New Year's Eve 2018

Greetings, my friends.  This is an (almost) eleventh hour post to close out 2018 and to vow to be a better blogger friend in the New Year!  My Christmas tree looks about the same as it does every year, but I love it so.  My favorite ornament continues to be Dorothy's Red Shoe, purchased at the Smithsonian Museum of American History a few years ago.  It's there in the middle - a little to the left.  My bear was from the now defunct Rich's Department Store, free with a purchase (or something like that) back in the 70s.  I saw one at an antique mall last Saturday for $24.  Mine still looks new every year, since it stays in a plastic bag in the Christmas closet during the year.  

My sister and brother-in-law's home on Christmas morning, before I saw anyone.  Peaceful and quiet.  This was my late mother's wee Christmas tree that she had in her assisted living apartment.  I love that my sis puts it in her foyer every year.

Kitty Pete on Christmas Day.  It was warm enough in the Florida panhandle to sit outside with no jacket.  Pete was the first one I saw on Christmas morning.  He was lying on the kitchen table, which he is forbidden to do.  I was looking at the view out back before I spotted him.  He looked at me with no guilt.  He either figured I didn't care that he was on the table, or he didn't care what I thought.  I imagine it as the latter.  :)

Spotted at the aforementioned antique mall last Saturday.  A cardboard cutout of the King of Rock and Roll.  I texted the photo to my friend Steven, who has a partner who adores Elvis.  He replied, "I love what you've done with your living room!"  

I hope your holidays were Merry and Bright.  And I hope the New Year will be good to you.  Hugs!

Hello and goodbye to October...

I took this photo at the end of September, when I finally had to admit summer was essentially over in the Deep South.  We have had a warm fall, but it was time to take up that summer rug and say goodbye to summer on the porch.

 The condo trees are finally getting some color.  I love the dappled sunlight in the late afternoon.

The last time I posted, I was heading to my favorite hideaway in the Nantahala Forest.  This breathtaking scene made me stop in my tracks one morning.  It's where I can relax and just breathe.

This was supposed to be my October post.  Yesterday, as I was writing October 31 for the hundredth time that day, I realized that October just ripped by.  My favorite Anne of Green Gables quote: “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”  Me, too.

The mountains are calling, smart fishies, and breathtaking

The view from the end of the driveway at my favorite mountain hideaway.  This guy was quietly fly fishing one afternoon.

A gloomy walk, but still beautiful at the dam on Lake Chatuge in nearby Hiawassee, Georgia.  The fishermen speeding away had been there awhile, with no luck, and some fish actually jumped out of the water when the boat left.  Laughing behind their fins, no doubt.  :)

Look at those mountains in the distance.  Just breathtaking, I think.  I stopped my car and got out to gaze at the view for a moment.

These photos were from a visit Labor Day weekend and I will be there again in a few hours.           "The mountains are calling, and I must go." John Muir

Sister time, peace and almost full moon

Pensacola Beach, Florida last Thursday, just before sunset, on a walk with my sisters during our annual "sister time." 

We stayed at a condo that overlooked Sabine Bay, this was just minutes after the beach walk.  It was lovely to watch the sunset with the girls.  I titled this photo, "Peace."

On Friday evening, we stepped outside a restaurant in Gulf Breeze to this view of the almost full moon overlooking the city of Pensacola.  It was a lovely time together.

I figured I should post at least once in August.  Baby bird update (see post from July 16):  I went by the hardware store garden center a few weeks ago to check on the baby birds.  They had indeed put a "not for sale" sign on it and had enjoyed listening for the sweet chirps coming from the nest on high.  Thankfully, the mom wasn't put off by the nest going on a little car journey.  The garden center manager lifted the plant down to show me the empty nest.  I wish those fledgling birds would visit my porch.

Good Things Happened: morning, a bee & an adventure

The view from my car, as I was getting into it on Sunday morning.  The plants all looked so nice, that I couldn't resist snapping a photo.  Neighbor Rhonda is a much better gardener than I, but I do contribute to about 1/3 of this.

This guy was busy working on the petunias (OK - probably not petunias - I'll ask Rhonda).  This photo was actually the first one - I had to go back inside to find my phone so I could snap the photo.  And then it was inside my purse all along.  Does this kind of thing happen to you guys?  It happens to me all too often.  :)

This plant is new - replacing the flowering one purchased in May, which went south fairly quickly (probably needed more all-day light).  I thought I would just get another fern, since they do well in this spot.  And this turned into an adventure:  Around 5:30pm on Saturday, I went to the garden center at the hardware store nearby, and a young man who was watering all the plants at the end of the day helped me take down a nice, bushy, hanging fern.  The cashier rang it up and kindly carried it to the car for me.   I got home, took the fern out of the back of my car and noticed the edge of a bird's nest.  Oh my - please let this be an empty nest, I thought.  But no - I parted the fern fronds and - shriek!  There was one unhatched egg + two live baby birds, looking up at me anxiously, with their beaks open.  I looked at the time - 5:48pm.  The hardware store closes at 6, so I raced back up there and made it with two minutes to spare.  The store staff came from all corners to ooh and aah over the babies.  I finally insisted we get it hung back up exactly where it was, so their mama could find them and rest assured they were back safely.  The young man who had been watering hoisted it back into place.  I hope they'll be OK.  I suggested they put a not for sale note on it.  And somehow, having lost my enthusiasm for ferns, at that point, I got this spider plant instead.  

Feeling a little guilty at not being around to your blogs, but I will touch base this week.  Lots going on here, nothing bad, just not a lot of home computer time.  Thank you for coming by.  Hugs!

Good Things Happened: Summer

Just a quick post.  I snapped this photo on Sunday morning when the sun was shining down so blindingly, that I just pointed my phone and shot.  That plant seems to like its spot.

Hope you all are well!

Good Things Happened: Hello Spring!, Dreams, Moody view

The proprietor of my favorite little antiques / cool stuff shop in Lilburn, Georgia created this homage to Spring, which is almost over.  Sure has been beautiful.

Early last Saturday, the young 'uns were up and at it at the ball field at Mountain Park Park.  I titled this photo Field of Dreams and wonder how many dream of being big leaguers.

And there was a trip to my favorite mountain area the weekend before that.  It was a soggy trip, but I didn't mind.  I read two books on the back porch and just watched the river go by.

The last photo is of the drive up the mountain to my sister's vacation house.  Loved the mist on the mountains there.  Hope you all are well.  I'll be around for blog visits the next couple of days.  Hugs!