Blog Birthday

When I started blogging with this post four years ago, I didn't write in the section "about this blog". Because, I didn't really have a specific goal in mind. I had a vague idea of posting something like a family newsletter for our relatives spread over three (now four) countries.



As it turns out, I, like so many other bloggers, enjoy finding beauty in unusual places.



In fact, I had been looking for places on-line to simply relax my mind and appreciate something pretty-mostly involving nature. So, without even meaning to, I made that place for myself as I featured lovely



places



people



scenery



and situations



that I like.

And, of course, considering our heritage, some posts will have a Korean flavor.



I can't choose my very favorite post so far.

Mr. Sunny's is this one.

The girls at work all prefer this one.

This one and this one* get the most hits to my surprise.
*Even more surprising to find it translated into Spanish.

The picture posted here has gotten some nice attention in other places besides the blog.

For myself, maybe I'd pick....

this one

or, this one.

(Unless I change my mind for this or this. )

Naturally, I am way more enamored with this blog than anyone else. But, as it is Summer and I have many other things to do in the nice weather, I'll be taking a break from it for a few weeks.

In The Yard A Flow'ring Tree

Attracts the butterflies pret-ty.And I-- got nothing but the bee.

So, these leaves will comfort me. Because, of course,

They're PINK, you see!

Later on the 4th

we had decided to skip the crowds and ended up

at this pretty place,

where we weren't the only ones

seeking solitude.

The joke was on us

The first scenic spot we had determined as our destination was absolutely packed on the evening of the 4th. Took us by surprise because we had assumed that most of the boaters and picnic-ers would have headed back to town for the fireworks. Turns out fireworks were planned right there at that particular lake. So, we took a meandering drive and saw some pretty places...


Even found a lake that was almost deserted.

And, became more so as the dusk deepened.

Dang! I KNEW we should have brought the kayaks!

On the 4th Day of July

During the daywe decided the lakes would be too crowded so we did our own BBQ and pretty much had family time at home.

First photo: was actually from the previous weekend.

Second photo: is not of our house, just a house that looks appropriate for the holiday.

Native Plants

The neighbor's garden was alive with activity when I dropped by this morning. A baby bunny was scared away by my arriving. Bees and other small winged things were buzzing about. And, various insects were crawling around on the flowering desert weeds, or, "native plants", as the man kindly corrected me, that he cultivates so beautifully.
Prickly Poppy plants are so poisonous that even cattle don't eat them. That does not deter whatever sucking parasite those black spots on the petels probably are.
And, isn't that the remains of some kind of living critter in a Desert Globemallow?
He doesn't have to worry about me snitching his posies for a bouquet or anything. I'm not that into nature!

From the neighbor's yard

A desert milkweed-complemented by a bee and the requisite milkweed bug.

Isn't he cute?
He's happily doing what milkbugs do*. Until...

"Hey!"

"Don't bug me."

*see link above