Recently, just over 6 1/2 inches of rain fell in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It happened very quickly and took everyone by surprise. There was a video of a woman being rescued from her car on I-24. (It was a young man who worked for a power company, and he was able to break the window and pull her to safety.) I hope you can see the video that I have for you above. This brought tears to my eyes. What a hero! (One of his co-workers handed him that heavy tool from their truck, he said afterward he will always carry a hammer in his vehicle now just for this purpose!)
If anyone remembers, our son and daughter-in-law live in Chattanooga and they are fine, but you know I always watch the news very carefully for that area!
The news of the floods and wildfires and now, an impending hurricane...there is always so much to watch out for!
It has been so incredibly hot that it has been hard to think. We try to get out as early as we can before the sun heats everything to the boiling point. (My brain included.) Still, it's good for the butterflies!
The Monastery gets so many visitors they are building a new block of restrooms. The thought and design behind this building is much appreciated. When we saw they were clearing trees, we asked what was coming, so that is how we know. If you don't know, ask!
This isn't finished yet, but I just know it will be lovely and will look as if it has always been there. I love the arched doorways and the copper gutters and downspouts. Can you tell that I am interested in architecture? It's true, I am! I am not that knowledgeable about it; I am never sure what things are called but I just know what I like.
We just took care of a zebra finch for a dear friend. We just decided to bring the caged bird to our house to make it easier since we had her for almost two weeks. I called her "Beepy". If you have ever heard a zebra finch, you will know why! We love birds and we have put out fresh water for our wild birds so much, we told this caged bird that she was welcome at our "bird spa"! We have a bird clock that has bird calls on the hour and this little finch liked the 7 o'clock hour, that is the Carolina wren song. Maybe it was the loudest? Not sure, only that she responded the most to that one.
I think I have told you before that if you see a lot of blue at the bottom of the wing of the tiger swallowtail butterfly, it is a female. So- looking good, girl!
We go for years without seeing any blooms on our night blooming cereus cactus, but this summer, we had a total of four flowers! As the name tells you, they only bloom at night, opening in full at about midnight and they begin to close as soon as the sun rises. My Aunt Leona gave us this plant in 1994. Richard lugs it into the garage every single winter. (St. Richard!)
As you can see, we haven't been away very much. Still, I enjoy the adventures of others through my blog! In my dreams, I have been to Yorkshire with Meike...From My Mental Library: Ripon 2025 - Day 8
And thanks to Bob, I am thinking and learning more of Scotland! Alex and Bob`s Blue Sky Scotland: Levengrove Park and The Havoc Grasslands Walk.
And can you believe it, BOTH of these bloggers made a reference to "The Secret Garden", one of my favorite books. I hope you love it as much as I do. If you have not read it, do so, right away. You're welcome.
"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden".
I did hear about the deluge in Chatanooga. We were there last year and were sad about the flooding. We've been in a historic drought in our area of Michigan, least rainfall for the summer in recorded history, but we finally got 2 inches on tuesday.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are so beautiful! I can see that we would enjoy the Monastery.
I love The Secret Garden!
Oh good, you are a fan of "The Secret Garden" too! It was so sad to learn that at least 3 people died in that flood in Chattanooga. And that is the way of weather now, you will be having a terrible drought and then, lots of rain. And you would love the Monastery! Come to see it, tons of people do!
DeleteThose will be pretty posh bathrooms! And thanks for the Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) video -- one of my all-time favourite songs of his! Always a pleasure to listen to it.
ReplyDeleteRichard and I love that song, it is one that we had our friend play on the piano at our wedding. x
DeleteLovely photographs of swallowtail butterflies. Yes, the weather everywhere is definitely changing, more extreme events and getting warmer. In the summer months here at night or even during the day I often had a thick jumper on watching TV it was so cold. Now from May to September all I wear indoors is shorts, nothing else, even at midnight and the last month, to get to sleep, I drape a wet sheet over me in bed to cool the room down. Scotland and the UK not having and never requiring air con in houses... until very recently.
ReplyDeleteExtreme events indeed! I very much understand how difficult it is when it is very hot. I knew from visiting England over the years how much hotter the summers have become but I never thought as far north as you are in Scotland, it would be the same! When I was a kid (with no A/C), we used fans and stayed in the shade as much as possible. Now, almost all the houses are built with A/C in Georgia. If not, the summers would be unbearable! Hey, hope you noticed that I linked to your blog! I really loved that post of yours!
DeleteLove your colorful photos. So glad your son and his wife are safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You know I texted my son right away after I saw the first photos of the flooding!
DeleteYou have to wonder how the lady ended up in the river?. It has been hot here and this week was supposed to get hot again though it seems to have been more cloudy of late. I don't mind it staying that way but we really need rain so some of that heavy stuff you have been having would be most welcome. Love those butterflys
ReplyDeleteI may look like a river, but it is actually an interstate highway! (I-24, the "I" means "interstate". If the number is even, it is a highway that runs east to west, if the number is odd, it is a north/south highway. For example, I-75, runs north/south.) So much rain fell so quickly, it flooded the low lying areas and several roads in Chattanooga were impassable. It is why they tell us, "turn around, don't drown". You can't know how deep the water is by looking at it, once you drive a car into it, it might be too late.) Also, if you ever think that your vehicle is going into water, roll down your window! It is very difficult to break a car window. We have had periods of drought, so I know what you mean. However, too much rain brings another set of great problems! And we also love our butterflies!
DeleteIt is amazing that heat and floods are now so much the norm. And I love Cat Stevens or whatever his name is now.
ReplyDeleteYusulf Islam is his name now. And our weather truly has been affected by climate change, I don't see how anyone can think otherwise.
DeleteI've been watching alot of British TV this Summer and learning about the dales, moors, Sussex and Kent. Sometimes have to use 'closed captions' to catch the Yorkshire accent. Such a nice respite from American news shows. Glad your son & family are safe.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you should see how much I look up things as I am watching TV series or films! I can understand just about any accent except some of the Scottish ones! LOL! And I am so bad, the British shows are about all I watch, I hardly know any of the popular American shows. Hey, I got that English heart, don't you know!
DeleteThere is so much beauty! Thank you for sharing the beauty you find in your area with the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteBeauty is all around us, if only we know where to look!
DeleteThe wildfires are a terrible tragedy for everyone concerned. And the poor animals and insects...I'm shuddering to think of so much damage.
ReplyDeleteWildfires used to be contained to the big forests, it seems they happen everywhere now. (Remember "Smokey the Bear"? "ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES".) Terrible tragedies they truly are.
DeleteI am glad your son and daughter in law are ok. Lovely photos of the butterflies and flowers. I enjoyed The Secret Garden when I read it.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I wonder how many adults go back and read a book they loved as children? I encourage you to read "The Secret Garden" as an adult. It is a truly special story. And thanks for your comment! I breathed such a sigh of relief when I knew they were safe from harm.
DeleteThank you for mentioning and linking to my blog, Kay!
ReplyDeleteAs always, the photos are beautiful - I never manage to take a proper picture of a butterfly, they are way too quick for me (or I am way too slow for them).
Zinnia were my grandma's favourite flowers, so when I see them, I always think of her.
It must be such a relief for you to know that your son and daughter-in-law are well.
As you can see, Richard is much quicker than I am with the butterfly photos! And of course, I was pleased to think that others might see your lovely posts from Ripon if I had a link to one of your posts here! You know, we always called that flower "Old Maids", never zinnias! I guess, they grow up very tall and straight, not sure why they were called that, but I have always loved them. x
DeleteAugust is a month of beautiful flowers everywhere. We have had some terrible flooding here in Texas too! Sudden heavy rain floods the roads and it is dangerous! Hope all stays well with you and you enjoy what's left of summer !
ReplyDeleteYes, the flooding has been terrible. "Turn around, don't drown" is good to remember if on the road. Such a tragedy for those little girls at the camp when the rains came overnight. I do hope you are enjoying the flowers and butterflies where you live. God bless. x
DeleteHello Kay, first of all, I want to thank you so much for your visit and kind comment on my blog today! I really appreciate it so much!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to see the deluge! The weather between last summer and this summer here in Montreal, as well, has been extremely hot and humid and this type of heat can set the stage for severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and flooding.
Your photos are absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for sharing! And when I saw the photo of the zebra finch I knew what kind of bird this was immediately...I have two pet male zebra finches and they are an absolute delight! The one in your photo must be a female...judging from her pale colouring. She is beautiful!
Zebra finches are sweet, tiny little birds and the males have a song. They usually use this to serenade the female. My two birds do serenade a female in human form...me! LOL! Really, they are lovely birds. I appreciate you sharing all your gorgeous photos, Kay, and want to thank you once again for your visit and kind comment on my blog. I post on Mondays and Thursdays.
Hope you have a wonder filled week.
Thanks so much for YOUR comment, Linda! Bonjour! So happy to have a comment from Montreal! Yes indeed, the little zebra finch is female, she has ever so faint stripes in her tail and they are beautiful.i am sorry I couldn't get a good photo of her. I hope she liked being here. I didn't mention it, but I sang "My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean" to her. Am I crazy? Did she really sit on her perch quietly enjoying it? Honestly, i think so. Also, there was a big wooden bird toy hanging down in middle of the cage. It seemed to impede her flying. Did I take it down? You know I did! She then had a bit more freedom of flight. How much did that please me? You can bet it did! Years ago, my co workers gave me two finches as a present, we had them for years until a small neighbor boy loved them so, we gave them to him.My husband takes most of the photos on my blog, but if they are a bit wonky or out of focus, they might be mine, LOL. Now, I appreciate your positive vibes in this comment and from your sweet blog. Keep up the good work! xx
DeleteWhat a crazy story about the flooding in Chattanooga. It’s amazing to see people step up like that and help others. Your butterflies are stunning, too. It’s a good point that even in extreme heat, there's always something beautiful happening in nature.
ReplyDeleteThe new building at the Monastery looks like it's going to be gorgeous. It's so true that when you notice details like the arched doorways and copper gutters, it makes a place feel special and intentional. And that night-blooming cereus is incredible! Four blooms in one summer after so many years is a true gift.
I have a new post up, and I'd love to hear what you think.
Thanks very much for your comment! I just read your lovely post so I thank you also for that lovely visit to Scotland. xx
DeleteButterflies and Zebra Finch, what more can you ask for?
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't know- maybe a wee trip to Scotland?
DeleteGood idea! September would be ideal.
DeleteWish I could! Can't go this year but maybe next year. I will watch more shows set in Scotland and practice my accent.
DeleteThat's an awful lot of water all at once! :o
ReplyDeleteLove butterflies, Morning has broken and The Secret Garden... Sadly I haven't seen a lot of butteflies about this year, so far. I don't have a garden (living in an apartment) but love walking in a nearby cemetery, and parks. Just been on a few days road trip and have started blogging about that if you want to see a bit of Sweden as well! ;)
Yes! I love to see your lovely parks and gardens in Sweden! I just read your posts on your road trip. I left comments, hope they came through to you. I enjoyed your road trip very much.
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