HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - A WISH FOR YOU

 

Our son was in Washington DC a few nights ago, in the Foggy Bottom district, and walked by an education center. He knows his mother well. As soon as he read both signs, top and bottom, he sent the photo to me, so that I could share with you.

Just a short one today.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you all have 

a great day. 

For our international friends to translate.

The signs read:

"May you flourish in many futures."

"May many futures flourish because of you."

RANDOM PHOTO OF SHRIMP BOATS IN APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

An old photo taken over 10 years ago when driving through Apalachicola.

It was a flying visit as we were heading south. In those days dear other half still had his full-time job (retirement came the following year), and we were on a time schedule, needing to get back for work commitments. We were determined to see as much of the state as we could in the time that we had.  

Apalachicola's name is a Native American

 word interpreted as a ridge of earth produced by sweeping the ground in preparation for a council or peace fire. 

It was fun looking around the shrimp boats docked on Water Street. 

Oysters were Apalachicola's first seafood industry and were sold locally as far back as 1836, harvested in much the same way as they are today.  From what I remember back then, it was a lovely town.

Here are 10 interesting facts.

Apalachicola is one of the most productive oyster beds in the United States, historically provided 90% of Florida's oysters and 10% of the nation's total.

Established in 1831, it was once the third-largest port on the Gulf, bringing wealth and a diverse population to the area.

Apalachicola is part of Florida's 'Forgotten Coast." It got its name "because it is the last remaining stretch of unspoiled, pristine Gulf Coast beaches that haven't been overrun by high rises and strip malls. There are 200 miles of coastline, 5 islands and nearly 100 historic sites, and it is a part of the Big Bend geographic region.”

The original plan of Apalachicola, with its wide streets and squares, was modeled after Philadelphia and remains largely intact today.

The city is home to the John Gorrie Museum, which features a scale model of the world's first ice-making machine, invented by Dr. John Gorrie.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the sponge trade was a major industry in Apalachicola, largely driven by Greek immigrants who introduced advanced deep-sea diving and boat-building skills, dramatically increasing sponge harvesting efficiency and creating an extremely lucrative fishery in the Gulf.

The Apalachicola River and Bay form one of the most ecologically rich and biodiverse ecosystems in the United States, supporting diverse marine life and providing critical habitat for many species.

The annual Florida Seafood Festival, held in Apalachicola, is the state's oldest seafood festival, celebrating the region's rich maritime culture.

The city maintains a working waterfront, with active fleets of oyster harvesters and shrimpers, reflecting its continuing connection to the seafood industry.

Apalachicola has many historical landmarks, including the 1838 Orman House Historic State Park and the historic Chestnut Street Cemetery, the city's oldest burial site.

Two maps showing location.

“Again in Florida 

I float on transparent lakes

I float on the Okeechobee

I cross the hummock land

Or through pleasant openings

Or dense forests

I see the parrots in the woods

I see the papaw tree and 

the blossoming titi.”

    from Longings for Home 

By

Walt Whitman

Thanks for stopping by and

have a great day!

EVERY NOW AND AGAIN…

I like to share things that not only speak to me but also tickles my funny bone, and I hope it will give you the same. I found this at Pinterest, one of my go-to places for graphics.

I was out for several hours today and did a little gallivanting. I came home and I almost immediately, but unintentionally, took a nap!

For our international friends to translate. 

"She desperately wanted to go gallivanting all over town…but she knew it would interfere with her nap."

WITH LOVE AND LUNCH

On Monday we drove over to our favorite walkabout garden. We forgot that everyone had the day off for Labor Day. When we arrived, we found that the barrier was down preventing us from using the parking lot (at least the staff had a day off), but the garden itself was still open to the general public.

 There were dozens and dozens of cars parked outside on our side of the barrier, and on each side of the narrow road leading down to the main road, with more cars arriving only to have to turn around. There wasn’t a spot to be had. We would have had to go a considerable distance to find a place to park, this on the busy main road without a sidewalk. Walking back between parked cars was not an option for us with all the traffic driving by. There was a long, grassy ditch to navigate also. We decided it prudent to turn around and let others enjoy the garden today. The weather was gorgeous! 

My collage shows one of the parked cars at the top of the road, where we made a tight u-turn. I saw the message on the car and of course my phone came out. A wonderfully positive message that I added to my collection of positives. I added the word 'love' on the other car to obscure the license plate for privacy. It seemed to fit in with the theme.

We had the sushi for lunch, purchased from our supermarket and made fresh shortly before. Avocado and grated carrots wrapped in seaweed, brown rice with flecks of quinoa, made for a very tasty and quick lunch. It was vegan and as we are adding more meatless dishes these days, it was perfect. Packets of soy sauce, marinated ginger slices and wasabi come with it, and when applied to the sushi, finishes it off nicely. Very tasty! And on that note...

I hope you all had a great Labor Day, 

and are having another nice one today.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - ACTS OF KINDNESS…

“Acts of kindness remind us that humanity shines brightest when extended to the voiceless. Compassion is the truest strength.”

~Author Unknown ~

GRATEFUL FOR...

~Grateful for Each Season~

I cherish each season, its rhythm, its grace,

Though summer’s thick air I’d rather not face.

Still, butterflies dance and the flowers unfold,

Bees hum through gardens in sunlight and gold.

Fall comes like an old friend, steady and true,

With crisp morning air and skies painted blue.

The trees wear their colors like gowns spun from flame,

And warmth lingers softly, though chill stakes its claim.

Then winter drifts in with a hush and a sigh,

As nature curls up beneath blanket and sky.

Woodsmoke meanders through twilight’s cool breath,

A whisper of comfort, of stillness, of rest.

Spring stirs the silence with blossoms and song,

New buds awaken, where dreams have grown long.

Birds wing their way home from journeys afar,

Their voices like lanterns, their flight like a star.

Through heat and through frost, through bloom and through bare,

I’m thankful for all that the seasons declare—

Each one a chapter, a gift to behold,

A story of life in its colors retold.

(Photo and Poem via Copilot with prompts by me. I wrote all my favorites about each season and asked it to put my words in poetry form. The image I asked for all seasons in one watercolor.)

FAME IS...

"Fame is a bee, it has a sting - ah too it has a wing."

 by 

Emily Dickinson 

written in the mid-1860s.

Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (12-10-1830 - 5-15-1886) was an American poet. Little known during her life, she has since been regarded as one of the most important figures in American poetry. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, into a prominent family with strong ties to its community. You can read more if you click on her name above.

TEATIME

I LIKE THIS PLACE AND COULD...

FROM GRAY WOODS THEY COME…

“From gray woods they come, on silent feet into a cone of light. A lifting note, O fair! O fleet! There the night through we take out pleasure, dancing to such a measure as earth never knew.”

~Seamas O’Sullivan~

Seumas or Seamus O’Sullivan (born James Sullivan Starkey, July 17th, 1879 - March 24th, 1958), was an Irish poet and editor of The Dublin Magazine. His father, William Starkey (1836 - 1918), a physician, was also a poet and a friend of George Sigerson. He was born in Dublin and spent his entire adult life in the suburb of Rathgar. In 1926 he married the artist Estella Solomons, sister of Bethel Solomons. You can read more at this link.

My photo was given an artistic effect but as it was done several years ago, I have long forgotten which one I used. The fairy was part of the Fairy Garden at Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, Virginia  

I AM INSPIRED BY DRAGONFLIES...

"I'm inspired by how dragonflies are both tough and fragile; fierce and mild." - Cindy Crosby

I have just learned of Cindy Crosby simply by looking for quotes about dragonflies for this post. She has a wonderful blog with superb photos. You can find it at this link. Her biography reads, "Cindy Crosby is the author, compiler or contributor to more than 20 books. Her most recent is 'Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural and Personal History (Northwestern University Press 2020)'. She teaches prairie ecology, nature writing and natural history classes, and is a prairie steward who has volunteered countless hours in prairie restoration. See Cindy's upcoming online speaking events and classes at www.cindycrosby.com."

While still on the subject, there is another photographer whose blog I go to. He also takes the most amazing photographs of dragonflies and other things in nature. His name is Mike Powell and his blog can be found here. Also, his 'about me' page is here.

My dragonfly was found at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Not the sharpest as it kept flitting about but am always happy for the memory. We hadn't been to the refuge in quite a while and I was hoping to take the path down to the Potomac to see more birdlife on the river, but I am listening to my body more these days. It told me to pace myself. A short walk but nevertheless a very enjoyable one, and more importantly a bit of exercise. My doctor recently told me that 'motion is lotion'. I have adopted her phrase. For some reason it always makes me smile.

I still have photos from Walney Visitor Center and will share more probably next week.

Thanks for looking and I hope you have a great day.

ANOTHER GOOD QUOTE FOR YOU, LACED WITH POSITIVITY AND HOPE

I heard these lines spoken a long time ago. I can’t remember from whom but I think I heard them in a movie from one of its characters. I had to get my notebook and quickly jot them down. It is a pity I didn’t remember the actual production but it was an engrossing part and I was busy following the storyline (not recently, several years ago). They are a variation of words from Beethoven's ‘Ode to Joy’. I found my old notebook again, saw the words and now you are seeing them too. I thought they were and still are beautiful. 

I took the photo several years ago. Sanderlings are my favorite beachcomber! For our international friends who would like to translate the quote on my photograph, it says: “All men will become brothers under gentle wings.”

Short and sweet today! Thanks for looking and I hope your day is a great one. 

FOCUS ON…

 

UNGRATEFUL

"So far this week my barking has saved my family from never-ending knocks on the door from sales people. Sixteen ran away because mommy says my bark sounds like the roar of a lion. Also 10 delivery people jumped over the fence, along with 8 mail carriers, 7 Girl Scouts and one sketchy looking plastic bag…and yet they still remain ungrateful and tell me to shush. So rude!”

Thanks for looking and 

I hope no one tells you to 'shush'.

You can always chase them over the fence.

MY NIECE'S SUNRISE PHOTO AND A POEM

When we took a trip down to North Carolina, my niece took this photo on 4-16-25 at sunrise. I thought it was gorgeous and I asked her if I could share it on here. She was happy to say yes. Thank you my sweet, you are greatly missed!

"The tide recedes but leaves behind

bright sea shells on the sand.

The sun goes down, but gentle

warmth still lingers on the land.

The music stops, and yet it echoes

on in sweet refrains…

for every joy that passes,

something beautiful remains…"

and the sun will rise again.

~author unknown~

WALNEY POND - LAST POST UNTIL THE NEXT VISIT

I am always drawn to the water lilies. There is a large carpet of them on the pond and you can see those photos here if you missed them.

I found this graphic online.

More facts can be found here at the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens in Washington DC. We were here once and are way overdue for a visit. It's a marvelous place!

The next photo is called the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). There is a lot of information here. It is one of the tallest and most beautiful eastern hardwoods, with a long, straight trunk, a narrow crown that spreads with age, and large showy flowers resembling tulips or lilies. It is a tall straight, deciduous tree that grows to 150 feet tall (sometimes taller), has a medium to narrow crown and distinctive, star-shaped foliage. The yellow-orange, tulip-like flowers are often missed because they are up to 50 ft. or higher in the tops of trees. Their cone-shaped seedheads remain after leaves have fallen.

The trees are native to eastern North America. Specifically their natural range extended from southern Ontario and possibly southern Quebec, south toe Florida and Louisiana, and west to Illinois and Michigan. They are a common sight in the eastern United States, thriving in various habitats like woodlands, protected by hillsides and wooded valleys.

Introduced into Europe from Virginia by the earliest colonists and grown also on the Pacific Coast. Very tall trees with massive trunks existed in the primeval forests but were cut for the valuable soft wood. Pioneers hollowed out a single log to make a long, lightweight canoe. One of the chief commercial hardwoods, Yellow Poplar is used for furniture, as well as for crates, toys, musical instruments, and pulpwood.

I was too late to see it blooming on this particular visit, but I went on a hunt through my old blog and found the following two photos taken in 2009.

I got the settings wrong on this photo as it was a bit washed out to look at. I tried to darken it a little but need an expert. I need to find the book! It's a Pickerel Weed and I go into more detail at this post if you scroll down.

Shared before but wanted to include this pretty pink Swamp Rose. This link will give more info where I go into more detail.

I first shared the photo (taken at Walney) and the quote here, but felt it worthy of doing so again

We have been coming to Walney Pond for many years, and if you want to see those posts you can click here. Much too many to see in one sitting but you may enjoy one or two.

Thanks so much for visiting, and a thank you to all those who comment. I hope everyone has a great day!

ODDS AND BODS FOR JULY 2025

For a change I thought I would start off with a little humor and positivity. My recipe post will be tomorrow.

Well, as many of you know by now, I got through a big birthday recently, but I was well prepared, and I had a lot of help.

What I tell myself these days, is that...

because...

and…

When the world seems to be closing in, never harden your heart, do good, give someone a kind word and remember, turn that frown upside down. I know, I know, cheesy and corny though that phrase may be, and you want to throw a shoe at me, but I want to tell you something on…

because we all need a little breathing space. Let’s go out and find something pretty to look at. We all need a change of scenery, even if it’s just stepping outside your back door, looking at some flowers and listening to the birds in the trees.

Sweet, yes?

These wise owls know this. Step outside!

Time for the cottage of my dreams.

Or this one and yay, it comes with chickens! There’s Henrietta and Clementine and Snowball and Slippers and Abrahen Lincoln and Amelia Egghart and Maud and Fluffy Topknot, and I think Cluck Kent just flew up, up and away. "It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s a …"  

Cluck doesn’t know the excitement he just caused! 

Well, look at this, I even get a 'she-cave' in my dream world.

Here’s another.  I could happily live here  

and let’s enjoy a lively little poem. I won't tell her I am still in my PJ's.

And now it's time to say...

and…

Thanks for looking and enjoy your day.

With thanks to Pinterest for today’s inspiration.