land of wonders ~ may 2026

May was a long and busy month. Storage shed building contractors came and went. We had weekly vet, along with some human appointments. Brad attended a horse show, things went well. I stayed home to take care of our animals. Gardens and containers were planted. Watering and more watering were daily activities. Just to name a few things that kept us busy in May.

As for our land itself, our wooded paths turned into green tunnels with pesky ticks and other biters. Making me wish for Winter. Hiking was enjoyed sparingly. My mosquito net saved my face a couple times. These days it is clipped onto my pants loop, just incase.

Summer's heat arrived early. Our hay fields have grown long and dry. They are scheduled to be cut next week. We are finally getting much needed rain this week!

May Snaps:

Indigo Bunting?
5.6.26

First Four Leaf Clover of the season

Chickadee Eggs in our Bluebird nesting box

Cierra & Nemo



Apple Tree Blossoms




First of many Wild Strawberries
5.7.26

Tanks Branch of the Day
5.8.26


treasured sky views
5.11.26


Leo gets a Lift
5.13.26


Remi's Daily Drop-n-Roll
5.13.26

Wild Honeysuckles in Bloom
5.14.26

Jameson joins us on a rare doggie walk

Stunning Spring Skies viewed from our deck
5.16.26

Closer-up

Heat makes gardens bloom faster. A couple transplanted Clematis remain from our previous home:

5.20.26

Fun Allium Bulbs

5.27.26

Surprise! Walk around required.
5.28.26

Every year the weather seems to foster a different type of bug invasion. 

Red Clover Mites. Everywhere.

5.30.26

Brad sent me a photo of some blooms he spotted growing in a part of our land we don't frequent as much. I was SO surprised to see these transplanted iris thriving on their own in the sandiest part of our propertyl!!

They used to grow in the front bed of my previous home. I have a much smaller garden bed now and didn't have a spot for them to live. Our son has zero interest in gardening, so we took all the beds out. I saved and gave away whatever plants I could.

It is safe to say these Iris are very hardy!

Caeser's Brothers Iris
5.31.26

We are already almost half way through June. Enjoy the turn of official Summer!!

work and play mix

A few years ago we started a new tradition for Mothers Day. A gift of help from my younger two kids. My oldest has a busy career and is a mom herself. Each year, I choose a land project for the four of us to tackle together. I love this tradition! 

One of my favorite sayings is "many hands make quick work". 

We have done things in the past like random junk removal left by others in the woods (don't get me started) and other years pulling invasive's. This year, instead of working on land projects I asked that we work on our fire pit area. Specifically, the weathered wooden rocking chairs that need restoring. Also, removing heavy real logs used as side tables and pulling endless weeds growing through rock edging.

After tightening loose wooden pieces, it quickly became obvious that sanding each chair (X8) would take an eternity. We resorted to Power Washing. Which meant unplanned drying time, followed by the need for stain to even un-sanded wood colors out. 

Let the yard work begin. With four of us, we got so much done! Oh to be younger, they moved so fast. I am grateful for our son & daughters help, who both work a lot of hours at their job/s. They gave up their entire day and spent it with me/us. After enjoying a delicious home cooked meal, we all went to bed tired that night. Including these three:

Jameson, Asher and Tank

While the guys were getting things set up, my new grand dog Asher went on his first off-leash walk. He got zapped by the pasture fence, but otherwise did good. Especially for a rescue puppy exploring a new world.

around 9 months old

Before all the work began, was some soul fulfilling play!! I finally took time to fly my new replacement kite. Brad came out to the field and helped release (and re-release) the kite. He also took photos and video. Not posting video due to audio. Wish I could figure out an easier way to replace bad audio with music. iMovie makes my head hurt.

Anywho, I have my own flutterby that floats and glimmers in the sun!

"let's go fly a kite"

5.10.26

 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! If you are not a mom ~ you have one!!

4.28.26

Many of our beloved mothers are no longer here on earth, but never far from our hearts. I miss mine every.single.day. When my mind weighs heavy, I sit on my mom's inscribed memorial bench and talk to her in Spanish. Which is getting pretty spotty. No tengo nadie con quién hablar en español.

4.30.26

Winter birch lit trees flank my mom's bench seasonally. They go into storage and get swapped out for teal clay flower pots. The pots are out now, but I haven't planted them yet. I have the plants, but am waiting for temps to stop dipping into the 30'sF. Soon. Very soon.

smells so sweet

My grandkids were out last weekend. The youngest one carries on our family name, passed down for five generations.

Aurora

My mom get's a lot of visitors, of the winged kind. 

Robin visiting on Mother's Day
5.10.26

Hope everyone has a wonderful and special memorable day!

land of wonders ~ april 2026

Last month, I noticed some catkins that Google ID'd as Hickory. I see a lot of various types of catkins on our property. However, I haven't noticed hickory tree's. Interestingly enough, this month I found my first hickory nut laying right smack dab in the middle of the main trail. Just one. How ironic.

Perhaps some critter dropped it, but there are no teeth marks. I am not going to eat the nut, but I would like to draw it. It has a lot of interesting texture.

April 8

every nut needs friends


mystic ground fog covered our land
April 13    

The surprise snowdrop that appeared at a key time on my beloved cat Sydney's gravesite keeps returning. Sydney was such a unique special cat. Our family still shares many special memories of him.

April 14

In another area, naturalized Daffodils made the true blue of naturalized Scilla's stand out.

Our sky views provide ever changing entertainment.

reaching out

I was surprised to spot a pop of orange.

gooey Lobster Mushroom (ID, apparently edible)
April 14

Nature seems to arrive and disappear in waves. Mid-April, tiny periwinkle blue butterflies appeared everywhere. They flutter randomly and are highly sensitive to movement. These entertaining butterflies land a lot, then promptly close their wings. The beautiful blue wing color can only be seen on the top side. One of these days I will get a good top side photo. 

Spring Azure (?)
April 16

3 days later, Lobster Mushroom bake (yum yum?)
April 17

This year, a couple of my red trillium bloomed! Almost. The leaves never opened flat. Good things come to those who wait. 

April 19



Maybe next year they will open flat

We named our homestead Hidden Cactus Ranch. In untouched areas, you need to watch where you step! I predict a banner cactus blooming season. I will let you know if I am right. They are growing thick as thieves this year.

Cactus Cove

Shortly after taking the photo below, we no longer had as many Spring Azure's. The few I do see are smaller. Common Yellow Supher butterflies took over, in mass. 

April 21

One of my favorite signs of Spring are the sound of Whippoorwhils!!! Sound up if you want to listen. Not the best audio. I was so excited that I forgot to close the front door to block out noise. 

Pray for Rain, Pray for Rain

April 26
13 secs (black screen)

We hear Whippoorwhils at night. I know people that hate them and think they are too noisy. Not me, I love listening to them sing!

I am still waiting and watching for Hummingbirds. They are late to the Spring party this year.