Wednesday, July 24, 2013

A SMILING SUMMER...








"There is a smiling summer here
which causes the birds to sing
and
sets the bees in motion."  

Emily Dickinson, 1858








The hummingbird - from the family,
Trochilidae...

With the exception of insects, hummingbirds, while in flight, have the highest metabolism of all animals, a necessity in order to support the rapid beating of their wings.






Their heart rate can reach as high as 1,260 beats per minute.  They consume more than their own weight in nectar each day and to do so they must visit hundreds of flowers daily.

Hummingbirds are continuously hours away from starving to death, and are able to store just enough energy to survive overnight.






"A flash of harmless lightening
A mist of rainbow dyes
The burnished sunbeams brightening
from flower to flower
he flies."

John Banister Tabb









"By the way, did you fellows know
that a hummingbird weighs as much
as a quarter?  Do you think a
hummingbird also weighs the same
as two dimes and a nickel?
But then she asked a question of 
her own..
How do they weigh a hummingbird?"

Calvin Trillin, "Enough's Enough"








"Oh, the honey-bees are gumming
on their little wings
 and humming
that the summer,which is coming,
will be fun."

A. A. Milne, "The House at Pooh Corner"








"The pedigree of Honey/
does not concern the bee?
A clover, anytime, to him/
is aristocracy."

Emily Dickinson







"How doth the little busy bee
improve each shining hour,
and gather honey all the day
from every opening flower?"

Isaac Watts







"Bees do have a smell,
 you know,
 and if they don't,
they should,
for their feet are dusted with
spices from a million flowers."

Ray Bradbury, "Dandelion Wine"








We are leaving Saturday for a trip to Arizona to spend time with family.

We'll bee be back in a couple of weeks.  
Untill then...

...Judy...

Just wanted to take this time to thank Jody and Stan at Rooted in Thyme for including me in last week's Simple and Sweet Fridays features. Buzz on by their blog. You'll be sure to enjoy.. 











I'm sharing today with:



































Friday, July 19, 2013

LUCKY ME!...







Iron grille, very heavy - $10


I thought I'd put together some of my newest garage and thrift sale acquisitions for your viewing pleasure today...






Large, framed mirror - $10
Have a special place for it!
Probably will paint frame






Nine pieces of Johnson Bros.
"Olde English Countryside" - $5






Victorian wall pocket or match safe - $1







Side table - $8
To be painted






Pitcher and bowl set - $3






Picture frames - $2 each






Framed print - $2
Originally from Target







Found these at a consignment shop so paid a little higher price - $12 each






This was the most expensive - $15 from an antique/boutique.  I love how it looks so old world but sort of abstract at the same time.  This company, Creative Co-op, is the same one who put out the two consignment shop pictures above.  They also do other farm animals in the same style. They are all very striking.






Teacup and saucer - $1
Paragon, "Cliffs of Dover"






Battery operated clock - $2






Silver tray - $2
Retirement gift?







Pink pottery tea pot - $2
Not marked


Last, but not least, the morning sun rising in the east from the front porch of the Cottage...





Priceless...


...Judy...


I'm sharing today with:












Sunday, July 14, 2013

THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT...







I went out to the mail box last evening, just as the sun was going behind the trees and twilight was beginning to fall.

I looked at the profusion of simple white flowers that come back so eagerly each summer and line the garden walk, and my mind immediately went to one of my favorite songs.

It is a haunting melody that I have loved for a long time....





Night time sharpens,
heightens each sensation...







Darkness stirs
and
wakes imagination...





Silently the senses
abandon their defenses...





Slowly, gently,
night unfurls its
splendor...








Grasp it,
sense it,
tremulous and tender...





Turn your face away
from
the garish light of day...






And listen to
the
music of the night...




Andrew Lloyd Webber, "The Music of the Night"
from Phantom of the Opera






This small creature looks like a cross between a butterfly, a moth, and a humming bird.

It has a long "beak" that dips into the flower in order to gather the nectar.





It was hard to capture a photograph of him as he never sits still.

He darts among the flowers and his wings do not rest, very much like the humming bird.





A fitting creature of the night.






I hope you enjoyed our little 
journey to the dark side..

..and that your journeys will always take you back into the sunlight.







...Judy...


Am sharing with: