Yard Art From My Childhood - Part Two

Last week I reminisced about some of the yard art my Dad put together when I was a young girl. To the right of the area in the photo from last week stands this combination birdhouse/feeder that my Dad made many years ago. I'd say it has been about twenty years that it has stood in my Mom's yard. The wood has aged to a wonderful patina.
Not long after putting it up a couple of bluebirds made it their home and many bluebird couples have used it since.

As luck would have it the day I took the photo of the birdhouse a little bluebird flew upon the electric wire above my head. I think he was telling me not to get too close!

For more Yard Art join Mary here.

Yard Art From My Childhood

Memories of Dad

Dear Readers,

Yard Art is indeed a photo meme and you may not have time to sit and read so feel free to look, comment and be on your way. I just have a little story to tell because this Yard Art is special to me. :)
This little vignette has been in the corner of the yard at my childhood home since I was a young girl. It may not be elegant or pretty; but each object is near and dear to our family.
The large bell once hung on my Dad's family farm way up in one of our West Virginia 'hollers' as most folks around here would call it. I guess in the old days it was probably rung to gather everybody to come eat. I don't remember hearing it ring but imagine it did many times. I do remember walking up that hollow to go visit and have dinner. There was no road in to the property. We walked a path along a small stream. All the way up you could smell the wood burning in the stove or fireplace. To this day the right wood burning takes me right back to those long walks with my family. Eventually we could see the barn on the left and the old corn crib on the right and we'd step across the stream about then and the yard widened out in front of the house.

Sometime during my college years the old wooden house burnt down. Everything was gone except that old bell that still hung on a tall post. My Mom told me that she told my Dad ' you ought to have it, I don't suppose you could get it?' He told her he supposed he could. She doesn't remember how he got it off the big old post but he did and brought it home. He made the metal ladder that it's attached to and concreted the whole structure into the ground. It stood until this past spring and after a severe winter and much rust at the base it fell over. My Stepfather gladly repaired it and put it back up.

When we were young my Dad didn't let us play with it but when I had kids Grandpa sure never stopped them from ringing it!! It is one of my daughter's favorite memories.
If you look closely you can see a cow bell and a little sheep bell hanging there as well. My Dad found those in the old barn and brought them home too.
The old plastic bottles and kettles in the background are another story for another post. They too are some of Dad's treasures.

It will have been fourteen years this past week that my Dad left us; but each time I go over home to see my Mom my Dad is still there too.
For more Yard Art join Mary here.

My Dad

This is a photo of my Dad as a young boy. He is 15 years old as he sits on the old tree stump which would mean the original black and white photo was taken around 1941 or so. Dad grew up working hard on his family's farm and farms of others as well. This doesn't appear to be the old homeplace where he lived so I think it was taken on one of the farms where he often stayed and worked in his youth. With none of his five siblings in view I think it's fair to say this wasn't taken at home.
I like this picture of my Dad. It shows he was tall and lanky. He never lost that lush head of hair and it didn't turn gray until he was way up in age.
It will soon be fourteen years since my Dad passed away. It's hard to realize that many years have silently gone by. This coming Sunday the 17th would have been Dad's 84th birthday.

Love and miss you Dad.

For more Sepia Scenes join Mary here.

Father's Day and Summer Stock Sunday

Happy Father's Day

This is a picture of my Dad when he was twenty-five years old. He was a very handsome young man don't you think. Look at that curly black hair! I was born with red hair as opposed to black; but I did inherit the curls. Actually my hair was a mass of curls and I still remember sitting in my little rocker and my Mom trying to get out the tangles. It hurt. That problem solved itself with my first haircut after I started school - the curls as they say 'fell out.'

Dad was way up in years before his hair started turning gray. He was always proud of it. Even at seventy he wasn't completely gray. I don't think I inherited that gene either!Dad passed away in 1996. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him.
To all the men in my life who are Dads, and that includes those of you who visit me here, I wish you much happiness on this day. Celebrate and enjoy your children! My favorite quote about fathers is this: "Anyone can be a father; it takes someone special to be a Daddy."

Mine was special.

Watching The Goslings Grow

It is officially the first day of summer! Do I hear a collective sound of joy from all of you?
Summer's here and it's time to get the kids outside and running and playing. In my corner of the world this week we've been watching the goslings do just that. In just a few weeks time they have grown to toddler size! I'm really happy to know and report that all five little ones have survived.
Going out of the neighborhood the other day they were right by the road; but as soon as my Jeep got stopped and my camera was in hand Mama and Daddy had them running up the hill to the pond for a quick summer swim. That's ok. I'll take whatever quick shot I can get. It will be fun to continue watching them grow this summer. Hopefully there will be more photo opportunities so I can share updates on this little 'duck tails' story.

I intend to enjoy this first day of summer. I hope you do too.

For more Summer Stock Sunday

click the badge.............................>

Nothing says summer like butterflies. I was lucky enough to photograph a Zebra Swallowtail this week. Check it out on my photoblog at Carletta's Captures.

Father's Day and Camera-Critters Sunday

Happy Father's Day

This is a picture of me on my Daddy's lap when I was all of two months old. Dad passed away almost twelve years ago. I miss him greatly.

To all the men in my life who are Dads, and that includes those of you who visit me here, I wish you much happiness on this day. Celebrate and enjoy your children! My favorite quote on fathers is this:

"Anyone can be a father; but it takes someone special to be a Daddy."

Mine was special.

Camera-Critters Sunday is hosted by Misty Dawn. Be sure to click on the link to see other participants who are posting their favorite critters today. You never know what you will find!

Today I thought I would show you some recent photos of my new neighbors who've moved into the neighborhood these past few weeks.

I just love these little guys! They stay pretty close to their Mamas.

I'm Norman; anybody seen Mitch?

Mom and the toddlers hurrying back to the pond!

S is for Steam Engine

This is an old steam engine tractor that sits in an elegant flowerbed at the nearby city park. In North America the term steam tractor usually refers to a type of agricultural tractor powered by a steam engine, used extensively in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Glancing through the Community Section of Sunday's newspaper I discovered there will be at least three antique tractor and engine shows or festivals during the next three weekends in my area.

I remember growing up and going with my Dad to a local Arts and Crafts Fair every July 4th. While there we almost always bought homemade applebutter and maybe ate grilled corn on the cob or funnel cakes. We always knew we could find Dad by the old engines watching the men make them run and having to yell over the noise they made in order to talk. I guess he instilled in me the appreciation I have for the machines and an era long gone.

I guess Kenny Chesney might have it right - maybe us country girls do think tractors are sexy!

Visit Quilly for more Alphabet Photo Challenge participants.