Cloud Spectacular

A few days ago, after a hard rain, the sky turned orange at twilight. I went outside to see and was awed by the amazing clouds, picturesque against the blue sky. Over the next hour the clouds shifted, creating amazing shapes with gorgeous color. What amazed me was how my iPhone produced such vivid colors. Click "Read More" to enjoy the show.

Awthentik Anteeks

Last weekend Ray and I veered off the beaten path in Hernando, MS to check out a junk yard masquerading as an "antique store." Unless you are the American Pickers guys--or Ray--I can't see getting all that excited about the contents. However, I did enjoy my search for items marked $65. The good ol' boys who squatted at the back of the store in their worn overalls, chewing tobacco cud, seemed like they may have sat in those chairs since the time when their inventory was brand new. Sixty-Five Dollars seemed like their favorite number, scrawled in pencil on nearly half of the "antiques." Click "Read More" to view Awthentik Anteeks.

Devil's Tower...Ant Style

Another work of art by Mother Nature--you go girl! I found this on the side of my house last week, before Ray mowed the dickens out of the area and a storm blew the rest of the structure away. Sadly, they have not rebuilt.

Insect Spectaculous!

I have no idea what kind of bug this is, but when I saw it I was truly impressed by Mother Nature's artistry.

In Search of Shade

My cats are ... idiots!

Despite the insane heat we've had this summer, they all still insist they go outside. Usually I will release them in the morning while I eat breakfast, then call them in until late afternoon if not early evening. We have two yards, one very small and wood-fenced, and the other is open with no fences with a creek and woods along the back.

Today, I had company so the cats got to enjoy their yard the whole morning, well past noon before I thought to bring them in. I stepped outside to meet 92 degree heat, which frankly is tame compared to the over 100 we've had this summer. I also keep a box fan running for Chauncie, who spends 99% of her time in the small yard.

Anyway, I stepped out, and found an empty yard. Knowing they had to be somewhere, I went in search. This is what I found:

Cookie, sleeping behind the sofa. He's been quite ill and I know he enjoys the heat because it helps clean out his stuffy nose. He was easy to find.

Ray transplanted wild bamboo along the patio several  years ago. Usually it has ants. Opie, however, seems to have made peace with them.

And finally...

Finding Herman took some time. Like I said, not many hiding places, but he managed to find one anyway beneath the hydrangea, scorched from the heat.

If you'd like to share photos of your cats and their unique hiding spots, I'd be happy to post them.