Let's start with 15. My son is 15! WOW....my son is 15!!!! Where has all the time gone is the first thought in my mind.One day he was a squalling infant, and now a funny young man. Seems like life just goes too fast sometimes.....on the other hand, this son of mine is a blessing. That makes for 15 year worth of blessings, making me pretty darned lucky. This dear blessing is flawed though....he spent his birthday grounded.....I will save him the embarrassment of sharing why. So instead of a party, although we usually keep it low key anyway, we had a family campfire just for us, and grasshopper pie as the "man child" requested. Fifteen....fifteen....wow.....I am truly thankful for each and every moment. It was a good day, and I feel lucky to be his momma....on his birthday and everyday.
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| The 15 year old prisoner!! |
This yearSpring arrived in this part of Pennsylvania early. The weather warmed, the flowers bloomed early, and we began our work in the garden way ahead of schedule. The arrival of spring this year also brought with it, a flurry of news reports about the large hatch of Cicadas the experts were predicting. Our last big hatch was in 2004, and this one was predicted to be just as big. Early in the summer of '04 the air was filled with the distinctive sound of the Cicadas. In fact, the numbers were so great that for those of us lucky enough to have woods around us, it was often difficult to have a conversation outdoors. The sound is unique, some call it a chirping, but it is really more of a chirping with buzzing sort of sound. If you know about the night "peepers," well just multiply that by a few hundred. When millions of them "sing" together I pretend I live in some far away exotic jungle, I can almost see the monkeys leaping from limb to limb:) Following is a good video clip of the sound.
People complain about the Cicadas, I love their music though. Even on the days and nights it is particularly loud, I feel lucky to be here to hear it. It's only temporary anyway, why not enjoy it?!?! Ahhhh, the music of nature beats listening to the neighbors anyday! (Dear neighbors, RELAX--Just a joke!)
So, back to the predicted big hatch...it never happened. At least not in York county where I live. This past week though, we've been noticing more and more of them. We always have a few each year, this year seems no different. Although, maybe the big hatch is just late?
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| Newly hatched |
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| The shell that is left after the hatch |
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| All grown up!!! |
Our sunflowers were planted later than usual this year. No reason really, other than I just did not get around to it until late. Last week some began blooming, others have followed this week. I love Sunflowers, they are just so happy!
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| Just beginning |
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| A little farther.... |
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| Almost there..... |
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| Stunning!!! |
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| Mexican Sunflower |
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| Smaller than traditional Sunflowers, but no less beautiful....I think this butterfly agrees! |
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| Evening Sun |
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| Our happy little Sunflower Patch!! |
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| Teddy Bear |
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| Lemon Ice |
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| Autumn Beauty and Vanilla Ice (ice, ice baby!)ha! |
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| Austin standing at the base, to give you an idea on height. |
We are off in a few days for the family cabin in the mountains until the 24th...expect tons of pics from there...it is our favorite spot in all of PA!
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