This is on my mind

I'm thinking about home this week.  It is Memorial Day weekend coming up and my thoughts have returned to where I was born and raised. 

Mules are quite popular there.  They don't founder and can easily leap fences without needing a running start so coon hunters like them alot.  This one was very friendly.

She's a real beauty don't you think?

Little Flower

I went for a walk in the woods.

I came across some wildflowers.

My mother always said to "balance" a flower arrangement in threes.  Or odd numbers if you had a lot of different flowers.  I see how complete this little flower is with three petals.

Sometimes something very simple makes me very happy........

.....like taking a break from digging in the dirt to enjoy some apple raspberry wine.

Cheers!

This Is On My Mind

I ventured across this wild rose on my recent camping trip.  After the long cold winter and being cooped up I am finding such joy in the little delights nature has for me this spring!

And yes I did stop and smell the roses!  Have a great day!!

The BeheMoth

While I was doing yard work in a friend's yard we found the most beautiful creature.  It was a chilly afternoon and I took him home and made some pictures of him.

He had just emerged from a cacoon that was still attached to the inside depressed part of a sign pole under a silver maple tree I planted several years ago.

I couldn't stop taking pictures and gazing in absolute total wonder at the beauty of this creature.

The "tear" you see is the moth dispelling any fluid left in his body.  He (or she) is preparing to go in search of a partner to complete the cycle.

Although there are literally hundreds of moths I found this one quickly.  Luck or coincidence I do not know.  After reading about this lovely bit of life I will hesitate the next time I recoil from an "ugly" caterpillar.  If you would like to read more about this truly amazing moth click here.  I emailed the author of the site and he emailed me back saying

Hi Mary,



Indeed cecropia moths are beautiful. They are one of my lifelong favorites and are fascinating to observe as they go about their life cycle.


Enjoy your experience and tell others about your appreciating the wonders of nature.


David

This experience made me stop and appreciate how fleeting beauty is in our lives and how we must cherish those moments.

Happy Mother's Day!

Thanks to Rhonda over at Down To Earth  for hosting.  Today I have a photo of my mother to share!  She has been gone nearly 30 years but as you  all know she will never be forgotten.  A thanks to Melissa, a friend for scanning this picture for me.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mommas out there!

This photo was taken in the early 1950's a few years before I was born.  Momma rarely posed for a picture and the next one is a bit earlier and apparently taken on the farm.  Oh, and I know what she was saying!  Don't take my picture!

Don't you love the dress?  This was back in the day when they made everything.

I won't be blogging for a week or so.  See you all soon!

Kentucky Spring in Photos

I thought some of you might enjoy seeing the world where I spent my youth.  This part of Kentucky isn't mountainous, but has beautiful rolling hills.

This is not too far as the crow flies from where I lived.  That property is no longer in the family (neither is this one but I'm always welcome there as if I were family).

I included a sunset shot over the hills just so you could see the woods before the trees are full.

In the background you can see the maples just beginning to leaf.   The next photo is a typical Kentucky backroad.

Here is a close up through the barbed wire fence.  I still have scars from going through these fences as a kid!  In Kentucky it is pronounced "Bob Wahr" like it is some bad dude that will cut you up if you trespass!!  And it does!

And this my friends is the mighty Ohio River!  My official hometown is located on the banks of this river even though I never lived in town.  Those of you who participated with the Rupert project might recall my friend, this picture was taken in her backyard.

Across the river you can see Indiana, our neighboring state.  The bottom land is treasured by farmers and is very rich and fertile. 

Finally, I give you Rosie.  She resides on the farm pictured in the first image. She is a lucky kitty cat even though part of her tail is missing.

Until next time!  MMMMMMMMMMMWAH!  From Rosie of course!