Archive for September, 2009

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Our Lilies (3)

September 10, 2009

LiliesCollage0903

(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.)

I don’t know what happened to Wednesday.  I know the days are getting shorter, but yesterday was ridiculous.  We did our weekly grocery shopping and I planted some spring bulbs that came by UPS the other day, but that was about it.  Before I knew it, it was getting dark.

Since I didn’t have a chance to get out and take new pictures, I’m giving you another collage of the lilies we had in our garden this year.  Our lilies did very well this year and we thoroughly enjoyed each and every blossom.

Today (Thursday) we’re going to Hendersonville to check on my parents.  When I talked to them last night they were both in good spirits, but we will help them with some of the things they can’t do themselves anymore.  We’ll also run some errands for them and take them out for lunch.

I’ll be away from my computer most of the day today, but I’ll get around to visiting you as quickly as I can.

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Posted in Garden | 17 Comments »

Watery Wednesday # 52: White Water

September 9, 2009
White Water Walk, Niagara Falls, Ontario. August 29, 2009.

White Water Walk, Niagara Falls, Ontario. August 29, 2002.

This is my post for Watery Wednesday.  To see more of our beautiful watery world, or to join and post your own pictures to share, click HERE.

While we were in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Betsy and I were fascinated by both the American and Canadian Falls.  But there are many more watery scenes to enjoy.  The picture above was taken at White Water Walk, an observation deck 230 feet down in the gorge below the falls.  The stretch of the Niagara River here is known as Whirlpool Rapids.  It is a Class 6 white water rapid with water moving at about 30 mph.

Needless to say, I was delighted to be on firm ground when I took this picture.

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Posted in Watery Wednesday | 18 Comments »

My World # 48: No Need to Mow Here

September 8, 2009
The new retaining wall in our yard. September 7, 2009.

The new retaining wall in our yard. September 7, 2009.

This is my post for the My World meme.  It is hosted by Klaus, Ivar, Sandy, Wren, Louise and Fishing Guy.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

My world this week contains one less problem area to mow.  As I’ve mentioned before, the front of our yard had a very steep drop-off from the road.  We talked about several ways to avoid mowing that area, none of which seemed very practical.  Finally my bride suggested building a retaining wall and leveling the area.  You can see the result of her suggestion in the picture above.

I’m not sure when we started this project — it seems like we’ve been working on it forever.  The cashiers at Lowe’a got to know us very well.  I should have kept track of how many blocks and how many bags of dirt we brought home, but our hard-working Prius carried them all without any problems.

A new flower bed. September 7, 2009.

A new flower bed. September 7, 2009.

Finishing this wall and bed was our big Labor Day project and I’m happy to say that we got it finished.  Now I don’t have to worry about mowing that steep bank and we have room to plant some more sun-loving plants.  They’re already on order.

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Posted in My World | 14 Comments »

Skywatch Friday: Sailor’s Delight

September 4, 2009
A Fairfield Glade evening sky. August 30, 2009.

A Fairfield Glade evening sky. August 30, 2009.

This is my post for Skywatch Friday, a meme for sharing views of the sky from all over the world.  To see more, or to join and share your own photos of the sky, click HERE.

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight”

We may not have many sailors here on the Plateau of Tennessee, but we have many people who can appreciate a beautiful sunset.  I snapped this red sky from the golf course behind our house on this past Sunday evening.

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This is just a short note to let you know that I’m taking a break over Labor Day weekend.  I need to labor in the yard and get some other projects done.  Have a great weekend and I’ll see you Tuesday morning.

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Posted in SkyWatch Friday | 22 Comments »

Lynn Camp Prong

September 3, 2009
Middle Lynn Camp Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. June, 2007.

Middle Lynn Camp Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. June, 2007.

There are many popular areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that almost everyone who visits the park have seen or at least heard about — Cades Cove, Laurel Falls, and Clingman’s Dome to name just a few.

Betsy and I have been to all of those places, but some of our favorite times in the Smokies have been when we visited lesser-known areas of the park.  One such area is along Lynn Camp Prong.

In southern parlance, a prong is a branch of a river.  Lynn Camp was a lumber camp before the park was formed.  Lynn Camp Prong is a small stream that runs through the location of that old lumber camp.

To reach Lynn Camp and the hiking trail you have to go past Tremont Institure (off the road to Cade’s Cove) to the very end of the road.  The trail heads up along Lynn Camp Prong as it tumbles over several cascades and small falls.  Although they are not very big, the falls are pretty.  The hike is not difficult, and the chances are that you will have the trail and the cascades all to yourself.  There are even a couple of benches along the trail at which you can enjoy the views.

If you would like to see more of our hike along Lynn Camp Prong click HERE.

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Posted in Hiking | 9 Comments »

Watery Wednesday # 51: Ocean Isle Beach

September 2, 2009
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. May 6, 2009.

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. May 6, 2009.

This is my post for Watery Wednesday.  To see more of our beautiful watery world, or to join and post your own pictures to share, click HERE.

I’ve been working on pictures taken when we were at Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina this past May.  We’d been to Ocean Isle Beach before, but the weather this time was absolutely gorgeous.  The sky and ocean were both a brilliant blue.  It was a perfect spot from which to contemplate our beautiful, watery world.

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Posted in Watery Wednesday | 12 Comments »

My World # 47: Autumn is Approaching

September 1, 2009
Berries on our dogwood tree, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. August 30, 2009.

Berries on our dogwood tree, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. August 30, 2009.

This is my post for the My World meme.  It is hosted by Klaus, Ivar, Sandy, Wren, Louise and Fishing Guy.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

My world is getting prepared for autumn — at least the trees in the yard are.  I’m not sure I’m ready for autumn to come.  I have too many things on my summer to-do list that still haven’t gotten done!

The dogwood tree in the front yard is now sporting bunches of red berries.  While most of the leaves still have quite a bit of green in them, the picture below shows that some, at least, have become quite red.

Dogwood leaf, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. August 30, 2009.

Dogwood leaf, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. August 30, 2009.

But there is a good aspect of autumn getting closer.  Our reblooming iris have started to bloom again.  The picture below is of Autumn Bugler, which so far is the only one to bloom a second time this year.

Autumn Bugler Iris, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. August 31, 2009.

Autumn Bugler Iris, Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. August 31, 2009.

I think it may have jumped the gun a bit, but it is still nice to see.

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Posted in My World | 15 Comments »

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