Southern Home

My brother's lovely home in Brentwood,TN. 
The front porch may be its best feature.

Memorial Day

I'm staying in Franklin, TN this holiday weekend. My hostesses neighbor decorated her mailbox with an American flag. I love the neighborliness of this community. 

Graduation

Today was my nephew John's high school graduation from Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville.

http://www.montgomerybell.com/default.aspx

Front Porch

This Tennessee front porch just invites you to sit down with an iced tea and talk a while.

Tonight we had a family dinner for 16 here. We were celebrating my nephew John Wyse's high school graduation. 

Welcome to Kentucky

Whitehaven Mansion, circa 1860. Paducah, KY. The only restored mansion used as an Interstate Welcome Center.

http://www.aboutpaducah.com/articles/whitehaven-welcome-center.html

Farm

Fidler Farm, Batavia, IL

Windmill

The tower that holds this windmill also holds a mailbox. Neighboring city Batavia, IL has a history of manufacturing windmills. They can be seen at many locations in the area.

Wildflowers

The phlox are blooming wildly in the local Forest Preserve. Wildflowers are such a lovely sight.

Hannah Leonard

Don't you wonder what life was like for Hannah Leonard? She was only a child for the War of 1812 and an old lady by the Civil War. Imagine what she saw in the 49 years in between This marker is in the Warrenville (IL) Cemetery.

Surprise Concert

The Aurora (IL) Youth Symphony Orchestra plays for the Grand Opening of a new band stage in Batavia. I came upon this performance while riding my bike. I was 16 miles into the ride and thought a stop would be nice. The mother of one of the performers offered me her lawn chair and we struck up a conversation. I heard the last 3 or 4 songs. By the end, the storm clouds were rolling in and she offered to put my bike in the back of their SUV and take me home. I accepted a ride to a spot that was about 1/2 way home, not too far out of their way, and close enough for me to get home before the storm hit. As it turned out, it still hasn't rained, 4-1/2 hrs later. 


So I got introduced to a great Youth Orchestra I didn't know about and met a wonderful family in the process. I love these unexpected encounters. My ride got changed because a trail closing. If it weren't for the detour I would have never been in that part of Batavia. Every ride is an adventure. All together, I rode 21 miles, my longest ride this year.

Graduation

Nephew Jesse graduated from Franklin (IN) College today. Here he is with his parents Mike and Gail (Wyse) Mercer. Congrats Jesse.

Small town

I drive by this house-turned-Flower Shop five days a week.  This rather quaint shop reminds me of days gone by in small rural towns all over the America.

Race Track

The 1/4 mile race track at Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton. This is the former farm of Dan & Ada Rice. Today it is part of the DuPage County Forest Preserve.

Later Bloomer

Tulip on an overcast day.

Tracks

Looking East to Chicago.

Growth

The beginning of next year's pine cone.

Farm

There's something about a red barn that always catches my attention.

Mulching

These ladies helped me landscape two truckloads of mulch in front of Elsie C Johnson Elementary School this morning as part of CareFest 2011. They were great workers.

Garden Seat

Restful stop after a long ride.

Fire Hydrant*

You've got to wonder about a fire hydrant in this condition.

* Photo taken May 12 but not posted until May 13 because Blogger.com was down for maintenance.

Bleeding Hearts

HOT PINK 

No need for words

Striped trees or grafting?

For the last week I've been wondering as I come home, "How does a tree have branches with blossoms with such a variance of color?" The rich pink branches bloomed first and only now the other branches are catching up.

Bike Theft

This bike was locked, at least the frame and front wheel were. Everything else seems to have "walked away."-Lombard, IL

4940 N Spaulding Ave, Albany Park

I just couldn't resisting photographing this door as I walked down the street to the Brown line CTA train at Kimball.

1st Concert

This family was going into Chicago for a music/dance concert. On the train ride into the city the mother read a book about an orchestra of animals to the youngest boy who had never been to a concert before. She told him about the conductor who would wear a black suit and wave a stick to tell the musicians what to do. The older brother & sister, who had been to concerts before, listened to the story as well. 

Morton Arboretum

Daffodils and Tulips where in outrageous bloom all through Morton Arboretum today.

Cuppa

There's nothing like a good cup of coffee, especially with steamed milk and some chocolate sprinkled on top.

Texture

I looked down and loved the texture.

Metra Train

Trains are another of my favorite subjects. During a 20 minute period each evening I can see four commuter trains go through Winfield, IL on my way home. Sometimes the gates don't even have time to go up before the next train arrives. People get very impatient and leave but I think watching a train pass is always worth the time.

Travel Wishes

I love visiting new places and returning to old favorites. I've got a shelf full of Travel Guides. Most are of places I've already been to, but there are a few guides for places on my "wish" list.

May Day blossoms

It's May Day and the trees are in full blossom. Everything has turned green after the wettest April in memory. Each day, new flowers burst on the scene. It's still cool and windy but when the sun is out it really feels like Spring has finally arrived; 6 weeks after the official "1st day of Spring."