Day Two Hundred Thirty Nine 2013

Backyard Wandering
"Not all those who wander are lost", a line from the poem All that is gold does not glitter, written by J. R. R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings.




We know that in September, we will wander through the warm winds of summer's wreckage. We will welcome summer's ghost.
~Henry Rollins

Day Two Hundred Nine 2013

This praying mantis hitched a ride on our rear view mirror today. He must have been on his way to church, it being Sunday and all. We’d already been to worship service, so he missed the sermon. But he did get off in the church parking lot when we stopped by there to pick up Neil’s truck after lunch. Perhaps he’ll make it to the evening service.

Day One Hundred Eighty One 2013

This moth has beautiful markings and a two-inch wing span. It was attached to my front porch post all day and never moved. Until I poked it with a pencil just to see if it was alive. It flew right at me and made me jump back like a sissy girl.

I can’t believe it let me get in its face to get a close up. I never knew they have googley eyes. [I can’t believe this is how I amused myself this afternoon ~ hope y’all found better ways to amuse yourselves today]

Day Two Hundred Twenty Five 2012

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. ~Sam Keen

Day One Hundred Eighteen 2012

I always thought these were huge mosquitoes, but I think they're called may flies. I got news for you, Mr. Mayfly, it ain't May, and no, you may not come into my house. I wonder if these make good bird food.
Happy TGIF, y'all.

Day One Hundred Seventeen 2012

Let’s dance! I snapped these two ants with my macro lens this afternoon. They were crawling around on a clover flower in my back yard and were about the size of the exclamation point in that first sentence. When they found each other, they paused long enough to say ‘hi’ to each other (and for me to snap this picture while they were still) and then they moved on. Places to go, other ants to see, I guess.

Day Two Hundred Twenty One 2011

I think it's called a paper wasp because of the way it builds a nest. Could be a hornet or a yellow jacket. No matter what the name, they've been determined to build right outside my back door. I squirted them with wasp killer and it just made them mad, but they did finally go away. Or so I thought. Neil and I were sitting on the swing on the back porch and I looked up and saw this hanging over our heads. Had my camera with me so I took his picture (with my long lens). I guess he thought if he built his nest under the eave, he wouldn't be seen. Even though they eat other insects, which can be good, I don't want anything with a stinger hanging around my porch. Now, where's my wasp killer....

Day One Hundred Ninety Five 2011

Another pretty butterfly visited my potted Lantana this afternoon. It never did spread its wings to show off its beautiful markings. Maybe next time.

Day One Hundred Ninety Four 2011

The Lantana is attracting butterflies (as advertised) and the bees seem to love it, too. The last picture is a little pink Dahlia blooming in the back yard. I love these (this one didn't want to show its pretty face), but they aren't doing too well this summer. Hubby Neil says you have to dig them up and separate the bulbs. I think that might be a job for the gardener in the family (Neil? Hello?).

Day One Hundred Eighty Nine 2011

Random~Happy TGIF!

Day Two Hundred Sixty Two 2010

Backyard Meanderings

Day Two Hundred Nine 2010

First Day Of Fourth Grade! (Plus+A Weird Red Bug)


Today was granddaughter Shelby's first day of 4th Grade. She had an easy fun day, likes her teacher, and already knows a bunch of the kids in her class. And best of all: No Homework! She's off to a great start.


While I was waiting for Shelby, I saw this bizarre insect racing around the steps. It looks like a gigantic red ant/wasp thing, although it doesn't have wings. I've never seen anything like it. I'm hoping there's not a colony of them lurking underneath these steps where I sit each day at three o'clock! Does anyone know what this thing is?!?

p.s. My sister Ann looked up info on this insect and found this link: http://www.asktheexterminator.com/Wasps/Velvet_Ant.shtml
Thanks, Ann! I'm going to be careful where I sit down out on those steps from now on.

Day One Hundred Eighty Nine 2010

Baby, You Can Drive My Car

When I got in the car at lunch time today, this unidentified flying object was sitting on top of my steering wheel. It startled me, but I didn't seem to startle it. It just sat there, making no move to leave, so I took its picture and now it's part of blog history.