ABC Wednesday - X is for Xeric

X is for Xeric............







According to the dictionary, xeric means a dry condition with very little moisture.

These X words are getting pretty difficult to find after 6 rounds of ABC Wednesday.

But I found success with the perfect photo for this word.

Parched mud so dry that it was curling right up off the ground.

Doesn't get any more xeric than this!








This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Lots of Lily Pads - My World

Lots of Lily Pads - My World






The swamp that is home to the Blue Herons has been taken over by the Lily Pads.

There are so many that the surface looks to be all green.

And upon a closer look, there are lots of water lily buds too.

Hopefully we can get back down there at the right time to catch them all in bloom.

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird







He flitted around, never settling down too close.

He had a lot to say as he called during the entire time he was overhead.

Perhaps trying to keep me occupied with him so I wouldn't "find" his babies.

At first I thought he was a Mocking Bird, but after watching and listening for a while it was clear he was a Gray Catbird.

Didn't have my long lens on so this was as close as I could get.

I enjoyed his serenade and then left him in peace so he could finish with his business.

ABC Wednesday - W is for Watching and Waiting

W is for Watching............







The gulls are just standing - some on one leg, and others on two.

All facing the same direction.

Not quite sure what they are watching or waiting for, but the incoming waves seemed to keep their attention.

Of course, they always had one eye on me.

When I got too close, they would slowly walk away then take up their stance again.








This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day







Wishing a Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!

A special wish to my husband for being the great Dad he is to our children, and now a Pepe to our Grandson too.

We are lucky to have you!

ABC Wednesday - V is for Valve

V is for Valve............







This little valve or water spigot is getting much use these days.

This photo was taken before the hose was hooked back up for the summer.

But now that all is in order - this little valve gets used daily for watering the garden.

In winter it get completely enclosed and insulated with a cover designed just for it.






This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Bloom of a Chive Plant

Bloom of a Chive Plant







These chives have been coming back every year in my garden.

I planted them over 26 years ago, and they have bloomed and thrived each year.

My kids named them "onion grass" and they used to love to grab a piece whenever they walked by them.

And they still do now that they are grown.

My daughter introduced her husband to onion grass just this past spring as he had never tasted it before.

I use them dried in many things that I cook - they have such a delicate flavor and add just the right amount onion taste in some dishes.

I just recently read that it has insect repelling properties, so planting them in a vegetable garden would be beneficial.

And their blooms are so pretty to look at too.

ABC Wednesday - U is for Ugly

U is for Ugly............







A very ugly photo - intentionally overexposed to increase its ugliness.

This is a little spot alongside a river that we occasionally sit beside to have our lunch if we happen to be in town.

Seems that others do the same - and leave their trash behind.

We were very disgusted and disappointed that this little spot had been treated this way.

Don't know when we will go back there if this is what to be from now on.

I hope it isn't.




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - T is for Tired

T is for Tired............







Tired, so very tired!

We will be having out of state company arriving two weeks from today.

And we are working and cleaning everything like crazy.

Now, in the past this has never been a big deal.

It has been a few years since I have done a "thorough" spring cleaning.

But I wasn't this old last time.

At least I didn't feel as old.

So this tired person is leaving you with a peaceful scene that has absolutely nothing to do with the letter "T".

It just soothes me to look at it, and I hope you enjoy it too!




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Smoke Over the Pond - My World

Smoke Over the Pond - My World






This was my world yesterday, May 31.

There are over 55 forest fires burning up in Quebec, Canada, which is about 250 miles away from us.

We awoke to the whole outside filled with smoke, which we thought was haze.

But when we opened the front door, the smoke smell was quite overwhelming.

The smoke hung around for the most of the day, and just before sunset, a warm front came through and the winds shifted the air back up towards the north, clearing the smoke from our area.

Many of the communities in the Quebec region have been evacuated, and they hope to have the fires under control by tomorrow.

This is the first time I have ever experienced this, and I can only imagine what it must be for the residents in those areas.

We will pray for their safety with the most minimal of damages.