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 16 ~ Let's Talk About Orange

 

For those that wanted to see the change- some of the flowers are turning orange.

I thought it would put out new flowers, but instead they just changed colors, backwards from what the nursery said, but I'll take it.   I thought I knew what I was talking about when I said it put out new flowers.  Obviously I know nothing about mums, y'all.  :)

Walmart parking lot putting on a show.  I knew I wouldn't make it home in time for a better shot. People were just driving right on by, and I thought you all need to slow down and check out this sky! 

We had a blast last night at the trunk or treat.  I got to hold my newest great grand Jillynne, while her siblings rode the train and the hay ride.  This is my only (so far) gg boy, Bo.  He  was busy collecting candy and riding with his dad on the hay ride.  

I spent a couple of hours at a cemetery this week, trying to find a man that someone else said was buried in a different cemetery.  Anyways, I found him, on the back of his wife's stone.  Also found footstones, which as you can see, are embedded in a pile of the  devil's own insect, the nasty fire ant.  By the time I finished walking around the whole cemetery I had a total of eleventy- seven bites.  (Actually just 7 on one foot.)  But it FELT like many, many more.  I'm thankful I got out of there with my feet still attached.  They were everywhere. My husband said they sure do like this cemetery! Actually, they just love the rain, because that's when they surface. 

I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  I'm thankful that I can turn off the tv and make my blood pressure go down.  I'm thankful for my church and my community and most of all, I am thankful for my family.  Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight.  (I sure wish we could do away with that!) 

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday, Yogi for Skywatch Friday,  Betty  for My Corner of the World, Mersad for Through my Lens  

Thankful Thursday

                   

One of the last football games of the year for my youngest grandson, Liam.  I'm thankful that I get to see him play. (And the temps finally feel like fall)

 Thankful for cooler weather and holidays coming up.  It is my most favorite time of year and I am looking forward to family get-togethers and the blessings all that brings.  

Thankful today for healthy mamas and babies; Jillynne, great-grand baby#4, arrived yesterday and she is just the cutest!  One more to go (for now) and he is due in December.   

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday ~ Blooms

I finally figured out how to water this giant and it took off and went crazy. 

It's huge!  The nursery said it was a pumpkin something or other that will bloom again at Thanksgiving in orange.  I hope I can keep it alive that long.

Thankful today for little things that keep me grounded, and family that keeps me busy. 

Praying for my two granddaughters who are expecting.  One, in the next week and the other most likely in December.  For one, it's been a blessing after losing two, and the other it's been a blessing that she hasn't had any problems, but this will be number 3.  So many changes from when I was pregnant with mine, oh so long ago.  They can tell you the sex so early and they have 3D photography to show you what the baby will looks like.  All new to me, but I am older than dirt, ya know. 

I hope you all have a great weekend!

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday ~ Sunrise at the Lake

 

Time at the lake is always so peaceful. 

These cypress tree knobs look like little animals watching the sunrise with me. 

Thankful for the quiet moments, and for the beauty of nature. 

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday

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

Thankful Thursday ~ Waiting on the Rain

 

I've been trying to cull old photos off of my computer and my phone.  I ran into this one today, and it's from about 4 years ago.  It wasn't a bad storm, that I recall, but it was a doozy of a rain maker.  My pond needed it, the grass needed it, and I needed a break from the heat. 

Just looking at this photo cools me off some.  It's 99 right now, and my weather station says "Dangerously high heat index".  No messing around with it. It's hot out there.  

Needless to say, the heat is keeping me indoors.  

I can't say I am thankful for the extreme heat, but I'm sure there are folks somewhere who are quite happy with it.  That would be the beach-goers, and the pool splashers.  Maybe even the farmer who needs to get his hay in the dry, or those who have to work outdoors and would lose a payday if it were nasty weather.  

So while those folks are out there enjoying the sun, I will work indoors and every now and then look at my storm photos with longing. 

Hope all have a good weekend. Despite how much I long for fall I definitely do not want to speed up time, or skip a season.  Even if I can fry an egg on the sidewalk out there...it's ok. 

I will not melt. (HA HA HA ) 

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday

It's the Shades For Me

 

This baby right here is a mini to her mama.  

Sassy through and through, cute as a button, hard headed, 

but with the sweetest heart ever.

The fish were biting, but the goldfish were calling her name. 

 

Thankful for my daughter & granddaughter who both share their photographs with me. 

(If you look closely you can see my other great grand girl fighting with her fishing pole)

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday &

Mersad for Through my Lens

It's Not Over til the Chubby Lady Cleans

 

Well, the week started with rainy weather and ended with more of the same. It didn't slow anyone down though! I am thankful for that!  This was the scene after Charlie Brown movie night at church.  I love that little movie- but I was amazed to find out it is 55 years old!  I watched it when I was growing up and again when my children were little and now when I am a child at heart.  

The kids seemed to enjoy Cookie Night, and I am very thankful that I found more sprinkles in the freezer because one child decorated one cookie with an entire jar of them.  She was proud of that cookie too. 

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were both fun filled and loud!  Mark and I both were exhausted after everyone went home.  Well, he'll deny it, but I won't! 

I hope all who celebrate have and had a wonderful holiday season.  

Check out our Merry Christmas tiktok

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday

In the Christmas Spirit

Recently, we drove down to Carmela's Magical Santa Land in Longview, Texas. It was a great way to celebrate our 48th anniversary.  Oh, how bright the lights were!  

The drive is about a mile long, with a pullover along the way to grab a cup of hot chocolate, take a photo with Santa, and a short walking trail of lights if you please. 

It was just what my dragging spirit needed and I am thankful that there are folks out there who go to these extremes to liven up the holiday for kids of all ages.  She doesn't charge a fee, but does take donations at the end of the ride.  

Can you believe there are over 4 million lights in this drive through park?  WOW!  

I hope you all are having a good week and enjoying the holiday season. 

sharing with Michelle for Thankful Thursday

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