Took a sneaky snap of the cabin crew prepping drinks for first class on our Virgin flight to Heathrow. Alright for some.

Another patch of the grass removed from the bank. Prepped and ready to plant when I return from England.

24 Apr 2024

The bees were constantly buzzing around the comfrey while I was digging up more grass from the bank close by.

Trail riding with my friend, Bill, as he gives his electric bike its first long ride. We did 23 miles, he was chuffed.

One of the first natives to flower in spring, ragwort is a vital food source for native insects.

A long, but fabulous Lone Pine Day celebration with the tree stewards in town. This white pine was planted, and we gave away 450 native trees in 1.5 hours.

Dewey singing with Shae Parker & friends at the tavern.

19 Apr 2024

John singing Gordon Lightfoot’s song, ‘If you could read my mind’, especially for me. 

Carol and I went morel mushroom hunting today. We found one. We’ll go again once we’ve had some rain.

Not the prettiest of supports but this is quite sturdy and will prevent the false sunflowers from falling over when they’re at their tallest.

These rain-spouts on the houses in Stephens City are really unique. They just pour into the road.

Our bi-monthly tree steward meeting, planning future events.

The dust on my cacti was illuminated by the morning sun. I guess I have to do a spot of cleaning!

The tavern was hopping tonight with Bev’s band. Superb music.

Barely slept 2 hours last night with the torrential rain and wind. A tree came down in the cemetery and the staff worked on clearing it immediately.

2 vacant rockers at the newly decorated Beer Museum, begging for someone to sit in them. So, with a friend, I did.

My Virginia bluebells are blooming and multiplying. And in 3 weeks, I’ll be seeing English bluebells.

I recoiled in horror when I arrived at work and saw these ‘things’, that are supposedly edible, on the lunch room table. I’ve never understood how Peeps became popular, they’re not even food as we know it, just chemical atrocities.

It looks like my kayak is out of commission for a while. Very well made nest though!

The veggie garden is prepped and ready to go. The trees are fertilized, the canoes are cleared, and nearly all the front garden has been tidied up, all of last year’s stalks removed.

‘From the Heart’ and friends playing at the tavern.

Picking thread colors for an embroidery file at work. 

A day of torrential rain gave me the opportunity to collect some rainwater for the house plants.

Rainy morning on the way to work. A smeary windscreen created a cool shot at the intersection before I arrived at Emblemax. 

Spring tulips outside my chiropractor’s office.

Roses for Rosie Lee, from Elliott. A thoughtful gesture. 

Impressive orchids at a show in Winchester that I visited with Jen.

29 Mar 2024

My little Rosie Lee left me today to be with Kota. She’s now pain free, but I’m beyond distraught. She was my much loved constant companion.

This may be the last photo I take of Rosie Lee. My dear little girl has a large tumor on her liver and will be joining Kota tomorrow at the end of the path. I shall miss her dreadfully.

Walked outside as there was a racket coming from the cherry tree, and saw this sparrow hawk sitting on top. I shooed him off and the sparrows inside the tree cheered, well tweeted very loudly.

Mother Nature greeting the day with a beautiful sunrise, while mankind’s ugliness mars the foreground.

Rosie Lee chowing down the newly grown cat mint.

Jen and I met the Ghostbusters in FroRo today.

23 Mar 2024

Kicking off the First Ladies Night party at the Blue House, with the early arrivals. It was a huge success, and there will be more events.

So glad I didn’t get caught up in that line of school buses.

It looks like farm I pass sometimes on the way home from work keeps its favorite holiday decorations up all year.

Finally given my old Stetson a home, hanging on a wall. I may wear it more now I can see it. 

I tried to take a photo of a van that cut me up on 66 this morning. I failed, but got this interesting image instead.

Scored this 7ft Corn Plant for free today. Took a bit of effort getting it in and out of the car, but finally got it in the spare bedroom.

Rosie Lee enjoying a Sunday morning snooze.

Tony and George celebrating St Patrick’s Day at the Beer Museum.

I pass these manicured forsythia bushes daily, and have to admire the symmetry. But I’ll keep mine with a natural look.

The starlings enjoying their suet block, yet that one on the left gave me the meanest look possible.

The magnolia tree in the cemetery is glorious in full bloom. Last year, the frosts cut it short after only one day, the flowers shriveled and browned overnight,  but we have a few days of mild weather ahead, so we can appreciate this beautiful tree

Our holy man is pounding the streets of FroRo again, with his declaration.

The waterfall at Arlie on my way home.

Tricksie Treat and Rosie Lee soaking up some sunshine, while the wind howls outside.

A day of rain encouraged me to go on a tour around the beautiful Handley library in Winchester. This is part of the rotunda.

This made me chuckle on the way to work this morning. I only thought this would be seen in Texas.

I found this carrier bag while sorting through old stuff. It’s over 40 years old, and I posted it on a home page on Facebook. It’s had nearly 700 likes and hundreds of comments, stirring up a lot of old memories.