Planting New Shrubs...

Despite the heat of 94 degrees we decided it was time to start planting a selection of new shrubs.

The First Sergeant had taken most of the existing landscaping up earlier this Spring, it was old and tired looking.
Our intentions were to replenish before the warm weather came along, unfortunately, that did not happen.

It's not a good choice to plant new shrubs in the heat of Summer, but we have to start somewhere, and finding these lovely Emerald Green Arborvitae at Lowes for a fraction of the cost, we took that step.

They are suppose to "screen" and grow to a height of fifteen feet, perfect !




The Creeping Jenny is taking over the rocks around the pond. This will be the third time I have pruned it back so far this Summer.



The Butterfly Bush continues to bloom, it's alive with the bees and their getting naughty....



No Rain in the forecast, maybe a 20% chance this weekend, we need it.

A Back Porch To Sit And Ponder..

The porch on the back of the house is where we spend most of our time.
It has a "tin" roof and so whenever it rains, it's the place of choice , especially if you enjoy listening to the falling raindrops on the tin.



At the end of the day, this is where I unwind, with a nice cup of tea, and dreaming about putting the world to rights.....

Cooling Off In The Heat......

The boots found work......


The front porch and house were power-washed today. A cooling alternate in the 96 degree heat.








Next: Replacing the landscaping.

These Boots Aren't Made For Walking.....

Boots loooking for work.....

A few of my "Blue Staffordshire" and "Blue Willow" collections.....

Mainly for my fellow blogger The Retired One @
http://myretirementchronicles.blogspot.com/

A little on the higgeldy piggeldy side , but it's on my "to do list"....

Around The Place....

For those of you who asked .......

This is the dried -wreath's " home."
Hanging from the door of the sharecropper's pantry-cabinet.

The cabinet is unique, in the fact that it has hinged side panels, which allow the cabinet to fold flat. The top lifts off, and the drawer pulls out, enabling it to be transported by horse and wagon to the next farm, or place of employment in the fields.

The sharecroppers used it to store their pantry goods, and carried it to each new location.



Today the Butterfly Bush is in bloom, and buzzing with bees and butterflies, oh and the odd hornet.

Summer Wreaths......

You'll find me here.....

Gone to pot

Dried flowers: Cockscomb, Hydrangea, Lavender, Anise Hyssop, Fringed Wormwood , the makings of a bountiful Summer Wreath.

Beauty On Canvas...

I have a "soft spot" for Victorian and Edwardian paintings, filling a need I seem to carry for all things wholesome and earthy.

Over the years I have collected several of these timeless treasures, albeit reprints and not originals.

I could spend hours wandering around an art exhibit of Old Masters, and greatly admire the talent and dedication it takes to create such a Masterpiece.

Several years ago The Walter Langley exhibit was on display in my hometown. I spent all afternoon amidst the paintings, studying those faces of English working-class people doing what they did so naturally.........living, and working.



The Rosy Idle of Her Solitude : William Langley
(1852-1922)

Guarding The Kittens: Sir Thomas Valentine Garland

Getting Ready: Carlton Alfred Smith

Gathering Lilac : Myles Birket Foster

Pigeons, Ducks and A Rabbit: Edgar Hunt

Go Ahead Make My Day...

My daughter has recently installed a new Sentry Guard at her home.

In keeping with the "green" technology and spending many hours of comparing specs, her choice was...........

"ACE"

Installation Requirements : A comfortable seating platform.

Energy resource : Solar / Kibble

Approximate energy cost : 120.00/ per annum

Features : Self-Cleaning. Night Vision Mode. Uninvited Critter Disposal.

Here's Your Sign.....

My question to The First Sergeant:

" It's 94 degrees outside today, the humidity unbearable. You've been sick for the past two weeks, and you're wanting to mow in the midday heat?"

I wondered where he was going with the umbrella ?

First Sergeant's "Overcoming Objections" reasoning:
"I've taken care of that problem"..........




I immediately thought of the Jeff Foxworthy "Here's your sign" quote.....

Their Back......

Close your eyes and think back to the long hot summers of childhood.
Playing outside until late in the evening, sitting on the front porch eating ice-cold watermelon slices, listening to the crickets chirp, and the tree frogs sing.

Remember catching Fireflies and keeping them in a Mason jar ? They glowed beside you all night long sitting on your night table......
Innocence and childhood going hand in hand.

We cannot recapture our childhood, but we can still enjoy the magic of the Fireflies, nature's living lanterns............

Photo credit: jamelah

Was It Something I Said ?

A Conundrum

Something is noticeably missing from the usual Summer activity around our yard..... Hummingbirds

Despite having the feeders filled and ready for the "scouts" this Spring, we have yet to see our first Hummingbird. Most unusual since previous years they have been so prolific in numbers.

I have dedicatedly washed the feeder, and filled with new "elixir" every three days, but no takers !

The Rose of Sharon shrubs are bursting with blooms, and are usually bustling with feeding Hummingbirds......yet nary a one has come visiting.

Are there any fellow bird-lovers out there, experiencing this same degree of "no-shows" ?
Curiouser and curiouser...

Rockin and Rollin Nashville Style......

After spending several days rockin down the highway, our drive home through downtown Nashville was somewhat of an adventure. It seems the Country Music Awards were scheduled to take place that evening, and the streets of Nashville were bustling with country-music fans, partygoers, tourists, and altogether general merriment.


Passing the AT &T Building (formerly the Bellsouth Building, fondly known as the "Batman Building" )


Broadway Avenue Downtown


The "world renown" Tootsies Orchid Lounge

Summer storm brewing : Angry Skies

Possible straight-line winds, toppled an old HackBerry Tree in the woods.

Welcome Home......Guess who's going to be busy ?

Red Sky at Night......

Red sky at night, sailor's delight,

Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning

Like a red morn that ever yet betokened,
Wreck to the seaman, tempest to the field,
Sorrow to the shepherds, woe unto the birds,
Gusts and foul flaws to herdmen and to herds

~ Shakespeare : Venus and Adonis

Need a Wee Car ?

As I was out and about this weekend, I came across this little fella sitting next to my Ford Expedition in the parking lot. It was barely longer than the hood, I do believe I could have carried it inside my cargo area, and to say I was on a guilt trip for driving a gas guzzler, was an understatement.



It is in fact the Smart ForTwo just 106 inches long, more than 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper. Park it perpendicular to a Ford Expedition, and its rear end extends just 14.3 inches beyond the Expedition’s side mirrors.
In a world of super sized value meals, this one’s a small fry.

Under the auspices of DaimlerChrysler and car dealership mogul Roger Penske, Smart has been available in the US market since 2008.

To show the Smart off at this year’s Detroit auto show, the company simply parallel parked a ForTwo — again and again — between two closely spaced limousines.




Powered by a 71-hp, 1.0-liter three-cylinder, the ForTwo starts at less than $15,000. It should get around 40 mpg in combined city and highway driving on regular gasoline, but it can only go 90 mph. There is also a bevy of standard safety features, including four airbags, anti lock brakes and an electronic stability system.

Hmm takers anyone ?

Photo credit: Info credit: Cars.com

The Real Meaning of Words.....

Love

Innocence

Joy

Pain

Respect Patience

Rescued

Best Friends

Divine

Her Majesty's Birthday....

Marking the Queen's official 83rd birthday, today the BBC released archive footage showing Her Majesty as a young women, before she took the throne.

This is Princess Elizabeth's first Trooping the Colour in 1951, taking the place of her father, who was ill.




Happy Birthday Your Majesty !

Video credit: BBC

I Love........

Tom T. Hall is a poet with a guitar, who knows how to capture the spirit of America with his words and music.
--Jimmy Carter

Known as Nashville's Storyteller, Tom T. Hall (born May 25, 1936 in Olive Hill, Kentucky) is an American country balladeer, songwriter, and country singer. He has written 11 #1 hit songs, with 26 more that reached the Top 10, including the pop crossover hit "I Love", which reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On February 12th, 2008, Hall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame .

For those of us that love the simpler things in life, this video speaks volumes.......Hope you enjoy.

( Be sure to scroll down on the rightside of the sidebar and stop the Realplayer music by clicking the large button)


Video credit: webwriter3000

Out and About in The Country.....

Off Gallivanting.....

Today seemed like the perfect warm Summer's day to be out and about in the Tennessee countryside. OK to be honest, I had errands to run......

Stopped at my favorite little country cafe, The Whistle Stop Cafe, for a large iced tea, and piece of buttermilk pie :)

Want one of these......

A beautiful old farmhouse , I can imagine living here....

Old barn still in use......

Timeless architecture.....

Glimpse through the gate.....