Lightning bug, aka firefly, climbing the stalk to prepare for flight.

Evenings are my favorite time to wander through the five acres we call our home. After a day of mowing in the heat, both here and at The Farm, it is a pleasure to take a cool shower, slip into a cotton sundress, and stroll as the shadows grow longer and the night air comes. It’s heavenly, really.

Red Clover

I texted Mr. FixIt yesterday morning and tempted him with scrambled eggs and biscuits if he would stroll out to join me in the camper. It didn’t take him long to bring his tea out and join me. We talked about our plans for the day. He had an appointment in town. I had to finish mowing here at the house then head out to The Farm to mow out there. I had every intention of sitting on the porch for a while and read my book. However, at the time I finished mowing, it was the point where the sun beats down directly on the front of the house and it was bloody hot! Instead, I got a cool drink and sat in front of the fan for a bit to cool off before heading home.

This green takes my breath away! The Farm, 2024

I stopped at The Pig on my way home. Our little country Piggly Wiggly is a lifesaver when you live this far out of town and just need a few things. I wanted to get things like hotdogs and hamburgers, chips and potato salad…you know, Memorial Day picnic supplies. The kids are all doing their own things this weekend and with the amount of time we’ve been traveling, we are happy to have the biggest part of the work complete for the week and have three whole days to loll about.

Mock Strawberry

We talked about cleaning up the pool and trying to get it in shape this year. We never were very successful last summer. Having a pool is nice but it’s expensive to run and a lot of work to keep clean. Living on a fixed income means we have to make cuts if we want to camp and travel, and the pool is a bit superfluous. The kids don’t really come out and use it much so there isn’t that impetus to keep it going.

Red Sorrel, a member of the buckwheat family.

As I wandered around last evening before dark, I took some more pictures. One of my high school classmates asked if we were seeing bees and butterflies out here. I said yes, but I really gave it a good look-see yesterday and I am sorry to say I saw very few bees. We have butterflies and moths. I don’t think anyone in the area is keeping bees right now. I’ll have to check into that. I keep getting a nudge to keep bees, but I know nothing about beekeeping other than it isn’t cheap to get started. If I can boost my plants to include some that are attractive to the little buzzers, maybe I could offer space for someone to put their hives on our property in exchange for a little honey. 

Yarrow

As the sun set and the fireflies began their nightly dance, I counted my many blessing to have this safe place to call home and a loving husband to share my life with. It truly is remarkable to have found this joy so “late in life.” 

🌼☀️🌼

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

Proverbs 10:4 NIV