Nature Friday

Turkey Vultures are not beautiful birds, but this one surrounded himself with the beauty of nature.

Mr. Squirrel enjoys hanging out on this limb just out of reach of the dogs.

Happy Independence Day!

Linking to Nature Friday

Wordless Wednesday

 Linking to Wordless Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday

Bluejay

Great-crested Flycatcher

Goldfinch

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

Barn Day

I doubt I'm alone in my love of barns, especially the weathered, gambrel roofed kind like my brother and I spent a lot of time in when we were youngsters. Barns are more than agricultural buildings, they’re iconic symbols of rural life, history, and rustic beauty. They tell stories of times past. Their weathered wood, faded paint, and sturdy frames evoke images of hard working farmers. A photograph of an old red barn against a field or pasture can transport viewers to a simpler time, sparking curiosity about the lives lived around it. These are a few I've found on our backroad rambles.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

I discovered a new lifer yesterday. We took a drive down to the river access and found a flock of birds swarming a corn field with some perched on a wire. I couldn't tell what they were, but when I uploaded the pictures and checked my Merlin Bird App, I discovered a nice surprise.

 Linking to Saturday Critters

National Foodie Day

It's National Foodie Day. I had to look up the definition which is, according to the Oxford dictionary, a person with a particular interest in food, a gourmet.

It seems being a foodie is about more than eating … it’s a lifestyle. Foodies connect over shared passions, swapping stories about their favorite Italian restaurant or the perfect wine paring. Me? I’m more of a do you want lemonade with your hamburger type of gal.

I guess food blogs, social media, and Food Network cooking shows made the term popular. So, what is National Foodie Day? It is the perfect excuse to try a new restaurant or maybe grab your apron and whip up that new recipe you’ve been considering.

These are breakfast tacos from a visit to a new restaurant for brunch.

Beautiful Skies

Mostly cloudless

Pretty clouds

Linking to Skywatch

Nature

There’s something magical about wildflowers. Their vibrant colors and delicate petals seem to dance in the breeze, inviting all sorts of creatures to join the party. I call these beauties 'ditch flowers' because I take the pictures from the car along the back roads.

No identification for these beauties, but they sure added interest to the old fence.

I think this may be in the sulphur butterfly family, but can't find my butterfly book to make an identification. Butterflies are such graceful visitors, flitting from bloom to bloom like they're on a mission to taste every drop. This one paused just long enough to pose for this picture.

The star of the show is a thistle flower hosting two incredible visitors: a hummingbird moth and a bumblebee. Thistles get a bad rap for being prickly, but they’re a magnet for pollinators. The hummingbird moth, with its rapid wingbeats, looks like a tiny bird hovering over the bloom. Sharing the thistle is a bee, its legs dusted with pollen as it dives into the flower’s spiky blooms. This photo captures a moment of harmony—two very different creatures working side by side, each doing their part in nature’s cycle.

These photos aren’t just pretty, they’re a reminder of how vital wildflowers are. They provide food and shelter for pollinators. Plus, there’s something calming about taking time to watch these little creatures doing their job.

Phlox

Happy Monday

Linking to: Nature Notes

Critters

This little chipmunk lives under our utility shed, conveniently located near the bird feeders. He often comes out to enjoy a meal.

 Mr. Blue Jay

White wolf at Wildlife Prairie Park

Happy Saturday!

Linking to: Saturday Critters

Jaws

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws, Steven Spielberg’s thriller that birthed the summer blockbuster and instilled a primal fear of the ocean. Released in 1975, the film’s story of a great white shark terrorizing the fictional Amity Island is remembered for its suspense, iconic score, and mechanical shark. Even half a century later, Jaws retains its ability to grip hearts with fear and spark imaginations.

I vividly recall the first time I saw Jaws. We lived in Sumpter County, Tennessee, in a 200-year-old home, once a girls’ dormitory, surrounded by fields and a long lane bordered by a rock wall. With no neighbors or streetlights, the nights were pitch-black. Family had come to visit from Illinois, and my sister-in-law and I decided to go to the movies. We didn’t want to bring the kids, so we told them we needed to visit the fabric store. Naturally, they refused to go, allowing us to sneak off without them. 

The music alone was terrifying, and knowing the shark would claim several lives before the film’s end only heightened the fear. Driving home under a moonless sky, the movie’s tension lingered. Gooseflesh prickled our arms as we fumbled through the darkness to the back door, racing through the creaky, sprawling house to the living room, where our husbands relaxed beside a crackling fire. The warmth and light offered safety, but the shark’s shadow loomed in our minds long after.

To this day, I refuse to swim in the ocean.

 

Weekend Reflections

 Linking to: Weekend Reflections

White buffalo at Wildlife Prairie Park in Illinois

Happy Friday!!

Nature Friday

When we lived in ranch country Oklahoma, we enjoyed seeing horses. These are a couple of my favorite pictures from last spring.

Linking to:

Nature Friday

Ditch Flowers

We took a Gus for a drive last weekend. Not many birds around, so took pics of flowers instead.

Tiger Lily

Clover

Vetch

Geranium

Bandit

 On a hot summer day, Gus and Izzy relaxed in the cool grass beneath an old oak tree, eyes closed, unaware Bandit watched them from high up in the neighbor’s elm. Feeling safe, the squirrel twitched his bushy tail, eyes locked on the freshly filled bird feeder brimming with goodies. It hung from a thin wire, swaying gently in the breeze, a tantalizing challenge for a critter with a notorious reputation.

Bandit scrambled down the tree head-first, his tiny claws gripping the bark. At the bottom, he checked the area for any danger lurking nearby, then scurried through the grass, pausing several times to make sure the dogs still slept peacefully. Seeing their eyes closed, he turned his attention to the feeder. The mean old bird lady purchased the one with a guard made to close when a heavy creature tried to steal food, specifically meant to thwart his kind. But Bandit was no ordinary squirrel. He often outsmarted traps, dodged hawks, and once he even swiped a peanut from a picnic table mid-lunch. To him, this feeder simply represented another easy mark.

He darted the last few feet to the pole, and in a blur of red fur, grasped hold of the shepherd’s hook and shinnied up to the feeder. Once underneath, he paused to calculate his next move.

Soon, Bandit had a plan. He made his move, startling a mama sparrow who grabbed a mouthful of deliciousness and flew off to feed her babies. Then, Bandit launched himself through the air, paws outstretched and landed with a loud thunk on the feeder’s roof. It spun wildly, sending the precious food flying. Two mourning doves scouring the ground for breakfast looked up and chirped a thank you as they dug into the surprise windfall. 

Bandit clung onto the slick metal until all movement stopped. With a back paw wrapped securely around a wire to stay anchored, he dropped his body down along the side until his mouth dug into the wells filled with food.

Below, the birds chirped their outrage, but Bandit didn’t care. He’d won again … until … Gus opened one eye, then the other. When Gus realized they were sleeping on the job, he nudged Izzy awake. Like a shot, both dogs raced toward Bandit, barking their mean barks, lunging high in the air. 

The cunning squirrel knew he’d outwitted the dogs again. He filled his mouth with one final gulp of lunch, then leapt from the feeder to the wooden utility shed behind him. From there, he soared to the safety of an overhanging limb. Perched high above, he turned, his bushy tail flicking with glee, and unleashed a torrent of chattering squeaks, mocking Gus and Izzy’s futile barks. His tiny paws gestured wildly, as if daring the dogs to climb after him, his beady brown eyes glinting with a smug triumph while the frustrated pups lunged helplessly below.

No Critter Sunday

 Since it's too nice to stay inside, we took a drive. Where? Nowhere in particular. Our mission? To drive new roads and get lost looking for birds and critters. What did we find?

A train engine.

Barges.

Tugboat.

And barns.

Not even one bird. Better luck next time.

Unforgettable Bites and Hidden Gems

 We tried two new restaurants last week. We had brunch at The Tangled Root Brewery. It's on the square in Washington, IL. We ate in the first floor dining room, but went up to the rooftop bar to see the view. Nice.

Breakfast Tacos

Cheesecake French Toast

We last ate Indian cuisine during our Dallas years, so we chose to dine at Indian Tadka in Peoria. I tried the Kashmiri Murg (chicken). Very good!

We also made a return visit to Kuchie's on the Water. 

Till next time ...

Five Things to Improve My Day

1. There's nothing like starting the day sipping a hot cup of coffee in the early morning light, while listening to the sweet symphony of birds singing the day awake. This peaceful ritual not only soothes the soul but sets a peaceful tone for the day ahead.

Painted Bunting

2. Peeling the sticker off something in one clean swipe! It's the little victories. We bought a new mug from a restaurant we found in Wyoming and I went in with for a fingernail expecting a battle, and—voila—the sticker peeled off in one smooth tug. I felt powerful! Like I could finally open a pickle jar on the first try. 

 3. When the Wi-Fi connects instantly and doesn't cut out while trying to log on. And then you find a text from your Hubs, who is sitting in the next room, that ends with "I love you!"

4. There's a quiet magic in the crunch of gravel beneath tires, where dusty backroads lead to moments of pure wonder. With camera in hand, I set out on winding paths, searching for the fleeting beauty of a colorful bird I haven't seen through my lens before, or a deer gracefully leaping through tall grass, or the curious scamper of countless critters. The road is often framed by wildflowers and tall oak trees. Each drive is a treasure hunt, where nature unveils its artistry. 

5. Last, but most important, spending time with family, especially our older relatives, is a precious opportunity. As time moves forward, the moments we share with our grandparents, parents, or elderly aunts and uncles become invaluable memories. These interactions not only strengthen family bonds but also allow us to learn from their wisdom and experiences.

Taking a moment to sit down with an older relative can open up a treasure trove of stories. Whether it’s hearing about their childhood, learning about family traditions, or simply laughing over a shared meal, these moments create connections that last a lifetime. Engaging in simple activities like playing a board game, looking through old photos, or even just having a heartfelt conversation can mean the world to them—and to you.

Life is fleeting, and our older loved ones won’t be with us forever. Prioritizing time with them now ensures we carry their love, lessons, and legacy forward. So, make that call, plan that visit, or share that cup of coffee. Those small gestures can make a big difference.

Miss you Mom.

This is merely a few of the things I thought of today. None of these are life-altering. They don't solve climate change, cure heartbreak, or explain how people can afford a $7.00 smoothie every day. But in the middle of chaos, they give me a spark of irrational joy—and honestly, I'll take it.