Ominous Clouds

Have you ever looked up that word, ominous?

I've used it before and always had a general idea of the definition

but I didn't know the true meaning of it until I looked it up this morning.

Here's Merriam-Webster's definition:  ominous:  adj: being or exhibiting an omen :  portentous; especially: foreboding or foreshadowing evil:  inauspicious. Synonyms: baleful, dire, direful, doomy, foreboding, ill, ill-boding, inauspicious, menacing, minatory, portentous, sinister, threatening.

I've been fascinated with clouds lately.

So many different types, shapes, colors, etc.  They can really be beautiful.

Last night as I was loading the car to leave the church

(after a long day of working in the youth room) the clouds

were looking ominous and threatening of some potentially bad weather.

The skies were beautiful (of course, I like anything that's pink!) in a scary sort-of way.

With all the crazy weather that's been happening across the globe lately,

one never knows, anymore, what these types of clouds may turn in to.

Fortunately, all we received was some more much-needed rain.

And, it waited to start until I was home and finished with all the farm chores, yay!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

I'm off to make some deviled-eggs for our Spring Picnic at church today, woot!

Till next time,

Early Morning

One morning last week Country Boy awoke early and couldn't get back to sleep.  While lying there in the dark, wide awake, he decided he'd like to go fishing.  After nudging me and asking me if I was awake, I mean really?, of course I'm awake NOW... what a silly question!  Anyway, he proceeded to ask me if I wanted to go with him.  I don't do fresh-water fishing (I like deep-sea fishing) but I like to tag along for the company and for an opportunity to take some pictures.

So, we got out of bed, made some coffee, hooked the boat up, packed some snacks and water, grabbed a book and the camera bag and off we went.  It was still dark.  ZZZzzz.

The river was quite murky in spots and we had to paddle through it to get to the lake.  Once the sun started coming up I was wondering how long we would be able to stay out.

It was quite cloudy yet pretty.

Speaking of sleep, I just have to tell y'all how much we are loving Country Boy's new work schedule.  On the days that he works he is home every night now and gets to sleep in his own bed!  What a joy that is to actually get a full nights' sleep!  Lack of sleep takes a toll on you both physically and mentally and if you've never worked a 24 hour shift on a consistent basis it's difficult to comprehend.  Working 10, 12, 16 hour days is still difficult but the fact that one can sleep in their own bed without fear of interruption is HUGE!  What a difference it has made in our lives!  We are so grateful!  I digress...

The sun trying to peek through the thick layer of clouds.

We left around noon and luckily didn't get rained on!

Country Boy caught a couple nice Bass.  He was happy!

~~~~~

I have to do laundry today and it's raining.  Time to get creative with an indoor clothesline of some sort!  I have visions of clothes taking over my front porch!  Rain was in the forecast for yesterday so I didn't do laundry... it wasn't supposed to be raining today *sigh*.  I believe the only job where you can consistently be wrong and still keep your job is that of a weatherman *laugh*!

I hope y'all have a great weekend!

Till next time,

Back From Vacation

Country Boy and I arrived home yesterday evening after a week of hanging out with his family in a cabin in Eufala, Alabama for the week and then ending it with a couple of days at the beach with our friends Mama Shutta'Bug and her husband and Country Boy's working partner, Medic Man.  We spent the rest of the evening unpacking, showering and nursing our sun-burned bodies and then were in bed by 8:30!  I guess our vacation wore us out!

We left Sunday afternoon, stuffed and miserable, after a wonderful Homecoming service and potluck at church! Great service, great music and great food!  It's about a six hour trip from our place to Eufala so we were arriving in the early evening.  The clouds were gorgeous!

Country Boy did some hunting, fishing, four-wheelin', movie watching, game playing and just relaxing!  

I spent my time visiting with family, reading, taking pictures, cross-stitching and relaxing on the front porch with a tall glass of iced coffee enjoying the beauty of the hibiscus! 

My sister-in-law and I went to town one day and walked around.  There are many grand homes on the main street.

Shorter Mansion completed in 1906 after a renovation project of a one story home originally built in 1884.

Russell-Kellogg 1905, constructed of stucco with pebbles and wood.  The style is Neoclassical Revival.  (I love the wrap-around porch and the balcony on top!  What a great place to view a parade!)

I don't have the history on this house but it is one of my personal favorites!  I could see myself living in a house like this on lots of acreage in the country!

The following house had been in disrepair since the first time we visited Eufala over seven years ago.

Copeland-French 1886, built by Dr. W. P. Copeland.  Three generations of the Copeland family have occupied the house.  It is an irregular three-story plan built of clapboard construction with a brick foundation. The home was the site of lavish entertaining and four daughters were married here.

There are stories about a ghost that plays with toys in the children's room in the upper tower.

It looks like the perfect haunted house to me!  I hope one day it can be restored to its former glory before it's too late.

I have a lot more to show and tell you but I'm pooping out this evening so I'll save them for another post (or two!).

I hope you all had a great week!  I missed you!

Till next time,

You're Back!

Welcome back my Followers!  I'm not sure where Blogger had you hidden but I'm glad to 'see' you again!  Fortunately, that was the only problem I had with Blogger the past couple of days but I know several fellow bloggers who had various difficulties during the past week.  Hopefully, it's all fixed now and we can all get on with our blogger-lives! 

Yesterday I mentioned that Country Boy and I went to the coast in the afternoon so that I could take some pictures and then grab a bite to eat.  We went to one of my favorite beachside locales... John's Pass in Madeira Beach on the Gulf Coast.  It's an historic fishing village and boardwalk with lots of shopping, dining and photo opportunities.  Let me show you around.....

This is where we parked.  One quarter gives you 15 minutes of parking.  (Kind of steep if you ask me, but since nobody asked... I'm telling ya' anyway *smile*).  Country Boy dropped eight quarters in the meter so we had two hours to eat and take some photos.  Not enough time for me but it had to do.  You could spend two hours just in the shops that lined the parking lot.  I think I spent six minutes (after the time ran out on the meter) looking for a charm for my charm bracelet while Country Boy manned the car (making sure it didn't get towed!).  Needless to say, I didn't find a John's Pass charm but I will try to find a pelican charm next time we come here to represent John's Pass!  (I know we'll be back and probably soon because my photog buddy wasn't able to come and she's never been here!)

Since it was supper time when we arrived, Country Boy and I headed over to Bubba Gump's for some chow!

We started with Onion Rings, a tower of Onion Rings served with Chipotle Ranch and BBQ Dippin’ Sauces.  Country Boy had the Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp, Bubba always loved this one! Served with Cajun Marmalade and Fries and I had Lt. Dan's Drunken Shrimp, large chargrilled Shrimp and Andouille Sausage with Mashed Potatoes and Bourbon Sauce!  Run, Forest, Run!  I ordered it because of the mashed potatoes.  I'm a HUGE fan of potatoes, especially mashed, and I haven't had any in four weeks.  (And yes, for those of you who are wondering... we cheated on our diet!  Back to it today!)  Both entrees were delicious!  (Are ya' hungry now?)

While we were eating, the horns sounded and the bridge began coming up...

The boat on the left heading under the bridge had extremely tall antennas.  Once it passed, the horns sounded again and the bridge came down.

After supper, we walked under the bridge to the beach.  These rocks lined the inlet.

We headed back to the boardwalk to see the sites.  (Oh yea, I forgot, I did check a couple of stores on the boardwalk for charms, too.  Still no luck.)  Here's part of the boardwalk...

Lots to see and do!

And now for the wildlife, and I don't mean the people hanging out at the bars!

I'm not sure what kind of bird this is.  I'm thinking in the Heron family but if anyone knows I'd love to be enlightened!

White Ibis

Snowy Egret

He is in the process of a good shake!

Here's another bird that I'm not familiar with.  Looks like a dove or pigeon.  He is purple and gold!

Brown Pelicans

Last but not least... a Brown Pelican coming in for a landing!

Our two hours were up so we headed back to the car and I sprinted (which hopefully burned off some of those yummy mashed potatoes I ate *laugh*!) up and down the shopping area by the parking lot looking for the charm, to no avail.  So, we said goodbye to the coast and headed back to the country.

On our way home the storm clouds were brewing...

... but still no rain for our little piece of the country.

We had a lovely time and I hope you enjoyed seeing John's Pass through my camera lens!

I hope you are having a blessed Sunday!

Till next time,