Foto Friday 17 ~ Flashback

The sky was gorgeous when we got home from the 

concert last night. 

A rare southern glimpse of the Northern Lights. 

 Sooooo pretty. You could even see the reddish tinge 

without the phone camera. I can't imagine getting 

to see this all the time up north.

Another rare (to us anyway) sight...a yacht used as a camper. 

To each his own.  :) 

My beautiful granddaughter- she's going to have a BIG baby. 

 He's already 5 pounds and she is only 30 weeks here. 

We went on a small leaf-peeping tour to Albert Pike last weekend. 

 The leaves were just starting to turn.  Camping is not allowed here anymore 

(that I know of) since lives were lost in a flash flood. 

 It sure is a beautiful place. 

Last, but not least, Happy Veteran's Day to my dad- twenty years in 

the Air Force and I could not be prouder of him. 

I am thankful for all branches of our military, and 

especially thankful that there are still men and women who are 

brave enough to serve and protect our country.

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday,  Yogi for Skywatch Friday, and  James for Weekend Reflections

Foto Friday 15 ~ Just Breathe

 

Spotted the first Spider Lily.

It is time. 

:)

I photograph for Findagrave, and spotted this the other day.  Very unique, and special! 

We were driving behind these two guys on our way to town, and Mark and I both thought they were cows...til we  got closer!  HA HA.  I have no idea where they were from or where they were going, but stuffed bears?  I cannot even imagine.  Especially in southern Arkansas. 

I'm on my second 10 pound sack of sugar.  These hummers are hungry!! 

 I hope they make the trip wherever they are going. 

I named my porch geese Myrtle and Matilda.  I'm not very crafty,

 but I'm having fun with their outfits.  Don't laugh! 

Well, I guess that is it for the week.  It's been a rough couple of weeks here, so I am behind with posting.  I swore to myself I would improve with that, but life just gets in the way. 

If you pray or can send good thoughts, my step mom was injured & could have died during a procedure and is having difficulty getting back on her feet.  She can't eat much either, and that makes things worse. I am grateful that it was not a worse situation. 

I hope everyone has a good week.  Stay healthy and safe. 

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday, Eileen for Saturday's Critters, Betty  for My Corner of the World, Mersad for Through my Lens

Foto Friday ~ 13

The summer heat is wrecking havoc on my redbud tree.  Several lichen and fungus have made themselves at home.  The top one is Old Man's Beard, but I don't know what the bottom ones are.  Either way, I need to get it off of my tree.  Any ideas, besides scraping?  I tried that and the bark comes off with it.  

Little Man is wondering if anyone is ever going to bushhog the field.  I think it's so high it is tickling his belly. Foreground is what's left of an old fence, and it reminded me of an meme that some of us long time bloggers used to participate in...Good Fences!, y'all remember that one?   There was one with barns to that I really enjoyed.  Ahh, the good old days!  

Back indoors, where the A/C is blasting, this is our supper.  Keto, as good as it gets- to not have a hamburger bun.  Yummy!  I love the pizza bowls too. 

I sure have enjoyed our martins this year.  I am thankful that they have multiplied, and survived.  Sadly, they have all left and even the fly-bys and stop-overs have stopped coming by.  It's time to head south. 

The dragonflies made haste to return in full force, and flock around me while I mow. It's funny how they know it's safe to come around again! 

I guess that is enough for this week's photo dump. I hope everyone is having a good week!

haring with Michelle for Thankful Thursday,  Yogi for Skywatch Friday,  Eileen for Saturday's Critters,  Betty  for My Corner of the World, Mersad for Through my Lens

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

 

Trying out my new zoom lens and it's looking like I am going to need a few lessons!  :)

First and biggest problem so far is seeing sharp through the lens, but the photo turns out blurry.  

Would be nice to see an eagle, but not today. 

Turtles doing what turtles do.  Look how smooth that piece of wood is.  Looks like this one is a favorite sun spot. 

And then the snow and ice came.  Enough already! 

Mother Nature was playing some wild havoc on people (and animals) this past fall and now winter!  

Little Man is not amused, but pretty happy about the extra grain and hay he's getting. 

Betty  for My Corner of the World, Mersad for Through my Lens,  Eileen for Saturday's Critters

Don't Fence Me In!

 

We drove to the lake the other afternoon and had to stop when we saw these buffalo up at the gate.  Once upon a time this was a big game hunting park, but I don't think so anymore  These buffalo look like they've been playing in the mud. 

Thankful....

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for.  I'm getting back in the boat and I  still want to fish, and that surprises me!  My grandson was accepted into college- he's excited and so are we.  My kids seem to be doing well and are happy and healthy, and so are my grands.  The littles- Hadleigh, Olivia and Bo are just as cute as can be and are such a delight to their grandfolks! 

Grateful, 

Yesterday, the dr gave me the all clear on my leg.  It's still sore and definitely not healed all the way, but I am motoring along! :)  If nothing else, this has shown me that I am not as resilient as I thought I was, but I still have a strong desire to be well and healthy.  It was sure a shock to my system to not even be able to walk!

Leaving you with my three greats...

Happy Thanksgiving! 

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday, Eileen for Saturday's Critters and Betty  for My Corner of the World,

Foto Friday 12 ~ Photo Dump, Since I've Been Gone

Rare peaceful moment (no fighting) 

April 2024 Solar Eclipse

Little Man

We lost Dakota earlier this summer.  Man is finding his way as the last horse on the land.  I thought he would be lonely, but so far he seems quite content.  We've lost three since I have been blogging- Dakota, Grady and Jack.  

First crop in the new greenhouse my husband built.

The extreme heat we had this summer was a real menace, but most of the vegetables he planted did great! 

Finally got to see the Northern Lights, but only with the camera, not with the naked eye. 

Don't really understand that, but wow, they were pretty. 

Six weeks ago, I fractured my leg trying to get out of the boat.  Ruined a camping trip and it is  definitely one of the most painful injuries I have ever had.

I can finally walk without crutches, but the pain has not gone away.  I'm guessing after Christmas, maybe...I hope. 

A surprise visit this morning from an eagle.  Could possibly be the same one who has come around before, but it's like a yearly visit, so probably not.  Oh, gosh, I wish I had a better zoom lens!  

and finally...

I didn't realize I had been gone so long.  I've missed all of your blog posts and hopefully I can check back in.  

Have a great Thanksgiving week! 

Thankful for my family, and especially my husband who has gone above

 and beyond, taking care of me these last six weeks.  

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday, and James for Weekend Reflections,

 Yogi for Skywatch Friday,  Eileen for Saturday's Critters,  Betty  for My Corner of the World, Mersad for Through my Lens

Foto Friday 11 ~ Oh Deer Me

 

My son Michael sent some critter photos that he has taken recently around his place. 

Outsmarted by a raccoon!

Sometimes in the chaos of life, we overlook the simple things, the store door held open, the thank you, and have a good day from the checkers, the person who lets us cut in line if we only have one item.  A grandbaby's hug, a text from an old friend...there is always something to be thankful for. 

I wish you all a happy holiday and/or a Merry Christmas. 

Just for the week, may we all be able to leave the stresses of our world outside our doors. 

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday, Yogi for Skywatch Friday, Eileen for Saturday's Critters

Foto Friday 10 ~ Peep the Leaves

Southwestern Colorado Vacation

I immediately fell in love with this one spot.  The huge stand of aspen trees is a wonder to behold.  I've never seen anything like it and we have been all over Colorado.  This was our goal last year but had to turn back because my cat died back at home and I couldn't keep going. 

West Elk Scenic Loop

Kebler Pass, Colorado

Bucket List-

On the way to Crested Butte we were stopped by cows, horses and cowboys.  They were transferring the moos to pasture on the other side of the road.  We waited, as did everyone else except for  some dude in a company truck who decided he needed to go go go, so he plowed right through them.  I guess he was in a big hurry. 

Next was the Gunnison-Taylor Park Loop 

Click  on map

 Kebler was just so beautiful we thought this scenic byway would be too.  HA HA HA HA We could not take our eyes off of the boulders in the road.  From Pitkin to Tin Cup was a solid nightmare.  Click on photo to view map. See that jeep?  It was a clue!  Don't attempt this in a car!  Argh, live and learn, I guess.  

We made the pass (Cumberland) in my Dodge Journey.  I wanted to give it an award for not dying on me on top of the mountain.  We went 28 miles in 3 hours  We were very thankful my tires did not blow on the mini boulders in the road. Top speed was 5 mph with an occasional 6 or 7.   Never, ever, ever! again!!! Just thankful to be alive after that drive over. 

 I'm sure the scenery was fantastic but I didn't see it because I couldn't take my eyes off the road.  The other side of the loop was really beautiful though.  

Close to Tin Cup after the pass. We saw a couple of beaver dams in these meadow sloughs.  So, if you want that adventure, ride a 4x4 up and over, or if not, go up the other side to Tin Cup.  That's where all the beautiful scenery is anyway.  (My opinion). 

Telluride

On the way in. 

Gondola Ride to the top 

The lady who rode with us said there was some kind of water 

leak and this was the crew working on it.  

Burgers if you please.  Pretty good when you are starving.

 Million Dollar Highway

Southwest Colorado has some major construction going on.  Hwy 50, and 550, and the route to Telluride.  Not really any huge holdups, but there were just so many places.   On the Million Dollar Highway there were several delays.  We saw military repelling of the side of one turn, and three fire trucks coming up the other side. (They were for the fire, which we never saw, but there were wildfires and controlled burns in several places that were on our route.)   

Traffic was really slow on the MDH, but considering the sheer drop offs and twisting turns...I felt safer than all the other times we have gone on this route.  Slowing down is a good thing on this road, and it gives you time to enjoy the scenery.  

and here is more...

 sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday, Yogi for Skywatch Friday, Eileen for Saturday's Critters

thanks for stopping by, I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.