Hedgehog in my garden...2008 Olympics...

This hedgehog cement garden ornament was purchased new over 30 years ago and it finally looks old.

Don't fail to bookmark The official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 8-24, 2008 so you can keep up with what is happening over there.

2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony...

All eyes will be on the opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China tonight. I copied the pictogram above from their homepage.

For a real treat with 24 very large amazing photographs, please don't miss THE BIG PICTURE.

Bluebird house on my property...

This might be considered a repeat photo. I used another version of this bluebird box in my very first post. I like this version better because it doesn't have anything intruding in the upper left corner. I love the blurred background.

Orchid portrait...

I photographed this orchid at a friend's house. I have never owned one of these plants and I probably never will. They are lovely as long as there is a flower...but when the flower goes I lose interest completely. So I shall just be happy with OPO (other people's orchids).

Beautiful maple leaf with fall colors...

This is the main reason for wanting to get all of my grass nice and short. Then most of the leaves that are already starting to fall will blow away and I won't have to rake so much. This system has always worked well for me. I love this colorful maple leaf I found while walking Webster. I photographed it on an old storm shutter with the most wonderful blue over green paint.

More moonlight mowing...

I have not kept up with my mowing lately. Now I have to work extra hard to get my lower property looking like this again. I mowed after dinner for 2 hours so I am on my way! This photo was taken one foggy morning. See you on the internet tomorrow.

MR. SHARPTOOTH, 1903 illustrated children's book...

Mister Sharptooth by Joe Kerr Illustrations by Robert H. Porteous G. W. Dillingham Co., Publishers New York ~ 1903

The book is in poor condition but the chromolithographed illustrations are wonderful. Enjoy this rare book with a happy ending and a moral too.

Cottage love . . .

I have always loved the watercolor of this wonderful stone and brick vine-covered cottage with a tile roof. It is on the cover of one of my ancient address books. I hope this is a real home somewhere ~ preferably in England. I wouldn't change a thing. It is absolutely perfect with a chimney on each gable end, a shaped hedge, wooden gate, brick walls for the garden, simple board and batten front door, and windows with brick surrounds. I think it would be low maintenance too. I am quite sure the interior is filled with 18th century antiques!

I don't have petunias this year. This photo was taken in my garden last summer.

Huge snakeskin with eye sockets intact...

I found this snakeskin at the base of a tree located outside my bedroom window. I tried picking it up in one piece but it was too fragile. I hung it in the tree in two pieces. I know this snake. I often see him sunning himself in this blue spruce and he is a very large, very fat, very long black snake. I searched the internet for poisonous snakes in New Jersey and decided he was not a rattlesnake because he has no markings...just solid black. So I am not afraid of him and I just leave him alone. I hope he eats his weight in field mice!

Upon closer examination, I discovered that he just crawled out of his skin and left the old eye sockets behind. Lenses and all! Isn't that amazing?

Here is a closer view of his old face. Looks a little bit like Gumby with scales! Well, that is my adventure for the day.

Bark 'n dog...

I love texture. This is an interesting bark pattern on a very old white pine.

This photo of my assistant gives new meaning to the term watch dog. He sits reclines at the center window of my third floor studio and watches for trespassing critters all day long. He knows our survey by heart and will chase the deer, fox, bunny, squirrel or what have you just to the edge of the property line and then turn around and head home. Webster is the smartest, sweetest, most loyal dog I have ever owned.

Tomato smiley face . . .

I thought I should create a photographic record of this tomato smiley face before it becomes a BLT.

Butterflies and wildflowers...

First butterfly photo of the season! I told you the thistle flower would bring them!

This is a tiny blue wildflower that looks huge in this macrIt's an Asian / Asiatic Dayflower, Commelina communis.o shot! I wish I knew the name. For now let's just call it beautiful blue flower.

Mystery solved--an anonymous reader identified this as an Asian / Asiatic Dayflower, Commelina communis. Thank you so much!

Wounded Bulldog on 1908 Penny Postcard

AFTER THE DUEL
You should see the other guy!

Antique postcard with Dec. 3, 1908 postmark. Benjamin Franklin is on the one-cent stamp. Boy, postage has really gone up!

Wild raspberries = free food...

Have you ever tasted wild raspberries? They are so much better than all the rest! Tart and sweet at the same time. There is only one problem ~ you have to get to them before the birds. I have tons bushes on my property and most are in treacherous locations; either on steep slopes or behind poison ivy. Both prove to be quite difficult when wearing flip flops. Tomorrow morning I shall wear my boots!

Smiling bulldog...

I was looking through some ancient magazines this evening and came across this silly photo. I though it was very fitting for wishing you a happy weekend. Have fun and enjoy everything you do.

Best birthday hat ever...

This is my BBF - Best Baby Friend! She celebrated her first birthday on Tuesday. One of her presents was this fabulous hat. Doesn't she look beautiful? Everybody should have a baby friend. I am so lucky. I gave her one of those ugly dolls and she grinned from ear to ear. Her big brother and two big sisters liked it too.

Thistle do...

I finally have a flower that is beginning to bloom on my giant thistle bush, weed, plant, or whatever. It is gigantic and I am so glad I did not pull it up. The state bird of New Jersey, the goldfinch, loves it. I never tire of seeing this beautiful bright yellow wild canary with black wings. Many photo opportunities await! Butterflies will gather here too. So stay tuned!

You can click on most of my photos if you want to see the larger version.

Perils of Country Living...

Webster and I got an early start this morning. I love the way the sun's rays are filtered through the trees. I call this my poison ivy tree. If they ever find a use for this as a cure for some disease, the first stop for harvesting should be here. Don't look at the next photo if you are afraid of snakes! This snake in the grass clover was very cooperative. He did not move an inch and I think he was actually posing for me. I tried to get his red tongue but missed every time. Aren't I brave? My blog is one month old today and tomorrow I will have an archive! Yippee. How am I doing so far? I think I have mastered nearly everything and have my layout looking almost perfect. It's a good thing too. If I were to continue working so hard on the design, I would have to change the name of the blog to NEGLECT IN A COTTAGE.