Maggi came round with peaches from her tree and fresh California cherries. The cherries were enjoyed immensely, the peaches will sit in my sunny window or a couple of days to ripen fully. Yum!

Watching reruns in the store at Cooter's Last Stand in Luray.

Sad to see this store is closing in Winchester. It's been a favorite for outdoor clothing and equipment. I went to see what closing bargains were left and bought a hoodie with their name on it. 

Even in the rain the sunflowers make me smile. Lower ones are blooming but the taller ones are still reaching for the sky.

Stanley and Big Red make a great team. A struggle at first to load using the new kayak roof rack but after a couple of attempts I think I've nailed it.

So pleased that my favorite landmark in Marshall has been cleaned up. They painted over the graffiti on the top tower, not sure if they'll paint the rest, but it's a vast improvement.

Today's crop of tomatoes and peppers. I also picked another bag of beans. Maggi will find another gift of delights on her table tomorrow morning. 

So I make sure the cats have their dinner first, making a nice warm turkey dish with pieces of ham, and then I realize as I'm taking a photo of my sandwich, that Kota has photobombed it. He always wants what I eat!

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Approaching Tangier Island for a fleeting visit. We weren't able to stay long due to the Ferry times.

Revisiting an old haunt in Baltimore. Way too hot for biking or hiking, and really too hot to be outside at all.

The sunflowers are nearly up to the roof and flower heads are forming. Can't wait to see those big yellow smiley faces.

Savoring a very tasty beer after a poo day of work and getting tires changed on the car. A well deserved time to chill with a delicious pint and listen to nature. 

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

My little veggie plot looks like a jungle but everything is growing. It's just such a long way to lug full watering cans, but it's a good work out!

We were hanging our urbexing photos for a show at Lorton Workhouse this evening and this beautiful Regal Moth was outside the doorway. I picked it up and moved to some vegetation. It had a wingspan of about 5". A beautiful creature and a privilege to have seen it, I'd never seen one before.

Some of my sunflowers, these are the shorter ones and they're still climbing skyward. It's lovely to see them outside my window.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

I loved the detail on this mushroom, the perfect spacing between the gills. It also looked a bit like a dirty dinner plate with a knife left on the side.

Kota thoroughly enjoying his brush. Got lots of fur from him. He loved it.

Boss Man wanted this chair printed to be the 'little boy chair' which the underachiever of the month will have to sit in. Sure as hell will never be me!

Thursday, July 13, 2017

The vultures of Marshall fanning their wings in the thick afternoon humidity. It seemed nobody was enjoying it.

I made up a small bowl for Maggi to enjoy. I picked a bag full of beans tonight and a good handful of tomatoes. These were sautéed with chicken breasts, mushrooms, peppers and spinach with a handful of herbs and then mixed in with a dollop of sour cream. Delicious!

For 3 days I've been pulling these hornworm caterpillars from my tomato plants. I'm pretty sure I've got them all off and thankfully no bad damage has been done, but I'll be keeping a daily eye out for these lighters. No tomatoes for them!

It's too hot to do anything except make hay, and there's plenty of that going on.

My beautiful Green Genie, parked at Reston, where Steve and I took a coffee break before heading back to Vienna.

Kristen with a sparkler at a fun party this evening on an abandoned golf course.

I spent 3 wonderful hours on the phone with Myra, my No.1 blog fan in Canada. The weather went from sunny to sudden black clouds and winds, then to rain and then to a double rainbow, before a quick flash of sun again before dusk fell. Lots of love to you Myra xx.

We had a laugh at work. Alam was being too vocal so had to take time out, facing the wall, and learning a new U.S. Custom. Then Boss Man asked him if he had clocked out, in order to take time out, causing everyone to erupt into laughter.

Had some much needed rain today. Grateful that I didn't have to lug the watering can around tonight.

Out urbexing with a buddy. Sweltering heat soon wore us down but we still covered some ground.

Monday, July 3, 2017

I often try to come home through the country lanes. There's one place that has free roaming chickens and today they were all over the road. This one was playing peek-a-boo behind a tree.

My little sun spot sanctuary from a visitor's first view as they approach the house.

This guy was spread right across the bike trail today. It took a good 5 minutes to coax him into the undergrowth where he'd be safe from another biker's wheels. He wasn't happy about being shoved into the bushes!