Looking for Dryads

September 24, 2010September 24, 20104 Comments

Although we are officially into the Autumn there are no real indications of it here on the Farmlet. The weather has been in the mid to high 90’s all week and all of my world, both inside and out, is covered in a layer of dust. The weather man forecasts a low with a cooling trend and rain for us this weekend and into next week. I wait for its refreshing.

But for today I share with you a magical day when Autumn was truly spectacular.

Looking for Dryads

Home for the day Lynda watched the trees looking for Dryads.

Lynda waited patiently watching a most likely grove. Listening carefully she thought she heard laughter on the breeze…

She listened a long time. Hiding, waiting, until finally her patience was rewarded. The Dryad came spinning out of the trees in full, fall garb, and Lynda caught her on camera! Isn’t she lovely?

Originally photographed and written on 11 November 2008

Taking a break

September 20, 2010September 21, 20103 Comments

Today I went out to run errands and took my camera. I delivered three dozen eggs to the Co-op in Huntsville (my first delivery!), went to Tractor supply and bought more chicken feed and scratch, paid for entirely with eggs sales I might add! Then it was off to buy the necessary items I needed for apple butter and green tomato relish. My errands complete, I glanced down at my camera and set out to find something to shoot.

Here are the results of my afternoon off…

The Bunker

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I truthfully don’t know what this is… so if you do then please do tell!

~~~Want to see these in color? Just say the word! ~~~

Wuthering Heights

To get in and take the pictures I had to slip by a gate and hoped that no one would notice me trespassing…

This was awesome to see. The chimney in the background was massive, and what remains is easily over 15 feet tall. Imagine how impressive it was when first made!

Alabama is full of old ruins like this. It is impossible not to turn a corner or pass through a field and not find something that remains from back when. My sense about this site is that the original stone chimney was built in the early 1800’s. The brick is also quite old, but I have no guesses as to its age.

It will be fun to try and find out more about this site and its history. That it saw the Civil War is certain!

Some words on graveyards…

It does not matter where you go you will run into a graveyard. Many in the strangest of places. There is even a small family graveyard in front of the Madison Square Mall, sandwiched there between the parking lot and Highway 72. Grave sites are very sacred here and rather than disturb them, they just build around them.

So today I found this one, and strangely, a road runs through it. Situated out in the middle of a cotton field it is quite old, pre Civil War, and surprisingly well cared for.

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Born 1839. Died 1861. This Gudwife was only 22 years old when she was laid to rest…

Isn’t the work on this gate lovely? I think it amazing that it is still standing after all these years.

Well friends, it is late and I need sleep. I will post more tomorrow when I get my apples prepared and my apple butter on to cook!

As always, I value your thoughts. “:<>

A day of rest is good for the soul

August 15, 2010September 13, 20104 Comments

Last weekend we went in the heat of the day to explore a new place for riding. We walked about a mile and melted. Heading back to the car we planned to come back today, but early so that we could avoid the heat, and ride the trail.

The day started out at 78, overcast, and a bit steamy, but beautiful compared to what we have suffered lately. We rode 11 miles and I remembered to bring my camera! I tease Bob a lot because he over plans things, but in this instance I’m very glad of his zealousness where being prepared is concerned, because he got everything ready last night! Including my camera!

The trail we took is paved and is called the Aldridge Creek Greenway. It runs roughly about 7 miles round trip when you include the ride through Ditto Landing and then along the Tennessee River. If you take some of the side roads it increases the distance a bit more. We followed it all the way along the creek, under the bridge and into the Ditto boating facility where there is a lovely little campground.

So come on along and enjoy the scenery!

Canadian Geese, resting on an island of limestone in the creek, cast lovely reflections on the water.

Bob comes back to see “What’s keepin [me].”

Just over this crest is the Tennessee River. It was a much more pleasant experience when it was cool let me tell ya!

Following in Bob’s dust I chanced to meet this fellow. His name was Paul and he said he came from St. Louis in the 70’s, before the space program fizzled, and has been here ever since. His interesting mode of transport is a Trikke. (find out more by clicking on the word)

At the end of the trail we had reached the steep bank of the Tennessee River and found…

Kayak and Scull rowers…

A very large Heron… though I couldn’t tell you the type. UPDATE: This may be a Great Blue Heron. <— Click for more info.

Looking at Hobbs island to your left and the mountains in the distance, I somehow found this view satisfying even though it is overcast.

On the way back I liked this view of the old train trestle…

Though Bob the ex-model RR buff preferred this one.

Like the artist Monet I am fond of reflections. The creek was very calm and thus encouraged my photo efforts to capture these fine reflections. Again, the overcast day did not seem to diminish the subject.

In this photo I have played a trick… can you guess what I have done?

And finally, a shot taken by Bob…

And although I look very hot I felt great and had a wonderful time!

Mid July on the Farmlet

July 20, 2010July 20, 20102 Comments

Standing at the dining room window I look out to see that all of my chickens (and the geese too) have decided to take advantage of the neighbors property. It’s OK, the neighbors don’t mind. In fact, they even encouraged us when we replaced the fence to put in a gate for the critters access and enjoyment. And enjoy it they do! Just try to keep them out!

I grab my camera and venture outside into the heat of the moist 93 degree weather.

By the time I get to the back fence the chickens have moved to the far side of the acre to forage under the oaks. I could watch them all day if I didn’t have other things to do, but I give myself a break and watch for a while.

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While I’m out I decide that the Keets and the Baby Roos are ready for the big turning out party. With trepidation I open the gate of their little nursery and let them go… and OH-BOY, can those keets FLY! They’re only the size of doves at the moment and one has landed on the roof of the house! Now what? Well, apparently it scared her too, so she came back down and started foraging the morning glories with the rest of the gang!

Maybe they’ll find all the little ‘invisibles’ that have been chewing the leaves to Swiss cheese.

I hear the geese honking behind me and turn to see that they have become bored with the field scene and are heading to the gate to come back into the poultry yard. They are honking at me the whole way…

MOM, hot-hot-hot, MOM! They seem to say.

I yell back, “OK, I can take a hint! ” And grabbing the hose I fill their pool for them.

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OK, here’s just a bit more from yesterday…

I cleaned out the corn field because it was done. It was a little disappointing again this year, yet better than last because what little there was, was delicious! That’s when I discovered all the Butternuts that were hiding underneath! A whole twenty pounds of them! Now what will you do with that much butternut and more on the way. I ask you? No really, I want your suggestions please!

I also watered the cukes and potatoes and that’s when I found these!