Lily Pad Pond

I photographed this water garden last week on a real estate showing. Unfortunately, I didn't see or hear any bullfrogs. The house had a screened-in porch and I'm sure the owners enjoyed sitting out there listening to them croak on hot summer nights. my iPhone photo

I can't even tell you how weary I am of researching products for my upcoming house painting project. I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a good waterborne stain. I think I'm just going to have my clapboards and shingles and trim painted white. Sherwin Williams is having an end-of-summer sale with 30% off thru September 2nd. I am just going to bite the bullet and paint everything with their thick white paint that goes on like buttermilk. It's called Duration. Case closed, fingers in ears, la la la la la. Can't hear you.

Sea Foam with Starfish

Fall is in the air, but it's still summer. Enjoy it while you can. via

Future Gnome Home under Large Mushroom

We had some hard rain yesterday and last night. It has stopped now and it's just hot and muggy. I snapped this large mushroom this morning on an after-breakfast walk out back with the wonder dog. I added the fake rain just for fun. 

Something to make you feel cooler.

It's a tiny bit cooler today but not by much. We only got a few drops of rain overnight. I didn't actually see it but there are a few droplets dripping off the deck railing to prove it actually happened. It's overcast so maybe we'll get more later. I'll be so happy when I can turn my a/c off and throw open the windows! See you later. via

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Red Clover

Click photo to enlarge.

I had a super busy day running around taking care of business. Webster has recovered completely and he's now taking walks to the way back with me. I am so happy. We saw this butterfly feeding on red clover on a stroll in the late afternoon. It's still very hot but somehow it doesn't seem quite so smothery, if you know what I mean.

Wild Grape Vine Detail

     Photographed here at the cottage one day this week while on a nature walk with Webster. I love the shape, color and intricate design on wild grape leaves and this one is perfect. Stay cool in this heat wave. Ours is supposed to break on Sunday and I cannot wait. I am so tired of having the air conditioning on 24/7. It's okay during the day, but I really miss sleeping with my windows open.

     The big walk-in closet is empty downstairs. I cleaned it top to bottom yesterday and it looks so nice. I took a break for a few days but now I am moved to continue dealing with my mother's ground level dwelling. I have donated most of the clothes and am feeling good about that. She had the best taste in classic dresses and jumpers that never go out of style. I put aside a few of my favorites and I have them airing outside. Don't ask me why but one day I'll know the reason. 

     There was an interesting segment recently on NPR about "The Global Afterlife of Your Donated Clothes". I didn't know that 80% of all donated clothing ends up in the hands of textile recyclers. Anyway, it's better than having them end up in the landfill. Article and podcast here. Read it and weep.

     Have a great weekend and try to keep cool. I'll see you later.

Male Seahorse in Labor

YIKES. This is a photo of a male seahorse giving birth. Does that make him the mother or the father or both? It is definitely one of the oddities of nature. Anyway, Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there. via

Skunk Cabbage in My Woods

Wet and glistening after a spring rain. I love the giant leaves of the skunk cabbage. my iPhone photo

Blink, Blink. Owl waking up.

Watch a video by Tara Tanaka of this western screech owl trying to wake up here. It's very cute. Gif found here.

Video: The Beauty of Pollination

This is the most beautiful video you will ever see illustrating how insects, birds, and bats pollinate our flowers. Over 24 million viewers can't be wrong. Make sure you are one of them.

Here's the link to watch full screen.

The Carolina Wren

Nest and eggs of the Carolina Wren photograph by Brian Gordon Green, National Geographic

A Carolina wren. Photograph from Rolf Nussbaumer Photography/Alamy

You will enjoy reading this article about a man who works for National Geographic who was converting his South Carolina backyard into a Wildlife Habitat but was unable to build a proper house to satisfy the nesting requirements of the Carolina wren. This tiny bird picked his brass mailbox instead. Read more.

Another Interspecies Friendship

The secret life of the fox and the hare. via

Baby Goose

This little gosling looks so cozy tucked under mother's wing. I'm getting ready to tuck myself between the sheets to enjoy some TV time on the flat screen in my bedroom. Goodnight all. See you in the morning. via