Safe

Our family and friends are all safe after the devastating tornadoes that swept through our area last week. We'd just returned from a vacation (....we did NOT have Internet, BTW...) and came home to tornadoes. Sometimes it doesn't pay to leave town!

After checking on family in town we left for the lake to stay with my mom and step father, who had recently had surgery. There was power there ... but no cable or Internet. A charged phone is a GOOD THING, even though service was spotty at best. Power was only recently restored to our area. We are finally home as of an hour or so ago.

Of course, we did not get out into the damaged areas - that only hampers emergency workers - but know that utility companies, cable companies, phone companies, doctors and nurses, emergency workers, law enforcement, National Guard, churches, companies and non-profits, elected officials - so many volunteers and companies came from all over the country to help get North Alabama up and running as quickly as possible. Such blessings, such blessings. Some areas are still without power but most should be restored by week's end.

I thank each and every worker and volunteer. My prayers to the hundreds who lost their lives, and to their loved ones who are mourning today. Prayers as well for those still missing and their families who continue their search.

Life is short. Forgive. Tell people every day that you love them. Hug your children. Be safe.

Debi

Skywatch Friday

Sunset
North Alabama
Wheeler Lake

Scenic Sunday

The Hidden Green - 2009

"I still find each day too short

for all the thoughts I want to think,

all the walks I want to take,

all the books I want to read

and all the friends I want to see."

John Burroughs

Somewhere in the deepest wood of North Alabama a clear stream flows surrounded by luscious shades of green. On this day it was mesmerizing on both sides of the bridge from where I was standing capturing image after image. I've since been back and I've never seen it as beautiful as on that day. You can read my original post about this discovery with more images here and be sure to visit Scenic Sunday for more amazing scenes from around the world.

Scenic Sunday

This week's Scenic Sunday - Sunrise over Wheeler Lake in luscious North Alabama.

Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary nestled among my heavily fruited possumhaw holly, a deciduous holly native to our area. An early, crisp autumn morning this fritillary and others were dangling from the plants along our walkway, hanging for all the world like holiday ornaments. Such a sight, such a sight.

Since I'm home bound for a spell while taking care of the Hubs that means I'll be sharing some of my favorite photos with everyone. While doing so I think perhaps participating in some of these popular memes might be sorta fun for a change. This is my first Camera Critters entry.

Wheeler Lake Sunrise

The beach was, for me, a wonderful bonding and resting opportunity. However, we've been back a couple of weeks and I finally had the opportunity to visit my mom again at Wheeler Lake. We shared many a Sunny Beach Porch conversation in her white rocking chairs, sometimes with coffee and sometimes with wine.

From her porch we watched fat, bumbling June Bugs buzz from flower to flower, bumping and bonking into railings or siding. The Japanese Beetles have arrived. Smaller versions of June Bugs they are voracious and will denude crepe myrtles and roses and other plants. Her hummingbird feeders have been filled and we were delighted and amused by all manner of hummer activity. Butterflies aren't yet abundant. This weekend was stiflingly hot. Most times we were indoors. However, the morning of my departure I crept out while mom was still sleeping and watched the sun rise over the neighborhood before it got too hot. Just me and this mockingbird, my cup of coffee and the Canon.

There's not much to chat about this morning with you all but did want to share the little mockingbird photo. Today promises to be busy with lots of projects in the works. Hopefully, I'll have some news to share later and can post something of interest! In the meantime, please enjoy the little mockingbird sunrise!