The Bois d'Arc Tree

One can only imagine what this tree has seen and heard in it's lifetime. On this plot of land where it's spread it's roots and branches it may have seen the building of a military installation to guard settlers from angry Indian attacks. Later it probably witnessed the construction of one of central Arkansas' oldest buildings, the Arsenal Building, where munitions for the military post were stored. It watched soldiers from both the North and the South during the civil war. It was nearby when Douglas MacArthur was born in a nearby building. MacArther would become General of the United States Army during WWII and most of the Korean War. Through it's long life it has witnessed so much history.

This is a Bois d'Arc tree which means "wood of the bow" in reference to the Osage Indians practice of making bows and war clubs from the tree's wood. It has others names as well: Osage Orange, Horse Apple and Hedge Apple, which refers to the fruit of the tree.

The Good

This is my favorite tree. Any time I'm near, I stop and take more pictures. As I was taking pictures a gentleman from the nearby museum came out to replace two of the flags that are at the Veteran's Memorial. I stood watching him through the branches. It was a touching moment to see the flags raised in honor of fallen soldiers.

The Random

I've never found another tree that has such fascinating bark. It has wonderful texture and color in the deep swirls and crisscrosses of it's gnarled wood. The bark also contains tannin and was once used for tanning leather. The heartwood is bright orange. I could spend hours studying the bark and roots. Some of the roots are above ground and are at least 12" high. 

The Fun

The wood of Bois d'Arc trees is quite valuable due to it's density, which makes it suitable for everything from fence posts to artistic woodcarving. And one last fun fact, the fruit of the tree repels numerous insects, including spiders and cockroaches. This is certainly an interesting and useful tree! I'm looking forward to going back in a few weeks to see it covered in autumn color.

Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods

and listen to the magic whispers of old trees.

~Author Unknown

Linking today with

Remember

How does one say "thank you" to those who have sacrificed

their lives for our country and our freedom?

We can remember them.

How does one say "thank you" to those who serve our country?

We can pray for them.

"Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

Sunday Sundries - Edition 28

This weekend marks the 200th anniversary of the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." On the morning of September 13, 1814 the British began their attack on Baltimore by bombarding Fort McHenry. The fort successfully resisted the British attack. The following morning Francis Scott Key saw the U. S. flag still flying over the fort and wrote his thoughts on paper setting his words to the tune of a popular English song. His brother-in-law, commander of a militia at Fort McHenry, read Key's words and had it printed with the name "Defence of Fort M'Henry." The Baltimore Patriot newspaper printed it and within weeks it would become known as "The Star-Spangled Banner."  In 1931 it was adopted by Congress as the official U.S. National Anthem. I know the first verse is familiar to all Americans,  but I encourage you to slowly read all four verses. The last one is very powerful! You can read more at Smithsonian.com.

The Star-Spangled Banner Lyrics By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Friday Finds & Randomness

 

Meet my latest find and newest edition to my photo props.

Sometimes things are just right in front of my nose and I don't see them. This chair was. My sister and I recently went to a flea market, where I picked up a few small things for photography; a vintage piece of lace, a small blue cup, and a wooden bowl. There was a wire basket that I looked at and then put back. Later I wished I'd bought it, so I decided to make a return trip. I picked up the basket and started to walk away when I saw what it had been sitting on!  This sweet little child's chair. I love it...pealing pain, wobbly legs, missing pieces of wood, and all! I finally got a chance this week to photograph it for a class (Be Still-52) I'm taking with Kim Klassen. Our focus was on allowing room in our photos and our lives so that we can breathe.

 

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds.

 

 

Randomness

 

#1

It's rained every day this week. In fact, it's raining as I type! The rain has left the pasture damp and with the warmer temperatures the mushrooms are sprouting.  I have never seen one like the one on the bottom right.  It looks like a marshmallow sitting on the ground.

 

#2

Some days I don't know which way is up!

 

#3

Arkansas strawberries are in and they are delicious.  I made strawberry freezer jam this week. I refuse to tell you how much sugar the recipe calls for!  We'll ignore that fact! I'll just have to walk an extra lap or two when I eat any!  I love to make pancakes on Sunday night and strawberry jam is the best topping there is!

 

#4

One of my azalea bushes has just now bloomed. It's never done this before, bloom later than the others. Did it want to be noticed so it bloomed by itself or was it just waiting to soak up all this rain?

 

#5

I found some different seedpods yesterday.  In each of these bell shapes there are several tiny black seeds just waiting to be scattered by the wind!

 

I'm going to be a little scarce for the next week. I'll be spending time with family. I hope each of you have a great weekend!

Friday Finds and Random Facts

 I've been home to much lately, so yesterday I just got in the car and started driving with no destination. After I left the house I decided to see if I could find a historical home I've been wanting to photography. I found it and in front of it I found this old fence. Isn't it just wonderful! I love fences that have been around for years. I love the pealing paint and lichen growing all over them. I love the cracked and broken boards. Most of all I love that gate!

 

 

 

Fact  #1

The home I was looking for is called the Ten Mile House, a rare example of a largely intact rural home of the early nineteenth century. Ten Mile House is billed as the oldest brick building in Arkansas (built circa 1820). The house was commandeered by Union troops during the Civil War. It was also thought to have accommodated travelers on the Southwest Trail  stagecoach line, earning it the alternative name “Stagecoach House."

 

 

 

 

Fact #2

I took 561 pictures yesterday in my travels. What does that say about me?  I probably should think more about what and how I'm shooting and not take three or four of the same shot!!  My favorite photo of the day is of this old split-rail fence and log building. It looks like it was taken in the fall, but I promise I took it yesterday. We have certain trees that don't loose their leaves until spring. They just turn brown and hang on the tree all winter.

 

 

 

Fact  #3

With the civil war on my mind I decided to tour the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. This flag at the top of the main staircase is  a "42-Star 'Unofficial' 1890 U.S. Flag."  The 42-star flag was never an official star count and only produced for eight months from November 1889 through July 4, 1890. It was hard to take this picture. It's hanging over a very large window!

 

 

 

Fact  #4

I believe God puts little things in my pathway each day to delight me. Honestly, I do. I feel even though there are millions of people that God watches over, he spends time with each of us. He know what delights me. One thing in nature that delights me more than anything else is heart shapes. This heart-shape is in a huge root of a very large tree. I'm grateful for these little winks from God!

 

 

 

Fact  #5

It snow this week. It was lovely to stand at the window and watch the snowflakes gently falling. The snow only last a short while and the only accumulation was a little bit on my vehicle. I've always wanted to capture a snowflake. I'll be honest, this one was only visible after much cropping and I'll never be able to print it. But, I can certainly see it and I'm quite proud of it!

 

Happy Friday evening to you!

I hope your weekend is wonderful! 

 

Linking with Kim for Friday Finds 

Linking with Nancy for Random 5 Friday

 

Summer Scavenger Hunt...

What do you think of when you think of summer?

Heat, heat, heat...did I say that too many times?  That's exactly what I think of when the word summer is mentioned!!  HEAT!! I'm sure I've mentioned before that summer is my least favorite time of the year. The only time I ever enjoyed summer was when my children were home and summer meant no school.  I always enjoyed the time we spent together during the summer; sibling arguments, boredom, and all!  Now, the only part I like about summer is when the grandkids get to come to our house or I get to go to theirs. It seems I don't think about heat when they're here!

Speaking of grandchildren, they were all here last week. We stayed pretty close to home. We played in the water and ate watermelon, home-made ice cream, and grilled burgers. We just simply had fun!

What do you think?  Do I need a larger pool?
Maybe not, they seem to be having lots of fun to me!!

                                         

The little one, stayed in the shade in his stroller,

cooing and talking to Gramps and Gramma.

 

That makes a perfect summer for me, but back to the question...what do you think of when you think of summer...

flip flops, swimsuits, cold drinks, sunshine, flowers?

One of the photography groups I belong to decided to have a Summer Scavenger Hunt. Usually we get one prompt a week, but this week we got seven. Seven prompts that scream summer!  It has been a really fun week. I haven't been able to travel anywhere (still have sore ribs, although I'd guess I'm at least 95% healed!!  Yea!!). Anyway I had fun being creative and finding the prompts right here at home.  I went out early, before the heat, and took pictures for the seven prompts: a kite, cold drink, flip flops, flag, berries, swimsuits, and bicycle.

a kite

When I was small, we didn't buy our kites. We made them!  We'd get a piece of newspaper, some sticks, string, and little pieces of fabric for the tail. They weren't great kites, the newspaper tore so easily, but they did fly, loop, and swirl as we ran across the yard.  Since I don't have a kite, I made a small one for this prompt. I'll tell you a secret...it's tied to a tree limb, I squatted down and shot up making it look like it's flying.

cold drink

This little vignette represents a little summer "me" time.  A good book and ice cold strawberry lemonade.

flip flops

I received a surprise in my mailbox from my daughter and her family; a 60th birthday flip flop. Can you imaging the surprise of opening the mailbox and seeing a flip flop in there? I wonder what the post lady thought.  It was probably the first flip flop she's ever delivered!!  It was addressed and stamped on the top and signed on the bottom!  What fun!!

flag

A different perspective of our beautiful flag.

berries

Delicious strawberries. I think we'll have strawberry shortcake for dessert.

swimsuit

It's mine, but I won't model it!

bicycle

I thought this bike belonged to our son, but Mr. H says it didn't. His memory is better than mine.  We do still have our son's bike, but it's grey. It really made a better story when I thought it belonged to our son. You know...our son's bike...ridden by his nephews...and someday his sons.  Oh well, it's still special because it is ridden by our oldest grandson when he comes to visit.

So, once again, what do you think of when YOU think of summer?

Veteran's Day

Honoring the millions of men and women

who have served or are serving

in the nation's armed forces.

Thank You!