What earthquake?

The big news of the day is that a 5.9 scale earthquake occurred with its epicenter in Mineral, Virginia (close to Richmond) that was felt all up and down the east coast. When the quake shot its tremors through the underbelly of the earth in our area, I was outdoors snapping photographs of a very lovely (and photogenic!) praying mantis that I'd found while doing some weeding around our goldfish pond. I heard a boom that I couldn't quite place, looked around and went on snapping photos!




When I came indoors to see how my digital photos came out, I received a call from my daughter asking me if I was okay. We'd just spoken last night and I thought it was sweet that she'd call me again so soon. Then came the news of the earthquake, to which I had been totally oblivious. My daughter had even felt the tremors at her workplace up in Massachusetts!

Next, I called my husband and found he was on his way home from work - that they'd felt it down in Rockville, Maryland, too, and he wanted to get back home before any possible after shock event. He arrived home safely, and, so far, all has remained quiet here at our little cabin in the mountains.

So, aside from hearing about it all vicariously, I missed the big earthquake event. A beautiful garden friend and I had a very pleasant photo session instead :)

Four Seasons Series

"To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens."

My zeal for painting art card miniatures continues ~ my latest effort being a four piece set of the seasons ... a particularly fun one for me to create. All the images were conjured up straight out of my own imagination which resulted in a folksy looking collection of little watercolor paintings.


I'm hoping someone scanning the ACEOs on eBay will find this set fun and attractive ... but if not, I will enjoy keeping it for myself ... a definite win-win situation :)

Woodland Visitors

High temps and drought are affecting all of us this summer ... especially our forest friends. Yesterday afternoon, a doe and her two fawns arrived to sip from the goldfish pond. It gave us a chance to admire the beautiful youngsters and watch their antics. Above, the bolder of the two peaks around the hummingbird feeder pole. The feeder was dry, but got filled up after the deer had time to replenish themselves and head back into the shade of the trees.




These photographs were taken from our upstairs bedroom window, quite a distance from the pair of fawns as they meandered around the pond, nibbling on greenery here and there.
If I had tried to get closer and take the photos outdoors, there wouldn't be pictures to share as Mom would undoubtedly call to her fawns and all three would take off on the run.

It's such a gift to witness such natural beauty right where we live and especially a treat to see these curious, spotted little fawns. So cute!