Life in the Bristolwood

Yesterday, we traveled about 630 miles in the course of about sixteen hours. We needed some supplies for the business,  and loving day trips as we do, decided to travel another very long day. (and night!)

Our travels took us to the state of Pennsylvania. Anyone who knows me knows that I am always saying that my heart is buried deeply in the hills of Pennsylvania. I was born there and although I only spent the first three months of my life in residence there,  I tend to think of it as “home”.  Many of my formative years were spent visiting family in Pennsylvania, and many of my relatives still remain there.

This was the beautiful tourist information building that we spotted as we crossed the state line.

Yes, yes, yes! Pennsylvania has much to smile about. Its beauty would be number one on my own list!

At this particular area, there is a very beautiful garden planted with bright red geraniums. As I walked over, I saw several markers in memory of soldiers from
Pennsylvania whose lives were taken in the Iraqi conflict….a stark reminder of these perilous times we are living in…..

This was such an outstanding rest stop, and although not too awfully exciting, I just had to share it. I was moved by the beauty and simplicity and just think it deserves to be seen!

We were still far from our destination…but the trip was not going to be all business! I have a very dear friend that I met on a Scottish Terrier board. She has two Scotties, and when I discovered she lives only two miles away from where we go for supplies, you cannot imagine the surprise and delight  our entire family felt! So, stopping to visit with Jan was a real highlight of our day! I shall share a few pictures from our visit in another entry!

A few evenings ago, as I was sitting in a chair in the living room, I noticed a little humming bird sitting atop the shepherd’s hook that holds a pot of petunias on the back deck. As soon as I grabbed the camera, the little birdie just *knew* I was coming and took off!

Well, I sat back down, and as the dusk was beginning to settle in for the evening, the little hummer appeared once again on the bracket. I slowly picked up my camera, and shot the picture through the French doors of the dining room. If you look carefully, you will see the tiny bird sitting at the top!

As I watched, the rain began to fall rather hard, but the little hummer was unfazed by the weather. In fact, that little hummer sat out there until it was nearly dark! The above picture is of the potted petunias.  I make mention of these because, in my ignorance, I placed them previously on my south-facing front porch. The only problem there is that the porch is quite shaded by a stand of trees in the front yard. When my parents came to visit at the beginning of July, my poor petunias only had one lonely flower! After rectifying my mistake, the plant took off and is full of beautiful purple, white, and red flowers! Hard to believe my northern exposure back deck supplies so much more sunshine!

 This summer has been so surprising as far as hummingbirds go. I usually made about 2 cups of nectar for them in years past. This would last about a week, and I usually ended up dumping some of it, as I changed it out once a week.

This year, I am making well over a quart of nectar twice a week! Those little hummingbirds seem to have multiplied and brought the whole family with them! I have never seen so many before. This morning, as I was relaxing in the hot tub, I saw four hummers feeding on the back deck feeder.  This was a first!  And the NOISE! Hummingbirds tend to be very territorial, and when another comes near, they often squeak and flutter and dive bomb one another! It certainly provides a great deal of entertainment…..rain or shine!