Leaning Tree

North Fork of the Shenandoah

Weekend Reflection

Springtime at Hogback Mountain Overlook

Shenandoah National Park

This is one of the longest overlooks on Skyline Drive, and it has spectacular views to the north and west.. I’ve taken pictures here many times.

I am still keeping my posts and comments short because vision in my left eye is still blurry and I get eye strain. Tomorrow will be two weeks since my cataract surgery and I am disappointed that vision is improving so slowly..

Catbird on Board

A gray catbird has been visiting my deck. Sometimes it even stops by for a moment when I am sitting out there.  

Catbirds can make a variety of sounds, including a mewing sound.

Flowers in My Backyard

Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday / Treasures / Garden Affair

Long Murals in Roanoke

Dixie Products

 My older daughter spotted these great murals and went back and took pictures for me. Thank you, Lynn!

My eyes are feeling strained, so this will be a short post. There are more murals on Sami’s blog hop.

Mother’s Day 2024

My daughters each gave me some nice gifts and I also received flowers from both of them plus Charlie. At least that's with the card said.

I looked through a 1984 photo album to find a picture of my mom that I haven’t posted here before.

The collage is made up of photos from my parents’ first photo album. The child in the last picture is my older brother.

Repose

This is Annie, taking it easy in my opthalmologist’s office when I went there yesterday. She’s been coming to work with him since she was a puppy. Sometimes she visits other offices in the medical building to comfort an anxious patient. 

Tripod was taking it easy on the back steps until Charlie came along looking for a playmate. That didn’t last long because cats do not appreciate Charlie’s enthusiasm.

Speaking of cats, I generated one using StarryAI in Klimt style. 

I saw these peaceful sheep near Edinburg. 

I saw the little dog wearing a bandanna in Hillsboro.

And here’s Charlie on the couch. The brightly-patterned fabric is a beach towel.

Cyclist in Monochrome

Herndon, VA

Knowing that I was going to have cataract surgery on May 3rd, I drove to Northern Virginia in late April to stock up on grocery items that I can’t find around here. Herndon has two natural food stores, and if they are out of something I want, I can stop at Whole Foods or Wegman's before heading home. 

I took a snapshot of a young man riding a bicycle on the W&OD bike path in case I needed it for the theme day on May 1. As it turned out, I easily found the old photos that I wanted to use. 

By the way, I’m glad that I don’t have to drive that far right now because the vision in my life die is still a little bit blurry from the surgery. It is also very sensitive to light. 

Small Talk

Chatting about the weather is considered small talk. I guess it's a good thing when our weather is fairly inconsequential. Other places are having tornadoes and such, but the worst we've had this week is wind and a brief thunder storm.

Here’s a nearby field that got sculpted by the wind. That was the day we had thunder that made the floor shake. Charlie started howling and did not stop until it was over.

Rain was in the forecast today, but we didn’t get much. I took Charlie to the state park this afternoon, crossing this low water bridge.

Water H2O Thursday / Skywatch

Looking up the river from this bridge, we see the swinging bridge that pedestrians can use when this bridge is underwater. There are still quite a few of these low bridges crossing the Shenandoah River.

This evening I snapped a picture of the clouds when I was walking Charlie near our home.

Where Every Walk’s a Nature Walk

Seven Bends State Park

Nature changes with the seasons. This redbud along the Gokotta Trail is starting to leaf out. 

Some mallard ducks were floating in the river.

Dames Rocket was blooming. It has various other names, and is often mistaken for phlox. 

Charlie enjoys walking in the park because there’s always something interesting to sniff. I’m sure he can tell what other animals have passed through here. Beagles are known for their discerning noses. Perhaps you’ve seen them working in airports, finding hidden contraband by traces of smells.