Friday's Hummingbird Farewell 09-30-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  For many, this is the last day of the work week.  For all of us this is the last day of the month of September.  This is also the last time we'll see the hummingbirds this year because they have left my house on their migration to Central America or Mexico.  I will certainly miss them, their distinctive hum, and their chatter.  I've learned a bit about their habits.  When they return next year I will have more feeders and more plants that they may enjoy.  I'm hoping they bring some friends along when they return.

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

Thursday's Butterfly Feeder 09-29-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  I want to show you my butterfly feeder (along with a butterfly).  Their feeder this year is basically the lantana plants in my yard.  There are many other plants that can be used to attract and feed butterflies, such as lavender, day lilies, butterfly bush and bee balm, to name a few,  If you enjoy butterflies in your yard and want to plant something beautiful, fragrant and functional, check out the website:  http://www.almanac.com/content/plants-attract-butterflies for a long list of plants.  I know there are some on that list I want to plant for the future!

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

Wednesday's Beautiful Flower Feeling 09-28-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  So, yesterday was dark, and today is light and pink!  This lily is a great reminder that everything blooms.  Even the weeds to which I am allergic, bloom - and some of them are very pretty - they just make me sneeze and my eyes water and itch, etc.  And, dark days, clouds and rain can't keep beauty from blooming.  In fact, those days help to nourish the inner beauty.  We bloom and show our beauty just as do the flowers.  Some days we may even feel as beautiful as this flower.

I hope that, today, you felt like the beautiful that you are and you had a wonderful Wednesday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Tuesday's Dark Side 09-27-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Tuesday.  Welcome to the dark side - or maybe dockside - or pier side.  Well, sometimes I like walking on the dark side, so that's my view of this.  What's your point of view?  Although I consider myself a child of the light, I realize that the dark side must be explored from time to time.  We all have a dark side and sometimes others help to put us in that place - sometimes we go there without any help.  Sometimes the dark side helps to release our creativity.   Tonight, though, I just want to embrace it, sit back, and enjoy, because in the morning, the darkness will be gone.

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

Flying Into Monday 09-26-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Monday.  Today, I think I'll just fly in to Monday.  Actually, I guess you could also say, flying out of Monday or away from Monday.  Either way, there's a flight.  :).  This photo was taken from the plane when I visited Boston, Massachusetts over the weekend.  I love looking out of the plane's window.  Bette Midler has a song called, "From a Distance".  You may want to listen to it if you have a chance.  It's a beautiful and loving song and you can find it on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN4AcFzxtdE.  just type in Bette Midler and you can enjoy the video.  Sometimes it helps to look at things from a distance.

I hope you've had an enjoyable Monday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Sunday's St. Mark of Ephesus Orthodox Church 09-25-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Sunday.  Today we head to Massachusetts at the St. Mark of Ephesus Orthodox Church in Kingston.  The Divine Liturgy began at 10a.m.  It, the Divine Liturgy, is "considered the most significant ancient Christian service....for its meaning."  It's a very interesting read if you care to see at:  http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7117.

I hope you've had a wonderful Sunday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday's Nobska Lighthouse 09-24-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Saturday.  This is Nobska Lighthouse located in Falmouth, MA.  This beauty was originally built in 1828.  In 1987 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.  You can find out more about this historic lighthouse at:   www.friendsofnobska.org.  If you're ever in Falmouth, check it out.  I'm sure you'll enjoy the beauty of the Lighthouse and the adjoining area.  It's nice to be able to travel at times and see different sights.

I hope you had a beautiful Saturday.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Friday's Fort Pickering Lighthouse, Salem, MA 09-23-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  Today, we went to Salem, Massachusetts and you're looking at the Fort Pickering Lighthouse.  This lighthouse was commissioned in 1869 and is cast iron and the inside is lined with brick.  The first light shown through with a Fresnel lens on January 17. 1871.  If you would like to read more about it, please go to website:  http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?.

ID=481.

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

Thursday's Mayflower II 09-22-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  You are now looking at The Mayflower II located at the end of Frazier State Pier at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  This is a replica of the original Mayflower that landed in Plymouth in 1620.  The Mayflower II is seaworthy and when first placed into service on September 22, 1956, it was "toasted" and placed into Brixham Harbor.  Beginning on April 20, 1957, it made an ocean voyage.  There have been a few repairs over the last 60 years with the latest one this year.  Actually, the Mayflower II just returned to Plymouth in June of this year after spending several months in Connecticut for restoration.  If you're interested, you can read more about this ship at:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower_II.

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

Wednesday's Orange Butterfly Julius 09-21-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  Have you ever seen a butterfly so orange?  I haven't.  Saw him in the front yard and just had to have a photo.  I'm going to name him.  I think I'll call him Julius.  That's it - I'll call him Orange Julius.  Sounds like a great name.  Also, it sounds like I've heard that name before - hmmmmm.  Maybe then, I'll call him Orange Butterfly Julius.  Yep,  I like OBJ.  It has been a great day today.

I hope you had a great day this Wednesday.  Thank you for looking.  Maybe you'll find OBJ fluttering around your yard one day.  See you tomorrow.

Beach Dreaming on Tuesday 09-20-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Tuesday.  Do you ever feel the urge to just go to one of our fine, southern beaches - you know, sand, surf, palm trees?  Well, you can't go because you have obligations, responsibilities and such.  So sad.  You just have to keep dreaming, I guess.  Or, you could make your own beach in your yard.  Yes, that's it.  Just get all those old tires you have wasting away in the back, cut them, paint them green, nail them onto a post, plant it in the ground and bam - your very own palm tree,  You don't even have to water it.  Next, get a bunch of sand and spread it around the palm trees and your yard and - it's your very own beach!  I guess you'll have to get a recording of the ocean waves crashing along the shore to have the full effect of the beach feeling, but, it might make you feel better about not actually being at the beach.  Then again, to me, there's nothing that can compare to the real thing.  These palm trees, though, are really cute!  I like the imagination and the work someone put forth.

I hope you had something cute and imaginative to look at today.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Monday's Peek-A-Boo Hummingbird 09-19-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Monday.  I am so lucky that I was able to capture this precious hummingbird today.  I've been watching this little 2 to 3 inch bundle of chattering energy for the summer and I will miss her and her buddies very much when they migrate back to Mexico or Central America later this month.  Today is the first time I have ever seen her stretch her neck and peer out at me.  I think she may have increased her height by another half an inch or more.  She's just another of those things that makes me smile.

I hope you had something to smile about today.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Sunday's Wallace Church of the Nazarene 09-18-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Sunday.  You are looking at The Church of the Nazarene in Wallace, SC on Highway 177.  While I was there the Church's Pastor, Reverend Bobby Norris, saw me and pulled over and spoke with me for a few minutes.  Nice guy.  Reverand Norris told me how, even though this particular Nazarene Church has no website, one can go to Nazarene.org and learn of the Church.  One thing he told me that is not on the website is that this church and one other Nazarene Church that is in Bennettsville, SC are two of the oldest.  The sign outside the Church says, "Bless Us Lord" and "Everyone Welcome".  I'm glad he stopped to chat.  And yes, I did feel welcomed.

I hope you felt welcome where ever you were today.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday's Blue Grey Tanager 09-17-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Saturday.  I am back at the NC Zoo in Asheboro, NC looking at a "Blue Grey Tanager". The Blue-Grey Tanager is a song bird that usually lives in tropical areas between southern Mexico to the northern edge of the Amazon.  This beautiful bird pleases my eyes.

I hope you had something pleasing to your eyes this Saturday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Friday Flowers and Butterfly 09-16-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday!  We did it.  We morphed from our Monday's cocoon to be a beautiful Friday butterfly, free to be and do what we want and enjoy what we like this weekend.  Yippee!!  Enjoyment is a requirement for a healthy and happy life and I like to grab whatever enjoyment I can each and every day.  

I hope you enjoyed something this Friday.  Thank you for looking.  Enjoy tonight.  See you tomorrow.

Gorilla Thursday 09-15-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  Have you ever thought about thinking?  Have you ever thought about what some animals think?  I do.  I wonder what this gorilla is thinking.  All of the other gorillas and the babies are off in another area and he's all by himself.  Maybe he was mean and ran them all away.  Maybe he just asked for a little time to himself.  Maybe he just wants me and others to wondering about what he's wondering.  This is just one of those many things that makes me go "Hmmmmm".

I hope you had answers to all your questions this Thursday.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

"I'll Be There For You", Says Wednesday's Giraffe 09-14-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  I know I showed a giraffe earlier this week but I also wanted to show this one today.  I chose it because the giraffe in front is looking at me as if to say,  "When the others leave you, I'll still be here".  Who doesn't want to have that one special someone that will stay and be supportive even when everyone else leaves?  I know I really count on that and am very grateful for her.

I hope you have someone in your life that won't leave you when others walk away.  I also hope you had a wonderful Wednesday,  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Tuesday's Sleepy? Chilean Flamingo 09-13-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Tuesday.  When I went to the NC Zoo in Asheboro the other day, I just had to stop and see the Chilean Flamingos.  The Chilean Flamingo is one of the tallest flamingos that can grow to 4.3 feet.  It just looks big and heavy, but it only weighs up to a paltry 7.7 pounds.  I haven't ever had the chance to pick one up, but they look heavier than 8 pounds.  One other thing that I've noticed about flamingos is that they never seem to close their eyes.  Online I looked for an for the eye non closure and could find nothing.  I did learn that when they eat from the little pond behind them, their bill is upside down and their tongue pushes the water out filtering their food.  Pretty interesting, but not the question I asked the 'net.  Maybe I'll have a definitive answer to that question before I put another , seemingly sleeping, flamingo on my blog.

I hope you had an interesting Tuesday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

"Hey, Hey Monday" 09-12-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Monday.  My giraffe friend wants to say, "Hey, hey, Monday"!!  This large, long, graceful giraffe is located at the Asheboro NC Zoo.  He hides behind the rocks sometimes, but comes out after a few minutes just to say, "Hey".  Go see him sometime.  I know you'll enjoy him.

I hope there was something you enjoyed this Monday if you weren't at the Zoo.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Sunday's Candor Presbyterian Church 09-11-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Sunday.  Today you're looking at Candor Presbyterian Church in Candor, NC.  Services are at 11 a.m. on Sundays and that's all the information I could find on this particular church.  I really like the stained glass windows and the steeple with cross on top.  And you know what they say, "When all else fails, look up."  That advice has always helped.  What advice has always helped you?

I hope you've had a wonderful Sunday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday's Blue Ginger 09-10-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Saturday.  It's not only the animals that you find at the NC Zoo.  You can also find wonderful flowers like this.  I found this in the Aviary.  This gorgeous flower is called the Blue Ginger, or a Sapphire Blue Ginger.  It just had all those buds around a single bloom that I couldn't help but fall in love at first sight!  There is so much beauty all around and I am very grateful that I get to experience so much.

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

Friday's Aviary 09-09-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  Today, I had the day off.  Yay!  I had to run an errand, so, since I had to get out of the house anyway, I went to the NC Zoo in Asheboro.  And, lookee where I found myself - in the Aviary, where I found this character.   I didn't get a chance to find out what kind of bird this is and I couldn't find it on the internet, but I feel like this bird is asking what everyone wants to know:  "What's in YOUR wallet?"  Haha.

I hope you had a happy Friday and that you know where you put your wallet!  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Thursday's Pole Humor 09-08-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  Today I have another one of my "Highway Treasures" for you in the form of what I like to call "Pole Humor".  I really appreciate the time and thought it took for someone to think up this repairman's plight on the electric pole.  I hope he doesn't fall like the other faux repairmen who ended up in the cemetery below.  The people who set up this scene must have be fun to be around and I certainly enjoy their humor.  I'll bet the people who drive by and see it every day chuckle at this, too.

I hope you had something to chuckle about today.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Wednesday's Hummingbird and Butterfly 09-7-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  I know you've seen a few hummingbirds from me, but have I ever shown you one on a butterfly?  No, you haven't; until today.  My daughter-in-law loves butterflies and I always think of her when I see them.   I also enjoy butterflies - and I love my little hummingbirds, so seeing them together makes me very happy.  This little guy sat on the post for a few seconds posing for me. I think he was offering me the gift of photographing him as gratitude for getting rid of the praying/slaying mantis that was on his feeder the previous evening.  He could also be a little curious of us.  I'm sure we are becoming a familiar sight.  He doesn't have much longer to check us out because I've read the hummingbirds' migration to Central America and Mexico happens during this month.  We won't be able to spoil and enjoy him and his family and I'll be sad when they leave.  I guess I'll be okay because they usually come back to the same place the next year.  Hooray!

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

Tuesday's Sunny with a Chance of Frog 09-06-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Tuesday.  Today, it looks like it's going to be sunny with a chance of frog!  Well, what do you know - my forecast came true!  Relax, I'm not psychic, I just ordered up a sunny day after the Tropical Storm Hermine came through (it happened) and the frog - well we were just lucky.  He was found at the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket filled will water from the storm.  I'm guessing he was just drying out after he was pulled from the water since he let me get so close to him without jumping.  

There was a time I didn't really care for frogs.  They're slimy, I always thought they caused warts, and some of them are even poisonous.  One day my mother told me that she loved frogs and everything changed.  I started looking at frogs differently, I began to appreciate frogs and now I love to see them. My mother died over a year ago and now, every time I see a frog I think of her, and smile. 

I hope you have something you can look at and smile today.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Monday's Labor Day Laborer 09-05-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Monday and Labor Day!  This hard working female is an Argiope Spider, also known as Zipper Spider, Banana Spider, Writing spider, along with a couple other names.  I put the background of where I first saw the spider.  Her web is lower left and she was up near the top right of the photo.  I say this is the female because females of  this spider are larger than the males and she looked very large to me when I almost walked into her yesterday.  I was checking out the water in our pond and saw movement out of the corner of my eye, so I adjusted my focus and there was this huge spider!  After a quick yell, I realized I had a photo opportunity and  maybe I could even learn a little something.  From the internet on the website:  https://www.dirtdoctor.com/garden/Argiope-Spider_vq1731.htm, I learned that these spiders are very beneficial to have around because they eat many insects that hurt our garden.  The bad thing about this spider is that she's not even close to our garden.  Maybe she wanted a water view, but she could also have a water view by the garden.  Maybe I'll make her move soon.  Maybe I won't make her move.  She might bite me if I annoy her too much, but she's not poisonous so I'll be okay.  Even so, I don't feel like testing that so I'm going to just back away and she can stay where she is. 

I hope you had a wonderful labor free Monday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Sunday at Pleasant Hill UMC 09-04-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Sunday.  Today we're going to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Jackson Springs, North Carolina.  This quaint church is located at 735 Morganton Rd.  Churches are a place to worship, have fellowship and show gratitude.  Although you can do all of those things anywhere you are and every day of the week, it seems many folks enjoy getting together at least once a week in their special place reserved for just those three things. 

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

This Is Bugging Me on Saturday 09-03-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Saturday.  Want to know what's bugging me today?  This guy!  After the storm I was looking around the house, we fared very well, some limbs fell, and all the blooms were gone from my lantana bushes - which may be why one of the hummingbirds got in my face chattering this morning to clean and fill the feeder.  After I did that chore and put the feeder in place I was hanging out with my camera waiting for the bird to come back and rejoice.  While waiting, I looked at the poor lantana leaves and saw this insect or bug.  I have no clue what it is.  I searched the internet for a look a like and found one, but there was no information on it, just the photograph.  I even went to an insect identification website and still no luck.  If you know what it is, please let me know.  The head and eye look gelatinous.   I don't know if it flies, all it did was walk while I was watching.  Today was a great day, though.

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

Friday's Duck 09-02-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  I live in the Great U.S. of America in the Southeast, so today the remnants of Hurricane Hermine - now called Tropical Storm Hermine - are moving through my area toward the Atlantic Ocean.  While I am glad that I am safe and dry inside as the rain falls and the wind blows, I am equally glad that the Muscovy Ducks are out and about and seem safe as well.  Two of them came by this morning to say Hi when the rain was slow and steady.  I'm sure they took shelter when the downpours came and the wind gusts arrived.  I know the Muscovy Ducks are ugly but I do enjoy their presence and I actually like looking at them.  It is as my mother would say, "They're so ugly they're cute."  I totally agree!

I hope you were able to stay nice and dry this Friday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Thursday's Hummingbird Feeder Visitor 09-01-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  Look who I found visiting the hummingbird feeder today.  I didn't notice him at first, but I heard the hummingbirds chattering and saw them flying around but not eating and then I saw him.  It's one thing for an ant to cross the moat, go down the glass and into one of the petals for the nectar, they're small and hardly noticeable, but, a praying mantis is very noticeable to a little hummingbird.  Through the glass you can see the shadow of a hummingbird wanting to eat, but won't sit and feed with the mantis.  So, I started doing a little research about the praying mantis while I was writing this and found out something very disturbing - the praying mantis preys on hummingbirds and is capable of capturing, killing and eating the hummingbird.  YIKES!!  The article, along with a photograph, was on Snopes.com and I believe that site.  After reading that and before finishing this, I went outside to check the feeder and the mantis was still there.  I tried to shake him off but he would not leave, so, I took the feeder over to the garden and pushed him off my feeder!  He's still alive and can have all the garden insects he wants, but he cannot have any of my precious hummingbirds.  I guess we all want and need to protect what's important to us.

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