August Garden...

"In summer, 

the song sings itself."

-  William Carlos Williams

In August even though the heat and humidity are oppressive, nature brings beauty and smiles...

Whites are my favorites for summer nights... they reflect the moonlight!

The lavender and pink crepe myrtles defy the heat of summer. The pink hydrangeas are drying on the bush to a mellow green. Zinnias and dianthus showing their colors!

Not sure who enjoys the zinnias more.. the butterflies or me! Loving the lavenders and purples in this year's garden!

My bell pepper and tomatoes are hanging on.. I may have enough for another round of homemade pepper jelly and fresh salsa!

Joining Judith over at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday and Sue over at image-in-ing. Hope you will visit... there's an opportunity to meet new friends, view some interesting photos and learn about folks from all over the world.

Hope you have a week filled with lots of smiles and good things..Susan

Cumberland Moments...

The "girls' beach trip" was again a highlight of summer. This year's destination was Amelia Island, Florida. A beautiful historic island near the Georgia-Florida line. One sister-friend insisted that we look for a place as near the beach as possible. She wanted to "walk out" and have her toes in the sand. The condo description assured us the beautiful first floor condo was just steps to the beach... According to one who counted, it is...222 steps! This daily journey included a wooden boardwalk with two sets of steps taking us up and over the dunes! We were happy with our choice and enjoyed the surprise of the "short walk" turning into a daily workout! 

Last year was the first without our dear Cindy. We know it will always be a bittersweet time without her physical presence so we decided to change our usual routine of spending each day on the beach. Sightseeing/shopping in downtown Fernandina Beach, dinner at a favorite restaurant - The Crab Trap, movie night, and a cruise via Amelia River Cruises to Cumberland Island were delightful additions to our visit. While our cruise did not actually stop on the island, we enjoyed about 3 hours on the water with a very entertaining guide and boat captain. 

                   

This brief glimpse of the beauty of the island and the wild horses encourages me to plan an actual trip to Cumberland. Day trips via boat from St. Mary's, Georgia are scheduled year round. Camping sites are available along with the beautiful Greyfield Inn. While the Greyfield is a bit out of my budget, I think we could manage a day trip to Cumberland... now to convince the DH of that! 

Joining Judith over at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday. Sending good wishes to all for a pleasant week! Smiles...Susan

P.S. Just to make it easy... in case you want to know about Amelia Island, Cumberland Island, etc, I included lots of links in the above post.

Broken Record...

Is "broken record" even a term that has value these days? No one under 30 would even understand the concept and those older would shrug it off as just another piece of our life that has gone by the wayside. However, I feel like a "broken... or at least stuck record." I began this blog to share bits of Southern life... and honestly, my love of photography. I figured it would be a good way to share two things I enjoy... taking pictures and writing... who knew I would have so little to say!

Anyway... to "ride a dead horse" ... another saying that some may understand... it's hot down here... the gnats are plentiful (look it up, "gnat"... a dastardly little, aggravating bit of insect that will drive you nutty)... and flowers and vegetables are beginning to wane. Summer has treated us to several days of temperatures hovering and rising above 100 degrees F... So you see what I mean? August has come and come and the "dog days of Summer" are here. What would we talk about if not the weather?

Maybe linking with Judith's Lavender Cottage Mosaic Monday will jostle me from the rut! 

Spicebush Swallowtail 

A busy little Spicebush Swallowtail had a lovely time among the zinnias and Queen Anne's Lace...very photogenic and cooperative.

Sunset from 8:38 - 8:43 p.m. 

A sunset from last week... The changes over a period of just five minutes.. A majestic sight! 

Sending good wishes to y'all for pleasant week!!

                                                                                      Smiles...Susan