The “Clouds” before the Storm

I went for a walk to take pics of the gorgeous sunset the night before Hurricane Florence rolled through the mountains.

We have had a steady rain but no high winds. So we are in good shape in the Asheville, NC area.

The sunset is always spectacular.

These are all taken the same evening.

I went out again later and the clouds were low on Mt. Pisgah.

And the clouds were laying heavy over the Blue Ridge mountains.

I take pics from our balcony and from the parking lot.

But honey, could you go higher to get a better view?

And take a selfie while you’re up there!

Hahahahaha!

NO….this is NOT my HONEY! But it’s my neighbor up on the roof getting a better look at the storm clouds rolling in.

I’ll just stay down here and take my photos….thank you very much!

I hate to say this….but I’m going to have to take a break for a couple of weeks. We are helping with a family matter and it’s taking all of my time and energy right now. I don’t like to post pretty pics and not have time to visit all my blog buddies. So I’ll take a little break and be back soon.  We’re safe and sound and I hope all of you are too!

Have some fun while I’m gone and tell me all about when I get back! I’ll want a full report….with details! heehee!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

Thankful Thursday

Even here in the mountains of NC we are preparing for the hurricane. We expect to get rain and wind so we need to plan on a few days inside, and it’s time to make sure we have extra food and supplies. When we were out and about today we saw lots of people that have come to the mountains to wait out the storm. We are about 350 miles from the coast here in Asheville.

The mountains are beautiful at this time of year….

or any time of year!

We’re thankful to be here and pray that everyone on the coast is safe and that the damage will be minimal.

Mt. Pisgah

I know everyone is praying for those in it’s path.

Sunset photos from last night.

Are you watching the weather and keeping up with it all? We don’t have the weather channel here but we are watching the local and national news for updates in the mornings and evenings.

Here’s a map I found online to show you where Asheville is in relation to the rest of the state.

credit: wlos.com

Let me know how the weather is where you live today!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

The Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC

We’ve traveled North to enjoy some time in the mountains.

We had a wonderful trip and are happy to be in our condo, enjoying the cooler mountain air! (hope our weather stays nice)

Mt. Pisgah

I walk out onto the balcony to take pics every day!

Do you see the airplane?

I’ll crop it for you!

We have lots to do while we’re here so my time on the computer will be limited but I hope I can visit some. It’s relaxing to spend time in ‘blogland’ but I have limited internet.

There’s an airplane in this next shot too!

Thought I would put together a little mosaic using just one photo. I cropped it from top to bottom and then put it back together…in the wrong order! heehee! I just have to mix things up a little! Maybe it’s the high altitude!

(this is the photo at the top, all cut up and put back together!)

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

The Great White Egret goes fishing!

I walked at Shalom Park last Sunday morning.

And this Great White Egret was high up in a pine tree looking over the pond.

He posed…

and posed…

and I couldn’t stop taking pics.

I finally had to decide to take my walk!

And when I got back he was ready to entertain me again.

He had gotten hungry

and he was fishing!

Of course he’s a better fisherman than me!

He caught one!

Oh no, is the EYE still open on this tiny fish? How cruel!

And my favorite pic of the day….he’s giving him a good shake!

I think they are just playing, don’t you? EEEEEE!!!!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Surprises keep coming!

Two of the sweetest people I know gave me gifts this past week

….just because!

Aren’t they the BEST kind!

My sweet cousin Cindy sent me a package filled with craft supplies!

AND a beautiful quilted pouch she made just for me. My small IPAD fits inside perfectly. But I might use it to carry craft supplies. Lots of possibilities!

Then lo and behold! My husband came back from the store with a new set of pots and pans.

Mine were awful and I think I might have complained about them just the tiniest bit. I might have mentioned it just one or two times! heehee!

Plus he cooks as much as I do so he was tired of them too! (I know I’m spoiled! My hubby COOKS and SHOPS! I’m SOOOO spoiled!)

It sure made me feel special this week….and very very thankful!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

I love to Blog!

I love blogging! I love everything about it!

I’ve made the very best blog buddies over the years!

There have been good times and sad times and through it all, I’ve found encouragement right here on my blog.

(the view from our courtyard at sunset one evening this week)

Blogging gives me a chance to share my life and my love of nature.

It also gives me another creative outlet!

So what is this all about?

Blog Banners!

Did you think I had learned some blog wisdom after all these years?

No but I learned to make banners! heehee!

And hubby downloaded some new fonts so I have been playing working!

I’m not sure if my practice banners make a good mosaic but….

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

Wildlife at the Preserve!

“Halpata Tastanaki Preserve”

It’s one of the first trails we hiked here in Florida and still my favorite.

Because it’s WILD!

You walk some of it on an old limestone road, closed to traffic.

It’s well maintained and there are a lot of side trails to explore. When I hike by myself I ‘try’ to stay on the main trail though. After I got chased and bitten by horse flies earlier this summer, I think I’ve learned my lesson.

It’s a wonderful place to see birds.

These are young Florida Scrub-Jays.

They are not common so they are fun to see.

It’s a perfect habitat for them.

But remember! This is a preserve and wild animals live here!

And I saw one on this hike. I looked up ahead and saw an animal go across the trail in front of me. He was the color of a deer but he was moving slow. I was trying to talk myself into thinking it was a deer and not a bobcat. I didn’t get a photo of the first encounter.

But I didn’t have to wonder later on in my hike. I saw him ahead.

He crossed in front of me again.

It was a coyote and  this time he looked at me.

(this is the original pic and you can tell how far away I was)

I had turned around so now he was between me and my car. I had a hike of about 30 minutes to get back to my car. SO….I called my hubby to tell him about it, turned off my camera, walked over to the pine trees near the trail and picked up a big stick. And hiked out!

(I cropped the above photo)

(one more crop, he’s in the center)

I had seen a wild turkey cross in front of me, walking as fast as his long legs could carry him so I wonder if that’s what the coyote was after. It scared me….but not enough to give up hiking at HTP!

I wondered that afternoon why I was SO tired after a 1 hour hike but hubby said it was the adrenaline rush. I also walked quite a bit faster on that second half of the trail. I was scared, I have to admit it. But I still say there are a lot of every day things we do that are more dangerous than hiking in the woods.

Hike #49 is one I won’t forget!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.