Thursday, July 5, 2012

Come and Gone

It’s always seemed to me that  the approach of the 4th is slow but once it’s past the rest of the summer seems to pass like greased lightning.  Our outside garden has been a pleasure to watch.  The beans are growing like Jack’s beanstalk in the fairy tale.  The pansies and other flowers have provided fireworks that were all natural and didn’t pose a fire hazard of any sort.  The field in the back of our house is really drying up but the natural plants fair better than most stuff you could by at the store outside of cactus.  Seeing the pollen laced plants makes me glad I am immune to any allergies…so is our whole family fortunately.  Lurking in the field as I sometimes do provides some fun discoveries like this pleasant blossom.  I was enjoying the blossom and taking some pictures when I noticed the heavy buzz of a good sized bumble beeand then my focus went from the flower to this very busy girl.  She reminded me so much of the big bumble bees we saw on the Tain Way in Ireland that were not only collecting pollen but also sampling the wears of the clover crop until they acted positively drunk on it!  This one certainly had her tongue out mixing the business of gathering with the pleasure of tasting.  Each season has sunlight unique to it and summer is no different.  I love the opaque effect that appears when the setting sun hits the leaves!  I know it’s been hot and miserable for much of the season but I still find that I love summer none the less…you just can’t see things like this in any other season.  Another summer classic came along too.  Lovely needed to do a photo shoot for the magazine she works for so she set up the best lemonade stand ever for Gabby and her friend to run…I sampled some of the products and give it my own personal two thumbs up!  Everything from cookies and cupcakes to lemonade and even some strawberry fruit drink blew my mind!  After sampling some of the stands amazing treats I lay down under a tree and looked up taking in the day…aaah!  Day’s end was beautiful as can be.  The 4th itself was very quiet for us.  There was a complete ban on personal fireworks unless you want to chance a $500 dollar fine to go with a felony charge should you start a fire…which we certainly didn’t.  We had a nice lunch of barbecued hamburgers and shrimp salad and some of my Mom’s classic shrimp and dill dip with chips…so good!  We then went and saw the new Spiderman movie and went to the firework show near our house.  They always do a great job and this year was no exception.  I’ve never had a 4th devoid of fireworks of some sort and I don’t intend to.  We said our “oh” and “ah” choruses and the show progressedand finally it came to the finale.  We went home and then watched a family movie with a few treats and called it a day.  It was quiet but spent with those I love most in the whole world.  There’s plenty of things messed up in this old world but for just one night anyway…all was right with the world…I hope you had a spectacular day.  Let us never forget the sacrifice made to make such a celebration possible.  God bless the USA!

16 comments:

  1. Ah Joe...what a joy to read. I am sincere. The kind of day I love my own self and we share the same values which is why it is such a pleasure to share your day via the blog.

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    1. Carole, one way or another I know we've got to be related! It's too bad we can't stop by and visit you...some day, some day! Until that happens know for sure I'm thinking of you, hope you've found a way to cope some with the heat.

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    2. I came back to say hi again and see what's new if anything. We only got up to 98 today..and I have Billings MT on my iPad along with Charlotte, where I am (you know what town) and Green Bay WI plus the tiny town in NJ I had to live for awhile. I like to keep an eye on what's going on with you all so about 2 minths ago, I put in Billings. Gives me a decent idea.

      It would be like seeing family I think, to meet. :-)

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    3. I used to have all sorts of cities on my i-touch, I should do that again. We had a dinner with some friends last night and really enjoyed it. I only wish we could stop by and do that at your house, I think it would be so nice...some day, you never know!

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  2. The mark of time passes for those who pause to watch the parade.

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    1. I find that I tend to stop and watch now more than I ever did when younger John, thanks for stopping by.

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  3. A very nice family day Joe. Your photos are beautiful.

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    1. It was Beth, I can't complain, I thank you kindly for your visit my friend.

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  4. Yes..God bless the USA!
    your pictures are wonderful! it is so hot here in central Pa...there is a heat advisory and no rain or relief in sight...i have to water my flowers and garden to keep them alive!!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
    happy weekend.

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    1. Welcome! It's a pleasure to see someone new! Old friends and new friends always make my day! I have heard about how hot it's been in so many places. Right now I can't complain at the moment it's only 77 which is a pleasant surprise from what it's been. We're going to make the best of it while it's cool!

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  5. gorgeous day indeed as are your photos.. you have so many more flowers blooming there then we do here.. or should I say mine.. as most of Butte does still have flowers here and there.. but we live so close to the mine.. that I believe that our soil is contaminated. Even our lilacs and apple tree this year was not allowed to bloom.. as the buds froze during our not so great of a spring type weather..
    loved your story of your 4th.. we had a wonderful time as well.. even the fireworks this year was excellent.. we were able to set off fire works this year .. but its the last year anyone here will be able to.. so you can imagine the amount of fireworks that were being set off..they were all around us.. so we really did have quiet the show that lasted far into the wee hours of morning.. glad though that its done and over with.. and now on with the rest of the stuff that will be going on with Evil Knievel days.. and the Irish folk festal.. it will be a very busy time for most..
    I hate to say it.. but I long for winter right about now.. "smile"
    yes I hate the cold.. but the silence of winter is a wonderful song..as is the hymn of summer.. but the heat is to much for me to handle this year..
    anyway.. nice being able to chat with you here on your blog Joe.. continue to have a beautiful summer and enjoy all its flavor and magic..
    soft hugs Hope

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    1. I don't know that there will be a summer hot enough for me to long for the winter season. I always get sort of a claustrophobic feeling in the winter times that I really don't like...and the shoveling...ah you know how it is. Perhaps now that we've had a few cooler days that's why...not sure. It's really good to hear from you Hope. I am full of intentions for some new scenery when we go to a different cabin in a few weeks. We've never been there so I hope to soak it all in!

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  6. Dont play with fire during dry season..I can understand they cant allow ppl to use fire work. Ohh that bee How big ..we dont have them as big here. I sit in the garden and watch those workers fly from one flower to the other..Thats why we call them busy bees haha
    Enjoy the flowers and the weather Joe. Cos bling bling and summer is over

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    1. I see summer's end out there too. It is a quick happening then people will switch their gripes to complaining about cold weather. They say spring turns a young man's fancy to love...I say summer's gripes about heat turn to complaints of cold in the winter.

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  7. Beautiful photos Joe, and it looks and sounds like you had a most wonderful 4th of July. Glad to hear it.
    As for summer I love it and can cope with the heat of summer as long as I have my A/C when needed. Time fly's way to quickly for me no matter the season. They are all Beautiful in there own way.
    Well I need to keep this short and need some shutey, so you take care and have a Blessed weeks Joe.
    Dianne:)

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    1. Hey there Dianne, I have no complaints about our 4th, hope your 1st was just as blessed! Sleep well my friend.

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