Enjoying the Beauty

I've been off a couple of days and am enjoying the beauty of country living.

Some days I enjoy it more than others.

Some days...well, lets just say I wish I was a city girl altogether...

...like a few days ago when the hay cutter needed some work and the temperature was in the 90+degree-range and there were chiggers all around and there was no breeze stirring.

For the last couple of days, though, I've been lucky enough to just enjoy the beauty of my flowers...

...and the farm work going on around me.

The hubs working in the hay...

...the nephews working in the hay...

...the great-nephews working in the hay...

...the nephews mowing pastures...

...the peaceful pastoral scenes...

...the livestock in the fields...

...the crisp, rolling, shades of green...

...all enjoyed from a relaxing, shady perch with a book on my lap.

The simplicity of living in the country seems so idyllic...

...when viewed from a relaxing perch...

...with a good book, a breeze, and a cold, sweating glass of iced tea.

I know we need some rain as well as the sun and warm temperatures.

I appreciate the helpful boost of rain as a respite from my watering with the hose and the sprinkling can.

I also know that a break in the high temperatures is welcomed.

I've really been enjoying the natural beauty around me this week, though.

And I just hope the rain that is forecast for our area today and tonight doesn't beat the blooms up too much.

The outdoor scenery is just gorgeous right now, don't you think?

Hay Season

This was the scenery from my front porch for the last couple of days.  

Hay. 

 Here it is in the various stages.

There is some hay that needs cutting...bad.

Some that has been cut and needs baling.

Some that is baled.

It is hot work.

It is work that takes dedication.

It is work that begins long before the stages you see here.

It is something that requires faith because one is gambling with weather, equipment, and the elements of nature.

It is something that takes a lot of time.

The work and patience and dedication is not a part of country living that I enjoy.

This guy seems to love it, though.

Honor Thy Father...

I'm honored he's mine.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Father's Day and the Men in My Life

Is there anything more honorable than being a parent?  

I think these guys really would agree that there certainly is not.  

They love their children beyond belief and show them that each and every day.  

Happy Father's Day, guys!

Ball Season

The granddaughters are wrapping up softball season.

They played hard and had a big time.

They enjoyed being at the ball park.

Somebody loved the concessions.

 

Somebody enjoyed all the action around her.

After all, every team needs good cheerleaders, too!

Undefeated!

I went to Lillie's last softball game of the season last night.

She was lucky enough to play with a great bunch of little girls this summer.

They played with intensity but they had lots of fun, too.

The coaches were positive, supportive, and firm teachers.

I never heard anybody from her team or from her team's fans say something untoward.

They were always upbeat and affirming.

I think each girl learned a lot about the sport, about being on a team, and had fun at the same time.

(I love how you can see the ball at about knee height, headed toward 1st base!)

I saw Lillie grow and become more responsible for taking care of herself and her stuff.

 I saw her skills and drive improve.

 I saw her attention to instruction and application of knowledge improve.

 I saw her sense of responsibility to the team grow.

 She became more determined.

 She accepted coaching and tried to apply it.

 She worked hard and played hard.

 She had fun and showed good sportsmanship.

 For team photos they all struck a goofy face.

 There was also the number 1 pose as an undefeated team.

The best photos were just showing the girls' smiles and relaxed attitude.

Fun summer memories were made that will be cherished for a lifetime.