Walk with me

Hello friends! I thought I'd take you on a walk around the block with me since we all have to keep our distance these days. The city of Columbia announced this morning that starting Sunday we would be housebound. The state came back and said they didn't have the right to make that call, so we shall see what transpires. Either way, our neighborhood is not in the city limits, praise the Lord!

The other piece of news before we begin is that the SC state parks are officially closing tomorrow through the end of April. That means no camping trip for Spring Break for us :(

Now, as we depart the driveway, let me introduce you to my current nemesis. Oh, he may look nice enough, but the pollen he produces is wreaking havoc on the camper and tow vehicle, which are parked beneath him. Oh, and I know it is not nice to point this out, but he smells something awful!

Just around the corner, for we live on the corner of our street, is this lovely dogwood tree. They happen to be my favorite tree. Not only are they beautiful, they do not offend the olfactory senses.

I may be wrong, but I think this is wisteria. It covers lots of trees and shrubs in our neighborhood. The bees love it.

As we make the turn onto the back of the lake, there is another gorgeous dogwood. If I time it right, the sun is setting through the trees and gives a lovely glow to the lake and trees.

These shrubs line the fence along the back side of the lake.

I feel like it would be intruding to share the houses along my walk. Some are quite lovely, and landscaped well, with lots of mature old trees providing shade. Others, well..., let's just say that they aren't cared for and it shows.

The lake currently has a green hue thanks to the pollen.  The ducks and geese don't seem to mind. We also have cormorants, great blue herons, and egrets too. There are snapping turtles and supposedly fish. We have never been successful in catching a fish, so I assumed there weren't fish. I was proven wrong, six times, as our neighbor two doors down, managed to pull that many fish from the lake yesterday as Therese and I sat there dumbstruck, our fishing poles and attitudes drooping. Obviously, we don't know how to fish. My Papa would be disappointed.

Did I tell you I love dandelions? I do! And the golden hour for capturing great photos of dandelions.

There always seems to be a puddle or two for the kids to ride through, leaving a muddy spray up the back of their shirts. I prefer to take pictures of leaves in the puddles.

We made it back home! The following are scenes from the back porch while I sipped on some wine and started my new book.

Tony found this little guy or gal while raking the yard. Peter fell in love with her and named her Lily. He made a little house for her too. He has been heartbroken today because Lily escaped her home and cannot be found.

Now it is time to start dinner. Since it is Friday during Lent, we will have black beans and rice and maybe a nice cucumber salad.

I hope you enjoyed hanging out this afternoon!