Catching Up

I thought I would post some pictures today to catch up. Summer is beautiful here in Illinois. I have, as usual, an abundance of wildlife taking over my yard. I also have my precious Jessie Rose posing for pictures as always. I'm finding the new blog options somewhat challenging. I suppose that's what I get for being away from blogging for so long. It's difficult to catch up. Thanks to Tracey for mentioning my blog on her blog. I would like to suggest that my readers visit Creative Cottage Dreamer. Patti writes such beautiful poems and posts such lovely pictures. I think you would really enjoy her blog.

Jessie Rose appears trapped, but she can get out anytime she wants. The problem is she is the original "skaredy-cat" and isn't quite sure if she can make it out of this jam.

This pair of ducks found their way to the feeder in front of my living room window. I have quite a few animals who come to eat under the pear tree.

I have always loved cardinals. The cardinal is the state bird of my two beloved states: my home state of
West Virginia and my adopted state of Illinois.

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I bought a Hibiscus plant this year. It is so beautiful blooming on my patio. It is supposed to live through the winter if you take it inside.

These are my day lilies, my roses, and my vincas blooming in the lovely June weather.

Strange eating mates! The squirrel and the rabbit found the corn left under the pear tree. They are frequent visitors, especially in the evening.

An Adorable Little Squirrel and a . . .

Gartner snake. A few days ago I was looking out of my front window and saw this adorable little squirrel. He was sleeping at first, then he woke up and just relaxed, and then he ran around and found some food. Finally, he ran up my tree. We have not had many squirrels in the neighborhood, so it is a novelty when I see one, especially since this one has apparently taken up residence in MY tree. Then, I looked to the left, and I saw a Gartner snake. Now I know they're not poisonous and won't really kill me, but I am AFRAID of snakes. When I was five years old, I was out in my backyard with my Mother. I saw a snake and pointed at it saying (according to my Mother), "pretty, pretty." The snake was starting to strike at my hand. My Mother scooped me up and ran me over to my Grandparents' house, right by our house. My Grandfather (my Father was working) came over and killed a huge Copperhead snake. I have had a fear of snakes since then, but since I was safely in my house, I took this Gartner snake's picture. I also wanted to make sure that my little squirrel was safe. Some other pictures that I took show the advancing days of Fall, beautiful days. October IS my favorite time of year!

Isn't he just adorable?

Ugh!

This is my favorite color of mum. This one is sweet to look at on a Fall day.

The grasses in the nature area behind my house are turning shades of gold.

One of the trees behind my house is starting to turn color.

And still, in the midst of Fall, my Lilac Chiffon Geranium continues to bloom and enchant.

Spring?

I spent last week-end with my son at his university for Mothers' Week-end. The weather was lovely, and the trees were all in bloom. Today in Chicagoland, it is rainy, windy, and cool; however, the trees are starting to bud, and some spring flowers are blooming. I hope to be able to get some good pictures in the next few days. I have not posted for so long. I hope to get back to posting in a more routine manner. Work has been busy, and I am tired when I get home from work. I do enjoy reading all the great postings from my blog friends however.


This friendly little squirrel came up very close to me. I think he's used to being fed by the university students. I was taking an early morning walk and didn't have any squirrel treats with me.