Thursday, April 19, 2012

Life In The Country

For over thirty years we lived in suburbia. We had neighbors on both sides, beside and in front of us. The neighborhood luckily had lots of trees but that meant seeing the sky and sunrises and sunsets was impossible from home. There was no long stretch of sky to look at. Four and a half years ago when we retired and moved to the country all that changed. Today this is the view from my front porch. I get to sit in my rocker and watch the changing colors of the evening sky. This was about 7:45 last Thursday evening.About three minutes later you can see the sky was getting a little redder as the sun sunk further down on the horizon above the lengthening shadows.In yet another three minutes the darker blue of the evening clouds was overtaking the fading color in preparation for the night. Soon darkness would creep silently across the lawn.
What I like most is that I can watch the sunrise every evening in jeans or pajamas and no matter how brilliant or subtle it is it is still the most enjoyable way to end the day and all from my own front porch.A couple of days later Mr. Jake Turkey here was looking for love on a rainy afternoon and following two hens who were paying him no mind. I had watched them from every window in the house to try and get photos. I was finally able to step out on the front porch and snap a few shots.The hens had slipped away for a few minutes but I guess the group had already discussed where they were going because the hens ended up following the jake on down the driveway.
Excuse the growing grass around the fence. Hubby barely got the mowing done before it rained.
(Don't forget to click on any photo to enlarge them and enjoy the slideshow.)
Linking to Rural Thursday, Skywatch, and Friday's Fences.

43 comments:

Colin (HB) said...

Carletta!
Absolutely pristine and so peaceful looking. Your grounds are a credit to the two of you.
You are a bit young for "the rocker" aren't you?
Great shot of "Jake" Turkey, once called "Buck", but I think we call the gobblers here "Tom"! Isn't that the normal name - "Tom" - for the Thanksgiving Activities?
Far better to see the turkeys than you know "what", I promise, I will TRY to endeavour not to mention the "unmentionables" again - truely.
You certainly have selected a wonderful area to retire to from suburbia.
Cheers
Colin ( Brisbane. Australia)
ps: No train upsets today - a miracle.
Weather report: Fantastic in Brisbane, misery in Sydney!

Linda said...

Love the view from your rocker! I would SO love to have a view like that, rather than the suburban one I have of a busy highway, and other people's yards and houses! But, alas, I fear we will end our days here in this house - too much trouble to sell it and move! And, in this economy, too difficult to sell! Anyway, love your sunsets...and your turkeys...

Carletta said...

Colin,
As far as that rocking chair I'm older than you think. :)
A Tom turkey is an older gobbler. Jake is a term used for a male that is still immature and not as big.

JunieRose2005 said...

You have the perfect place to live!

I love seeing all your pictures!

TexWisGirl said...

you live a life so many folks only dream about. soak it in (and it sounds like you do). :)

Kerri Farley said...

Nothing like Country Living!!
Great post!

George said...

I would love to have your front porch and the view you get. There are too many trees around for us to get a good view of either the sunrise or sunset from the house, although we can get a better view from the golf course.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how I yearn to live in the country... BUT--we moved to a community knowing that we'll probably need those close-by amenities as we get older. BUT--we do have a very private back yard --which is special...

Love seeing your property --and of course, the sun pictures and the turkey are awesome...

Enjoy Spring... We certainly are!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Beautiful skies, and at least Mr Jake was looking "...in all the right places...). Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Love all the sky shots - so pretty!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Gorgeous colors, nice that there's always turkey wandering around!

My Sky Shots. Wishing you a great weekend!

CameraCruise said...

Beautiful shots!
What a wonderful place you have.
Thanks for sharing.
Wish you a wonderful weekend.
Mette

Kim, USA said...

That's the beauty that many people missed to see. It looks like magical to me.

Friday Fences

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

What lovely images you get to see as you sit and relax on your porch. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Valerie said...

Wonderful series of captures, Carletta. So pleased you have been able to realise your retirement lifestyle ambition. Your surroundings certainly seem very soothing. Thanks for sharing and happy weekend (but aren't they all weekends when we're retired?!)

eileeninmd said...

Carletta, you do have a lovely view. The sky looks beautiful and I love the trees. I think it is cool to have the turkeys running thru your yard. Happy skywatching and have a great weekend!

Pat said...

What a beautiful view you have, Carletta! These are lovely sky shots.

Rose said...

Oh, Carletta, I love the sequence shots of the sunset...just beautiful.

Roger is getting ready to go turkey hunting...it starts next week.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

what great shots!! so pretty. (:

Evelyn S. said...

How fortunate to have a retirement home located there! Just beautiful.

Kathy said...

I think somebody's been busy with a mower!

Anonymous said...

It is wonderful to live out in the country! How cool to have the turkeys wander through.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

What lush country you live in! And how utterly cool to see wild turkeys!

About fences: “First Light”

Indrani said...

Those are some peaceful moments you get to see everyday. Great captures.

kayerj said...

I envy your space :/

A Colorful World said...

You live in a truly beautiful place...so serene and lovely! I know you enjoy just sitting on your porch in your pjs if you want to with a cup of tea, or a book or a pair of binoculars (and always a camera of course!) I would love that so much. That sunset is so gorgeous! My back yard is pretty private, but we do live in a neighborhood and I wished we lived further "out." I am so happy you see the turkeys sometimes! I just learned that they were once endangered. I had never known that. I guess the practice of turkey farming saved the wild turkeys from extinction!

Ebie said...

Absolutely wonderful! You have the luxury of seeing the skies at your convenience. With a rocker, a crocheted (I do not knot) throw would be perfect on a balmy night!

Anonymous said...

How lovely to sit on your rocker and enjoy these beautiful skies.

Unknown said...

Love the sunset, Carletta. Turkeys always seem to manage to be noticed!!

Brian King said...

What a fantastic view, Carletta! I'm happy for you! That has to be a wonderful change from suburbia.

S said...

You do live in a pristine place ! Love the feel of the photographs that you have taken . The place feels so calm.
And Mr.Turkey is lost in his own world it seems.
Have a nice day,

Andrea said...

Oh what a view from your veranda!!!!
I can imagine how happy you must feel seeing that view each day and during the different seasons.
Do you also enjoy a great view of the stars?

Nancy said...

Isn't life grand, Carletta? :) Country life is the best.

Dianne said...

what a view!
and how wonderful that you get to enjoy it and share it
beautiful photos

If I want a good sunset/sunrise shot I have to drive out away from our cluster of homes

Amy Burzese said...

Great fences and turkey!

Jan n Jer said...

Great view from your front porch...it doesn't get much better!

Annie said...

Lovely post and shots. A wonderful place to live !

Debbie said...

as i read your words and view your photo's, i feel a real sense of calm. you live in a paradise, few appreciate.

i adore your appreciation for the simple life!!

i am just having a tiny setback, no worries, life is very good for me and i have a wonderful family they think i am very special!!

Firas said...

Calm and beautiful!

A Colorful World said...

Had to come back and ask...where were you in Va? How great that you would take your students to Jamestowne...There is no place more full of history to me than Virginia. I love it so much, and do miss it sometimes.

DeniseinVA said...

How wonderful to move from suburbia into the country. For me that would be a dream come true. Lovely post Carletta, and great shots!

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

Lovely lovely lovely! And such a complete contrast from the retirement choice we made. I'm happy with our choice, but that being said, I'd love to trade places with you for a day or two .. preferably when the turkeys were visiting your yard!

(The important thing about retirement in my mind is to make a choice and not just end up wherever you are by default). Thanks as always for sharing your retirement Paradise!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Jake is from the bush? I suppose it is illegal to shoot.

I like to stay in the country for a short time.