Christmas Tree at N.C Capitol

I Sure Hope I Don't Have to Rake These Up

The eggs have hatched!

I don't know how there are 5 baby birds from only 4 eggs ... double yolk?

My Hanging Basket Has New Tenants ...

Every time I walk through the kitchen, the hanging basket is swinging back and forth ... suspiciously.

I decide to investigate and here is what I find:

Mama Bird freaks out every time anyone is in the kitchen ,.. I hope this is a short incubation period.

4th of July

Photographed in Boone, NC.

Pack of snake gourd seeds: $1.00

Wire mesh trash can: $1.50 (thank you, Dollar General Store)

Beating the deer at their own game: Priceless

Is it hot enough for you?

The Plane! The Plane!

Remember that scene from North by Northwest, the one where Cary Grant is being chased in a cornfield by a crop duster? Well, I am walking down the beach minding my own business and suddenly hear a noise behind me ... lo and behold ... the plane!

Photographed at Sunset Beach, NC, May 5, 2008.

I don't know how they do it at your polling place, but here in the Old North State, we get an adhesive sticker to prove we've voted! Yes sir, that's how we roll down here.

I always roll my eyes when I see one of the poll workers dutifully handing them out. But you know what, this time I wore mine all day.

Because You Can Never Have Enough Pictures of Spring ...

Photographed in my backyard April 13, 2008.

Find the Deer in this Picture

Can't find the deer? How about now?



Photographed in my backyard on April 2, 2008.

We Hope You Had a Restful Easter

Happy First Day of Spring!

Photographed at Duke Gardens, Durham, NC

A Hint of Spring

A light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here

Emily Dickinson

Picture of the Day

Photographed at the Haw River State Park on March 2, 2008.

Haw River

Yesterday, we drove out to Jordan Lake to investigate a hiking trail recommended by a co-worker. We exited Highway 64 after crossing Jordan Lake at the Haw River exit. Having been warned about a poorly maintained trail and questionable trail blazes, we set out.

Our first challenge was crossing the creek at the foot of the parking lot. Three tries and a dirty pants leg later, we made it over. We followed what we thought was the trail and saw this pretty view:



It was a beautiful day with lots of sun and a great breeze. We ambled down the banks of the Haw River crawling over rocks, stepping over roots, and the occasional fallen tree. We saw lots of evidence of beaver activity ...



... and freshwater clams.



After about 30 minutes of climbing over rocks and wondering if there even was a trail, we met this little guy:



We didn't linger too long at snaketown and continued hiking until the rocks became impassable. We were rewarded with this view:


The entire hike lasted about an hour and we later learned that there is a red blaze trail that was perpendicular to the river up a ridge that we should have followed. A map or better trail blazes would have been helpful. We highly recommend this trail with beautiful vistas and definitely wear hiking boots.

Self Portrait

Photographed at Umstead Park, NC on January 1, 2008.