SO, THERE WERE THESE THREE DOGS....

Charlie and Fred discussed politics, world events and beer for the next three hours.   Eventually their wives called and each asked, "Where are you and whatcha doin'?  Dinner's ready and it's on the table getting cold!"   The writing was on the wall.  It was time to go home.

MR. TOAD, AGAIN

Keep reading those books Mr. Toad, and pass along that enthusiasm!




I am sharing with the following as they become available, with my thanks to all our hosts whose memes are a lot of fun to participate in.

Jesh at Seasons
Tom at Tuesday's Treasures
N. C. Sue at Wordles (on Tuesday) at Image-in-ing

A FEW TREASURES I FOUND THIS WEEKEND

Today I am linking with Tom's Tuesday Treasures, Linda Kay's Wednesday Wit and Wisdom, Jesh's Seasons and Daisy Gurl of Maple Hill Hop.  Their links are below this post. 

When out and about on Saturday we found several bird houses on top of fence posts, waiting for feathered friends to take up residence. 

I would enjoy any of these in my garden.  

 These brought back memories of my Dad whose hobby was carpentry.  He made many wonderful pieces, from something as small as a bird house, to a larger piece of furniture. 

Birdhouses in particular always remind me of my Dad. He made several for his garden over the years, usually from any scraps of wood found in his shed. They were also gifted to family and friends, and he often received requests. More than anything he enjoyed the pleasure he saw on people's faces when they were given.  There were many of Dad's birdhouses in the gardens of his friends, many around the neighborhood, and when we visited relatives.   Dad's signature birdhouses were everywhere.

I know he would have have enjoyed these, especially the one decorated with several old tools. He probably would not have thought of decorating with them though.  His tools were too precious to him, but I know he would have enjoyed this particular piece of garden art.  

Added note: Marcia from Birds, Blooms, Books, etc thought this last one could be a butterfly house because of the large, narrow slit in the front.  Never thought of that Marcia, thanks for the info.  

Thank you Tom, Linda Kay, Jesh and Daisy Gurl for hosting these wonderful memes.  You can click on the names below to visit other participants.

 Tuesday Treasures 

Wednesday Wit and Wisdom

Seasons

Maple Hill Hop

THE FAIRY GARDEN REVISITED

Meadowlark Gardens 

in Vienna, Virginia

If you have a special garden,
Where flowers and herbs abound,
Then take a pinch of fairy dust,
And sprinkle it around.
The fairies will take notice,
And at the end of day,
They'l tiptoe out upon the grass,
And dance the night away.
~Carla J. Nelson~

I am joining the following memes as they become available, with thanks to our hosts, Tom, N.C. Sue and Linda Kay.

Tom at Tuesday's Treasures
N.C. Sue at Wordless (on Tuesday) at image-in-ing
Linda Kay at Wednesday Wit and Wisdom
Pippa at Action "Photos in Summer"

THE DOLL HOUSE AT MOUNT VERNON

Hello Everyone, I have been off the internet for a few days - my cable went out - but am back now and will be catching up with all your comments.  Thank you so much for leaving them.  

One of the items I have always enjoyed on display in the visitor center, is the doll house replica of Mount Vernon.

The roof is mechanized and when it is lifted you can get a better view of the miniature furnishings.  The roof lowered in place as I was looking at it, and this is the first time I had ever been aware that the roof could be raised and lowered.  An impressive doll house and what I would have given for something like this as a child. 

There were only two of us looking at the doll house.  The other onlooker was a young girl around  ten years’ old.  Her father and brothers looked at it briefly and moved on.  However, the young girl and I were mesmerized.  She pointed out one of the tiny bowls on a table.  I smiled and asked her if she had a doll house at home.  She answered yes.  I told her how wonderful, that I didn’t when I was her age but have always liked them, and was happy she had one.  We chatted for a few minutes while we were looking.  I could have honestly continued but I was called away by ‘the boys’ (aka hubby and brother-in-law who wanted to continue the tour).  

It appears I am still in touch with my inner child.

~~~~~~

I am joining the following memes as they become available.  Thank you Tom, N.C. Sue and Linda Kay for hosting.

Tom at Tuesday's Treasures
N.C. Sue at Wordless (on Tuesday) at image-in-ing
Linda Kay at Wednesday Wit and Wisdom

BASEBALL QUOTE

Today's post is linked with 

the following, with my thanks to all our hosts.  You can click on their memes if you would like to visit other participants.

Tom at Tuesday's Treasures
Jesh at Seasons 

Linda Kay at Wednesday Wit and Wisdom

Huntley Meadows Park from a visit on Saturday, March 12th, 2016

A few more photos from our last visit.

You can find the Huntley Meadows website here.

I thought you might like to see what one looks like inside, and found the following on line.

As you can see by my first photo, the beavers decided to build their lodge next to the pathway, and have taken over some of it.  We were there a few visits back and the seat had been totally covered, as had more of the path.  Usually the park people let nature take its course, but as this was stopping access and they probably didn't want anyone falling into the water, part of the lodge was removed.  It looked like they had done this very carefully as now the lodge is as well built as ever.  I occasionally sit on the bench and one of these days I am expecting to have company sitting next to me.

The beavers have also built a dam.  We were amazed at how high the water level was, and of course we had snow not so long ago, but the beaver dam has added to its height.  On one side of the dam was full of water, on the other it was much lower.  They are amazing engineers. 

This is where I saw the Hooded Merganser....

and also not too far down was the Wood Duck, that I have shared before.

I never get to see these birds normally so I was very happy at the sighting.  Canada Geese are year long residents and I enjoy them too.  

They always keep a wary eye on us as everyone walks by on the path.

There were nesting pairs here.....

 and a lot of territorial honking going on as this pair came in.  Gregg took the photo of them landing.

The ducks didn't seem to care.

Nor the coots.

Neither did this pair of snakes.  Yes I know, not everybody's cup of tea but they have a part to play in the nature of things.  Are they rat snakes?  Not sure so maybe someone who knows about reptile ID can help out.

There was also a great cacophony of sound and we were amazed to find that it was coming from all these frogs.

You certainly can't tell by these photos, but there were literally hundreds and the water was alive with them jumping all over the place.

Another beaver lodge, surrounded by water this time.  Busy little things aren't they?

Nature is amazing don't you think?  It soothes the soul.

Gregg took the following photo.  He took several today.  You can see me making my way along the path on the right.  I was lollygagging, taking photos of birds.  I wanted to take a good shot of one of the Red-wings singing, and it took the one I was looking at a long time to open its beak, smiling here.  

The following photo is of a mum with her little girl.  Our paths crossed when we were walking by the visitor center on the way back to the car.  The center holds classes for all ages.  They made such a sweet sight.  Not that I intentionally eavesdrop but I heard mum telling her little girl how good she had been, especially as mum had been sick all week, that she was going to give her a special treat when they got back to the car.  That little girl had the sweetest disposition.  I love to see parents out with their children and all this nature must have a calming influence.  I have never seen any child have a temper tantrum on any of our many visits here.  Parents, get your children out into nature.  You can kick me or thank me later.

Well, there was one little boy we passed with a very glum face, and I was thinking he probably didn't want to be here.  I was actually tempted to tell him where to find all the frogs and the snakes, about the beaver lodge and the dam but I didn't want to be that crazy lady, figuring he would find them by himself.  You couldn't really miss them and I bet he'd have a smile on his face when he left the park.  Here's hoping!

About time baby!

Yes, you I'm talking about.

If you haven't seen these before, you'll be seeing them again.  I love these guys!  This one too, and yes I am smiling.

What a great day we had!  I can't wait to get back here again.

I am sharing with the following memes as they become available, with my thanks to all our hosts for bringing them to us.  You can click on their names if you would like to visit other participants.

Anni at Bird D'Pot
Michelle at Nature Notes
Stewart at Wild Bird Wednesday
Jesh at Seasons 

N.C. Sue at 

Wordless (on Tuesday) at Image-in-ing

Linda Kay at Wednesday Wit and Wisdom