Burning Rubber

At night we can hear the local teenagers having a bit o' fun.

In the daylight, we see the works of abstract art left behind on the asphalt.

Love Bomb

On my walk through the neighborhood, I saw something interesting lurking in the shadows of a front porch.

My neighbors got a love bomb! Colorful hearts flung across their front door, some with personal messages.

That made my own heart swell a little.

What a simple, thoughtful expression of care. I love living here!

Throwback Thursday: Sunset Statement

 From June 2020

We haven't had a sunset this dramatic in a while. This is actually looking east at sunset, with the colors reflecting in the tumultuous clouds.

At Golden Gardens

I retuned to Golden Gardens Park last Thursday

for a couple laps around the ponds. Summer heat made the groundcover crispy. Autumn is creeping in.

This majestic lad

stood still and allowed me to take photos from several angles

I do wish I'd remember to take my Big Girl Camera with a telephoto lens when I visit this favorite park.

Open to Heaven

A view over the wetlands on my morning walk.

Today's Another Minor Holiday

Today was Jodie's first ever banana split! I'm fairly sure I haven't had one since the turn of the century. But you know how it goes, it's imperative for us to honor a national holiday together - especially if it involves sweet treats! 

We had a choice of four ice cream flavors.

Three kinds of fruit ... that darn near makes this a salad!

Gooey toppings are necessary.

Jodie's masterpiece:

This was Abby's first ever banana split, too. Very clever to use a circus animal cookie as a spoon.

And a good time was had by all.

Jodie took all these great photos.

Pollinators

Our sunflowers have begun to welcome bees into our yard!

Blackberry Season

Bursting out all over town

Say a Little Prayer

Today is the first time I've ever seen a praying mantis "in the wild."
This one was resting on top of the mums by our front porch.

Fascinating creature!

I hope it sticks around ... 

and brings some friends.

All But the Pinks

The morning I took my long walk, stopping to take photos of the mid-summer flowers, I was also listening to the Happier podcast. Between what was before my eyes, and what was between my ears, I was highly focused and in a flow state. 

What I saw ...

What I almost missed was this!

I jumped back about three feet when I realized I was about to step on him. He was just lying there in the middle of the sidewalk, calm as you please. He didn't move at all. 

So what's a girl to do? I took his portrait.

Then I slipped into the street for a half block before returning to the sidewalk for the rest of the way home.

The Pinks of Summer

These flowers are a large as dinner plates!

Our Granddaughter's Missing!

Jodie sent a frantic text:

Abby's our cheeky little gal!

Escapee

We live on the edge of the wetlands, so neighborhood rats can be a problem. The ones that live nearby are cagey and brown and quite rough and tumble. So I doubt this guy is a native.

I saw him on my walk today, scampering across the grass at the elementary school. He was leaping and jumping and not keeping hidden at all.

He wasn't afraid of me and didn't run from me. In fact, as I was walking around the track, he bopped toward me. That makes me think he's used to being around people.

I don't enjoy pet rodents. I don't enjoy any rodents. I sure was surprised to see an albino rat dancing in the meadow.

There were some huge birds circling overhead.  ...

I wonder if he made it home.

 

Never Too Early

On your mark ...

Get set ...

We're no where near "GO!" But we've done the planning to make it easier on our heirs.

Now Dale and I are both emotionally drained.
We're glad to have these steps finished, but it was difficult.

Bonus: It completes one of our 25 Goals in 2025!

Today's Strawberry Harvest

Eight! 

Count 'em. Eight large strawberries!

I thought my plants were done fruiting since so much of their energy is used sending out new shoots at this time of year. This may the the most large berries I've harvested all summer. So tasty!

These deserve to be eaten with a scoop of high quality vanilla bean ice cream this evening. What a treat!

Can you tell? I'm always surprised when things I plant grow and flourish. For example, I now have six sunflowers in bloom, and at least two more that will show their color tomorrow. Love it. Last year none of my sunflowers grew.

Patio Visitor

At the end of July, we had a special visitor. She came into the patio to cool off with Dale and me,

To drink deeply,

And take a shower.

Then she flew to the awning tether and shook out her feathers,

Lifted her face to the sun, and rested.

What a treat!

I almost missed seeing her because her coloring matches our fence and morning glories so well. The camera on my phone did a great job of catching all that movement. Dale got some beautiful photos, too, because he was sitting closer to her.