two weeks later...

        dear everyone -- Two weeks seems like a long time, but I know it's just a blip. I have been out making hay - not really -- but I do like making hay photos this time of the year.  I can also walk up and down my Sideway Road in the evening, since it's neither too hot nor too cold.  And, so far, not too buggy --  no cicadas to speak of! 

       Since I do have a bunch of recent photos, and one short quiet video, I'll get started.

 

sharing yellow lines -- the field in this photo looks like mine does now

 

field of hay and the moon!

hay rising on the hill

hay getting more seasoned

hay -- with wind

 

 

 

two photos from the swampy area along my road:

pond cattails also growing

Here's a tribute to my namesake, Queen Anne's Lace -- though actually I just happen to like this photo, made with my iPhone when evening was turning into night.

Preston's tractor overnighting at my neighbor's  house

I call this a Kentucky Yucca tree. Ha ha. I have no idea how it stands firm in its bank. 

     And now the video!  I had planned to have two videos, one before the hay was cut and one during, but Preston arrived and got to work while I was at the dentist!  Next year he wants to come earlier, in May, so stay tuned.  

 

 

 

By the way, I don't have any reason to go to the trouble of making a single bale of hay, so I am mainly keeping the field open and "fed" by the decomposing that takes place. The turkeys enjoy it too... and the deer and other animals. I hope this very basic video works its wonder once again.  Enjoy --- and come again in two weeks, on July 11. Maybe I will even have had another video opportunity by then. You even have time by then to go get vaccinated if you aren't already.  Take one for the sake of all.   Ann

 

still catching up

         This is my last chance (I hope) to share winter photos that are part of the SIXTEEN DAYS of ice, then snow, then more ice, that we've had.  Most of that time there was with no phone or no electricity because of the amount of territory covered in order to provide repairs.  I'm so glad our electricity is back, though I remain somewhat wary.  There are still trees and limbs ready to fall over wires. In any case, thanks be for all of the hard work across our region that eventually put us back together again. Now there are horrible floods across southern Kentucky.

         Some photos, not all picture perfect, but when the photographer is iced in, every other warm body is fascinating and picturesque.  When I first met this opossum, he or she was badly wounded with an open wound across the back. It looks like it healed, and I wonder if a white back is natural or simply showing the healed area.

If anyone wonders why I don't have my taxes done yet, they can blame the competition and surmise which I find to be more interesting....

By the way, Cardinals are Kentucky's bird.

It was very cold outside, and I assume the puffed up chest had something to do with that.  I don't have camera equipment to do birds, but I enjoy even this much of their presence.

This downy didn't move for many minutes! Did the rare feel of sunshine captivate him?

This is my favorite bird photo from the storm.

        At last I made it back home. This photo is me showing my friend/hostess, before leaving,  how I had found the most comfortable place in the whole house.  Thank you again, Tom and Molly, for 7 days of TLC.  Sorry I won those early Rummy 500 games.  Very rude of me. And sorry I didn't really get to take over your whole house.  Just a lot of it.  My blog is being contrary tonight, or I would add two photos of you making that delicious naan.

Happiness is kind friends laughing with you.

 Happiness is also seeing electricity repair trucks in every driveway when I am almost home:

 

still spring, even though my left foot now is healing a bit of broken bone

post #430
        Ten days ago I didn't get to take a "visit family" trip and still today I didn't get to go to a family 8th birthday celebration nearby, but even so I am lucky. I only have one stop-and-pay- attention injury, to my foot, to deal with, for at least a month. I am not contagious. Just slowed down by a crutch. Learning new skills. Grateful to be in one piece. Still wondering about the meaning of life.
         And I am still watching our democracy either implode or grow stronger in reaction to extreme provocation. Any elected person who can't even say the words "CLIMATE CHANGE" out loud gives me the shivers. What price are we paying for such defective magical thinking. No matter how high or how low, it's too heavy a price.
        So here today are some photos "just because," ones I have taken along the way, from the moments that happen as we are living our lives and trying to be good to our one world.

SPRING 2018:

SPRING 2019:

         

SPRING 2017:

SPRING 2016

          I am grateful for all the help I am getting in response to my current (temporary) period of reduction in mobility. It is definitely humbling to have to avoid weight bearing walking as much as possible. However, I will be well enough on May 21 to go vote, even if it is "just" for statewide offices. As ever, we all need now to "Vote as if your rights depend on it." Which they indeed do.

winter remnants, renewal preparations

April! Spring! Blossoms! part 1 of 2 or 3!

post #427

        Busy day, complete with severe thunderstorm advisories, and a possible tornado! All is now ending peacefully, though there are still wind episodes.  I do love April, despite the wild weather, and I am so glad I was back where the waterfalls are twice this weekend. So much changes so quickly during this time of year..
        Here are some of the blossoms. Please know that the redbuds along the road and at the house are wondrous this year. These are the scrub trees whose flowers grow directly out of the branches. They are one of the treats that were new to me when we first came to live in this part of the country years ago. There are some early dogwoods at the same time, but, as usual, the redbuds are the most vivid signal that spring is here.

dogwood blossoms

The violets in grassy areas are so abundant this year, perhaps due to all our rain?

Then there is the ancient apple tree near the edge of the woods that never disappoints.

REDBUD TREES

 

creek detail, en route to the first waterfall

     I sat on the path above the second waterfall so I could look around. Really look.
 

looking to the left

looking to the right

facing the crown of the tree in bloom, with the second waterfall, below and out of view

tree top

Note: the Appalachian forests contain the "highest total amount of endemic flora and fauna species in North America." To me, it is like being surrounded by treasures.

bare limbs by design....

beech tree with moss slippers

Next week, I have wildflowers to share --  so amazing, always, to be surrounded by the beauty of this season. I wonder, though, what are we humans doing to the world which we too easily take for granted.