Silent Sunday: A Rosy Glow

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Know What I Did this Summer?

It’s good to be home again after our summer meanderings. No sooner had we returned from South Africa and England, than we were off on a road trip up to New Jersey to visit our family. There was just enough time to get the laundry done and for hubby to hurriedly tidy up the patio area which had become a bit weedy during the six weeks we were away. Several orchids were in bloom, which was a lovely welcoming sight.

Our son was taking the last week of the school holidays off work and as he had a business meeting in Virginia on the Thursday before, suggested that it would be nice if we travelled up earlier than we’d planned, picking him up on the way so that we could have him all to ourselves on the five hour drive home. We of course jumped at the opportunity and were soon on our merry way. It’s just over twelve hundred miles from door to door, so we made two overnight stopovers, the first in Port Wentworth GA, known as ‘Savannah’s Front Porch’ and the second night in Fredericksburg VA, very handy for meeting up with him in Middleburg the following lunchtime.

In St. Augustine we stopped to buy some novelties for the three grandchildren, a pretty shell-covered trinket box for each of the girls and a real alligator head for Max. He was over the moon with it, but his mom seemed less than enthusiastic to keep finding it on her kitchen top and absolutely banned it from the dining table. She should just thank her lucky stars that the big alligator wasn’t for sale.

On the second day, at South Of The Border, we made our usual stop for Quesadillas and Chimichangas at Pedro’s restaurant.

Our son and daughter-in-law had organised tickets to an afternoon matinee on Broadway to see Aladdin, which was a real highlight for us all.

The family are all taking tennis lessons, so of course we had to go to the first day of the US Tennis Open. It was a really hot day, with very little shade and hordes of people with the same idea, but once we’d managed to get in, we enjoyed watching a few opening games. Thankfully I’d had the forethought to put sunscreen on, but hubby who is very anti-cream, got his knees and arms rather burnt.

A visit to the Metropolitan Art Museum the following day, had us all marvelling at the wonderful exhibits displayed there.

My personal favourite was this exquisite 1923 Tiffany window, titled ‘Autumn Landscape’ made solely from leaded Favrile glass with no paint added.

After being there for a week, we decided to leave for home a couple of days early because of the Dorian hurricane forecast which at that time included Florida in its path and we did the journey in two days instead of three. The last day was quite grueling, especially for hubby who did all the driving, but we had this friendly-looking cloud creature to cheer us on our way.

It was, as always a relief to get home again, and even more of a relief when Dorian didn’t visit our area at all. I think we’ll just spend some time right here in our comfort zone before we go off on our travels again. It’s far more relaxing.

Wishing you all a splendid weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cee’s FOTD Challenge: The Lovely Vanda

We have just returned from a road trip to visit our family in New Jersey. Just before we left, I took this photo of my Vanda orchid coming into bud over the fish pond. I’ve had this orchid for five years and it flowers very frequently, always with more flowers than previously. It really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Now the gorgeous purple lady has thirteen flowers and two more stems with more than a dozen buds bursting to come out. It was a lovely welcome home.

I’ll tell you more about our trip next week. Happy weekend to you all.

The join in Cee’s ‘Flower of the day challenge’, just click the link.

Just Another Rainy Sunday Afternoon

‘Woody Wood Stork’ and his backing group ‘The White Ibis’, singing in the rain. Another amazing scene through my bathroom window.

Hope your Sunday weather is brighter than this.

Yes, We Have No Iguanas.

After almost two months away, I’m back home here in Florida and the first thing I noticed when I looked out at my backyard, was a distinct lack of iguanas. Some of you may remember my post about the proposed shooting of iguanas in our neighbourhood. It would seem that during my absence, the iguanas have been almost exterminated. Walking over the road to my neighbour’s house on Thursday, I saw a vehicle labelled ‘Iguana Control’, parked next to the kerb and as I walked up the path to her front door, I heard a couple of shots which alarmed me as they were so close. Apparently hundreds of iguanas have been killed in the past few weeks. I’ve only seen one sad and lonely-looking little fella since we got back, but no sign of him again over the weekend.

So it looks like there will be no more photos of these fascinating creatures on my blog.

I used to really look forward to seeing their hopeful little faces turned towards the sun.

Their gorgeous colour change as mating season progressed was always a joy to behold.

I did see Basil the basilisk lizard on his usual palm tree trunk, so good to know that he’s safe, although he didn’t look too happy. He must be wondering where all his friends have disappeared to.

The Great Egret was looking very unimpressed with all the goings on around here, as am I.

I wish you all a very good week. RIP poor Iggys.

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: I Feel Pretty……

This is my 1,000th post here on WordPress. Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Cee’s FOTD: Sunshine On A Cloudy Day

Cee’s ‘Flower Of The Day’ challenge is open every day. Today is quite cloudy, but my Bromeliad hanging out on my patio, guarantees I always have some sunshine. I call her ‘My Girl’. Do you remember that song by the fabulous ‘Temptations’ and can you believe it’s over 50 years’ old? How time flies when you’re having fun.

Now I have an earworm. 🙂 Happy Tuesday to you all.

Here’s the link to Cee’s FOTD Challenge.

 

Two Guest Stars Plus Two Dozen Extras

The stage is set for the bird theatre show. The two guest stars are Woody wood stork and Mr GBH the great blue heron. Ms Anhinga on the right has a small suppotting role, whilst the ducks are just extras when needed and chorus-line dancers if they can get their act together in time, which at the moment doesn’t look very hopeful.

Hope this gave you a midweek smile. Happy Wednesday everyone.

Friday Feathers: Mr GBH Has The Sulks

Mr. GBH usually looks super dapper and very alert, but I’m sure like all of us, he does has his off days.  I usually call them, ‘Dumpy Down Days’. Do you think he was sulking or just having a ‘Bad Feather Day’?

“No, I’m not sulking………….Well maybe just a tiny bit.”

Happy Friday everyone and have a great weekend too.

Wordless Wednesday: I’ve Got My Beady Eye On You

Lenny Limpkin on the prowl.

Happy Wednesday to you all.