Sunday: A Traditional Day of Rest... 17 August 2014

Yesterday was spent wandering the back roads of McKean County. Stopped at a friend's house and wandered their fields for a while. Snapped a few photos along the way even though the day was overcast and cool.

The strange looking flowering plant you see at the left is Teasel. Dipsacus fullonum according to Wikipedia.

Although it looks delicate the "cones" that hold the blooms (and subsequent seed) are actually quite sturdy when dried. Many people use them to add interest to dried arrangements. When an opportunity for harvest presents itself this is one of the plants on the list to add to the 'mostly' native garden out back along with Turtlehead and another as-yet unidentified flower (which doesn't happen all that often). It gives both Summer and Fall interest PLUS is a Winter food source for finches.

As a child I often wondered if pioneer women used teasel to comb tangles out of windblown locks. What do you think?

 

"Turtlehead". Chelone (Wikipedia).

Sipping a second cup of coffee...

Watching BootZee the cat pounce and chase a stolen bread-tie across the kitchen linoleum. Tiring of his solitary game he cautiously tiptoes to Bandit's side and sniffs a paw of the sleeping German Shepherd he's feared for the last two years. His bravery only extends a few seconds and as Bandit chases bunnies in his sleep he bounces off in search of a patch of sunlight where he can while away the hours.

With that thought I leave you on this beautiful Sunday morning to sort through hundreds of photographs in search of painting inspiration.

Here's hoping your day is full of fresh air and sunshine! Blessed be.