Friday In My Backyard

If you look closely through the willow tree branches, you can see a Robin sitting on her nest. This is the first time we've had a bird nesting there. She is very protective and if you get within a few feet she will let you know that she isn't happy.

Daddy Tree Swallow keeps watch from his perch near our back porch. I moved our shepherd's hook closer to their bird house so they can better protect them selves from predators. We had a female Tree Swallow killed on her nest by a House Sparrow a few weeks back.

Mama Tree Swallow peeking out from her nest. She is incubating eggs right now and is spending more and more time inside the bird house. I peeked inside earlier today and there were 3 very small, white eggs. Tree Swallows are known to lay 4 to 7 eggs. They lay an egg a day. Hopefully we will have some babies here in the next week or two.

Our Tulip Poplar tree is in bloom. It bloomed a bit late this spring. I guess because of the unseasonably cool temps we had early on. They are so beautiful! It's the Tennessee state tree as well.

Our hedge row is teaming with honeysuckle. They smell so good! Brings back great childhood memories. I love this time of year and hope your Friday has been awesome! Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Cat Nap

Our sweet Jessie cat snoozing in her favorite spot on the back porch. Now that's one comfy kitty!

Tree and barn in Gordonsville, TN.

Land adjacent to the barn covered in yellow flowers.

"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~ Robin Williams

I took a picture of this barn last year around this time. A few days ago I went back and used my wide angle lens. This is one of my favorite barns in Gordonsville! Me and T want to wish our brother-in-law, Don Foy, a Very happy 52nd birthday today! Love ya', dude!

The fields in Smith County have been filled with these beautiful yellow flowers. I love the green and yellow colors together! Also want to say congratulations to my niece, Sarah, who graduated from high school yesterday with honors. We're so proud of you Sarah poo! Happy Anniversary to my sister, Kay and her hubby Neil. They are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today. Love you guys!

Rob!

It was 5 years ago today that I lost my youngest brother, Robert. I miss hearing him play drums, his sense of humor, his big bear hugs that would literally take your breath away, his laugh, his funny stories and everything else about him. He touched the lives of everyone he met during his short life. Anyone who ever met him will never forget him. I miss him each and every day and was truly blessed to have him as a brother. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him or laugh to myself about something funny he said or did. Thank goodness for all the great memories that have helped me get through. Love and miss you each and every day brother! Until we meet again.

"Some people leave our lives unexpectedly, we hold on to the memories, and spend the rest of our lives searching for little reminders of them."

"Everyone copes differently, some cry for the loss of a loved one others smile because they know they'll see them again."

Bye Bye Bluebird!

I took this picture of daddy bluebird three days ago. Yesterday, I decided to take a look at the babies. I got a ladder out of the garage, carefully climbed up to the birdhouse and opened the door. The nest was empty. The babies must have fledged sometime in the last couple of days. I've read that bluebirds can lay more than one clutch of eggs in a season. I'm hoping our bluebird couple will do just that.

Five years ago today, my niece Kelly was married on the beach in Destin, Florida. Happy Anniversary Kelly and Kerry! Love you both!