Things that Swim, Fly, Hop, Run and Crawl

During the Sunday service we attended at the downtown Methodist church here in Murphy, the pastor, who just so happened to be a woman and from Florida, asked us to imagine if we were a tree, what would we be? Immediately Bruce whispered to me that he would be a Maple tree because he is so sweet. I can't argue with that comment! I have to admit that I was flummoxed to come up with an answer.  Too many choices would be my excuse. (As an aside, we have met countless Floridians!!)

On the other hand, she was speaking to me when she proclaimed that we should---are you ready for this description of my blog???---"pay attention, be astonished and tell about it." Yup, she had me pegged! Hopefully there is a little bit of this going on in this space as well.

And so it is that I have some things to report that have astonished me, and to a lesser extent, Bruce. He likes it all, but maybe just a wee bit less than I do? With that in mind, I share some of the titled astonishments. One of the most exciting moments was this beautiful little doe who came out of the forest along Warren Drive as we were leaving one day. Perhaps it was astonished at seeing us? 

Warren Drive is the mile plus long road that the cottage is on and Bruce has learned to drive carefully because he never knows what might present itself.

Pretty much every day there are deer, sometimes in the morning as we are heading out for the day, 

Or in the afternoon as we are returning. One day John texted and said to look outside as there was a buck to view in the front yard! I had to take it through the screen, but not too bad for that.

While we are on property, and allowing for photographs taken through the screens, we are in love with the Goldfinch pair that are eating steadily.

When it comes to steadily, here is a little something comical to report. Bruce purchased some nectar for the feeder with electrolytes advertised as one of the ingredients. He's a sucker for electrolytes. Things were going well with multiple daily visits. Except, there were ants and plenty of them floating atop said nectar. So many, in fact, that he bought an impediment to ants getting into the nectar from Amazon, something he does rarely. When we visited Jim and Karen two weeks ago, she explained that I could make the nectar myself as it is really just water and sugar with a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. He strained the ants, put the little topper on, followed by dumping in the new nectar I made. Here is the female Ruby Throated Hummingbird.

Who knows why, but the daily visits have seen a dramatic drop which Bruce blames on the lack of, you know what.  I made a new batch last evening that may or may not work. We were gone for most of today on an adventure, so while Bruce is sitting on the couch he is keeping a close eye on the feeder. I may have to concede defeat, but then again, birds are fickle and hard to predict, so we shall see.

One morning Bruce spotted a rabbit out the bedroom window!

It's not the first bunny we have seen though; from a distance while on the river walk we spotted this guy.

Let's remain on the river walk where I spend walking a few days a week while Bruce is working on his goal of becoming an elderly body builder. He's having great success with that, btw. Second ground hog sighting! Could it be the same one? 

Merlin identifies this bird as a Mountain Bluebird and who am I to argue with artificial intelligence?

American Robins are plentiful.

As well, Barn Swallows are plentiful and hard to photograph!! They speed along and as we have discovered, nest under the bridge.

Flying hither and yon, I noticed that, across the park that is adjacent to the walk, they were swarming in a particular spot.

What is happening over there I wondered? Walking across said park, what to my curious eyes should I discover but this:

There was plenty of jostling for position.

Perhaps my clever readers have figured out what was going on, but in the heat of the moment, I was clueless! And yes I mean heat both literally and figuratively, as the heat dome covering the South is reaching here in the mountains. Anyway, once in air conditioning and looking at the photos on my computer, it clicked. Gathering mud for those nests! 

Birds are so cool.

I promised crawlers!

Crawler #2 Rescued by Mr. Bruce from the middle of the road.

Bees, of course, both crawl and fly.

These tiny beetles found on this Primrose plant. which btw, I was delighted to discover because I have driven down Primrose Street more times than I can count, before now having seen the roads' namesake.

Swimmers! Found in the pond at the end of the driveway.

Should you have thought I was done with flyers, well, think again. Let us say hello to an Eastern Phoebe, chilling near the Folk School gardens.

While I have tried hard to learn some bird calls, I would give myself a C at best to date. One bird, however, that I can identify by call is the above because it is kind enough to repeat, phoebe, phoebe, phoebe. Should you care to know.

Purple Martins. Let's revisit them, shall we? For years, mostly on road trips, I have seen the familiar sight of the gourd shaped houses, yet I never once saw a Purple Martin. Now that I have, I cannot get enough of them.

According to this, the above type of housing is not inexpensive. Talk about flying hither and yon. They would be there and next thing you know, they are out in search of food to feed their youngsters.

I am now a little obsessed with these birds, having just read all of this factual information on the Cornell website. How have I never seen one before??

Today we hiked up nearly to the top of a waterfall and while heading back down I said to Bruce, "Bruce, don't you think it always seems shorter once you have traversed a trail?" I continued, "Isn't it the unknown part of it?" Heading into the unknown is pretty powerful when you think about it. Especially at our age! Sort of what we are doing here in North Carolina, encountering unfamiliar, well, everything really. 

The unknown rather than the familiar. 

Earlier in this post I mentioned the visit with Jim and Karen; while there she gave me this mug which I have placed on the windowsill beside a gigantic pine cone I picked up on our way to Murphy.

She claimed that I was the most curious person she knows. Whether that is true or not, I will take it as a compliment. The world is so full of curiosities and wonders I will continue, probably until I die,  to "pay attention, be astonished and tell about it."

your friend,

Gail

It's Official!

According to yesterday's paper, we are now in a "rain overrun." Well, they didn't put it quite like that, but they did report that rainfall this year exceeds normal, and we are officially out of a drought. I could have told them that, and so could you, having read about it repeatedly in Camera Crazy. :)

Noticing my rain gauge was not in it's holder, I dug through the bushes looking for it a week ago. Those damn squirrels knocked it out, breaking it on it's fall. I am happy to report I bought a new one at Lowe's yesterday for $2, and the good news is it is LARGE PRINT. Excellent.

Speaking of the weather, just as Bruce predicted, Matt and Tom sat on the tarmac for an hour waiting for the storms to pass. And pass they did, leaving a beautiful sunset behind.

Fighting off the mosquitos in the damp evening air, I went down to the lake for this shot. My earliest best seller, if you will, is a sunset over Lake Jennie Jewell taken in July after a storm. I don't know how I'll ever top it but I keep trying.

A correction is in order regarding my last post. I mentioned Tom and Bruce were our audience, but they were way more than that. Tom was the official photographer of our antics, while Bruce kept an eye on the pool level, estimating how many gallons of water we displaced on subsequent jumps. So fun. Both Monday and Tuesday were hot and sunny for the most part, both warming the water, while causing some evaporation at the same time. If the trend continues, which I sincerely hope it does, the water will naturally dissipate into the air. Amazing to think about.

I forgot to show you a few things from last week which I hope you'll find interesting. Why is it that the only place I see a ladybug is in the pool?

I scooped him out with the pictured scooper. Duh...anyway, for this kind of shot, a macro lens is a sweet thing to have.

Then too, before heading to the airport, I saw a turtle in the road by our side yard. Bear with me because at first glance you'll think I'm posting the same photo.

Now you see his eyes....

And now you don't....

Those eyelids are really something. I went into the house to check my phone for Matt's arrival text, and lo and behold, the turtle was gone when I returned. So good to have a camera when you need it.

Matthew not only worked on my external hard drive, but he did his best to organize my photo libraries. I have a ridiculous amount of photos, but you never know when you might need one. Sun Dance has made some new collages with photos from my vast collection that they hope to sell. I'm with them there! Because they know their audience, they have sold things I've never thought about selling and vice versa. What I think they'll want, they don't and.....well, you get the idea.

Oh my goodness, where does the time go? I'm terribly guilty of never really knowing the date which is okay except for when all of a sudden things pop up on me. Such as this Friday being FAVO night again. Then too, I was telling Bill on the phone yesterday afternoon that our 40th anniversary is only weeks away. He asked what we were doing to celebrate, and my answer was--no clue. Actually I need to think of something special to mark the date, but just what that might be is eluding me so far.

While shopping at Publix yesterday afternoon, I saw a woman with a baby on front, one child in the basket, and what looked to be girl twins walking alongside. I couldn't help but ask if they were all hers. Indeed they were. I told her when I see someone with four children managing out in the world, it always makes me wonder how I did it. One thing that stands out in my mind is when Bill and Dave were in their little seats and Matt was about three. I had to use two grocery carts to shop, which must have been quite the sight to other shoppers. Today's parents of twins have no idea how hard it was back then, before multiple births became an industry!

One thing I'm proud of doing is having raised sensitive sons. Remember when men were not supposed to cry? I am so glad that notion is a thing of the past. In fact, if a man doesn't cry, I venture to say he is not worth marrying. Way too cold for my liking. So, while I cried watching this Amazingvideo!! Jonathan posted on facebook, later on, Bruce had tears while we were watching my birthday present from Angela. Foyle's War, put simply, is fantastic. So very sorry it has taken me nearly eight months to get to it. A scene depicting the rescue effort following the Battle of Dunkirk  was especially moving. (Because J posted said video while I was busy being a hostess, I hadn't viewed it until Monday evening. Upon reading my comment he mentioned he was so sad no one had commented. That's my boy!)

Riding, yesterday morning, I headed down Lillian Street, just off Summerlin. In fact, in the above sunset photo, just beyond the trees on the right is Lillian Street. Filled with HUGE old oak trees, I was so surprised to find this!

This is merely the garage building; as I rode by I saw someone sitting at what looked to be a kitchen table, eating breakfast while, most likely, trying to forget there was a massive tree sitting on her garage roof.

Finally, I had some milk past it's "best before date", prompting me to get out the food coloring and play.

A few drops of food coloring, milk, and a dash of dishwashing liquid, and you too can play.

I Had My Picture Taken With the Mayor

This afternoon, instead of being behind the camera, I faced it, front and center, while shaking hands with Mayor Buddy Dyer. Then there was a group shot, mostly guys, but I think there were three of us ladies included as winners of the Historic Preservation Board's annual calendar contest. Guess what? Two of mine were selected this year, meaning I earned $200. Not bad, huh? Already I've forgotten what the other month was, and truth be told, I could check, but really, the one that interests me the most is the one chosen for my birthday month!

I can thank my sister Maureen for this because about four years ago she told me about the contest, and I've been entering ever since. Because I was not chosen the previous two years, I'd not been so close to our mayor, who I must tell you, seems to have lost a considerable amount of weight and looks much better. What I learned today is that this beautiful house was designed by James Gamble Rogers, and Beth Johnson, our first female State Senator used to live here. I urge you to check the link--what a lovely woman, and apparently it was she who helped establish the University of Central Florida. It is on a tiny street off Colonial Drive, named Peachtree Road. :) Historic indeed.

A normal person might quit taking so many photographs, but there is a reason this blog has "crazy" as part of the title. Since Matt discovered that I'd almost run out of hard drive space and taught me how to re-route things to my external hard drive, I've continued to take photographs with reckless abandon. But you knew that.

Today was no different. While riding this morning I remembered that it was the first Monday of the month, thus the admission to Leu Gardens is waived. No Gail--don't go--you've got a really busy week ahead of you. Yes, Gail--go, go, go. You can guess which won.

A certain someone I know loves camellias, as do I. Angela has a bush, and told me it was already blooming, so I expected as much of the bushes at Leu Gardens. Many are still covered with buds, but a fair amount of them are already showing their colors. Cue--camellia photo....

If it were the tiniest bit more red, instead of pink, I might be inclined to call this a Christmas photo.  I only hope that when that certain someone arrives in a few weeks from London, there will be gazillions of blooming camellias that we can go visit.

While taking photos I often think of various people (see above), who like specific things. My sister Lisa likes turtles. Perhaps she will like this photo.

Totally weird I know. Swimming in the lake adjacent to the park, the overcast skies tinted the water a shade of gray.

Then there is the little problem of this blogger who likes most anything. Daisies--yep--love them!

Actually these are blooming on a GIGANTIC daisy tree!! Standing some 30 feet in the air, it is covered with these fantastic blooms. I just knew there was a reason "yes, go" won out. There was a time when I went to Leu Gardens every single month--always practicing, but these days, with flowers in my own yard, I've gotten a bit lazy. There are a few more that I'll post tomorrow because it's time to move on to the next phase of today's picture taking adventures.

Yes, once I was done at the City Council meeting, as I was walking to the parking garage, I realized that if I went up to the ninth floor of said garage I could get some cool downtown shots. This reminded me of something I did with the kids long ago, which I doubt any of them will remember. While the new City Hall was under construction, I can't exactly remember how I finagled it, but the five of us went up to the top to see what we could see. I'm still doing that, just not with four boys in tow!

This is the new Orlando Utilities building--bless their hearts, they have lowered our power bills. From the street I have not once noticed those solar panels. In the distance on the bottom right is Arnold Palmer Woman & Children's Hospital where our niece Jen had her two adorable boys.

The performing arts center is still a work in progress, with two big yellow cranes doing the heavy lifting.

I had no idea there were wheels and almost like a pulley system way up there in the air! Back on the ground it looks like this from the corner of Anderson and Orange Avenue.

There was lots of discussion about razing the round building on the right, however, what the outcome of those discussions was, either I've forgotten, or never knew in the first place. I think I'll go with the never knew idea!

While we are still downtown, before I forget, my friends from the market, Jim and Ken are hamming it up for the camera on Sunday.

After surprising him with the gift, Ken asked if I would take their photo. Seriously, you can not meet two nicer guys and I'm not the only one who thinks so. With their sparkling personalities, they have become one of the stars of our markets!

Since I was still out and about, I thought to myself, "self, why not just head over to the Orlando Wetlands Park because you know you love the changing colors of the Cypress trees." So, I did.

See, we still have fall in Florida, only a few months behind the rest of the country!

If all this good stuff weren't enough for today, my tea arrived.

All 440 bags! If that sounds like too many, it's not. This is my absolute most favorite tea which I have been getting at Marshalls. Trouble is, they haven't had it for months. While talking to my sister Nancy the other evening, she of the Marshalls manager fame, I decided to see if it was available online somewhere. You guessed it--Amazon. Because I no longer have Amazon Prime, and I know that Jonathan does, I sent him the link, he ordered it, and just as I'd used my very last tea bag this morning, along came UPS. Lest you think it will go stale, I'm showing you the expiration date which seems about right. One cuppa per day + 440 days=Perfect.

When last we met I was planning on watching my favorite, Florida State Seminoles, who played great for two quarters, horrible for the next two, but managed to pull out the victory. Whew--it was close.

Is anyone else as excited about the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall's news? Can you imagine how beautiful that baby will be?

Getting it Done

For weeks now we've had several nuisances around these parts, one of which I've written about before, as in the sprinkler system. For those readers who've been experiencing unusually large amounts of rain, having a faulty sprinkler system does not seem so bad. Trust me on this, it is. Last month's utility bill reflected as much--$100 for water. Ouch! Today we are finally having some folks come out and get us back in shape.

Additionally, I've had an air leak in the pool filter lines which not only made for constant bubbling at the jets, but the pool vacuum crawled along at a turtle's pace. A turtle's pace you ask? Well, why not? Last evening Bruce called out, saying I had a visitor in the yard and here he is!

A pretty good sized one that apparently crawled away from one of the two lakes in either direction from our home. I took others, but I thought I'd show you this one because, not only do you see how big the turtle is, but you also get to see the declining supertinias. Painful is what I have to say about their state. I am trying to come to some conclusion on whether or not I should transplant them before they all die on me. What to do, what to do? While I was out surveying my garden I discovered yet another creature! More? Yes.

I should have made that a plural in the previous paragraph because there were gobs of these Oleander Caterpillars. According to the link, they will defoliate the plant in no time, thus, if we didn't want some bare stalks, something had to be done pronto. Fortunately, Mr. Bruce arrived, picking them off with some tweezers and placing them in a drink bottle in the freezer. The freezer? That's what they said to do! Matthew is experiencing some of his own garden invasion from unknown sources. His exact words--"gardening is stressful." I couldn't agree more. See above regarding baby petunias!

But so worthwhile when things are going well, which for the most part they do. I am in love with the color of this new shade of vincas.

While still on the topic of gardening, last week I made a visit to Appenbury's which I believe I mentioned. There were some gigantic, and I mean gigantic, sunflowers in the ground, waving their faces in the breeze.

Stupendous, right? The sky is a never ending source of interest, going from this gorgeous shade of blue, to this:

Enthralled might be a good word for when I see the sunbeams through the clouds. Although the sky looks menacing in this photograph, the rainfall produced was minimal. One of these days we will have some rain, and on the flip side, one of these days sunshine will once again visit London. Faith is what that kind of thinking is called...

While picking up Bill from the car place, I asked him if he'd like to head out to Lukas Nursery since we were half-way there? He agreed readily because he's a plant guy himself, going crazy planting Asiatic jasmine all around his new palm. Anyway, we roamed around, marveling at all of the beautiful specimens. As we turned a corner we heard a noise, wondering what the heck it was. Chickens my friends. Four were in a large coop with two of them being so crazy looking I couldn't get over it.

The head was covered with feathers somewhat like an afro. I was darn lucky to finally get this shot
through the bars.

Perhaps a reader knows the type? Talk about top heavy! As I recall, the black bodied chicken of this type also had a white topper. Love this kind of random sighting...

So, where was I before I got off topic? Oh yes, the air leak. The pool guy came yesterday morning and it was not anything that had occurred to me. The filter needed a thorough cleaning, as did the salt generator. Both required taking apart, a task I'm ill suited for. $125 and we are on our way.

While he was cleaning, I was signing, a task I'm also ill suited for. Frequently when folks ask how things went and I give them a number of prints sold, I'm not sure that it's so easy to visualize. Well, let's enlighten right now.

This stack of new prints totals 95, two shy of my Melbourne sales. It would be half again as tall if not for the fact that 45 of them are currently without mats, although, if things go right, they will have them later today. They are all signed, two stickers each and a thank you on the back. On my way to bridge, in just a bit, I'll drop them back off for the mats. You're probably thinking to yourself, why can't she put the mats in? Answer: different ratios. So there. A good many of these are slated for filling up the twirly thing in my office which currently stands empty. Then again, maybe it will be a good weekend which at this point is anyone's guess. Typically it's hot as the dickens during Mayfaire; the forecast is only for the high 80's with a 20% chance of rain. Not bad at all. I am assigned booth #33 which if memory serves me right, and that's always taking a chance, it is close to where I was last year.

Yesterday brought some good news. My sister Nancy, who lives in Memphis, had been looking online for jobs earlier this year. Lots of looking. One day she decided it might be a good idea to check with her local Marshalls, walk in and ask if they were hiring. And they were. Now it is several months later and she has been chosen to be a "Manager in Training" starting today! We couldn't be more proud or happy for her. While talking I mentioned to her that although working in retail is hard, that's probably where she always should have been working because if anyone knows how to shop it is Nancy. You may recall that she also loves to organize and it was this skill that caught management's eye. I guess this means she won't be coming here this year for my annual clean up. Woohoo!

Chickens, it seems, are all the rage now which is probably why they had them at Lukas. Our city council just passed an ordinance allowing 25 homeowners to have chickens in their back yard. Just this morning, after reading the linked article, Bruce came into the bedroom while I was still lolly-gagging in bed, saying, perhaps we might want to have chickens. Perhaps we might. This installment of Camera Crazy describes my friends the Whiteds adventures in chicken farming. Rachel has a chicken initiative going in Winter Park hoping their city council will get with the program.  A local television clip with Rachel found it's way onto CNN!

The hour is late, as in, if I want to have time to get ready for bridge, so that's it for today.

Have a good one!
Gail