Treasures at Bill's Garage

(Taken in Strasburg in August)

Sharing with Tuesday Treasures

and Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday

and Our World Tuesday

Randoms as the Shortest Month Ends

I'm using the Random-osity format today and linking to some favorite Monday memes. None of these pictures has a "February" look because this has been the warmest February ever.

The Good: A visit to Luray a week ago provided me with plenty of photo opportunities including several murals. This one is at Ruffner Plaza near Hawksbill Greenway.  The second view gives you a closer look at the middle section of the mural.

Sharing with Monday Murals

The Random: This fine barn is just outside downtown Luray. 

Sharing with The Barn Collective

The Fun: I saw a girl doing cartwheels at Dickey Ridge Overlook, Skyline Drive. Obviously her companions were in a position to get better pictures but I enjoyed her spirit and skill.

Sharing with Mosaic Monday

Luray Church of the Brethren

This charming brick church is in the town of Luray, Virginia. For those of us who like stained glass windows, here's a closer look at one of them.

Sharing with InSpired Sunday

 and Shadow Shot Sunday

Stretching Squirrel

Sharing with Camera Critters

and Black and White Weekend 

February Feathers and Fur

Did you know finches are member of the family Fringillidae? I did not know that but I just came across the word and I liked it.

Here's a dog named Fluff who is a pomeranian mix. We saw him at the house where we used to live in Basye. He's about to leave though, for his family is moving away and new tenants are scheduled to move in next week.

Flash continues to do okay. He does not mind taking additional medications because I wrap them in soft treats. His appetite for kibble is less now, and he is drinking extra water.  He needs to go outside frequently though, or he'll leave a wet spot on the carpet. I remember going through this with Benny when he was dealing with congestive heart failure.

Let's end with a bright red cardinal.

Sharing with Saturday's Critters
and The Bird D'Pot

Late February Friday Five

Five on Friday

1. Looking Out is Mersad's photo-challenge today. I went back into my archives for this one because it matches the topic so well.

Shenandoah National Park

2. Yesterday we had pretty clouds as the daylight faded.

3. Some young men were fishing. As you can see, the weather was still exceptionally warm for February. Although this feels pleasant, it is a concern for both practical reasons (more pollen than usual, more insects) and because it probably indicates climate change.

4. I made up a little sign to post when trolls get annoying.

5. Our congressman has regular meetings for his staff to talk to constituents. There was a rumor that the congressman himself would show up at the "Town Hall" session on Wednesday so a crowd came. Also, Goodlatte was not there.

Someone is holding a flier that says "Wanted. Alive and at a town hall."

February Fences, Luray

Hawksbill Creek and Walkway Under the Bridge

Sharing with Good Fences Around the World

Hawksbill Creek Random-osity

The Good: The town of Luray has preserved Hawksbill Creek as an asset rather than piping it underground. A walking trail and several parks make it a recreation spot as well as a place of beauty.

The Random: Mallard ducks enjoy the creek.

 (The ducks give me an excuse to share this post with Wild Bird Wednesday as well as Wednesday Waters. I'm also linking to Cathy's blog hop, Jesh's Seasons,  as well as The Good, The Random, and the Fun.)

The Fun: Our weather has been unusually warm for February and this brought hundreds of people outside to enjoy parks like this on Presidents Day. Here we see families having a pleasant time on the Hawksbill Greenway.

See more posts about Luray, VA. 

On a Warm Day in February

In Luray, VA

Nature's Tribute

Some time ago I posted pictures of this huge mural in Luray, as seen from across Hawksbill Creek. Today we walked along the Greenway and I saw some details that I did not capture from the other viewpoint. 

Click on the collage to see a large version.

"Nature's Tribute — Nine Eleven"

The nature mural was completed in 2004 by Janet Scott.  I see that Page Valley Arts Council has published an Art Trail listing, so I need to go back and see what I've missed.

Sharing with Mosaic Monday and Monday Murals

Toms Brook, Country Brook, Brook Creek

If you head northwest from the truck stop at Toms Brook and turn left at the trailer park, you find yourself on Country Brook Road. Suddenly you're back in rural America! Drive past Country Gardens and bear right near the actual creek called Toms Brook (which the town was named for) and head up Brook Creek Road. (Ya gotta love these names, right?)

Watch for the farm entrance on the right with the brick gateway: Moo Manor! How's that for a name?

The residence does look like a manor house! But this is a working farm, or is ranch a better term? They raise hormone-free beef.

Farther up the road you have the option of bearing left onto Sand Ridge Road. It will take you to Back Road, but before that you'll pass scenic St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.

When you reach Back Road, you can turn right and then make another right at Mt. Olive. That will take you back to the truck stop, where you can buy ice cream or coffee before getting back on the Interstate 81. I like making little tours like this through the country.

Sharing with Scenic Weekends, InSpired Sunday and The Barn Collective.

Profiles of Critters

Thank you, friends who expressed concern for Flash and sent wishes for me to feel better. I do; sometimes a night of sleeping works wonders!

Flash seemed to feel okay today except there was a time this evening when he coughed for a little while. I have a complicated schedule that the vet gave me for his new medications and I had to adjust it a little because it's impractical to give him one pill at 1:00 AM and then start the next day's meds at 5 AM.

Red-bellied woodpecker

Goose

Mourning Dove

Canada Geese