It’s not like I have been neglecting you all on purpose, really!
There has been a wedding, and a trip across half the country, I decided sleep and photography were more important for a few days than blogging.
For unknown reasons, now that I have stopped in one place for a day or three, my computer has become convinced that uploading photos is not a good idea. I will see if my wonderful daughters, far more technology savvy than I am can figure out the problem.
I really want to share some great moments with you all…
Category: fields and forests
Today on our walk, Hubby and I came across a troup of ballerinas, pirouetting just for us.
Clad in gossamer, swaying in the slightest breeze, these delicate ballerinas dance.
I look at them and see not only the beauty in these blooms but the promise of ripe gooseberries to come.
Chubby, tart, basketballs of purple and green.
Sturdy enough not to crush when picked and make a jam or jelly with a distinct tangy flavor.
Two patches endure, and have for 30 odd years, over at the ‘old house place’ where my late mother-in-law first started them.
Years ago, our family and many others made frequent trips to this little spring to bring home water for household use. Back then, the water came down a moss – covered wooden trough and flowed across the road to the creek.
Often the kids played in the creek while the adults filled the water containers. I remember more than once, hearing my grandmother say, “I wish we could turn it off, so it won’t run out.”
Spout Spring, B Highway, Reynolds County MO
I have no idea when the trough was replaced by pipe, I had not been there in years, but this morning while Hubby and I wandered about, we thought it would be a good plan to stop by for a drink and a look.
I followed the pipe up under some rocks and found the ‘real’ spring flowing out of the hillside. May-apple umbrella leaves have sprung up around it and some water cress is growing in the tiny pool formed before it runs into the pipe.
We were a lot more conscious and conservative of our water use back then. Each use was considered and each drop accounted for, not like we are today, with a seemingly endless supply at the turn of the tap.
I took an empty water bottle from the truck, filled it and enjoyed a deep satisfying quaff of cold clear water. Ah, the taste, and even more the memories.
I often post photos in a ‘photo a day group’ on Facebook. Each day has a topic, and folks are allowed to interpret it and post their own pictures.
Today’s topic was ‘tiny’ and I posted this picture:
I looked in my “Missouri Wildflower’ book and did not find a ‘match’, so I indicated that in my post about the picture.
This is how things work: A lady in the UK posted that she thought the flower was called ‘speedwell’.
My daughter in California looked it up http://greennature.com/gallery/weeds/weeds-in-lawn.html and sure enough, the flower is speedwell.
I found this very interesting, as long ago ancestors arrived at Plimouth on a ship called the Speedwell.
And that, friends, is ‘how things work’ sometimes…
These pictures were taken of the plum trees, as you can see by the dates about 2 days difference.
Just barely showing the white of the blossoms.
Fully bloomed and abuzz with insects.
Now for rain and sun to bring a crop.
In spite of all the fuss, false starts and fury of wind and snow, it appears Spring has arrived on Sunrise Ridge.
How do I know? Well of course, I do not, but the peaches have started to bloom.
peach blossom
Although nothing is planted, the greenhouse is started and work preparing the garden has begun.
A little travel shows that fishermen and women are out, enjoying the warmer days and trying to fill stringers.
Let’s go fishing
Yet, I have not heard the gobble of wild turkeys early in the mornings, and I wait in expectation for it.
The sounds of evening include peep frogs and owls, I remain still impatient for the return of the whip-poor-wills, but these fulfilled promises encourage me.
They will come!
Over the past few days, there have been some spectacular moments here on Sunrise Ridge. I have been blessed to be able to capture some with the camera to share with you.
I hope you enjoy.
incredible sunset
watching the brush fire
The full moon slides behind the trees[/caption]
My daughter in North Carolina called today. She had been out walking some ‘wild’ country and had run across a plant she was curious about.
She gave a detailed description of the plant and I suggested that it was a trillium.
I also suggested that she obtain a North Carolina wildflower/plant guide. She found a resource online and verified that it was a trillium plant. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/wildflowers/trillium_sessile.html
A year ago, My cousin Nancy, sister, Bobbie Jo and I took a day out to enjoy the grandness of Missouri’s early spring. It was much warmer than this spring has been and things were blooming, including the lovely trillium. you can click the link below and read about it.
http://oldentimes.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/the-ladies-day-out-march-31-2012/
Hubby and I spent a couple of days this week discussing planting the garden and the timing to do so.
I spent some time going over records and photos from ‘this time last year’ amazed by the way things were ‘bloomed out’ cimpared to what we are seeing this spring.
the bluebirds are hiding out today
Waking up this morning to look out at a good coating of snow frosting the ground and trees, was a bit of a disappointment.
It isn’t over yet, no matter what, eventually spring will arrive – won’t it?
I had to take a few days off, but the busy blue birds have not.
It is time to build nests even if the weather is not very springlike. The challenge does not seem to bother them at all. They face tha chill wind, bravely. The pine tree outside where the nest box is is filled with their fluttering and chirping.
They seem to be more active in the mornings right now.
Mrs B. checks before taking off
Mt. B gives some encouragement
Bringing in nesting material
