Lightning, Thunder, Hail

Lightning, Thunder, Hail

Yesterday afternoon, we got a good, old-fashioned thunderstorm with rain! We even had a sprinkling of hail–not much, thank goodness. I’m so grateful and so are the grass and flowers. The roadside ditch where the children used to race their boats right after a rain, was a turbulent little stream. Trees were swaying, my little […]

Dry Thunderstorm

Dry Thunderstorm

Last night, we had another dry thunderstorm–the second one this month. According to what I’ve read, these are common in western states during late spring and early summer, but, for goodness sake! Arkansas is not west. I’d just as soon not have them. Caused by excessive heat and dry air, they present a lot of […]

Southern Summer Nights

Southern Summer Nights

Southern summer nights–a hint of honeysuckle on an errant breeze, the cicadas’ grating song. From a tangle of tree limbs, an owl asks his eternal question.  Past and present blur into one. This could be a hundred years ago, or it could be now. The evenings are the same. People move through, one era closes […]

A Muffin for Breakfast

A Muffin for Breakfast

I had planned to bake them for a long time. Something always stood in my way. Last time, I’d already started and realized I didn’t have enough flour. I substituted corn meal, but it didn’t work. So, yesterday, I checked supplies and realized I could give it a second try. I wanted to bake my […]

Mushroom Mysteries

I don’t believe in fairies. Of course, I don’t. They show up only in children’s stories of years ago, those magical little folk who can zip through the air, who appear and disappear at will. And yet, the other day, I noticed the loveliest mushrooms that had appeared out of nowhere. I wondered just what, […]

The Bumble Bee’s Bed

The Bumble Bee’s Bed

Have you ever wondered where bumble bees sleep? You haven’t? Yesterday morning, I found out. The sun wasn’t yet up, but I was. I stepped off the deck and went around to check out my Rose of Sharon. The day before, I’d seen lots of bumble bees busy among the blossoms. Well, yesterday morning, when […]