Storms and rain is forecast for tonight. I went over to the front door to see what was going on. The sky looked dark, and then I looked up and wow! A rainbow!
Went back to grab the phone and went outside. Was able to get a couple of shots before the color disappeared. What a treat to be surprised with this beautiful omen of so many meanings and symbolisms.
Scene from the front of our place
Hosta getting the squeeze: soon to be moved
Our phlox has really bloomed this spring. One of our two hostas is being challenged by the phlox for space! We’ll probably move this hosta to the flower garden and let the phlox run.
Even the new growth has the typical “tulip shaped” leaf
Our young Tulip trees are beginning to put on their leaves this spring. Also known as yellow poplar, the Tulip is actually a member of the Magnolia family. They are one of the finest hardwood lumber producers. This is the third season for the two we have in the front yard.
Squirrel sez “I see you, and you don’t have permission to grab my photo!”
This grackel throws a mean stink eye when he sees you, camera in hand
We saw several blue jays in our backyard this morning. This one certainly was enjoying the store bought suet cake. Hope you enjoy the beautiful coloration of this striking bird.
What a great day to enjoy the outside. It was windy, but wow what a wonderful sunny day with temps in the upper 70’s. Our son has been working the past couple of days straightening up the backyard, getting ready for some gardening and taking care of some weeding.
Female Cardinal, left and Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Squirrel walking past bird bath, note rocks in bowl for birds to perch
Squirrel turned around, jumped on bird bath, cartwheeled off when he hit water. See him on right ready to land, note water flowing from bowl.
Today we sat out back on our swing and did some wildlife watching. We filled both bird feeders, mounted a suet cage, and even put a couple of ears of field corn on trees. All the critters should be happy. Our son also filled one of the bird baths and put a couple of rocks in it for some for the birds to stand on while drinking. See photos above when a squirrel was surprised.
These Asiatic lilies are emerging again in our flower beds. This is the second season for these bulbs to emerge. We split some lilies from our front yard and replanted those bulbs. These images are the result of those replanted bulbs. The lily in the header image emerged today.
There is just something a tad bit creepy about the turkey vulture soaring above the abandoned old barn. Kind of expect to see Hitchcock in one of the windows…
A 1915 Purdue University guide to concrete fence posts
Take a drive on most any rural Indiana road or some other Midwest states and it won’t be long until you spot some rather massive concrete pillars apparently serving no purpose. These are in fact old, now abandoned concrete fence posts. Decades and decades ago almost all farmsteads raised livestock, including work horses, thus strong “cattle and horse tight” fencing was an absolute necessity.
Constructing livestock fencing that is functional and remains functional year after year is a skill that farmers and ranchers had. One of the important parts of a good fence is the end post and/or corner posts. These posts anchor the wire fence that stretches along the length of the particular fence line. If the end and corner posts do not hold, the fence wire will sag and livestock will get out, causing quite the kerfuffle.
Remnants of fence wire is still wrapped around this post
This post had white wash and weeds clipped
Old concrete fence posts can be seen alongside many roads in the country. Sometimes you can tell from the locations of these relics coupled with the position of mature trees where once stood an old house and barn yard. Some will be painted, others will be nearly covered with weed and bush growth. They do stand as a reminder of the days when all farm families raised livestock as a part of their livelihood.
This is the link to the 1915 pamphlet pictured above.
Seems like it has been a while since the bulbs popped out of the ground. (It was actually March 18th when the first sign of the green showed up.)
Sometimes a live theater musical production just clicks. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Hello, Dolly!” is an example of such a production. While driving home we discussed what we considered our favorite numbers. The realization soon came that we had no favorites: all were delightfully talent filled and delivered perfectly.
Dolly Levi (Suzanne Stark), center, decides she is going to put some “life back into” her life “before the parade passes by” . Photo courtesy B&B media
Dolly Levi (Suzanne Stark), right, tells Horace Vandergelder (Ty Stover) all about the woman she wants him to meet, all while planning to keep him for herself . Photo courtesy B&B media
Highlights of the show are impossible to list as the whole show was one big highlight! The clever stage sets on the turntable worked beautifully. The eye catching costumes brought a wow factor to each and every scene. The B&B’s orchestra arrangements indeed are superb and are an important and vital part of the success of the musical. The animated and dynamic choreography has you tapping your feet and wishing you could dance as well!
Suzanne Stark reprises her role as Dolly Levi for this production. She brings a decades long love of musical theater to her performance. “Hello, Dolly!” is one of, if not the favorite musical of this talented thespian. Her talent on stage is frankly amazing in it’s range covering character development and singing and dancing skills. It is easy to see why Suzanne has become one of Beef & Boards’ patrons favorite performers.
From left: Cornelius Hackl (David Schmittou), Irene Molloy (Grace Morgan), Barnaby Tucker (David Buergler), and Minnie Fay (Shelbi Berry) exert their “Elegance” Photo courtesy B&B Media
All cast members contribute to the success of this 10 time Tony Award winning musical. This true classic love story is filled with song, dance and hilarious comedy. Each of the scenes brings a quality of talent that ensures that you will sit there watching with a smile on your face. Whether it is during one of the songs, humor in the execution of lines or fast footwork during dances you will be entertained. Guaranteed.
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Hello, Dolly! is now on stage through May 12. Tickets include the Beef & Boards dinner buffet and select beverages. For tickets, visit Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre or call the box office at 317.872.9664.
