Camping out

This photo is scanned from one of my parent's old slides. This is my Dad with one of his old pickups. He loved being out in the woods too.

One of the many wonderful things about living here, is the ability to go camping with very little hassle. We have had plenty of practice so it takes almost no time to pack up and there are several great spots within easy driving distance. We all enjoy being outside (does that surprise anyone)?

My earliest camping memory comes from when I was about 3 or 4 years old. Mom, Dad, Margaret,Pete, Paula and I all went camping.

At that time we had a camper that sat in the
bed of Dad's pickup. I think it was one of the type that extends above the cab. Mom and Dad slept in the bed. Margaret and Paula slept on the floor, Pete slept outside, (I am pretty sure he

volunteered, If I was 4 then he was 11). I slept in a strange cot arrangement, suspended above my parents bed. There were, I believe supposed to be three beds up there, green canvas cots separated by the poles that supported them. If I turned sideways, the supports would scoot together and I would be stuck. (I wonder if that was something my Dad came up with, he could fix anything, but not all of his ideas were perfect)I thought it was neat, but I know why I was the only one who "got" to sleep up there.

The other thing I remember about that trip is the flowers. I was over by the river, (not much more than a brook at that point and I was well supervised) there were some kind of flowers that were taller than me. I don't know what kind they were, I think they were white. They seemed magical, I pretended that I had somehow shrunk to fairy size. (This turtle visited us at home the other day)

I wandered in till I was completely hidden by the blossoms. I turned around in a slow circle, all I could see were the flowers and the sky. There were light fluffy clouds, that seemed close enough to touch and that deep blue that you only find high in the mountains.

I was really enjoying my fairy fantasy. When I was deep into the flower patch. I leaned closer to smell one of the flowers and WOW, the biggest fattest bee I had ever seen in my short little life climbed out of the flower! That guy was BIG. I ran.

The bee in this photo hitchhiked back home with us from our latest camping trip. He rode home on the inside of the van. When we found him, my sweet hubby convinced him to climb onto this paper plate so I could take a close up. Not bad. So fuzzy!
I remember a lot of camping trips with the Girl Scouts. Paula and I were in the same Junior troop for a while. The local Girl Scout Council had army surplus tents that we used. They were designed like Tee Pees with one central pole and lots of stakes. Not at all hard to put up. That is a good thing, they are also not at all hard to "accidentally" knock down. After one trip the leaders made I and Paula sleep in the same tent. I don't know why they would suspect us? I guess this is where I admit my part of all that. It was fun. Wonder if the other girls remember it.

Our troop was made up of girls from several different religions. Since some girls were not allowed Hot Chocolate, amongst other things, our leaders served Hot TANG in the morning. (Remember TANG, it is what the Astronaut's drank!) When ever I mention this to another adult, who is not from there, they are horrified. It was actually quite good. Kids like the idea. When I was a leader and I told our troop about the Hot Tang, they voted to try it on our next camping trip. They liked it and it went on all our trips after that.

I don't have a photo of the tang, but one of the old slides from my parents, shows someone making coffee over the campfire.

These yellow flowers look a lot like berry
blossoms.

Camping when I was a kid was always in the Rocky mountains. The Rocky's don't feel at all like the Smoky Mountains. The Smoky mountains and the part of South Carolina where we live and camp are very green. The Rocky's are a lot dryer. The trees, plants and small animals are all just a little different. Some day I am going to camp in even more places. (I will take pictures and write about it here)
This wonderful old tree is out behind the house.

This daisy was at our campsite this weekend. When I first saw it I did not realize why it was so lacy. It has been munched, but it is still pretty.
These tiny flowers grow next to the well house my hubby built. They are less than an inch tall and yet so cheerful.

remarkable specimen. Summer is just around the corner.
Wonder if I can talk someone into making some berry pancakes before long?

Hope your weekend was a good one. I finished my last test of the semester today so my week is off to a great start.

Any camping memories you would like to share?

Kat

View through someone else's eyes

We have a visitor. Our friend Dianne from Singapore is staying with us for a few days. It is wonderful to have her here. She is a sweet lady and has so many stories to tell. She is originally from the states and lives overseas now. She has traveled all over the world, yet she really seems to like our little corner. I love to read her letters and emails. Her writing is so evocative. She can describe something in just a few sentences and I feel like I know it. (I am trying to encourage her to blog!)

There were several of these dragonflies keeping us company as we walked.

This bashful guy is the first spotting of the season.

One of the great things about visitors is that you gain a new appreciation for things by looking at them through someone else’s eyes. Things I have become accustomed to and things that seem ordinary to me, take on a new life when they are shared. We went for a walk the other day (is anyone surprised?) and I found myself paying close attention so that I could show Dianne some of the treasures around us. It was a beautiful day and we took our time. Dianne spotted some flowers growing way up high in one of the trees. Glen and I had both passed them numerous times without seeing them.

Our Narcissus are at their peak. We put some in a vase for Dianne before she arrived. (They smell nice too).

Gotta love the wildflowers

Shelf fungus formed on a fallen log. Fascinating stuff. It looks a bit like sea shells. Have you ever noticed how often nature repeats patterns?

More visitors. These vultures made their appearance after the storm. I think they are under appreciated, these at least, look quite dignified.






That is all for this week. Hope you are enjoying spring!

Kat

Wild weather,

We had quite the storm on Friday night. I was at work when they notified us that our area was under "Tornado Watch". For those of you who don't live in tornado areas, watch means that conditions are right for tornadoes to form, warning means a tornado has been spotted.

The lightning started when I was on my way home. When I pulled up in front of the house, the lightning was continuous and right on top of me! When I turned off the engine on my little Tacoma, the hair on my arms and back of my neck stood up. (Yikes!)

I sat there till it calmed a little, there was no way I was getting out of the truck in that. I wasn't really frightened, it was kind of a rush. The light show was amazing. I have seen plenty of storms before, but I had the front row seat for this one.

After a few minutes, the hair on my arms and neck relaxed and I made a run for it to the house. No sooner did I get inside the door than it cut loose. Hail started coming down like mad. (We have a metal roof so it can be noisy) poor spontaneous hid under the table. Our power flickered but came right back and stayed on. The first three photos show how torn up my big magnolia and some of my Iris got.

The next two show some of the debrie that was blown onto the steps and the porch. What a mess.

After the storm, my bees are busy.

This morning when we got up, I went out to check the damages. I took photos, (of course) my poor little pickup has several fresh dimples on the hood and my sweet heart's car has some quarter sized dings on top, none appear to have damaged paint. (I can live with dimples, paint damage causes rust). The kids car was sitting right next to them and does not appear to have any damage. The porches are a mess, but we don't have any broken glass or other major damage. This morning, all is calm, the birds are singing and the cat is once again content.

Hope your weather is good and that you are also content.

Kat

More signs of spring

It is too pretty to be a weed, I prefer volunteer.

I don't know what they are, but I like them.

These are just outside my back door.

We received a lot of rain this week. Now everything is turning green.

First spotting of the season. These little guys are adorable and they keep the bug population low.

We call this the ghost bush because most of it is covered with lichens. This spring it surprised us by blooming again.

Not bad for a bush we thought was gone.

Dandelions are under appreciated.

The azaleas just started opening up.

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. Everywhere I look right now, there is something wonderful. Hope you are enjoying it too.

Kat

Rosie & Ruth, Women's History Month

A few weeks ago, (see "space cadet" in the archive if you missed it) I gave my Dad credit for me growing up and joining the Air Force. It is true that I learned my love of airplanes and the space program from him (as well as Jim Kirk and crew), but my Mother was a part of it too.

This is a copy of a photo of my Mom, probably in her 20's.

 

When I attended Quincy Elementary School in the late 60's. I only knew of two Mothers who worked. My best friend Terry's Mom, Mrs. Diploma (who is a very sweet lady and a wonderful cook) worked with her Husband in the family owned grocery store. My Mom was the only other Mother who worked outside the home. She was secretary for the Teamster's Union.

This one was probably taken in the 1960's.

My Mom worked from 8:00 am till 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday until she retired. When my Dad was not working. He drove her to work, then he would pick her up at lunch and she would cook for them both, he would drive her back to work and pick her up at the end of the day. When she came home at the end of the day, they would have a quiet cup of coffee together, then Mom would fix dinner. When he was working, she walked home at the end of the day. We helped, I can remember proudly being allowed to carry the silverware and the bread tray to the table when I was just tiny. I can also remember standing on a chair to help my Sisters wash the dishes before I was tall enough to reach the sink, and learning to iron while standing on another chair.

When I was small, my Mom kept the house clean. We dusted and swept and helped with whatever else we were told to do. (Not always willingly) Mom was the driving force. She worked along side of us and made sure it was right. Our windows were not streaked and the smell of baking bread was not uncommon. My Mom even found time to make a lot of our clothes. In other words, she did everything the other Mom's did, and worked 40 hours a week for a paycheck. All of this with a good disposition. She really was a Super Woman.

Mom had an independent spirit (except where my Dad was concerned) and wanted us to grow up to be independent too. When I was going to "Highland Jr. High" she made me take a typing class I didn't want. She said it was so that if I needed to I could get a job and not have to rely on a man to take care of me. I think I was 11 or 12 before Mom started wearing pants suits. Dad didn't think ladies should wear pants so Mom wore dresses. Occasionally she would wear some Jeans to clean house in, and all the photos I have from their deer hunting trips show her wearing jeans.

I don't remember my parents arguing, they did, just not in front of us when we were small. I do remember my Mom putting her foot down, once. Dad was watching something on TV one Saturday afternoon. Mom asked him to take her to the laundry-matt. He said "not right now". She explained that she had a lot to do and not much time. He said he would take her "when he was ready and not before". (He was not unreasonable, but he was from an earlier generation and he believed that he should be the boss) The following Monday, when Mom came home from work and told him that she was enrolled in Drivers Education and he could either drive her to her classes or she would take a cab and she didn't really mind if he liked it or not. Amazingly, they did not fight about it. He took her and she got her license. I always thought she got away with it because he was in shock.

This is my Mom with (according to age) Margaret, Pete, and Paula. Judging from the size of the children, Mom was probably 39 or 40 years old.

I don't remember this car. She didn't get that license for another decade so she probably never got to drive it.


 

Fast forward to 1983. When I went home to tell my her I was going to go in the Air Force. I expected her to freak out and tell me not to go. My mind was made up and I had already signed the paperwork. She didn't freak out, she didn't even cry. She beamed! She hugged me and told me how proud she was! She told me to "wait right there", she came back a few minutes later and handed me a tiny black and white photo I had never seen before. It was her as a very young lady, sitting on some steps. She was wearing COVERALLS? Then she told me the story. During World War II when so many men went off to war, there were not enough men to do all the work that needed doing. Rosie the Riveter was a fictional character portrayed on government posters to encourage women to do their part by working in Non-traditional jobs. Most people will recognize the familiar "We can do it" image with the smiling, bandana clad lady, her arm raised to show muscle. There were multiple versions of the poster, this is just the most popular. I have a wonderful book Titled "Rosie the Riveter" that shows several versions and tells some of the stories. It is by Penny Coleman. (For more official info http://www.adcouncil.org/default.aspx?id=128 ) My Mom wanted to do her part too. She told me the photo was taken during a break while she was in Technical School to become a lady machinest. The war ended at the same time she completed her school. The ladies were thanked and then told to go back home and raise babies, "the men can take it from here". That was the real begining of equality. Most of those brave ladies went back to their old traditional lives, with one big difference. They knew that they could "do it". They did go home and raise babies, they gave birth to and raised the Baby Boomers. I was the last of my Mom's children. She never said a word about Rosie till I was raised. What did your Mother do during The War?

My Mom was an amazing lady. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an even better sense of fun. I was proud of her and her job as a secretary, even when I was little, I hope I told her so. She loved us all so much. In her later years, the house was not as clean, and she could be a handful, but none of us ever doubted that we were loved. As for Rosie, she changed the world. Not bad for a fictional character.

Walking in the woods

Last weeks blog was all about flower photos that I took while we were in Florida. Since I forgot to mention that, one friend thought that those photos were taken here at home. This week I will take you with me on a walk through the woods near our lovely old home, and show you what is blooming. This stream goes under the road at the far end of our usual walking route. I am starting down there because we power walked to that point for my PE class. We took the longer route to get here so I could take some spring time photos. This is the same view from another angle. There are tiny fish in here. They average 2 to 3 inches long. I did not see any today. imagine sitting here and listening to the burbling stream and lots of birds. We heard a wild dove as well as various unknown chirpers. This is one of the most peaceful places that I know of. If you look to the left of the road, you will see a tree with pink blossoms. I do not know what it is, but it is lovely. It probably smells great too, but I am allergic to spring time and can't smell a thing right now. (It is worth it, no way am I staying indoors right now) This is a close up of the pink blossoms. The woods are so peaceful this afternoon. It feels like we are miles away from everyone. My Sweet Hubby has been taking walks with me for several years now. He is good company. The walks are good for both of us, physically and mentally.

I could have labeled this photo "Trouble ahead". See the yellow buds? When they open up they will release clouds of Pine Pollen. It coats everything. The porches, the vehicles, anything that is outside and not moving fast enough. It is a serious allergen.
This vine is Carolina Jasmine.

This photo is Forsythia. It is usually a domestic plant, here it is growing wild, off in the woods. There are Narcissus nearby. Makes me wonder if there wasn't another house there with a garden at some point in the past.

The sign says "No Hunting".
This is a closeup of the base on the tree above. Can't you just see a fairy peeking around the corner? Hm, maybe I will have to do something about that.

That is home, still a little ways away. I am looking across a field where baby pine trees have been planted to replace those that were harvested last year. Almost there.
This Ivy draped Oak, is in my front yard. It is such an incredible old thing. At this point, I think the Ivy is holding the tree up.
My Dogwood is getting ready to bloom.
Iris and Lavender. The Iris were here when we came. I planted the Lavender.

This unusual flower is growing under the Ivy oak. I don't know what it is or where it came from, it is the only one I have seen. I love it.

The stream at the beginning is 1.2 miles from my house. Our usual walk used to be down there and back at a leisurely stroll. Since I started taking this class, I have to monitor my heart rate and keep it within a certain range for a set amount of time. In order to do this, we are moving a lot faster. So yesterday, we took the long route down, there is a side road that adds some distance. Then by the time we got to the stream, we could slow down and take some photos. When the class is over, we plan on keeping the pace up, we will just go farther so we can slow down and enjoy as well.

Would you care to join us?

Kat