APED - A Picture Every Day: October 2015

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Saturday Scary Halloween 10-31-15

Happy Saturday. This partiular Saturday happens to be Halloween. Halloween happens every October 31st. You can find out all about the history of Halloween at the website halloweenhistory.org. In the meantime, gaze upon this real scary scene. We found this while driving somewhere in South Carolina during the last few days of September of this year. It was a scary scene then and I still cringe a little just looking at it. Those are real bones folks. It looked like this was actually there for a long time and was meant to scare folks away. I'm guessing it worked for many. Whoever assembled this, though, likes the USA, soldiers, and even flowers, so they can't be all bad - if they're even bad at all. I'm guessing they just don't want to be bothered by strangers. I know I don't want to go back there.

So, I hope you've enjoyed your Saturday. If you enjoy Halloween, I hope it's fun for you. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, October 30, 2015

I Needed a Good Paddle This Friday 10-30-15

Hello and happy Friday. Today, I needed a good paddling! And I got it! I had some business for Mullins, SC yesterday, and, thanks to a nice co-worker, I was able to spend the night and kayak this morning. This is what I've been missing for a while - being on the water, enjoying the peace and quiet. It's not always quiet, though, there are many birds singing, and the water rushing past the kayak as I bring my paddle in and out of the water is just, well, music to my ears, and the view!!! "Ahhh" the view screams, "this is what you want, this is why you're here - Enjoy!" - and we obey. The peace and quiet comes from no cell phone usage (although we do carry one in case of emergency), and there is no traffic noise. I even heard many "cock-a-doodle-do"s from a rooster this morning. I had a little bit of paradise today and I want to share a little of it with you.

I hope you had a fabulous Friday. I hope you had just a little bit of what you consider "paradise" today. I thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Thursday's Bird of Happiness 10-29-15

Hello and happy Thursday. Today, as everyday, is a wonderful day. I call this my blue bird of happiness. Who can be sad when this guy sits on your feeder? Not me. Thursday is beyond hump day and before Friday, so the excitement is building for the weekend. So, now is the time plans are being made (if they haven't been already) and preparations are started. OOOOOH, come on fun!

I hope you have a terrific Thursday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Seriously Sunny-Flower Wednesday

Hello and happy Wednesday. It's been raining and grey for the first few days. I need some sun. I want some sun. I can't have any sun right now. Sooooo. I think, what about a sunflower? It kind of looks like the sun. It's petals kind of mimic the rays of the sun. And, it has seeds inside that you can eat. Yum. All good reasons to smile about a sunflower. It may not be sunny outside, but it's sunny in my heart - in part because of this sunflower.

I hope you had a wonderfully sunny Wednesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Tuesday's Relaxation

Hello and happy Tuesday. Tuesday is one of those days, for me, that, by the end of the day, I need a little distraction. Today I choose to look at the water ane the sky - mostly the sky. Sometimes looking at the sky relaxes me. And when you put water with it - well, it's like the best day ever! So at the end of a busy day, being able to gaze upon such beauty just takes away all of the day's stresses so I can relax mind and body. Tomorrow's another day and while tomorrow may be just as busy as today, tonight I have this photo to gaze upom - and I relax.

I hope you had a great Tuesday. I thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Monday's a Fungus Kind of Day

Hello and happy Monday. It's Monday, and there's a FUNGUS AMONG US! Yesterday's maple tree beauty was found in my own front yard. This beautiful collection of fungi was found in one of my neighbors' front yard. Strange how much wonder one can find so close to home. Being at home is awesome. Of course, I don't get to stay at home often. But then again, my mother used to always say, "Wherever you lay your head is your home." Because of her optimism and encouraging, supportive nature, I have been at "home" many places. And you know, there's no place like home. So, whether there's a beautiful maple tree or a great fungus growth, or even if it's Monday - find your beauty and, no matter where you lay your head, know that you're "home".

I hope you had a marvelous Monday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Fall Into Sunday 10-25-15

Hello and happy Sunday. Look what happened while a I was gone for a few days. It turned Fall!! What's up with that? Well, I guess I should settle down now - it is, after all, the 25th of October. People more north of us have already seen Fall foliage. I went looking for beautiful fall foliage last week in the nearby mountains, didn't find much of it and look - all I had to do was wait a few days and Fall came right into my front yard. My maple tree usually doesn't turn this early. I guess I can blame the early turning on the drier than normal summer. I love this tree! Always have. We have neighbors who, when walking along the street, if we're outside, stop to comment on the beauty of this tree. In our view, this is the best tree on our long street. Apparently, most of our neighbors agree.

I hope you had a beautiful Fall Sunday. I thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Adorable Camellia Saturday 10-24-15

Hello and happy Saturday. Today I bring to you a camellia bud ready to bloom. During Victorian times it was a sign that someone really liked you and thought you adorable if they gave you white camellias. (Yes, I do like you and appreciate you looking at my photos and reading my words.) Camellias, no matter what color, are also connected with steadfastness and excellence. The flowers can also be used as a tea and have some healing properties. One caveat though - do not give a white camellia to anyone Japanese. It seems the white camellia is associated with death in their culture.

You can find out more about white (and other colors) camellias at http://www.auntyflo.com/flower-dictionary/white-camellia.

I hope you had a wonderful Saturday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Friday's a Beach! 10-23-15

Hello and happy Friday. Friday is one of the best days of the week. And today, Friday is a beach! That's right. I'm giving you a trip to see the sunrise at the beach and you don't even have to leave your computer. This particular beach is in St. Augustine, FL. I stayed at a hotel on the beach before going to a seminar last week in Orlando. I just had to get up early and take in the sunrise - one of the best parts of the day if you ask me. It's a time to sit, be quiet and be grateful, and to make the best of each day.

I hope you had one of your best Fridays ever! Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Bench Life on Thursday 10-22-15

Hello and happy Thursday. After all that hiking to Pearson's Falls this week, why don't we just go a little southeast and sit on a bench? We can drop a line and stay a while - maybe catch some fish, get away from electronics like cell phones and enjoy the peace and quiet. It won't be totally quiet though, the birds will be singing - maybe the squirrels will be playing and talking to each other. We can just sit, enjoy the view and sounds of nature. I hope you're able to join me - even if it's only in your mind. Remember, relaxing and detoxing your brain from all of life's stressess is part of the life balance that we all need.

I hope you had a great Thursday. Thanks for looking and relaxing. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Wednesday's Falls 10-21-15

Hello and happy Wednesday. Welcome to Pearson's Falls, a 90 foot waterall I recieved the pleasure of seeing after a moderate one quarter mile hike, mostly uphill. Now, you get to see it, too. Yay! I hope it was worth it for you. I know it was for me. Maybe soon you will also make that trek to Saluda, NC and Pearson's Falls and Glen park and see for yourself. While I believe my photo to be a beautiful representation, it is better when seen in person. Take a chance, take a drive, and take a hike - and see for yourself.

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Pearson's Falls Teaser Tuesday 10-20-15

Hello and happy Tuesday. As promised, today is a teaser of the 90 foot waterfall you can experience when you visit Pearson's Falls and Glen in Saluda, NC. This is a part of the lower end of the Falls exposed for about 1/2 second to get that look of the water. Tomorrow you will see the beautiful waterfall you've been teased about for the past few days.

I hope you had a wonderful Tuesday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Monday's Rest Area Before the Falls

Hello and happy Monday. Tonight I'm still on the trail to Pearson's Falls in Saluda, NC. But, before I actually get to the Falls I want to take a load off, set the camera and tripod down for a minute and just rest. There's no better place to catch my breath than sitting at a picnic table nestled in the trees listening to the sounds of water gushing nearby. It's enough to rejuvenate my weary body before I continue the hike.

Stay tuned tomorrow as I get even closer to Pearson's Falls.

I hope you had a magnificent Monday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Sunday's Trail 10-18-15

Hello and happy Sunday. I thought today, in keeping with my trip to Pearson's Falls, before I actually show you the Falls, you might like to see a part of the path taken. This is part of the "moderate" one quarter mile hike to the Falls. This part isn't so bad, but it gets steeper and just a little more narrow as it continues. Still, a worthwhile venture - but that's for you to see another day. :)

I hope you had a wonderful Sunday. I hope your path today was easy. I thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Saturday's Colt Creek to Pearson's Waterfall 10-17-15

Hello and happy Saturday. This weekend was supposed to be a great fall color weekend in the mountains of North Carolina. Well, as far as I'm concerned, it's going to take a few more weeks. Or, maybe we didn't go up high enough in elevation. Even so, I do still have a few more weekends to go back and chase some great pictures with fall colors. On the way to looking for great fall colors, though, we checked out Pearson's Falls and Glen in Saluda, North Carolina. The Tryon Garden Club has owned and maintained this 228 acre property since 1931. What you see here is Colt Creek, and, if you follow the path along the side of this creek - about a quarter of a mile "moderate hike" - you will see Pearson's Falls. I'll share a photo of Pearson's Falls with you later. In the meantime, please enjoy Colt Creek on the way to the Falls as the sun begins to set.

I hope you had a superior Saturday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Clover Flower Friday 10-16-15

Hello and happy Friday. Today, as I was working in my yard, being more physical than I wanted to be on a Friday. I was even using power tools! Ha. Anyway, as I stood up to stretch my back, I looked down and to my left and look at what I saw. This is a flower from clover. It was the three leaf clover kind. I didn't see a four leaf clover, but I did see a five petal flower. And I am fine with that. I found a little bit of unexpected joy so I ran in to grab my camera so that I could share this little, delicate piece of joy with you.

I hope you had a fantastic Friday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Thursday's Ship 10-15-15

Hello and happy Thursday. Well, here we are next to the last day of the work week. And now, if you look at where everything in this photo is pointing to you will see it - - looks like my ship came in while I was taking pictures of the marsh and it's leaving already. Dang it!! Looks like I'm stuck here in this beautiful country with nothing but my wits and my camera. OK. I'll take it! Maybe I have a different kind of ship. Maybe my ship is a kayak - and a camera! I'm hoping I'll have some good lenses and lots of memory cards to go with the camera.

What does it mean to you when you think of your "ship coming in"? Will you be rich in money, rich in friends/family, rich with your favorite activities or all of the above? What will happen if you see your ship but just can't get to it, like mine here? Will there be another, better ship? I guess time will tell.

I hope you had a great Thursday. Thanks for looking - and thinking. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Wednesday's Bird 10-14-15

Hello and happy Wednesday. Today I have a bird I found in the Puffin Exhibit at the Asheboro Zoo in North Carolina. He or she sure is a cutie standing on that rock posing for me. Sometimes I just get lucky. I do enjoy a little luck every now and then. I'll bet you do as well.

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Tuesday's Angel Tree and Resurrection Fern 10-13-15

Hello on Tuesday. Recently I visited the Angel Oak in St. Johns Island, SC. I thought I'd show you a different view of this very old and humongous tree. Sometimes when I look at trees, I can't help but wonder at their ability to survive and reach for the sun. Also, what you're seeing on the limbs along with the moss is something called a Resurrection Fern. This is an epiphytic fern, meaning that it grown on top of other structures or plants or, in this case, trees. It just uses the other structure for a house, I guess, but it has its own nutrient system so it's not dependent on the other for life. It's called the Resurrection Fern because it is able to survive in a drought. It can actually lose 75 to 95% of its water content. When that happens it turns brown and basically looks dead. However, when the rain comes and it replenishes itself it returns to a nice green, lush looking foliage. Pretty cool!

I hope you had a replenishing Tuesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Butterfly Monday 10-12-15

Hello and happy Monday. Let's pretend that we lived our weekend in a nice, cozy cocoon and emerged back into the world today a beautiful butterfly full of whimsy and curiosity (and hunger). Now that we can no longer live in our cozy little world, we have make the best of the days we're given (which, if you're an actual butterfly, you have an average life span of about a week to a month).
So, let's just know that life is short in the butterfly world and we need to fly about and visit all the flowers we can.

I hope you had a magical Monday. I hope you had time to stop and enjoy some flowers along the way. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday's Kayak Wishing 10-11-15

Hello and Happy Sunday. I want to go kayaking! Above is the perfect place. I just wish I was there. Well, I can't be there today, but soon. Soon I will get to go kayaking here. If it gets too late into the year I have some cold weather gear, so no worries. I can't help but look at this and think, "what if". What if I were out there right now? What if I could spend all day on the water taking pictures and paddling? What if I could have the choice to paddle every day? Hmmmm. Yep. I enjoy the dream.

I hope you've had a great Sunday. Thanks for looking and dreaming with me. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Saturday's Space Bird 10-10-15

Hello and happy Saturday. NASA anyone? It seems it's for birds of all kinds. This bird went there yesterday and had a great time. Private companies have now partnered with NASA for space exploration and no tax dollars fund the space center visitor center and museum. Since our government spends less on NASA, the cost to visit is somewhat higher, but worth it. Of course, the last time I was here was in the 1990s so, given inflation, comparatively, it may actually not be more expensive. Visit their website, www.nasa.gov and decide for yourself. When you visit the Kennedy Space Center, remember to take the bus tour and tour Atlantis and take part in a simulated lift-off. Many astronauts gave input into the "lift-off" ride to ensure a real life feel for what they went through when they lifted off toward space. This ride is actually called the Atlantis Launch Simulator and is a fine, fine experience and is part of the price of admission.

I hope you had a sensational Saturday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Friday's Sunrise

Hello. Happy Friday. Today I had the opportunity to take some sunrise pictures at St. Augustine Beach in Florida. Since it's getting later in the year - I can't believe it's October already - I can actually get out of bed a little later to catch a sunrise. I guess there is one good thing about the shorter days and the coming cool/cold weather.

I hope you had a great Friday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Thursday's Dead End 10-08-15

Happy Thursday. After several days of rain, it was a beautiful day. And since it was beautiful, it was a great day to take a day to drive, ride, and explore in South Carolina. So, we're riding along in our automobile, crossed the bridge over Lynches River near Lake City and look at what we found! "Dead End"! Ya think?! Even stranger (as you can see below), was the fact that the sign was on a road named D.O.T. Avenue. I guess you know we had a good chuckle over that. Who doesn't feel like a trip to the D.O.T. is a dead end? But seriously, the flooding from the recent storms and Hurricane Joaquin is tragic and devastating for many people who live both near and far from coastal areas. We are now a couple days beyond all the rain and still many people are without power. There have been many dams that have failed and roads have collapsed and washed away. Just today we had a detour because a bridge was out and another, longer detour because I-95 was closed from Florence, SC to just below Lake Marion. (Exit 135 to Exit 90 going South). A long drive to get where we were going, but a wonderful day anyway.

I hope you had a terrific Thursday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Wednesday's Vine and Flower

Happy Wednesday. Today I'm back to the flower. While it looks like this vine leads to and produces the flower, I think not. The vine is just coincidentally there for the morning glory, or maybe it's the sweet pea flower. I do like the way the vine leads to the lone flower. I hope you do as well,

I also hope you had a wonderful Wednesday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Cotton Tuesday 10-6-15

Hello on Tuesday. As promised, this is the cotton that comes from the flower (square) and forms in the pod (boll). It is fluffy like cotton candy and white. It has a hard outer shell, though, that will hurt you. My grandmother would tell us stories about picking cotton. It seems her family were basically seasonal workers on farms and picking cotton was one of their seasons for many years. Grandma would tell us how hard it was to labor on the farm and how the cotton shells would cut their hands. She wasn't complaining (she never would), she was speaking matter-of-factly, and was just giving us information about her childhood and life. She seemed to enjoy her childhood - she was a "'daddy's girl" - and whatever he wanted her to do, she was more than happy to please. I enjoyed Grandma's stories and believed her of course, but, I never really realized just how hard her childhood and later life was of picking cotton until I saw cotton still on the plant, up close and personal, many years later. I have actually tried to get cotton out of one of those pods and it ain't easy folks. You think you can just grab and go but if you do that, you will get cut - and you don't want blood on that white cotton!

Now-a-days machines are used to harvest cotton. Sometimes, the plants are sprayed with some chemical to kill the leaves to make it easier for the machines to harvest the cotton. That just seems wrong to me but I guess it makes it easier on the machines. Gone are the days when people had a hand in harvesting. Still, cotton is as pretty and as useful as it was back in my grandmother's era. It's just not harvested the same.

I hope you had a terrific Tuesday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Monday's Boll 10-5-15

Hello and happy Monday! On this Monday I have for you the cotton plant's "boll". The boll is what's left behind when the flower or "square" falls off. Inside the boll are moist fibers which grow and expand and eventually the boll turns brown and the white fibers burst out as cotton. Tomorrow I'll show you.

I hope you had a great Monday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Sunday's Cotton Plant Flower 10-4-15

Happy Sunday. I thought I'd make this upcoming week about cotton. I love cotton. I have cotton balls to help remove makeup, cotton tips to help remove wax from my ears, cotton clothing of all kinds. Cotton just feels so good on the skin, This photo lets you know cotton is coming because it's a cotton blossom! They appear after approximately two months after planting. This blossom is actually called a "square" and, after three days of turning different colors they wither and die and leave something behind called a "boll". I will show you the "boll" tomorrow.

I hope you had a wonderful Sunday. Thanks for looking. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Sunny Saturday 10-3-15

Happy Saturday. Today I have for you Effie, my cat. There has been so much rain lately, along with gray skies that there just hasn't been any sun for us to enjoy. So I thought I'd dig into my photos taken earlier this year and see if I couldn't find something. Well, this little cutie just improved my mood so I thought I'd share it with you. Lying in a sunny spot taking a nap is something I think most of us can relate to, I look at Effie and I can imagine myself lying in a hammock, enjoying the day soaking up the sun and relaxing. So, if you've been in a rainy area for a few days, just look at Effie and imagine - and pretty soon your mood will be lifted, too. If you've been in a sunny area for a few days, just look at Effie and imagine how you could enjoy the sun as well. I think there's something for everyone here!

I hope you've had a sunny Saturday. Or, at the very least, can imagine yourself on a sunny Saturday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Friday's Water

Hello and happy Friday! Today is about reflections; and growth. We see the flowers in/on the water as the growth - flourishing in the water and sunshine. We see the clouds and trees reflections that bring the UP to the DOWN. That is such a great thing about water. We can see what's going on in the water, on the ground and in the sky. Of course, water is good for more than that (like drinking, bathing, etc,), which is a great reason we should make sure we protect our water.

I hope you had a fantastic Friday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Thursday's Bromeliad

Happy Thursday. Today I have another pretty flower for you. This is an Aechmea Blue Rain Bromeliad. This beauty is orginal to Brazil, and there it attracts hummingbirds when flowering. I didn't see any hummingbirds when I photographed it, but I wasn't able to be around it for long. I don't usually get to see bromeliads, only the fruit that come from the most famous bromeliad - the pineapple.

I hope you had a great Thursday. Thank you for looking. See you tomorrow.