Mushroom Tree

A couple weeks ago I was driving to Pleasanton to spend some time with Pat after she had surgery and I saw this tree, which looks much like a big mushroom. I wanted to stop right then to take a picture, but it was raining. A few days later when Pat felt like getting away from the house for a while, she and I drove back to where I had seen the tree and I was able to get this picture. Looks like a big mushroom, right? On closer examination I think the tree is growing up through an old cistern, but was unable to get close enough to make sure. I had hoped I would be able to determine that fact when I uploaded the picture, but it is too dark under there to see detail. There was a barbed wire fence between me and the tree, so I felt like the land owner really didn't want anyone over there. So, even though I am almost certain that is not the trunk of the tree, it is still my mushroom tree!

Hummingbird Moth

Did I ever feel lucky earlier this summer when I saw a Hummingbird Moth feeding from the periwinkles in my back yard! I felt even luckier that I was able to come into the house, get my camera, go back out and actually find the moth again. They are called Hummingbird Moth because they fly like a hummingbird and feed like a hummingbird, and look pretty much like one, only smaller. This summer is the first time I have seen these moths in West Texas. I have seen them in Western Colorado around the cabin we used to stay in while vacationing there.

I have since learned (from reading a dear friend's blog - yes, Debi - you) that their real name is Sphinx Moth, although I kinda of like the name "Hummingbird" Moth, and will probably continue to call them that. It's good to know the real name, though; now if I can only remember it!

Guest Post by Debi

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Nelda and Wind Turbines

Back in January of this year, Nelda and I took a photo trip to Big Spring and back. She told me how the size of the new wind turbines popping up everywhere here in West Texas fascinated her. When we saw a new field of wind turbines going up near Stanton, we jumped at the chance to get a closer look before they went into operation. The cute little purple figure is Nelda. How's that for giving you a feel for the size of these things?

She convinced me. Wind turbines' size is endlessly fascinating. I found a couple of videos on Youtube you might enjoy.

Here's a less than 4 minute video inside a wind turbine -- the first 30 seconds is of a traditional water windmill in Europe for comparison.

And here's a 10 minute video of installing a wind turbine on the St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Another awe inspiring take.

And lastly, here's some quick facts about the size of wind turbines found on the US Department of Energy web site:

The largest machine has blades that span more than the length of a football field, stands 20 building stories high, and produces enough electricity to power 1,400 homes.

I'm glad Nelda introduced me to the awe and respect of these non-polluting giants.

Spring is coming!!!

Looks like Spring is on the way - and I, for one, am very happy about that. I love the Spring and Summer because I really enjoy being outside. I have been working in the backyard some - getting it ready for planting some new plants. It was exciting to find the day lillies are coming up and green leaves emerging on a couple small bushes, which I can not remember their name and somehow failed to keep the tag that came with them. They are a flowering bush and are supposed to attact hummers.

I shouldn't get so excited right now about warm weather as typically, we will have at least one more cold spell and new growth will freeze. So, I will wait a while before putting in new plants. But, for right now, I am going to enjoy the warmer weather as much as I can!

Longhorn Tree

Can you see the Longhorn? This is a mesquite tree growing on Pat and Jim's place near Pleasanton, Texas (south of San Antonio). She was gracious to share the picture with me and gave me permission to post it on this site. It is very unusual to see a mesquite tree in West Texas - we only have mesquite bushes! Pat says the tree is on the far side of her husband's workshop, so they can only see the top part from their back deck. I guess the times I have been visiting there were leaves on the tree and the limbs were somewhat concealed. I'll be sure to check that out the next time I am down there. I suggested to Pat (tongue in cheek) that she climb up there and paint the Longhorn white, but she didn't respond very favorably. The growth pattern of that limb is rather unusual - makes one wonder what made the limb split and grown opposite ways?

Stanton Wind Turbines

I am fascinated with the wind turbines that are being erected just about everywhere in Texas. Today Debi and I went to Big Spring and she took pictures of several old buildings and a bridge. I, being a total wimp sat in the car a lot of the time (it was cold out there), but I did get out and take a few pictures with my little "point and click" Kodac camera. On the way home we took a little side trip north of Stanton where there are many turbines being erected. We were able to get up very close to them. In fact, Debi took a picture of me standing next to one of them - those things are HUGE!!! It just about makes one dizzy to look up at the top when standing so close to one, at least it did me. I was happy for the chance to get so near them just to realize how very big they are, as they don't look so big at a distance. It was a very good day, mostly because I spent it with Debi.

Sun rise in West Texas

One of my favorite times of the day is early in the morning. I can usually be found sitting at my kitchen table drinking coffee reading the paper and watching the sun rise. West Texas has beautiful sunrises, and this time of the year is the very best. I took these pictures early this morning from my back yard. The vibrant pinks only last for a very short time. One day last week when I was coming in the front door after having gone out to get the paper, I could see bright almost red through my closed blinds on the back of the house. It looked like there could be a fire going on out there. By the time I got my camera and got outside, the sun had moved just a bit and the colors were much subdued. I felt very lucky this morning to be able to catch the sun rise just at the right time to get these pictures.

My friend died on January 3 and her funeral service was yesterday afternoon. It was the first funeral service I had attended in an Anglican church. The service was beautiful and I'm sure Nancy was looking down from Heaven with approval.

To anyone reading this, may you have a great day.