Star Struck

It was a crisp clear night here and when I let the dogs out at 5 am the stars were breath-taking. I went back inside and got the camera and tripod and spent some time taking shots of Orion (I always hear that line from MIB "The galaxy is on Orion's (belt)" when I see this constellation).

Summer is almost gone and fall is fast approaching. Mom's burning bush is starting to show tinges of red. A few leaves high up in the maple tree are starting to turn. I look forward to every season but will be sad to see the summer go as I missed so much of it wearing the Boot.

I am still being careful with the foot and still know when I have overdone or not been careful enough through the day. Next week sister Beth is scheduled for knee surgery. Dad's heel spur is much better. Cousin Bill may be released from rehab this week - his recovery from his stroke has been miraculous. Prayers for all are much appreciated.

Wandering my yard ...

I discovered this wonder on one of my trees while wandering the yard today. There are actually about 4 or 5 places on the same tree and only on the one tree. It inspired me to do a little research on amber which is actually the resin from some pine trees. As this tree is not a pine I don't suppose this sap would turn to amber even in a million or so years. Oh, well, it is still pretty to look at now. With the Boot finally off I am able to reach more places in my own yard. Today I found out that the wild grape vine I usually harvest for grapevine wreaths has produced an abundance of pea-size fruits for the birds. I wondered what all the excitement in that corner of the yard was about.The wreaths will have to wait a while.

Yard Sales and Reading

Last Saturday we went to several yard sales on purpose for the first time this year. The last time we went to a yard sale was "accidental" when we were on our way somewhere else. This time I called Mom and told her where the first yard sale was (at a local school). She called back in a few minutes and said they were getting ready to go. So Mom, Dad, Beth and I went "yard saleing" and had a wonderful time. I was out of the Boot but Beth is still using her braces and cane. She is going to have knee surgery later this month and is looking forward to it with great trepidation. We had fun, though. We loaded the back of Dad's Tahoe with lots of great finds. I got a whole box of old sheet music for only $1 and a book of mountain humor that Dad has borrowed so I have yet to read it. He took it the Boy Scout Camporee and United Methodist Men meeting this weekend. I hope it comes back home with him.
The picture is a small part of the music lot. It is all by John Storm, a local person who became a member of the state legislature (you can see one piece has him listed as Hon. John Storm). I have been trying to find more information about him but John Storm is a common name and I am still sifting through all the hits I get.

I also bought some beads and some necklaces that I will take apart and use the beads for various crafts such as the Christmas Spiders and dragonflies I have been making. Another sale/fundraiser for VBS is coming up soon and I want to have a good assortment of things to donate.

A favorite author of mine has died. Madeleine L'Engle, author of "A Wrinkle in Time" and other wonderful books died this week. I still re-read the books every few years even if they are for children. Fantasy with meaning, or as she says with something "underneath" is reading I enjoy. I may read fiction, but I want to learn something from it - just don't shout it at me. As an optimist, I want hopeful endings. I believe in good outlasting evil. I read Anne McCaffrey's dragonriders books and her other books as well. I also read Orson Scott Card and other science fiction authors. And I read the Harry Potter books. I enjoy reading and used to read a lot of books every week. Anymore I find I have slowed down in my reading and tend to drift off to sleep sooner than I used to when I read in bed. I even admit to falling asleep while reading in my chair in the living room. Thank goodness I don't do that when I am working with my beads for crafts.

I realized this morning that I have not taken a photograph in two days - today makes three. But tomorrow is Saturday and I will be out and about looking for the perfect shot again. Maybe more yard sales, too.

Morning Dew

The field was dotted with dozens of sparkling webs this morning. I even managed to catch a few of the tiny inhabitants.

Walking!!

I have not worn the Boot since last Friday!! The foot is a little sore at night and I am aware of my shoe often during the day but I AM WALKING!!

Yesterday I took my car in to be inspected and walked from the garage after dropping the car off to the office (only 4 blocks) in the morning and back again in the evening to pick the car up. The longest outdoor walk I have had in months. It really is different from walking on flat indoor surfaces while grocery shopping. I felt every tilt and irregularity in the sidewalks and street. It probably took me twice as long as it would have before the Boot but I'll get back up to speed.

I missed seeing any of the lunar eclipse because of mist and fog and hills. It happened close to moonset in our area and I had only a short window of opportunity to view any of it. Joe, on the other hand, was up on the hilltop at work and got to see the start of it. I had the camera, he didn't. But I did watch a live feed from Australia on Discovery on line. I wonder if Linda May got to see any of it?

I have been lurking in a number of blogs recently and following different links to find new places to visit. Have heard from some of them and linked to a few myself. Really enjoying everyone's photos and posts and appreciate any comments from anyone. Having trouble leaving comments sometimes and working this out.

Wonders

Sunday morning ...

If the neighbor hadn't been dog-sitting and the dog had not gotten out while he was gone and I had not looked out the window at just the right time ...

Praise the Lord!

Rain

We have finally had some consistent rain and the fungi have taken over many of the old stumps and roots. These are in Mom and Dad's yard growing on an old tree stump amongst the Summer Pine. I think this was the old lightning-struck pine tree stump.There are enormous mounds of these and at least two other varieties in several places in the old flower beds where trees were removed for various reasons.

It finally happened. My DH used the new camera. I can't quite figure out what he did when he took this one of Dad and me - must have been walking or turning himself as he snapped it. But I thought it was interesting just for the multiple images of Dad.He took others as well but I gave him the option of keeping or deleting them and when I checked the computer later he had deleted everything. But they were still on the camera card and I salvaged some of them. There are no bad pictures - just new possibilities.