with me. This past week Cliff Swallows, a new bird to me, are having a hey-day under the pedestrian bridge beside the playground and pickleball courts. It is quite the spectacle seeing dozens of birds flying around like little missiles, seemingly never stopping in their quest to catch flying insects for their young who they are raising in nests made of mud. It is hard for me to stay away even though I've already taken countless pictures in my quest to get a good one!

     Picture this: a dozen or so fly every which way, round and round, finally one drops down to the riverbank to gather mud and others swoop down joining in their quest to build their nests. Should you be interested, here's a link with more details. For me their behavior is nothing short of amazing, however, lots of folks walk over the bridge and never even seem to notice them zipping around overhead. While studying them from my perch on the bridge, first off I am so grateful to have a zoom lens, and secondly with said zoom lens I see things that are sometimes hard to notice.

     My phone tells me this is a Solitary Sandpiper and most of the time, the phone is correct. But not every time, so don't quote me on this one. 

     This is the entry closest to our home. Everything basically was brown a month ago.

     We are so fortunate to have this free resource in our town and I am so grateful for the folks who continue to maintain it. I was walking along the other day and the word that came to mind to describe the experience is "wild". Yes, there is a boardwalk or paths, but aside from that, it's nothing like we were accustomed to and that's a good thing! Before too much longer, they will open the dam and the level of the river will rise, meaning no longer will there be little rapids or the sight of big rocks on the river bed. I like it better low, but for those folks who love kayaking, the high level is ideal. I love seeing all the wild plants at this time of year including maidenhair ferns.

     Raindrops on a cedar tree branch that was bare sticks but a month ago. The fresh green is so lush. 

          One day as I was standing on the bridge I noticed pink blossoms floating in the water. Here's why....

     Let's turn our attention to the home front where exciting outdoor things are happening. It was so funny one day last week, well at least to me, but anyway, I opened the front door and saw a bird on the feeder that was a first time visitor, a female Rose Breasted Grosbeak, a bird we once had at the cottage feeders but I've never seen since. Naturally I was freaking out and called out to Bruce to bring me my camera PLEASE! Looking everywhere he brought me two cameras, neither of which have good zoom capabilities so I had to bite the bullet and instead of a nice close up, see if you see said bird in the photo below. 

    Yup, I figured as much. No can do. Once our lady friend flew away I went in search of the bigger camera and I'd left it downstairs on the garden potting bench! Yeesh! When you see a bird, one must act with expediency. She has not returned. :(

     A closer look at the beautiful double petunia. Having the right camera lens makes a big difference.

     One afternoon Bruce tied up the abundance of peonie blooms and buds that were weighing the plant down; so far none have opened yet but any day now. There are fifty, yes you read that correctly, fifty! (actually I started this post yesterday and my garden tour just now showed several opening up)

      Very close to this amazing plant, I kept hearing a bird call from the giant plants, over and over like a youngster. Sure enough, here's a young Song Sparrow. Cheep, cheep, cheep and the beat goes on.

     Gosh, just so much to show you...I hope you are interested!

     One day we drove to Young Harris, a small nearby town, for Bruce's regular medical check up. Remember I told you how green the mountains were? Well, here's the evidence.

     We spent some time last week preparing for my role in providing refreshments for the dedication service at the grand re-opening of the Harshaw Chapel. Built in 1869 as the first church for the early Methodists in this region it was in dis-repair but after the new roof went on and other improvements because Pastor Wil is leaving soon, the weekend had three separate events to commemorate the occasion. A highlight was when Demi and her brother Hoyt sand, "I Wander as I Wander", a beloved  song composed here in Murphy. 

     It was so precious. 

     

     Lori and I at the refreshment table graced with our neighbor Sandy's gorgeous peonies. And yes, I saw this dress in my closet and said, "this will do."

     Friends, I have a feeling you've had enough so I will leave you with a few items perhaps I can cover in my next post.

      

* Someone is arriving soon from Asheville to determine once and for all the viability of the fireplace working again.

*The Spring Fling was a great success this year. Perfect weather and good crowds.

*We finally bought a painting to replace the one over the fireplace that came with the house!

*Bruce is in his shop making a frame.

*I am entering two photographs in the Silver Arts again. Due on Thrusday this week, we shall see.

*Jonathan flew to Japan for the month for work and he arrived safe and sound.

*Mr. Christian, aka our grandson is now wearing little shoes that are so cute.

I do so hope you've enjoyed this week in our little slice of heaven here. Thanks for coming along for the ride!

your friend,

Gail

     

     

April Showers

We woke to the rumbling of thunder in the mountains which tends to echo and to my hearing, is super dramatic. A long time has passed since there has been measurable rain. A burn ban remains in place because it has been so dry presenting me with minor challenges for keeping my garden watered. I call it my garden, but let's be real, without Bruce there would be no garden! I am having so much fun filling it with all manner of plants.  Much to my dismay, I think it might have been last Tuesday that something bit me on both my right arm and ankle. You've heard it before....incredible itching and scratching ensued as the tissue swelled over the next two days before finally subsiding. Seriously, I was going mad! Nevertheless, I kept planting and planting, being mildly obsessed at the moment. 

Speaking of obsessed, our town is obsessed with American Idol and there's a big billboard on the highway through town to prove it. Forgive me for the poor photograph but I took it through the open window as we waited for the light to change at the entrance to the Ingles parking lot.

I still don't understand how it works, but we have been watching the show each Monday night and it's actually been quite fun. The update is that last night he made the cut to the final five and will have to have a killer performance next week because he has stiff competition. And then there is the matter of getting votes so if you are inclined to help a small-town boy and his town win this thing, please consider the above as in voting next Monday between 8-10pm. We have learned that should he make the top three, ABC will return to town to do some filming next week. Pretty crazy, huh? Furthermore, the town is planning a parade should he make it!! So there you go, a young man who graduated Murphy High School and still lives here. 

I neglected to mention that a week ago Saturday, Bruce sat with John most of the day as he set up his handmade furniture on the church lawn, with all his profits going to Soul Table, our weekly free lunch. It was a busy day in the area and he gave ALL of what he sold to the ministry. I went over in the afternoon to hang out and when the wind picked up a bit, John's paper towels went rolling...

Bruce is over at John's shop right now helping with the Big Brother's project, helping local children make things. Bruce tells me that all of the young people are so well-mannered.

Once again, my strong man came through by removing the rocks that lined this bed and amending the soil. There were two trellises in it, one of which had fallen down. Adding to that, it is in a very good spot for full sun and it was going to waste. So..

The day I planted it was overcast, so wearing long-sleeves and pants to keep me from getting bit, and since Bruce had done such a wonderful job with the soil, I managed to do it by myself and not get bit as well.  I used some plants I'd already purchased, some bulbs that won't be coming up for a while, the Easter Lily we got as a memorial to brother Cris, and two new plants whose name I forget, one of which is blooming right now with the other one not far behind.

Isn't it cute? Here's the bed after planting minus the zinnia seedlings I added later.

The huge rainstorm I mentioned revealed a stopped-up gutter just above where the bird bath is and it did my seedlings no favors however getting the big ladder out Bruce cleared it and it is now in good shape, just in time for the predicted overnight rain. The roses are just beyond and I am thrilled to report, they began opening this week!!

Plenty of the color above, but the yellow one is still on it's way to becoming more fruitful.

The good news is that both of them are SO fragrant!

Aren't they so pretty? 

Look at the potatoes growing!

One plant has a flower forming, but who knows what is happening underground!! Those are peony buds in the foreground, and oh my goodness, last Saturday Bruce was meant to throw the discus and shot put for Senior Games but it was rained out, so we went to the farmer's market downtown instead. As we parked I noticed that in front of the Hackney building there were a big display of blooming peonies and oh my gosh were they gorgeous!

I just love how the pollen is so thick it is running down the flower in the light rain.  

I finally decided to enter some photographs in the games and they were ordered and delivered this week, both bird shots taken in our yard. I'm happy about that, keeping it local. This little Song Sparrow has been in the hedges or on the growing plants for over a week, singing like crazy.

That day before we met our new neighbors who just bought the house behind ours that has been for sale for a while. It will be more of a weekend home for them because they aren't all that far, living in an Atlanta suburb. Of all things, she manages a pickleball/tennis club there!! We hit it off right away and who is surprised that when we went out to lunch they were at the restaurant! It was totally unplanned but we shared a meal and it was delightful. His mother was along for the fun.

More new plants from the farmer's market for us including this Jacob's Ladder plant that is doing so well.

I also bought some vegetable plants for their beauty, neither of which we normally eat. Mustard green on the left and a Peppermint Swiss chard on the right.

Don't they have such great leaves? 

There were two very old Rhododendron plants in the yard when we moved in and they are just beginning their bloom cycle. BTW, on May 3 it will be two years!! Two wonderful years I might add.

What a color, right? Another old and leggy plant is the azalea plant on the shady side of the house that has also just begun blooming. The color is outstanding!

Most of us grew up with the saying April showers bring May flowers, but until the last few days, showers have been few and far between, however, this week might be the week to break the drought as it is meant to rain very frequently, including on Saturday when the big Spring Fling is planned for downtown. I sure hope the weather is clear for the vendors and also our ladies group who are planning on having a booth with popcorn and face painting. I'll let you know.

A broken record; that's what I probably sound like when I exclaim over the abundance of flowers, but seriously, I am not exaggerating. Jason has a Snowball viburnum in bloom with both pink and white flowers, more flowers than one can count.

Here's a close up.

Exquisite!

The garden is coming along, teaching me patience each and every day. 

As you might notice, there are marigolds planted all over the place as they are meant to ward off bugs. I planted sets of them between the roses as well, and we shall see how it works. I have baby broccoli heads forming, we have been eating romaine lettuce like mad, and the cabbages are forming. All very exciting indeed, but never think for one moment that everything turns out perfectly. I finally gave in and pulled all of the radish plants because I knew in my heart there were no radishes, only foliage.

My mistake, or so I think, is not thinning them out early because the plants were so close together, bulbs could not form. I did plant more seeds at least a week ago, so perhaps round two will be a winner. And then again, maybe not!

All kinds of good things are happening but sadly one unexpected thing has popped up. Last Tuesday I was counting the offering at church when Bruce sent me a message that Pastor Wil wanted to meet us at our home around noon. His thought was that he was going to ask us to take on a project so when he told us he was leaving Murphy, along with his wonderful family, we were speechless.

He has been transferred to Waynesville, which while it is a big loss for our congregation, a big blessing for theirs. Plus, Lea's parents live there, so they will finally be able to spend time with their grandchildren. He was the kind of leader who never asked you to do more than he would. It's been a week now that we have known, but so far it is not getting any easier to accept! That said, we will. He will be here for six or so more weeks so we have time to get used to the idea before a new pastor arrives. Big shoes to fill and I don't just mean physically!

Although Bruce went to the school to spend time with Grayson, he was not able to see him because they were in testing mode. Instead we did some leisurely errands. While driving I could not help but be struck by GREEN everywhere, including all of the mountains, most of which were all brown only a month ago. 

It's so thrilling. 

My heart is full despite our disappointment. It's a case of turning a frown upside down isn't it? Selfishly we want Pastor Wil to stay, but what we should be focusing on is his and Lea, Norah and Nathaniel's opportunities ahead. 

Yea, that's the ticket.

your friend,

Gail