In Nature

all kinds live together cooperatively. 

How Long

does 

it take

a

caterpillar

 to cross a rock?

Much longer than I ever dreamed.

"There's A Little Black Dot On The Sun Today

It's the same old thing as yesterday..."  The Police, King of Pain.

Rock,

rock,

rock,

 trees, 

rocks...

Since this is not Rock, Paper, Scissors I'm not sure which one wins.

The title has nothing to do with the post, I just keep singing this song!

Good Poetry Is

a rock that shines in the shadows
a tree that bends with no wind
a water plant in drought
stardust in your hair
water droplets after a rain

"good" poetry comes
writing itself
leaving me surprised
and breathless
with its truth.

good poetry
spews and bubbles
like a science student volcano
and grows and flows
i transcribe the dictation

and when its finished
i step back and read
filled with joy
and say, Wow!
who wrote that?

Poets United:  Midweek Motif

The Joy of Poetry

Dam, Heart, River, Fog, Fence

At the base of the Norfork Dam is Norfork River, famous for Rainbow trout fishing.  They have a wonderful area where children can fish but it is a catch and release area.  Why?  There is a fish hatchery right there and I guess they don't want them all caught before the Norfork joins the White River, also famous for Trout fishing, Brown and Rainbow.

It was raining as we came through after Hubby heart check up...yep, he still has one.

I asked him to stop.  I wanted pictures.

In the rain?

I don't care.  I want pictures.

These steps took me to Dry Run Creek.

 to see this

and this in the rain.

The steps back seems much steeper but

if you notice my little orb is with me.

 The fog was rolling in but there were people fishing every where.

The minimal flow pipe was running along with two flood gates.

The pictures do not do Norfork River justice.

The beauty was breathtaking.

I kept moving closer and closer to get a good shot.

The fog was winning but I finally got the flood gates.

 And I got a rock.  Did that surprise anybody?

This is the power station below the dam.

Sometimes power is generated, but here's the kicker

The power is bought by another state!

The power plant in enclosed with a chain link fence.

For Good Fences at Run*A*Round*Ranch.

As Everyone Celebrated

I had a walk and a talk with Dad as I traveled over the farm.  I know he's with me.  He would have reveled at the growth in the valley.  He would have been delighted with this Bull frog peeking out.

Dad would have seen the face in this old coffee pot

and admired the garden.

Dad would have bragged on my progress 

although he could always work circles around me.

He would have stopped to admire the conglomerate rock I found

and discussed why it was conglomerate and not metamorphic.

You are not here with the living, Dad, but we carry you inside our heart. Thank you for serving our country, fathering us, and loving us. Happy Father's Day!  I feel you in the land around me.

It's Not Every Day You Turn Sixty...

Just November 19th for me.  Yep, the big six o.  Hubby woke up and said, If you go to Walmart with me, I'll buy you lunch for your birthday.  How can I turn down a romantic invitation like that?

It's early so Walmart should be okay.  We head to the Walmart in Mountain Home. There are two or three closer but none of those towns have Salvation Army.  That was my first birthday stop.  I bought a wallet and a beautiful three tier basket for fruit and didn't even burn a ten-spot.

Next stop Walmart.  Wasn't so lucky there but hubby's paying so I bought two new skillets and a cutting board.  I don't get out much.

Visited with my nephew, Jason, and saw an old friend I haven't seen in years. My guess is if you stay at Walmart long enough you might see every one you know.

Bonnie needs a new collar, I hear.  Okay, what kind?  A big one.  Okay.  I search through the collars and find the x-large.  I hear, Bonnie likes blue.  Okay, how do you know Bonnie likes blue?  I just do. She won't wear another color.  She likes blue.  Okay, so my newly turned-sixty body is squatted digging through all the blooming collars looking for a blue one.  I'm not balanced very well.  Hubby has the cart to lean on so he's steady to give directions.  I, on the other hand, am having trouble finding a BIG BLUE collar and breathing and keeping my balance.  Each one I show him has to be adjusted to Bonnie's size so he knows it will fit.  Decision made.  Blue collar in the cart.

This was the next part of  my present...another job.

Hubby says he is replacing outlets

but I know who'll be doing it.

And you thought Mel's Diner was just on tv!

Had a great birthday lunch with Hubby and nephew, Toni.

I can't go to Mountain Home without checking out the gun shops, that's right, I dream of gun shops. I wait in the truck while Hubby finds some shells "we need". Notice the big rock out front?

You know I had to get a closer look!

My best birthday surprise is when he turns toward the town of Norfork, Arkansas and The Terrapin Trading Company!!!  Hubby asked if I had my rocks with me.  Yes.  He parks here and walks to the gun shop next door while I'm allowed to go wild. 

The owner knows my name!!!  The dog doesn't bark, she knows me.  Maybe Hubby should not have "allowed" me free rein in here, my favorite store.  I pulled out my little sack of carefully chosen stones and we talk design.  That's right.  The owners make silver jewelry.  I gave him some of my extra stones and he gave me a "pocket rock" of labradorite.  

I've already received the call.  My pieces are ready!

Not a bad birthday for a gray haired over weight sixty year old lady that doesn't bend as well as I used to...now I must get to these outlets. They won't install themselves.

Random Five Friday With A Rural Journal

Here are the rules.  Come join the fun.

Tomatoes on the kitchen window sill

The tail wagging the dog

Half of a Bear Claw quilt block 

on a quilt I made for Mom and Dad

I do not iron.

I was trained on Dad's work clothes using the sprinkler bottle.

Nope, not gonna do it...EVER!

Slow progress on my new water feature.

And there are five random facts about me and mine.  Join A Rural Journal with your five.

Like A Rock....

The town of Eureka Springs was completely rebuilt two times after terrible fires.  They decided to use the rocks available to build on, in and around with rock exteriors.  This fascinates me.

The first healing springs belonged and were used by the Native Americans.  We (the non-natives) butted our noses in and took over.  Hundreds of thousands of people flocked into Eureka Springs to be cured of every thing.  Tent cities turned into frame houses, into more wooden houses and then after the disasters they tended to build more wisely.

Please keep in mind we have two teenagers with us so most pictures include and revolve around them.  Probably my last vacation with them since I won't be so cool as they age.

One of many spring basins we visited.

Above Basin Park Spring in downtown

Notice how they just built around the rock that was there.

Another spring basin

Sixty-six springs in all

Many on private land but some we could enjoy.

Beware many tales and pictures ahead.

We took the Ghost Tour at The Famous Crescent Hotel...

so prepare to be scared!!!

More I Should Not Show

Here is the beautiful sunrise going to work. Of course I missed it because the thoughtless people on the highway were trying to get to work and would not let me slow down to take a picture. They were on my bumper and whizzing by in the opposite lane just like they did not want me to take a picture of the glorious sunrise.

This is an awesome picture of a buzzard standing on a hay bale with his wings outstretched. It is also a picture of him taking flight showing his magnificent wing span as he took off, hovering low and then climbing with the sun reflecting off his midnight black wings and his bald head. Heck, I missed the whole hay bale, it was close to the road and I even turned around to take the picture and he waited on me.

My epiphany for the day is; Even if you are a big brown rock, when the light is right, you can sparkle!