Good Fences 119 - Goats n Fences

Welcome!

It's time for some GOOD FENCES




On the way to church we pass by this place that has goats.  They are pretty neat looking goats so I stopped along the side of the road to take their picture.  The back two goats were so not interested in getting photographed and I really never did get very good photos of them but the front two were quite curious.

 



 

You can see in this shot that the ones in the back did at least look at me before going back to munching away.

 

 

 

 These two however loved the spot light and came right up to the fence and posed so nicely for me.

 

 



They got bored quickly though and decided that being in the limelight wasn't as fun as eating....

Be sure to stop by Theresa's blog (The Run-a-Round Ranch Report) and check out all the other Good Fences.

Have a great day.

Seasons and Tuesday Treasures

Welcome - No book review today - I thought maybe you all might want to see some photos instead.

Joining Tom (The Back Roads Traveller) for TUESDAY TREASURES
and Jesh (St. Germains) for SEASONS 

Spotted this old Studebaker parked on the street one night while out on a photo walk.  I thought it would be great to share for Tuesday Treasures.  I don't know the year of the vehicle though but I do know it's not a new car for sure.

Another treasure we spotted out on one of our walks.  This old wheelbarrow that has been transformed into a lovely planter.

Tis the "season" for gorgeous flowers.

Speaking of flowers...

We spotted this cactus growing in someone's yard and stopped to snap pictures of it.  The lady came out and offered to let us dig some up after it finished blooming.   I have no space to plant one but it did remind me of a story that you might enjoy.  Stories can be "treasures" too.

Years ago I was with my parents out around the desert region of our state (Washington) where we spotted some cacti much like this one growing out in the wild.  My mom decided she wanted some to plant at their house so we drove down into the area and begin to dig some up.  Soon a State Patrol car drove into the area and asked what we were doing. 

They had seen us with shovel's digging in the area and apparently wanted to make sure we weren't burying any bodies.  We explained that we were just digging up some cacti and they said, "No problem" and went on their way.

It was unnerving at the time but also funny as you just don't know what people out in the desert might be doing with shovels!

A drive up one of the backroads the other afternoon produced this lovely scene of our Blue Mountains, a farmer's wheat field and some awesome clouds. - Summer is an amazing season in our area.

Finally last night produced some seasonal thunderclouds which as the sunset in the west reflected this gorgeous color onto the clouds east over our mountains.  A true treasure indeed.

Book Review - Like Never Before

I finally found some time to read this month and it felt good.

Today I will be reviewing,  Like Never Before by
Melissa Tagg

I had previously read the book (From the Start) which was the first book in this series so I was quite excited about getting the chance to read the next installment of the series and I wasn't disappointed.

Here is a synopsis from (Bethany House) about the story.  My thoughts will follow:

Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But when the newspaper she runs is in danger of closing, she pins all her hopes on a story that just might convince the new owner to keep the paper running.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker has the chance of a lifetime: a spot on a presidential campaign. But first he has to return to his hometown to sell the newspaper he's suddenly inherited.

But instead of a quick sale, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. And working together to break the story on Maple Valley's unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

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Melissa's writing style is so easy to read and follow and is just plain,
Fun!  Even though this was the second book of the series you could easily pick up the story and understand who & how the characters from the first book fit into the story.

Amelia is such a fun and energetic character.  She is determined to save the town's newspaper from being sold.  She enlists the help of Logan (the man male character) who unbeknownst to her is the actual new owner of the paper to try and convince him to come to Maple Valley and help save the paper.

Their is a hint of "mystery" in the story as well when Amelia comes up with a story about a mysterious benefactor to the town and his (gift) that he supposedly left for the town.  You'll enjoy finding out more about this mystery man and how Amelia and Logan search for the truth.

Along with the mystery there is of course, "romance" and how it blossoms between the two main characters. 

The story is lighthearted and fun.  About the only "negative" I had with the story is the way the author has the entire town always pulling together to help each other out.  I don't know of any town (large or small) where everyone seems to get along and work together for a common goal so I found that aspect of the story to be slightly hard to believe.  That's not to say that it couldn't happen though.

Over all I give this book 5 Stars because of how just plain fun it was to read.

Book Reviews

Welcome.

I forgot to post my review for one of the books during the month I read it but I want to go ahead today and review it for you.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for my honest opinion and review.

 Fire and Ice by Mary Connealy

Synopsis from Bethany House:

 

 

Saddle up for mysteries and laughs with the Wilde sisters!
Bailey Wilde is the oldest sister--and the one who takes care of everyone else in her family. But after her sisters marry and move away, her little homestead becomes bleak and lonely, especially during the long winter months. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan concocted by her neighbor, Gage Coulter.

Gage is an honest man, but he didn't make his fortune by being weak. He won't break the law, but he'll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of excellent grazing land is lost to him because Bailey's homestead is located right across the entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to this land--and he's got to go through Bailey to do it. So he makes a proposal...

Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders finally loosen up enough to earn each other's respect--and maybe find love in the process?

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My thoughts:  Fire & Ice is the 3rd Installmant of the Wild at Heart series.  I had not yet read the first two books when I read this one and yet I was able to keep up with the story and figure out who the characters besides the main ones were.

 

It took me a little to get into this book but once I got started I really enjoyed it.  Bailey is female lead character in the story and very independant.  She tries to hide the fact that she is a female at the start of the story.

 

Soon Gage (the main male character) enters the picture and discovers her secret.  They wage a seemingly impossible deal with each other by agreeing to marry.  His reason was due to the fact that his mother plans a visit and he had told her that he was married so he needed a wife quickly before she arrives.

 

Bailey agrees to protect her land that she homesteaded which is located near Gage's property.  Bailey's family is bound and determined to keep Gage from taking away her homestead.

 

Throughout the story the two will learn about each other and will encounter a dangerous situation where they will have to work together to preserve what they want and perhaps find even more then they had hoped for in the process.

 

My over all impression was that the plot kept you wanting to find out what would happen in the end.  The characters were believable and likeable as well.

 

I would give this book 4 stars and that was only because it took me awhile to get into the story.  It seemed a bit confusing at the beginning but other than that it was quite enjoyable.

 



 



Good Fences - Charming Clematis and Fences

 
 
 



Welcome! - Won't you join me for some
GOOD FENCES hosted by Theresa (The Run-a-Round Ranch Report)

Today's Fence shots feature Fences of course and some Charming Clematis Flowers.

 

First up is this white picket fence with the clematis growing on the arbor.

 

 

I spotted this one driving down an alley one day.

Next up a nice gate which had a wonderful clematis growing next to it.

I love the color of this one.

Finally on a walk about a week ago we (me and Coleen) spotted this purple
one growing profusely over a chain link fence.

Don't you think it dresses up the fence nicely.

So that's it for today's edition of Good Fences.  Don't forget to stop by Theresa's blog and check out all the other Good Fences. 

 Have a wonderful day.







Seasons - That's One Big Spud!

Joining Jesh (St. Germains) for SEASONS

Way back in 2012 I had a post about a Giant Potato sighting and a missed opportunity and a save by a friend.



Guess what? - The Potato was back!


Yesterday I was driving past the local grocery store (Harvest Foods) that we shop at and low and behold there was the Potato truck in their parking lot. I hurried home to get my mom, Coleen and of course my camera and back we all went to take some photos.

So without further ado I give you...Spuddy Buddy and the Famous Idaho Potato Tour. - Lots of photos - Be sure to click to enlarge.

I should have moved further away because I couldn't get the entire truck into the picture.

Coleen next to the potato.

Of course I wanted in on the fun so I had Coleen take my picture.

Another view of the potato and truck from a different angle.

Now for a few details of the truck...

A closer view of the potato and it's chain.

The cab of the truck

One of the logo's on the truck. - The funny part is that people see the words,
"It's Real" and think that the actual potato is a real potato!

Where you can find more information.

Some fun potato facts listed on the back of the truck.

You'd think people would realize this fact but I know - "legalities."

"Spuddy Buddy"

Finally a couple of postcards we were given inside the store that list fun facts about the potato.  - My favorite:  If this were a real potato and you baked it, it would take 2 years and 9 months for it to bake!

Hope you have enjoyed my potato post. 

Willy-Nilly Friday Five - June 17, 2016

Happy Friday!

Joining Tanya (Around Roanoke) today for,
WILLY-NILLY FRIDAY FIVE


1.  I haven't shared this photo yet for the 52 Frames project that I've been participating in.  This one is for the challenge, DOF (Depth of Field).

The link above takes you to that album where you can see some amazing photos.

2. Sharing this photo taken last month of one of the Indian dancers costumes at the Return to the River Salmon festival that Coleen and I attended.

3.  Yesterday's Good Fences post was all about cats & fences.  Coleen complained that I hardly ever share photos of dogs so while we were out walking I snapped a photo of this little dog in someone's yard.  Love that crooked smile it has.

 



4.  Also while out on that same walk I snapped some Yellow Yarrow growing in someone's garden.  It's another of the DOF shots that I was practicing on.

5.  Last night Coleen and I took a short walk down to the school as I wanted a clear view (no power lines) of the pretty pink clouds that were in the sky.  This is one of them.

6. Bonus Shot - Another of the 52 Frames challenges that I haven't shared.  This one was for: Negative Space.  My hubby was doing some welding and I decided to capture the sparks from the gun.  I love how it turned out although as far as the "negative space" it could have been a bit better.

Have a great day and enjoy the weekend.

Good Fences #117 - Feline Fences

 Good Day!

It's time for some GOOD FENCES hosted by Theresa,
(The Run-a-round Ranch Report) Be sure to check it out as you will have a great time viewing fences from all over the world.

This week I'm featuring furry felines and fences together. Click to Enlarge photos.

This kitty greeted Coleen and I while on a walk one day.  It was very friendly.

I spotted this one on our back fence one day.  It showed up a couple of times and then we've never seen it since.

 

 



 This is, Ghost who use to belong to our neighbors but now lives with us.   
 This was back when he was an outside cat roaming the neighborhood.

Coleen & I spotted this black beauty lounging near a fence while taking a short walk in the neighborhood last week.

 

 

Also during the same walk we spotted this one sitting on top of a fence.

 



Finally the same kitty was out last night standing in the parking area outside the home where it lives so I snapped another photo.  It's really shy and will run if you try to get to close.

 

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed viewing these felines and fences.  They go good together if you ask me.

 

Have a great day.



Black and White Wednesday - Scenes from Bennington Lake

Today I'm joining Adrienne (My Memory Art) for:
BLACK & WHITE WEDNESDAYS








We took a quick drive up to Bennington Lake the other day & I snapped a few photos while we were there.  I'm sharing them today.  I've converted them to BW but I'll include the colored versions too.

Be sure to click to enlarge:

Spotted this Falcon (correct me if this is a Hawk)  I was quite please at how close I was able to get with the 75-300mm lense that came with my new camera. - Although this has been cropped.

Queen Anne's Lace in bloom.  One of the shots I took while practicing Depth of Field (DOF) shots.

 

 

A Dragon Fly we spotted - Coleen pointed it out to me.  Loving the shimmering wings.

Fencing and grass near one of the trails that you can walk on around the lake area.

 

 

Farmland viewed from across the lake.