Visions of Flowers Dancing in My Head

Lilacs in April

It is a little cool this morning (47 degrees), but sunny, so I'll have to get out in the yard this afternoon.  It is still too early to put out bedding plants on the mountain so I'll just pull a few more weeds that have popped up.  I was going through my flower photos from the last few years and thought this was a good time to enjoy looking back on our Mountain Springs flower gardens.  Every year is different to some degree, but the lilacs are one of my favorites.  Probably because they are among the first to bloom each spring.



Wild azaleas at Wildflower Falls



The wild azaleas bloom in the woods behind the house every May.  They grow all over the woods and their fragrance fills the air!  I pick a bouquet for the house each year.  Watch out for bees!!!  They love them too!



Mournful Thyris moth on Butterfly Weed

June at Mountain Springs is a "sight to behold"!  The weeds are still under control and the garden is usually at it's peak. I looked up the little moth in my butterfly/moth book and this is really his name.  There is absolutely nothing "mournful" about his little fellow.  He brings happiness to my garden.  I think I will change his name to "Cheerful Thyris".



                                       July in the Garden

plethora n: an excessive quantity or fullness: also; PROFUSION

This word aptly describes my July garden.  Hot, dry weather, but a "plethora" or profusion of flowers, bees, butterflies, and birds.
(I think I will introduce Jack Henry to "plethora".  He loves words.  His latest is "hypothesis".  He can use it correctly, but I can't spell it correctly--thank you, spell check!)




August "volunteer" sunflower

The birds "plant" our sunflowers all over the yard.  We let them grow where ever they are planted.  I guess they are doing some gardening of their own which helps increase the birdseed supply.
Oh my! So many flowers---so little space!  I'll have to do this again!



 

I know a little garden close,

Set thick with lily and red rose,

Where I would wander if I might

From dewy morn to dewy night.

                                          William Morris

March Mountain Madness



Bluebird day in March



     In the mountains we expect March to come in like a lion.  And, the lion will come and go the whole month!  Wednesday was a spectacular day--sunny 70's light breeze.  Great for anything outdoors--gardening (a little early for bedding plants), hiking (perfect!), or shopping at Branson Landing (you guessed it, that's what I did!)  Two days later, the lion is back bringing near freezing temps.  That's okay, it's March Madness mountain style.  Last year, we had a 12 inch snow the first day of Spring.  Beautiful!  And, then it melted a few days later.  Perfect!

Canoe dog on the Buffalo River

     Our cabin "spring breakers" (guests) accept the fickleness of the weather.  Never knowing what they will get when they reserve, but wanting to make the most of days off, they are blessed with a little of both-- the bluebird days and the roaring lion days.  Hiking is on every ones list, and this year many bravely made the Hemmed-In-Hollow hike which is always a challenge.  But, they all say it's worth it.  Canoeing the cold waters of the Buffalo River in March takes more than bravery.  One must understand the "ups and downs" (pun intended) of canoeing a fast flowing stream.  Hypothermia can set in fast if not prepared for the unexpected.  We usually wait until late spring or early summer for our float.





April tulips at Mountain Springs



     Then comes April!  Beautiful! Showery, flowery, bowery!  Every year, the garden centers tempt me!  But, I have learned--tiny little greenhouse plants cannot take the shock of cool winds on the mountains.  I'll stay with the tulips and daffodils that are already blooming in my yard, and plan my garden center trips for mid-May.  Then I get in a planting frenzy, as does my neighbor, the Master Gardener!  I can never keep up with her (nor do I want to!)



Lilac explosion!



     Every yard should have a lilac bush--I have five!  A few in a vase (or use a jar) in the house brings heaven a little closer.  



Shooting stars near Wildflower Falls



     The woods in April always are the greenest with tiny wildflowers peeking out among the brilliant green leaves.  Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot, wake robin, I even spy a Jack-in-the-Pulpit along the trail now and then.  Has anyone seen the illusive Morel mushrooms yet?  We never have much luck finding them :-(  No matter, it gives us one more reason to get out in the woods!

Little Johnny-jump-up said,

"It must be spring,

I just saw a lady-bug

And heard a robin sing."

      Edwina Fallis

I'm Dreamin' of A Green Spring

Snow storm at Eagle's Rest Cabin



     I love snow, but there is a limit to how much white stuff I want to deal with.  We've reached the limit--24 inches came down Wednesday on top of 6 inches already on the ground.  If it wasn't for the cedar trees on the mountain, there would be nothing green!  Getting across the yard is nearly impossible.  The dogs struggle to stay above the snow, and I am up to my knees in the wet, fluffy drifts! I spent the morning shoveling piles of snow off all four sides of the porch while Jack played snowplow driver on the tractor.  He got the road to the cabin driveable just before our guests arrived (in a 4 wheel drive SUV).  I know, I know I could be in New York or somewhere up there with snowfalls that dwarf our little snow records.  But, this is the south, for goodness sake!  I dreaming of....



Shooting Stars at Wildflower Falls

     One of the first spring hikes we take will be to Wildflower Falls just down the hill from the house.  It will be a wild garden of flowers and 'green'.-- green moss, green grass, green leafy buds on the trees, green water-- even the air 'feels' green and damp.  I can hardly wait!



Green moss patch

     We all try to carefully step around the mossy patches near the spring.  We have counted over 17 different wildflowers as well as a variety of ferns and mosses. 





Early tulips in the bed near the steps

     These are early blooming tulips.  The little rabbits always find the first green leaves as soon they pop out of the ground.  If you look closely, you notice the ends of the leaves have been nibbled off!  Bad, bad, Peter Rabbit!!  Oh well, Peter and his friends will move on to the green clover patches in the yard before much damage is done.



Mother's iris

     When we first moved here, I dug up some of Mother's irises from her beds in Hamburg and planted them by the old picket fence that we kept in place.  They are such a beautiful sight every spring.  The colors are breath taking!



Wild azaleas on the trail

 

       Our early spring hike to the falls always includes a visit to the pink wild azalea patches.  The air along the trail is filled with their sweet scent long before we actually see them. 



Another green spot along the trail

        "Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come."  Chinese Proverb 



A little birdy reminds us--Spring will come!





A Winter Event

View from the porch.

     All day Tuesday we watched as freezing rain turned to sleet, sleet turned to snow.  We held our breaths when the electricity blinked, but it held!  After the "Ice Storm of 2009" we are ready.   We can stay warm and cozy (and, well fed) with gas heat and, if necessary, the back-up generator.



Molly and Daisy check our little 'critter' scents





     The winds howled all night and, the next morning, we woke up to a winter wonderland.  After lunch, the sun peeked out and, even with wind chills of 10 degrees and light snow flurries , the dogs and I went for a walk.  Despite my attempt to bundle up, it was cold! The sun soon went behind the clouds, and the few pictures I got were disappointing. (Of course, a snow picture can't do justice to a winter scene)  The shock of crisp, cold wind on your face, the little glistening snow flakes in the air, the stark whiteness of everything, the soft crunch of boots on new snow--well, you just have to be here!



Deedee, Dude, and Chipper watch as I climb up the hill



     It was curious to watch the horses on Tuesday.  Despite a warm barn with hay, they preferred to stay outside as the snow fell--running, jumping, kicking up their heels like children.  It's not unusual for Dude and Chipper to nip and chase each other, but usually Deedee is a little too dignified for such play.  After watching them, I  know what 'horse play' means!  



Bird bath with warmer



     We have four bird feeders to keep full as well as the bird bath water each day.  Then, there are the deer that slip up the hill for a little corn in the late afternoon.  Everybody is well fed around Mountain Springs in  wintertime.  I made a large pot of beef stew with rice for supper.  We all enjoyed our meal, even the dogs!



The garden shed in winter



     As I look at the bare, cold garden shed, I know that soon the snow will melt and little green sprouts will spring up everywhere.  We are thankful for the snowfall which brings moisture and nitrogen to the soils.  I am also glad for the 'down' time when I can catch up on inside chores (taxes! and cleaning closets Ugh!) plus a little free time for projects.  I am working on a new scrapbook for the cabin as well as a new one for the family, and I have plans for a few sewing projects (pillows for the sofa). 

Oh Wind!  If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?   P.B.Shelley         

Everyday is a Gift

April Sunrise at Mc Ferrin Point

     It's January--a time I look back and reflect over 2010.  As a "baby boomer" the number 2010 still seems "futuristic".  Growing up in the 50's and 60's, I really didn't think much about the Twenty-First Century,  I was too busy living the life I had--marriage, baby, work! 
     But now--"Who'd 'a thought it!"  Semi-retired and  living in the Ozarks on top of a mountain!  I could go on and on about the many blessings that the Lord has provided in the last nine years while living on this mountain. 
     However, I think it is past time to slow down (maybe in my mind only) and enjoy what we have been given.  After all, to paraphrase--"today is a gift, that's why they call it the present".

In 2011 I will---



Bluebirds on the porch

BLOG more--I have enough ideas in my head for a blog each week.  And, nine years worth of pictures and the files are growing!







Eagle's Rest porch--great for settling in with a book (if you can keep your eyes on the page instead of the view!)

READ more---is there a "NOOK" in my future?  Maybe later, right now, I have this stack of books in the livingroom to read through.  My first ebook will be  THE CHIMNEY STILL STANDS by Tammy Snyder.  She's a new local author.  The fictionalized story deals with a time that is still painful for many native residents--the take over of land by the government as they established the Buffalo National River and Park. 



                                                                Boxley Baptist Church

    





STUDY--We have a wonderful Women's Bible Study group at Boxley.  I want to not only participate, but to find the quiet time each day do the "homework" as it is supposed to be done.  One of my goals in 2010 was to MEMORIZE Bible verses--not just a verse here and there, but passages.  I now have a number of Bible passages in my head that I can pull up when I need to feel a closeness to God.  I will  continue this into 2011.  The latest passage was easy--Luke 2:8-19!



Hideout Hollow Trail near Mountain Springs

HIKE--Jack and I have been faithfully walking a mile or so (well, winter and holidays have slowed us down) on a mountain road near here, but we need to get back to hiking some of the beautiful trails in the area just for the joy of getting out. 



Daisy and her namesake flower

     GARDEN --Jack thinks I do this almost too well (when it comes to needing help building new beds).  I resolve this year to NOT build more flower beds, but keep up the established ones!  That doesn't mean I will refrain from planting more plants !


A beautiful gift

My resolution list is long, so I'll make it brief--

    Continue to--wake up each morning to coffee in bed (in summer on the porch), enjoy the grandson (not a problem), feed the birds (usually Jack's job), make welcome each cabin guest, enjoy the view from the window, pamper Daisy and Molly, as well as Deedee, Dude, and Chipper (again usually Jack's job is the horses), and remember to 'smell the flowers' each day!

     Work on the following--calling my mother more often ( and making more visits to see her), exercising regularly and eating healthy (hey, I feel good about this!  I dropped one jean size last year and am on track to do the same again in 2011!)  We have a great group of women who have all done well in 2010!  We will do it again! 

     And, think of one new thing I am grateful for each day. 

There are more, but that's enough for now!

'Tis the gift to be simple,

'Tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down

Where we ought to be.

                              Shaker song

There's A Sweet, Sweet, Spirit in This Place

Old Boxley Church/Schoolhouse


     The congregation of Boxley Baptist Church and, for me, the Ladies Bible Study group, have been such a blessing to us ever since we joined them not long after our move to the mountains.  At this time, the old church building, seen here, circa 1900, is undergoing a  major renovation that should help preserve it for another 100 years or so.  The building served as church and schoolhouse through the first half of the 20th century.  Walnut Grove Cemetery is at the right of the old building.



Beechwood Church near Lost Valley Campground



     Just north of Boxley Church is Beechwood Church, circa 1919, where the Methodists in Boxley Valley once worshipped and were served by circuit-riding preachers in the nineteenth century.  The cemetery in the churchyard has graves dating back to the Civil War.  There is a legend surrounding the grave of Thomas Franklin Johnson, d. 1858.  Supposedly, he was killed in a feud fight and the victor did a dance on the stone slab atop the grave.



Elkhorn Church on Fire Tower Road



          At the time this picture was made this little church was not being used.  Recently it came to life, so to speak, when a new group of believers formed a congregation.  There is now a new, larger church beside this original one.



Friendship Church on Highway 103

     The community where this church is located is called "Friend", and is just a few miles down the road from us.  The church building is the only remainder of the old settlement.  Though they don't meet every Sunday, there is a congregation that keeps up the church.  A new sign was erected in front of the church a few years ago.  Occasionally, it announces news of upcoming revival services.


Hopewell Church in Newberry Valley

     Descendants of church members of Hopewell meet the first Sunday in October for homecoming. We can see the church in the distance from the porch of Eagle's Rest Cabin.  Our neighbors, Delano and Marie Newberry live in the house in the background to the left and are unofficial caretakers of the church since it is surrounded by his pastures.  At the back is a very small cemetery.



The present Boxley Baptist Church

     



     Our present building was built in the 50's with the latest addition in the 90's.  This building represents the 'sweet spirit' of the valley.  Often, during Sunday services, I am sure that God looks down on this little church in the valley, and smiles, knowing the worshippers inside love Him completely.  Baptisms are especially sweet since they take place at the Buffalo River nearby. 
       



There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place,

And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord...

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove,

stay right here with us

 filling us with your love...

And for these blessings

We lift our heart in praise:

A Little Birdie Told Me

Mr. Blue

      As I was thinking about a new blog story, I noticed two bluebirds on the roof near my loft window.  (The same window near the computer that is responsible for a lot of 'daydreaming' time.)  It made me think of the bluebird family that made our porch their own for several summers.  And the ones that spent a lot of their time watching the humans through the windows.  She had an uncanny way of appearing at the very window where we were--bedroom, livingroom, kitchen, even bathroom window! (You can read the whole story of Mr. and Mrs. Blue in the archives). 

    

Bluebird House by the bedroom door

  We haven't seen the couple since a morning in late winter of this year.  A beautiful, sunny morning that made one think spring is just "around the corner".  (The weather later turned out to be very deceiving!)  But, that morning as we sat in bed drinking our coffee and looking out the window, a bluebird flew to the window and attached herself to the screen.  It had to be Mrs. Blue dropping in to say "hello, we're back!"

Early morning visitor at the window

     Then, a few days later, the very first day of spring, we were bombarded with 14 inches of snow!  It snowed all day!  Beautiful snow day!  For humans, that is!  We never saw our sweet little bluebird lady again.  We think the bird couple, and probably other birds, weren't quite prepared for a late snowfall, and fell victim to the cold and packed snow that covered the ground and, therefore, any food they would have needed to survive.  Yes, we fed the birds during the snow (and all winter), but bluebirds don't eat seeds, and we have never been able to get them to eat the bugs, suet, and berries that  bluebirds supposedly will eat.

Backyard Baby Bluebird--new generation

     We'll never be sure what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Blue who gave us so much pleasure. Later this spring, another bluebird couple took up residence in the box by the bedroom window. It obviously wasn't her.  We think it was probably one of her grown up babies who remembered the family home and made it home for the next generation.  We watched these babies as they hatched, were fed by frantic parents, and finally flew away.  We still miss Mr. and Mrs. Blue, but we feel blessed to have been the hosts for three summers for a special bird family.  Our porch (and screens :-(  aren't the same without them :-)    

    Be Like the Bird

Be like the bird, who

Halting in his flight

On limb too slight

Feels it give way beneath him,

Yet sings

Knowing he hath wings.

                           Victor Hugo