Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Hummingbirds, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Bees, Birds, Bluebirds, Bumble Bee, Early Morning, Enjoy The Morning, Feeding Birds, Good Morning, Honey Bee, Hummingbirds, Love, Morning Coffee, Morning Zen, Quiet Morning, Quiet Time, reflection, Spirit, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunrises
No sunrise to view this morning… A grey sky just became slightly brighter over time. But the birds woke up in turn, and the bees 🐝 came out and went to work as usual. This is my favorite part of the day! When I have the whole world to myself it seems… No phones, no demands, just the birds and the bees and some plants to attend too. Sunday morning and I’m in the right place…
Outside, there was that predawn kind of clarity, where the momentum of living has not quite captured the day. The air was not filled with conversation or thought bubbles or laughter or sidelong glances. Everyone was sleeping, all of their ideas and hopes and hidden agendas entangled in the dream world, leaving this world clear and crisp and cold as a bottle of milk in the fridge.
~ Reif Larsen
More coffee ☕️
Have a blessed day 🙏🏻
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: J.R.R. Tolkien, On the road again, Road Song, Road song playlist, Road Trip, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Tennessee, The Open Road, The Road Not Taken, Waterfalls
I always try to write my Sunday Blog first thing Sunday morning and publish it immediately. But, there’s always the exception… I just found service to send this little teaser today. We (Jo and I) are out exploring the backroads today. It started in a rainstorm and has continued into a beautiful, humid sunny day 🌞 So, I will post some good pictures later when I have the time to review for a minute. Enjoy this beautiful Summer Sunday!
“Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.”
~ J.R.R. Tolkien
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Birdsong, Declaration of Independence, Fire and Water, Fireworks, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Happy Independence Day, independence day, July 4th., July 4th. 1776, July 4th. Weekend, Marina, Ragged Old Flag, Stars and Stripes Forever, Sunday, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday with Family, Sundays, The Presence of God
Happy Independence Day! Happy Birthday America! 🇺🇸 I am proud to be an American! And, I am Thankful for all the hard work and sacrifice that has been made by so many down through the years to keep us safe and FREE! There is not another country like ours in the world! & I still believe that the American people remain willing to give all to keep it 🇺🇸
“Freedom’s natal day is here.
Fire the guns and shout for freedom,
See the flag above unfurled!
Hail the stars and stripes forever,
Dearest flag in all the world.”
~Florence A. Jones
Stay safe out there! Happy July 4th.! 💥🇺🇸
GOD BLESS AMERICA! 🇺🇸
Mark Carter
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Love, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Boat, Frogs, Jet Ski, lily pad, Mother Nature, Nature, Nature Photo's, River, River Life, Rivers, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Tennessee River, Water Lilies
Here we are in Full summer season just a week from the 4th of July, I’m sitting on a jet ski watching a frog 🐸 on a lily pad in the river. I think this is right where I’m supposed to be 😊 I feel breakfast 🍳 calling…
Patience
“breezeless summer day –
motionless on lily pad
frog waits for victim
~ Pandita Sanchez
It’s a beautiful day! Enjoy 😊
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Bring Your Family, Dad, Dad's Day, Family, Family Dinner, Family Fun, Family History, Family Pictures, Family time, Family Traditions, Fathers Day, Friends and Family, Gifts For Dad, Grandfather, Great Dad, Great Father, I ❤️ Dad, I ❤️ my Family, I Love My Family, Love, Spend Time With Your Father, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays
I’m having my coffee and thinking about what’s next today… It’s Father’s Day! And lunch is at my house… I’m counting my blessings this morning ❤️
I think of my dad, my grandfather’s and so many great men that I looked up too all these years. Role models, teachers, providers, hero’s ❤️
I think of my son as well. He made me a dad😊 And will one day make a great one himself!
Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads, Pops, Fathers and Daddy’s out there! Today is YOUR day!
He never looks for praises.
He’s never one to boast.
He just goes on quietly working
For those he loves the most.
His dreams are seldom spoken.
His wants are very few,
And most of the time his worries
Will go unspoken, too.
He’s there… a firm foundation
Through all our storms of life,
A sturdy hand to hold onto
In times of stress and strife.
A true friend we can turn to
When times are good or bad.
One of our greatest blessings,
The man that we call Dad.
~ Karen K. Boyer
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Love, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: At the still point, I ❤️ Sunrise, Moment of Zen, Pray, Prayer Garden, Prayer in the Garden, Quiet Morning, Quiet Time, Relax, Relaxing, Stillness, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls, Zen, Zen Feeling, Zen state of mind
In this fast moving world, we are all looking for that stillness… I sometimes refer to it as a Moment of Zen. Many times I find it in waterfalls or the setting sun. Or on a quiet Sunday morning of solitude.
“At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshness; Neither from nor towards; at the still point, There the dance is, But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity, Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards, Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point, There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.”
~T.S. Eliot
Have a great Day!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Love, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: #neverforget, American Hero’s, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Hero, Hero’s, Memorial Day, Memorial Weekend, Memories, Memory s, Never Forget, Remember, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, USA
Last night was Cold 🥶 42 degrees with a brisk northerly wind 🌬 It sure didn’t feel like the official entry to Summer… But, this morning, the brilliant Sunrise helped mediate that feeling. Tomorrow is Memorial Day, a day to honor and remember all the men and women who gave all for this country. Maybe this unusual cold is a reminder of that? We were all huddled by the fire 🔥 last night. How many soldiers huddled by fires, dreaming of home, family and cool Summer nights that never returned… I can stand a cool night by a fire just fine when I think about that… God Bless America 🇺🇸
“Somewhere out there today,
In a land far, far away,
A soldier rides patrol,
Knowing not what may unfold.
He keeps watch as he rides
Over dangerous countryside.
Roadside bomb could be hit.
Scary, but this soldier doesn’t quit.
Think about Mom and Dad,
About the good times had,
State-side, how long here?
Back to watching, a little fear.
This was a good day
To think and to pray.
Strange that prayer is so right
When there could be a fire fight.
Wheel back into base.
Tomorrow, another ride to face.
Convoys done for the day.
Looks like rain’s on its way.
Nerve wracking job but boring too,
But that’s what soldiers do.
So many over here, none alike,
Who have gladly joined this fight.
Freedom has a high cost.
Lives given, the ultimate loss.
That cost they willingly give
So freedom can continue to live.
So, we remember today
All those who went away-
And gave their lives that we
Might live here and stay free.
God Bless America!”
~ Dr. Bill McDonald
Happy Memorial Day 🇺🇸
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: 1st Day of Summer, Beautiful Sunset, Birdsong, Boat, I ❤️ Summer, Kentucky Lake, Memorial Day, Memorial Weekend, Pontoon Boat, River, Summer Gardening, Summer is Coming, Summer Nights, Summer Pond Tips, Summer Rain, Summer Time, Summertime, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunrises, Sunsets
Next weekend is Memorial Day weekend… 😳 Yes, it’s almost Summer! I’m not fussing now, I Love Summer!… But, Spring went by so fast 💨 I’m gonna try to slow it down a little and enjoy at least a little bit of Summer.
Summer “Unofficially” begins next weekend!
Are you ready?
“Morning’s soft air, touching everything with such care,
Caresses a young face in a quiet, secluded place.
Smile planted strong, heart beating on.
Only one thing is on her mind, and that is summertime.
A joy reckless and wild,
that’s been in the heart of every child,
now set within her,
for there is no cure.
Her spirit set free, soars higher than the trees.
The books that weighed her down,
now thrown on the ground.
The rivers cleansed from winter,
are now heated for splendor.
The happiness of knowing
no bedtimes are set,
and no schedules to be met.
The sun now beating within her veins
washes away all her pains.
Then without a sound,
the sun starts to sink down.
so she heads inside,
satisfied,
until the next time.
But her spirit is just too wild and decides to wait a while,
so it stays outside and watches the sun,
waiting for what is to come.
The birds fall asleep, the peepers start to peep,
and slowly the sunbeams caressing the mountains,
turn them into splendorous fountains.”
~ Abbey Silent (A Time Of Freedom).
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Family time, Family Traditions, Get Outside, Get Ready, Getting It Done, Spring Gardening, Spring is Here!, Spring News, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunrises, Sunsets, Time, Time flies, Time in a bottle, Time to Plant
Spring is my favorite season for many reasons. It’s also my busiest season for many of the same reasons. Coming out of Winter, everyone emerges from their hibernation and blossoms 🌺 The phone starts ringing, and I’m out designing Waterfalls and Landscapes 6 and maybe even 7 days a week… And, I love ❤️ it!
But, right about mid May every year, I look up and realize that Spring is running away… Keeping the work/life balance is tough sometimes 😊 Even on a Sunday Morning.
IF you haven’t, get out there now and grab some Spring before we transition to Summer… It’s right around the corner 🌞
“By the time one is eighty, it is said, there is no longer a tug of war in the garden with the May flowers hauling like mad against the claims of the other months. All is at last in balance and all is serene. The gardener is usually dead, of course.”
~ Henry Mitchell
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Hummingbirds, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Videos, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: full life, Morning Coffee, Morning Zen, Opacarophile, River Life, Spring News, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunsets, Tennessee River
As I watched the sky slowly come to light this morning, I listened to everything wake up in turn. All the different birds singing and chirping and coming to life as the morning sun made its slow progression. No matter how many times I sit and listen, it never disappoints… I’m also always surprised at how fast the Spring moves by. Here we are in May 😳 Already in mid season. I try to enjoy every day of it! The Sunrise 🌅 to the Sunset 🌇 The Garden to the River…
“The world’s favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May.”
~ Edwin Way Teale
This one was posted a little late… A VERY full day!
Enjoy your evening…
Mark C.
