Friday, September 25, 2009

Wanderlust

One thing I really enjoy about being off work is that I have time to take a walk in the morning and just enjoy the coolness of the air and see what's new. After all that rain and flooding we are now having some beautiful weather! The Maximilian sunflower is really going nuts in this sunshine. The photo just doesn't capture it well though, or rather, my ineptness with digital images. The early morning sunlight is SO brilliant it kinda obscures everything.
This is a native species that grows abundantly around here. It is commonly referred to as 'Wahoo' but other names include Hearts a Burstin' With Love. I like that one! It is a medicinal herb and was once used as a substitute for digitalis, as it helps regulate the heart. However!, it can be dangerous so should be used with caution and only by those with much experience in herbal medicine. I just think it is pretty and unusual.
I thought the structure of this ant hill was interesting also. I had just mowed the little bastards down last night so they are in the process of rebuilding. We'll see about that. I have to grudgingly admire their construction skills though. I only saw a few workers milling around, not seeming to be actually doing anything and yet somehow, their structure will suddenly be standing tall one day. Not completely unlike our job sites! I wonder do they have a fat superintendent riding around the site, drinking coffee constantly and cussing at everyone?
The view as the sun peaks over the hill. I am finished with one section of the north side of house and ready to move the scaffolding down to the other end! Yea!! Well, just as soon as I right those window screens that I installed upside down yesterday. As my eyes gradually forced their way open this morning, my focus was drawn to the north side windows and the emerging sunlight. The realization of what I had done with the screens was my first welcoming thought of the day. *sigh* Won't take but a minute to remedy though.

The bizarreness that is my life continues. Some of it I will write of later. I really thought the 'Man had gone but once again he emerges when I least expect it, along with others. Life is such fun.
Hope ya'll have a good day! Oh, and I have a new follower! Welcome! This is an event for me, unlike some of you fellow bloggers that have like, 60 million readers! lol!

*Paul McCartney

11 comments:

R.Powers said...

Nice shots. I love these walkabout posts that bloggers do to show us their surroundings.

mountainmelody said...

so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous view ER...and whats with the "man" appearing again? More on the goss woman LOL

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

These are really good shots - good subjects and great lighting!! Thanks for sharing.

MamaHen said...

Hey FC! yeah, i like the walkabouts too!

Hey Melody! thanks! we missed you at the dinner.

Hey Molly! thanks! lol! well, just running into him in town when I really didn't think he would be anywhere around! not talked anymore though. just doesn't ever seem to go away!!

Hey Bonnie! thanks for your compliments!

Beau said...

Nice photos- that Wahoo plant is cool. I wonder if it would be hardy further north? I haven't seen that sunflower variety- may try one next year! The sunlight coming through all is so beautiful

Ed said...

Beau - My parents have some wahoo in their backyard here in southern Iowa. It has made it through four or five winters now but hasn't really grown a whole lot. I think they call it Eastern Wahoo so I don't know if it is the same as what is growing in Annie's yard.

MamaHen said...

Hey Beau! thanks!! I have no idea about the wahoo. none of my sources mentioned it's range. I haven't seen the sunflower in many places but I did see seeds for it at Seeds of Change. A gardening club here just happened to have these.

Hey Ed! I have no idea of range but if yours has the little seeds pods that are so distinctive, it must be the same, reckon?

HermitJim said...

I'm really liking your place, ER...looks nicer every time I see it!

The pics are GREAT! I'm always glad to see different types of flowers and find out about them!

MamaHen said...

Thanks Jim!! i appreciate that!

countrypeapie said...

Love the idea of the ant super. Amazing the way your place has changed so much in the short time since I first saw it.