Bees and Blooms

Remember the pregnant girl who picked stole flowers from our local arboretum? To answer those that asked, yes there was a sign. More than one.

Anywho...enough of the flower thief. Onto prettier things.

Out of focus, but I love the way he pulled the petals around his head.

Enjoy the weekend, y'all! See you on Monday. I'll leave you with this:

"If you love a flower, don't pick it up.

Because if you pick it up it dies and it ceases to be what you love.

So if you love a flower, let it be.

Love is not about possession.

Love is about appreciation."

Osho

Weekend Update

Howdy folks! The arts and crafts fair put on by St. Luke's Episcopal Church was a great experience. I loved spending the day with Sweet B and her equally sweet son. We met a lot of people, even making some contacts for future work. A lady from St. Amant purchased cards from both of us and asked us to photograph her horses and stables. There were three ladies who wanted photography lessons, and the guy in the booth next to us was interested in buying art for three locations of a business he was expanding. So even though sales were a little lackluster, we made some great contacts! Our minds were swirling with ideas like getting a web site, etc. Not sure where all this will lead, but I feel hopeful.

Some of you asked which notecards sold at the arts and crafts fair. Below are the ones that sold. You've seen them all before here at some point.

I have been a little worn out from the experience, so I promise to catch up with everyone during the week. Oh, and since I have so much extra card stock I am going to host a couple of give-aways in the near future. Y'all be good and have a great week!

Linking with

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Fishing

Last week, my dad and I made spur-of-the-moment plans to fish at a private pond near his house. I drove up the day before and spent the night. We arose early the next morning and headed out. The day was PERFECT! Low humidity, mild temps (for the end of July), and a gorgeous setting. We were blessed. The sunburn I got wasn't a blessing, but a lesson learned for next time.

My dad setting up shop.

An Eastern Kingbird.

Daddy's first catch: a pretty bream (or perch...same thing).

Finally I caught one, too!

Side view of my prize. I was able to reuse the worm for another fish!

An Eastern Amberwing kept trying to perch on my line. I'm probably the only fisherwoman with
a huge camera and lens on her lap. The owner drove by in his four-wheeler and admired my gear.
He was so nice and I thanked him repeatedly for letting us come onto his property and fish.

My first bass!! Daddy said I was lucky to get it because the hook was meant for the smaller bream.
I told him I had just been standing there thanking God for the beautiful day when this fish tugged on my line.
He doesn't believe such things, but I felt compelled to share it with him anyway.

A pair of Eastern Amberwings hovering.

All totaled we caught twelve bream and one bass. Daddy caught most of the bream, but I had the grand prize and bragging rights of the bass. Next time we're going to fish with artificial lures. Worms and crickets are too messy and make me queasy. Daddy didn't seem to mind hooking them for me, but I felt bad that he did all the dirty work.

Before leaving we stopped at the pottery shop that the couple owns. We wanted to buy something to show our appreciation. I chose a beautiful round plate in green with a leaf embossed in the center. Daddy bought it for me which was very nice. He made me feel very loved on this visit, telling me how proud he was of my catches and my photography and how much he loves me. I'm very grateful to have these nice new memories to replace some of the old, unpleasant ones. My younger years were wrought with pain after my sister's death at age 3, and my dad didn't really enter my life until I was in my late teens. He paid child support, but I guess because he worked odd hours as a policeman, I didn't see him much. Anyway, it's never too late. One just needs an open mind and forgiving heart. God has graciously given me that.

Thanks, Anni!

Thanks Tex!

Drive-bys

For a few weeks I've noticed a different variety of wild sunflowers growing alongside the roads around town. I don't remember these last year, but then again, 2012 was a blur. Gathering my gear, I hopped in the car, opened the sun roof, and turned on the music. All the while my ugly hair blew in the humid breeze. (Okay, two posts about my hair, so I think I'm going hat shopping soon.) The plants and flowers seem to thrive in the humidity, so maybe my hair is not so important in the big scheme of things. But it sure feels like it!

I think these are pale-leaved sunflowers, but they are not pale, so I don't know...
Update: Perhaps a narrow-leaved sunflower, aka, swamp sunflower (seen at Our Florida Journal's blog). Thanks, Wally!

No idea if this is some type of wild grass or wild flowers.

This morning glory was growing next to a light post with a large cement base.
Contorting my body to get this shot in order to take advantage of the light was well worth a few moments of discomfort.

I have never seen daisy fleabane asters growing so profusely.
Thanks for the correct ID, TexWisGirl!

Spent sunflower.

This common buckeye (Junonia coenia) posed patiently. Thank you, God.

Linking to Our World Tuesday. Thank you to all the wonderful hosts!

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.