'LOOKING UP' AND THINKING ABOUT THINGS

A few nights ago looking out our sunroom window I spotted a half Moon through our pine trees.  I realized it had been a while since I had last been outside and seen the starry night sky.  So, without further ado, I donned a jacket and headed for the Subaru.  Pheebs was having a big snooze so I didn't wake her.  With the moonroof open and the dash lights on dim I cruised out into the countryside with moonbeams dancing their way through the open roof all the way.  I pulled over at our usual country road walking spot, shut the car off, and stepped out onto the road into the beautiful shimmering moonlight.  A few clouds scudded across the Moon giving the whole scene an ethereal feeling.  Being out at night under the stars brings my mind a whole welcome set of pleasantly inquisitive thoughts.  If only I could discipline myself to come out more often and spend that special time under the stars just simply 'looking up' and thinking about things:))

It was cool enough for a light jacket this morning and we had the Jeep's heater on for a while until the Sun got up a bit.  With my hip hurting from Sunday's front yard renovation work, Pheebs and didn't do our walk and I think that was quite okay with Pheebs.  I've noticed over the past few months that she actually prefers the shorter Jeep rides now as opposed to the longer ones we used to do.  I guess I kinda do to so it works out best for both us guys.

THE BEANS ON THIS SIDE OF THE ROAD ARE RIPENING

 THE BEANS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD (WITH A FEW LOST CORN STALKS) ARE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BEAN AND HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO SHOW SIGNS OF YELLOW RIPENING

 SPOTTED THIS WILD TURKEY OBVIOUSLY PARTAKING IN IT'S MORNING BEAN SALAD BREAKFAST

Home again I was right away outside on the end of my weed whacker, lawn mower, clippers, saw, and wheelbarrow.  Sawed down a couple Sumac trees and took some branches off a couple others. The idea is to open up our yard a bit to more sunlight and give it a brighter airy look instead of so much cave-like shade.

 THIS IS THE SECTION OF SUMAC TREES I CUT DOWN

 YUP, THAT'S MY TRUSTY DULL AS A BAG OF NAILS SWEDE SAW

 SUMAC BRANCHES ARE COMING DOWN

 I ALSO DEMOLISHED THIS WAY OVERGROWN HYDRANGEA SHRUB AS WELL

Periwinkle/Myrtle has been encroaching on us each year so this morning I decided it was time to fight back.  With that, I tackled a big patch of it with my weedwhacker and then my lawn mower.  Next, I will get into that area with the roto-tiller and see if I can bust up the Periwinkle root system a bit. 

 TEN MINUTES BEFORE TAKING THIS PHOTO THIS AREA WAS TOTALLY OVERGROWN WITH PERIWNKLE.....I WILL BE RELOCATING THOSE HOSTAS SHORTLY

 NICE TO SEE SOME ADDITIONAL SUNSHINE IN OUR YARD

 THE SUMACS I CUT DOWN HAVE MADE WAY FOR ADDED SUNSHINE IN THIS AREA

 THE LADDER IS LEANING AGAINST A SUMAC TREE

I lasted until about 1 o'clock this afternoon when the moderate humidity took its toll on me and I had to quit for the day, retreat into the house, and throw my sorry old sack of aching bones into the shower.  I think just about the next best thing to a cold glass of skim milk is a refreshingly cool shower on a hot and humid summer's day.

 I HAD QUITE AN AUDIENCE OF FROGS KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON MY ACTIVITIES TODAY

 BEFORE CUTTING A PATCH OF GREENERY DOWN HERE THE POND WASN'T VISIBLE FROM THIS POINT

 I THINK OUR FROG PONDS GRAND POO-BAAH IS SMILING APPROVINGLY OF MY EFFORTS

Al's Music Box:)) Diamond Girl by Seals and Crofts from the album, 'Diamond Girl'.  1973

SOME BEAN FIELDS ARE RIPENING FASTER THAN OTHERS

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A spiritualist who'd recently been widowed met a colleague and reported excitedly that she'd just received a message from her dead husband - asking her to send him a pack of cigarettes.  "The only thing is," she mused, "that I don't know where to send them."  "Why not?" asked her friend.  "Well, he didn't actually say that he was in Heaven - but I can't imagine he'd be in Hell."  "Hmmm," responded the friend. "Well, maybe I shouldn't bring this up, but. . . he didn't mention anything about including matches in the package, did he?"

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- The actor who played the lisping stammerer in The King's Speech is my Firth choice for Oscar.

- Why did the little Moron tip-toe past the medicine cabinet.....so he wouldn't wake up the sleeping pills.

- Why are you so happy?" a woman asked the 98-year-old man. "I broke a mirror," he explained. "But that means seven years of bad luck," she told him. "I know," he grinned. "Isn't it wonderful?"

- Vicky was at a business conference. During a break, she decided to call home collect. Her six-year-old son picked up the phone and heard a stranger’s voice say, “We have Vicky on the line. Will you accept the charges?” Frantic, the six-year-old dropped the receiver and came charging outside screaming, “Dad! They have Mom! And they want money!”

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