Photo flashback: Once upon a September

Our first visit with the newlyweds in their new (and hot) neighborhood.
Back before they were parents, back before we were grandparents.

Lisa & Megan — Jim & Preston
September 2006

Today's fill-in-the-blank:

One thing I recall from September 2006 is _____________.

Picture this: How pod people came to be... maybe?

A few weeks ago, I noticed several of these around my yard:

I was afraid to touch them for fear they were pod people embryos.

Or spider nests that would spurt forth scads of spiders if I broke them open.

Or, at the very least, proof of huge birds plopping huge — albeit perfectly formed — droppings all about my yard.

So I asked Jim to take a look and a poke... while I stood back, ready to run.

Turns out they're just the initial stages of these:

This photo from Pixabay.com, not my yard.

I've never have been much of a fan of mushrooms. The idea the mystery splotches might be the genesis of pod people seemed a far more interesting story.

Today's question:

What's the most mysterious thing in your yard today?

Picture this: What the earliest bird gets

The earliest bird gets the biggest of worms — even if she's not quite sure how to get the darn thing home.

 

Today's question:

How much of an early bird are you?

What I learned this week: Quote me

Of all the things I learned this week, the how is nowhere near as important as the what.

So rather than explain the genesis of each lesson I recently learned, I'll simply share with you the bottom-line lessons themselves — via the words of folks who became wise in these areas long before I.

(One exception: the last lesson, which is in my words and my words alone.)

And my messiest lesson of all:

Seriously!

All of the above, my friends, is what I learned this week.

Enjoy the long holiday weekend. Best wishes for a safe and memorable farewell to summer!

Today's question:

What did you learn this week?

Picture this: Summer's B-side

Caught in the act: Crafty critters staking a claim in summer's sweet spots.

Today's fill-in-the-blank:

The sweetest spot for me this summer has been _____________.

Missing the magical ordinary days

Today marks six weeks since I've seen my grandsons. It seems so very much longer than that, as I'm so very much missing the magic of their ordinary days.

Days that looked like this last time I was with them:

It will likely be a while before I get to hug my grandsons — or their parents — again. Thank heavens for the hundreds of photos and videos I take when I'm with them. They keep me smiling from one hug to the next.

Today's question:

What is keeping you smiling today?

Picture this: If you give a squirrel something sweet

This is what happens when a squirrel discovers hummingbird food spilled on the deck railing:

All cleaned up lickety split!

Today's question:

Considering yesterday's giveaway post for Munch! and today's post about licking, when it comes to sweets, do you prefer those you munch or those you lick?