Yesterday we took a short excursion into the neighbor's woods. I meant to see how far the loggers had gotten around this section of the forest.
We got part way into the new forest trails and we heard the skidder start up as well as the chain saws. That surprised us as it was Memorial Day.
Maybe not surprising as they'd lost 3 days time last week to heavy rains and rains were now predicted from Tuesday through Thursday.
Charlie and I chose a deer trail to get back to the ridge top. We passed this tree and I had to stop and look it over. I believe from the shape of the tree that it is what we call Musclewood or American Hornbeam.
I've never seen any of these trees this large before as they are very slow growing trees. It made me wonder how old it was.
The trunk was fascinating with ripples and twists in it. Charlie was in no mood with trees falling in the distance to hang around while I took photos. I'll have to go back and find it on my own so I can look up into the canopy and see what kind of leaves this tree has.
I love the shape of it, very unique.
Just before we left the forest, I couldn't resist a bit of fun from my bag of goodies.
"Wow Hank! Look at those big tracks! Whaddya suppose they're from?"
"Hmmm, dunno. Yah think there might be some really big deer out here?"
As promised to Hubby, I decided to take the day off. I hadn't even put the mower away from the day before. I'd mowed with the zero turn and the little mower ...then spent a while weed whacking some places.
Since we had no company planned, no visit, no ... nothing. I moved my camper cot outside on the porch and grabbed a book to read.
Charlie and I read, watched birds, watched the clouds float by, and fell asleep.
Tuesday was going to be busy enough. I'd spent Saturday re-arranging and deep cleaning the living room so we could move hubby's current bed into the living room and the hospital bed can be placed in the downstairs bedroom.
Cool wildflower of the day:
Virginia Waterleaf:
Shot with the Lensbaby SOL 22.
That front porch cot looks like a great place to read a book and nap! RHill, TX
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry the loggers disturbed your plans for a hike. But your cot on the porch looks so cozy and comfy. What a gorgeous spot to read!
ReplyDeleteCharlie looks happy to be cuddled up with you and your book!
ReplyDeleteAny time he can cuddle, it is a good time.
DeleteIn praise of Charlie, who was happy to read with you.
ReplyDeleteCharlie loves comfort and a good place to watch the yard!
DeleteYou have a beautiful sanctuary 💜 to read, relax and enjoy life and nature.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Without it, I'd probably go a little more than half-crazy.
DeleteIn some olden days, before common air conditioning, people used to sleep on their porch in the summer. In one K.C. old ritzy neighborhood with mansions, they used to sleep on the road divider median that is a wide grass strip. Your special forest is serene when the loggers aren't working. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI do recall that! I've often slept out in my younger days with just a ground blanket and a raincoat on top of me to keep out the dew while sleeping under the skies.
DeleteYou and Charlie had the right idea when you brought the cot onto the porch!
ReplyDeleteWe did. And we will do it again on a clear summer night so we can watch the stars.
DeleteDurn loggers!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely nap you must have had.
I absolutely did! The Orioles sang to me from nearby and a Catbird sang songs from the Hickory tree. All the bird sounds were calming and beautiful.
DeleteNow here is one of my pet peeves! The word “unique.” The very definition of “unique” is “one and only, one of a kind, unlike all others.”
ReplyDeleteSo how can something be “very unique” or “quite unique” or modified in any other way? It is either unique or it is not!
'Very' being used as an adjective by the author expressing the strangeness of something in nature that has not been seen in this forest.
DeleteI recognize the definition and redundancy of the phrase, but my choice of language is simply that.
What a great place to read and relax! Not many bugs to bug you yet! I don't blame Charlie trees falling is not a good sound:)
ReplyDeleteLucky for us we have no ponds in our forests. We do get gnats and flies here but rarely near the house.
DeleteWe are pretty lucky!