Boardwalk at Indian Spring

Thunderstorms arrived this afternoon ahead of the predicted time. I had recycling to take to the containers near the landfill. Much of it was cardboard from large cartons, and it was getting in my way. I checked the forecast and loaded the recycling in the car. There was a time when the rain let up so I put Charlie in the car and we headed for the landfill.

It was barely sprinkling when we got there so I quickly did the recycling. Charlie, of course, was hoping for a walk in the park. I took him to Indian Springs Wetland for a short walk. The boardwalk leads out to a viewing area.

The little creek was full of water. I could hear birds singing, but they were hidden from view. I took pictures of the interpretive signs.

I would have liked to photograph a great blue heron such as the one on the sign, but I didn’t even see a duck. To make up for it, I'll show you a pretty painting of a heron that I saw recently. It is the work of Loudoun County artist, Anne Marshall Block. 

A Short Drive on Skyline

Yesterday, Shenandoah National Park

Sharing with: Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday / Mosaics

New Mural on South Street

Woodstock, VA

Just when I thought I wasn’t going to have a mural picture for this week, I read in the Mountain Courier that there’s a new one near the American Legion building. I drove by and saw that it has chickadees and a cardinal. Very nice!

Monday Murals

Coneflowers and More

I snapped a few pictures in my garden this morning

I’m afraid I don’t often follow the proper instructions for growing flowers. I tend to just throw down plenty of seeds and see what comes up. I did buy some bedding plants, but I put those in large pots.

Lynn came by today to help me with some repairs at the condo. It is vacant and I would like to be able to sell it. She tried to put up new mini blinds, but gave up in frustration. We’ll try again later this week. We did get some small things completed, such as changing lightbulbs. Why is it that tenants don’t replace burned out lightbulbs? Perhaps they don’t have a step ladder.

Charlie in Early July

Hi! I'm Charlie the beagle. My mom hasn’t been taking me for long walks lately. We did go to a park yesterday and walked a short distance to the gazebo. We sat there in the shade for a while.

Fortunately, my friend Miss Deborah has taken me for some long walks. Once in a while, Mom takes me to her house so I can play with Sadie. Sadie is smaller than I am, but she has a lot of energy.

We went there the other day and then some people came. I have met Allison before, but I did not know her sister Susan. They are Mr. Frank’s daughters.

We did not get many animal photos this week. Here is a cute cat that Mom made with StarryAI.

I went to day boarding one time this week, and while I was there, they gave me  a pedicure. I didn’t like it much because there was a thing that buzzed. 

Here’s a picture that Mom took another time when I left the boarding place. I’m always excited to see my mom.

Last night, I heard some loud boom-boom noises, but they were not really close and Mom said, “Don’t worry,” so I was mostly brave.

Cords and Shadows

Sometimes it seems like I’m spending way too much time in medical offices. A lot of that time is spent waiting.

I took this picture while I was waiting at Urgent Care in Mount Johnson. I had a cut on my arm that was too jagged to just bandage up. My dog had scraped back a flap of skin with his sharp nails when he leaped on me in excitement. Since then, I had his nails filed instead of just clipped like before. My skin has gotten thinner as I’ve gotten older.

The urgent care center there was very efficient and the people were pleasant. 

Reflection and Symbols

It's not proper flag etiquette to use a flag as a dress or other garment, but I don't think they teach that in school anymore.

Value Freedom

Tomorrow is Independence Day so I thought I’d show an image with a flag in it.

These are activists on a bridge that goes over the interstate. Someone is holding a sign that says “Cruelty is Wrong.” 

Protesting is a protected right under our constitution. So far.

Little Red Bird

The first photo is a cell phone shot that I took in a hurry. Other birds had flown away as I approached, so I feared that this one was about to take off too. 

It was perched on Deborah‘s bird feeder, and I think it’s a male house finch. For comparison, here is an older shot of a house finch on my deck. He appeared to have an attitude. He probably saw me; I was indoors looking out.

Bubbles in a Pan

City Daily Photo Theme: Bubbles / Wordless 

Greetings from Winchester

...and Patsy!

When I read that artist Sarah Gallahan had painted a new mural in Winchester, I made a mental note to see it. Last week I had a medical appointment there, so I went to find the mural. Unfortunately, a car was blocking part of it so I can’t show the entire painting at once. 

On the left is a postcard view with the word “Greetings from Winchester.” On the right is a painting of music legend, Patsy Cline.

Patsy Cline, who died in a plane crash in 1963, was from Winchester and became a recording star in both country music and pop music. Her biggest hit was the song "Crazy," written by Willie Nelson.

I think it’s appropriate that the painting is on a wall of the Workingman’s Store / Blue Collar Mercantile. Patsy was from a working class family, and was initially looked down on by Winchester society. Her parents were divorced, and Patsy left high school in order to go to work and help support her mother and siblings. Her mother was a talented seamstress, and made many of Patsy’s stage costumes. 

The apple blossoms that you see in the paintings are references to local apple otchards and the annual Apple Blossom Parade. Blossoms are painted on the pavement here and through the town to direct visitors to the parade route

Mosaic Monday / Murals