Country Chatter

What a delightful month! When have we ever had green grass to mow in July and August? When has there been plentiful grazing for the cattle all summer? When have we had so many rainy days in the middle of the summer that we almost dare to complain? When would a farmer fret at the end of August because he is still working on the first cutting of hay?

You are right…in the year of our Lord, 2013!

The month in pictures.

Working and selling some cattle.

Dozens of Tiger Swallowtail butterflies on the thistle.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Zinnias blooming their hearts out!

Enjoying the grandkids and golf cart rides.

Okra, a beautiful flowering plant, producing in abundance.

What vegetable can top fried okra and onions with fresh tomatoes?

Rose of Sharon bush in full bloom.

Cattle grazing in the fields.  They seek refuge from the heat in the woods during the day and come out to graze in the late afternoon and evening.

The flies were really bothering the bull -not like that on the other cows.

Gene checking on his cattle.

We have a donkey boarding at the stable. I have been trying to record his braying!

So far no luck but it is a sound like no other!!!  The first time I heard it I wondered, what in the world was that!

Mushrooms growing in the field.

Killdeer

Buckwheat planted in the garden for a cover crop and also for the bees this fall.

Fall crop of Blue Lake Snaps.

Looks like we have septic problems!

Contented, happy bees hard at work!

A few pretty spots left in my garden!

Walking in the rain…..this way….

or this way

There are lots of geese this year grazing in the pastures.

Up and away…there they go….honking as they go….too many to count and that is only a portion of them. The next group took flight a few seconds later!

Putting air in the tire on the car.

Noah measuring his foot against grandpa!

The dogwood tree in the fall.

Beautiful skies during the day and also at night….

They called it “Blue Moon”.

Fried onions and peppers for brisket sandwiches at the Farmers Market.

Added funnel cakes to the items we sell.

Dad Hertzler’s hands…at 95 they are worn and tired….

but his spirit is still strong!

And my favorite photo for the month…..

This photo is not altered or trimmed. It is just as I took it and I had no idea I had this keeper!

August has been a good and full month. It has been a delight and now the temperatures are getting cooler and the days shorter.  Fall is coming fast.