She shows up all the time.  

She's a Golden-fronted Woodpecker.

This one is the female.  The male has a little red cap on his head.

The whole family shows up.  Momma, Daddy, and Baby.  They all have a sweet tooth.

They're big, and they're noisy.  And, a bit clumsy.  You don't want to have a feeder close to a window....

They come to all the feeders.

And, the hummers don't like it.

The hummers dive bomb the woodpeckers.  But, it doesn't faze them.

They just keep on sippin'.

We seldom see any other types of Woodpeckers.  Occasionally, we see a Hairy Woodpecker.

But, they're fast, and I'm not.  So, no pictures of those.

The heat goes on here.  Keeping water and food out for the 'livestock' is just one of the daily chores.

Fall will come, right?  Let's hope soon.

Pray for rain...

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~

Where Were You?...

September 11, 2001

That's the question we ask each other.  Mostly, we ask that when some tragic event happens.

Pearl Harbor

The assassination of President Kennedy

The start of any war

I wasn't watching the news that morning.  Mr. P had gone to work.  I was getting the day started, and had a quilting program on the television.

Our daughter called.  She was watching Good Morning America.  "Are you watching tv?", she asked.

Well, yes....what's going on?

I switched channels.....in time for us to chatter on about what that first plane hitting the 

World Trade Center in New York City was all about.

Then, shock.....another airliner hit the second tower.

Oh my God!  What is going on?

Then, the scenes on the television switch to the Pentagon.  Smoke rising, people running.

Another plane had flown into the nation's military headquarters.

Oh my God!  What is going on?

Then later, we learn of the crash of Flight 93.  

We wouldn't know until much later that the brave passengers had manage to bring it down, 

saving many more lives.

By then, we knew what was going on.

The day unfolded with more and more horrific scenes.  

In today's world, we can watch horrible things happening....live, in real time.  

People trapped in burning buildings.  

Firefighters and police running TO those buildings.  

People running away in terror.

Then, the buildings fell.....

It seemed that all of America gasped.....and then, fell silent.

That was ten years ago, today.

For the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives that day, their lives were changed forever.

For the rest of us, our lives changed, too....though in different ways.

Two wars

New security rules...everywhere.

The wonder if evil people in this world could ever do this again.

We all go on with our lives.  That's what people do...adjust or die.

There's always that hope for the most precious of dreams...

Peace on Earth

So, today we'll stop and think about that day....about all those people who lost their lives.

About the brave people helping one another to survive.

About the men and women who have lost their lives, or been injured, in the wars to avenge this.

And, we'll remember when someone asks...

Where were you?

May God bless each of us.

And, may God Bless America.

~~Linda~~

Scorched Earth.....

dry wild grasses from 2010

By now, you've probably heard that Texas is burning.

We knew it was a probability.  Here in Central Texas, the woodlands and pastures have been without significant rainfall for almost a year.  Combine that with record high temperatures, for records days, and you have a tinderbox, ready to go up in flames.  Then, bring in a cold front, with 35 mph winds... it's a set up for a 'perfect storm'.

Over the weekend, that's exactly what happened.  These weren't the first fires in Texas this year.  They've been in all four corners and areas in between.  It's just that so many blew up all at once, right here in Central Texas.

The worse is in Bastrop county.  In just this fire, almost 38,000 acres are burned, almost 800 homes destroyed, and at least two people killed.  The beautiful stands of pines make fast burning fuel.

And, it's still burning.

Several other fires surrounded the Austin area.  People evacuated their homes and neighborhoods, not knowing when they'd go back, or what they'd find.  Many lost all they had but what they could gather and escape with.  Some were away at holiday events, not getting a chance to save even that much.

Our son and his family live close to one of the large fires in far west Travis county.  They got word to evacuate Monday.  We helped them gather up photos and mementos, clothes and computers, and carry them away.  They later got word they could return.  

They lost a home to fire a few years ago.  We know how painful that is.

The firefighters have bravely fought these fires for days.  The winds have settled down, and the temperatures are lower.  That helps some.  But, these brave firefighters have to be stretched to their limits.  Many of them are volunteer firefighters.  

A pall of smoke hangs over the area.  Winds would blow it away, but winds that spread the fires even faster, are not what the firefighters need.  

Another cold front is forecast for the week's end.  That will mean more heavy winds.  Winds that could push away any chance of rain from storms forming in the Gulf.  Rain we desperately need....and, 

winds we desperately don't.

Keep a thought for the people who have lost their homes, and some, even their loved ones. 

Be thoughtful of any flame or spark in this tinder dry region.

Please be careful.....stay safe.

~~Linda~~

What's That, You Say?...

There's a cold front coming?

When?

Are you sure about that?

Ah....no more triple digit degrees......

Some nice cool nights....

Will it be a good thing, Mommy?

Woo Hoo!!!  You bet it'll be a good thing, Kid.

This is gonna be NICE!

Now, if we can just get some rain.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day.

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~