Anatomy of a Lilly

It's a beautiful thing.

Full of pollen and wet with moisture

releasing it's scent to attract the birds and the bees.
What a lovely place to land.

Queen Anne's Lace?

How did this lovely plant get named after Queen Anne?

It looks like a snowflake. A summer snowflake.

They must be hungry

It appears as though the deer have the munchies for my sunflowers that are trying to grow. Hisss. I planted the sunflowers for the pictures, not the deer. Perhaps it is not very nice of me, but... I love sunflowers and want to photograph them! Did you not like the leaves? just the flower bud? Please! Step away from the sunflowers, deer.

A beautiful Storm

We had quite the electrical storm last night. Since it was not yet raining, I thought perhaps I would go out and try to photograph some lightning shots. I am a fan of the bulb setting on my Canon 10D, but had not attempted to shoot lightning. Needless to say, it was a challenge. Just when I thought I was in sync with the storm, the flash of lightning would have come and gone. How do the pro photographers do it? Well, here are 2 of the 3 shots that came out.
It almost looks like it bounced off the tree in this shot. Oh well, it was nice to stand in the dark and watch the storm without getting wet. Yeah for the garage door providing an un-obstructed opening! I wish I had windows that big in my house. I love watching the storms. : )

those that eat bugs

Plenty of dragonflies around honey creek. I love them because they eat other bugs. I thought about naming my place "Dragonfly Meadows" since I see so many of them & the house next to me is "Nut 'N' Honey Acres". What do you think, should I name my place "Dragonfly Meadows"?
May the dragonflies eat more Mosquitoes so I don't have to swat them. I have a few too many welts this summer. (Lovely.)

The frog [or toad] must be happy with the array of bugs I have on the menu at honey creek. Again, I must say, eat more mosquitoes!!

Flowers, no bugs

I am going to try and post more pics. I shoot tons of flowers so, here goes. A few good flower shots and one hummingbird. I hung out on the ground in an effort to get a good pic of the hummingbird(s) that enjoys one of my many feeders. Good thing my neighbors did not come over, they would think I was a freak. Oh well, at least I do not ride around on my tractor with a shot gun like the guy who owned the house before me. I shoot nature to preserve the memory, not to kill it.

Wildlife around HoneyCreek

Here are a few of the images from around the yard in the last couple days. Oh how I wish the japenese beetles would just GO AWAY! They are eating all of my hollyhocks, roses, rose of sharon, echinacea and a few of the other wild flowers around my yard. Bastards! I have used the bug bags in the past, they round 'em up fast and then stink. Oh well. the pics are still nice. The toad was just hanging out with me while I read the Sunday Paper. The caterpillar, although very pretty, was found munching on my crab apple trees. I enjoy Life around honey creek.

Figure 8 Race Pictures

The first race of the season for Figure 8 with his number 42 car seemed to go far better than last year's first race. You go, Hello Kitty Car.

4th of July at the Varner's

Above are 2 of the many photos I took last night at the Varner 4th 'o July celebration. It was great to hang out with the group. With the exception of a little rain, it was a good night. Love the bulb setting on my Canon 10D. Lots of fun to do the night shots.
Tomorrow night is a figure 8 race. Should be interesting.

Memorial Day Weekend - The Fire Pit Project

It has been ages since my last post, but here goes.
My goal this weekend was to install a new fire pit. Not just: pull one out of a box and put it together, but really BUILD one. My sister and brother-in-law gave me the bug to create an official fire pit since they put one in a month or so ago. I am sure that mine will be different since I am not inclined to drive all over town looking for the same type of bricks that they used. However, mine will have a nice look and feel.

I went to the local brickyard and picked out the Antique Red bricks for my project. 32 bricks at 18.4 lbs each; they loaded them into the back of my car and I drove home. Let the work begin.

I unloaded the nearly 600 lbs of bricks and began the process. Burn the old thorny rose brush and begin the dig. And dig, and dig. I can't remember how many wheel barrels full of dirt that I removed but it was a good 600 lbs of dirt. Now, if I was as good as my brother-in-law, I would line the bottom with sand and level each brick then mortar them. However, I am not THAT good. So, I gave it my girl scout try to make it happen. Albeit without levelling or mortar. So far so good. I had friends over last night for the ceremonial burn and it worked great. I had a few suggestions from my friends, but I think most enjoyed it.

So, I am glad that I did not mortar anything yet, because I think another layer of bricks is in order. Check out my pics so far.

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September - last day

I must say that it has been an awesome month here in Michigan. 81% of it sunny and 4 degrees above normal temps for the whole month. It was great. A nice way to end a rather chilly summer season. : ) Onto fall...

Real Estate Update:
The realtors made me an offer for my house although rather pathetic. I guess they think they are the only ones that should make money. Well, sorry, I am not willing to give it away for nothing. My land, my house and I will keep it.
The thing I think is interesting is that the realtor [and her client] who purchased the house next door to me, think that it is now worth $499,000.00 with no improvements. They paid 274,900 for it just a short month ago. The people that sold the house for 274 are still living there until their new house is complete. I wonder if they know what the person who bought the house is trying to sell it for. Ouch, that would have to hurt. I actually hope the realtor is unable to turn it around for 499. I like the old farm house [built in 1876] and the 6-acre horse field between my house and the old farm house.
Is there ever a time when we will stop taking over old farmlands and turning them into 500,000 home subdivisions? Will all the old farmhouses die? Are we all selling out for more money and sacrificing wide open land where the animals wander?

In Ada they have a saying, "leaving ada? take a developer with you!" I am not opposed to progress, but I do enjoy the night sky full of stars, the animals that wander thru my yard, and the ability to be away from the noise of the city. With a bunch of new homes, I think I would lose my night sky and peaceful atmosphere.

callalillies 9.11.04 - copyright artofo 

65 ft Splash at the Frankfort Lighthouse - Frankfort, MI 

Developer to buy property

I guess there are a lot of movers and shakers in this world that get their kicks and make their cash in real estate. Buying property, fixing it up, and turning it around again for a profit.

I purchased my little 2.6 acre parcel outside of Grand Rapids just over 2 years ago. I have been fixing it up ever since. A week ago, I received a call from a realtor about selling my home. Interestingly enough, my house is not even on the market. [Lucky me]

The old farm house next door to me sold last month. So, now the realtors are trying to buy up the parcels next to the property. Ah, developers.

I am sure that my little house is just getting in the way of the $500,000.00+ properties that they want to put up in place of my house. There are many $500k houses around me. I guess this area still needs more executive homes.

Unfortunately for them, I love my property and am in no hurry to move on.

men's diving

Ah, I love the Olympics and men's diving. Speedos gallore. The divers have not gone the way of the swimmers with their half to full body swim suit. It is good to see men in the speedos. the itty bitty bathing suit. I know there are not many women who enjoy them, but it is a wonderful way to see the body of man in it's best form. Figure in it's pure form. Is it modesty that has changed the bathing suit of the American man? I wonder...