nothing worth having is easy

My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things - trout as well as eternal salvation came by grace; and grace comes by art; and art does not come easy. 

-- Norman Maclean: A River Runs Through It (1992)

The other week, the girls and I went over to beautiful Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton, TN. The park stretches along the Watauga River and offers a trail you can easily navigate by walking, running, or even biking. Sycamore is a great place to take the kids because they can actually walk without have to worry about them falling off a cliff. Above is a shot of a bridge that stretches across one of the streams that the Watauga feeds and to the left is a shot of a garden of Black Eyed Susans. Beware, the water is ice cold!!

keep it simple

Nature always tends to act in the simplest way. -- Daniel Bernoulli (1700-1782) Mathematician 

These mushrooms here are kind of a big deal. Madelyn's Grandmother noticed these shrooms driving back from church one morning. Then, she was the only who saw these until we turned around to go back for one more look. I happen to think these little mushrooms are cool myself with the stair like growing pattern and not to mention Pilot Mountain in the distance.

the Palmetto state

This nickname refers to South Carolina's official tree, the Sabel Palmetto. The Palmetto is rooted in historical significance dating back to the revolutionary war. On June 28, 1776, the British fleet's attack on Sullivan's Island was repulsed. The Palmetto-log fort, under Colonel William Moultrie, withstood the barrage of British cannons until the fleet retreated. The Sabel Palmetto was added to the National Flag of South Carolina, after it seceded from the Union in 1861.

 

like the rose

Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in it's defense.

Here recently, I haven't been able to get out much. Thank goodness the flowers are blooming so I can take a few quick photos here and there. Having a little one, working full time, and coaching baseball is time consuming to say the least. I enjoy every minute of it though and really wouldn't have it any other way. Hopefully, I will be able to make some time tomorrow, so be ready! You'll know if I was able to!!

spring showers

Sweet April showers do Spring May flowers. --Thomas Tusser (1524-1580) English Poet

pessimism destroys...

Criticism and pessimism destroys families, undermines institutions of all kinds, defeats nearly everyone, and spreads a shroud of gloom over entire nations. 

 -- Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) American Religious Leader

let's party

Spring is natures way of saying, "Let's party!"  -- Robin Williams

spring fever

It's Spring fever. This is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you wan't - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you wan't it so. -- Mark Twain

I don't know about y'all, but I've got it! Spring is another one of my favorite times of the year when most everything reveals it's true beauty. Not to mention baseball season!

thin ice

If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance. - unknown

old remedies

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is the most popular Christmas season plant. It was introduced into the United States in the late 1820's from its native Mexico by our first ambassador of that country, Joel Robert Poinsett. The plant was first known and probably is still best known for the bright red leaves or bracts that surround the inconspicuous, small, yellow, true flowers known to reduce fevers. Poinsettias may be purchased in colors ranging from white and cream through the various shades of pink and red.

For more information on the Poinsettia click here.

rejuvenate yourself

Nature rejuvenates so quickly, so completely. Though we often view ourselves otherwise, we are nature.
-Jeb Dickerson