Here in our backyard another mushroom appeared. The cap is about 4 inches across. The stem of this one has an interesting twist. Not going to consume this, but can anyone help with an ID on this?
Photos
On final approach
Here is a pretty neat stop action of a seagull coming in for a landing. Looks like he has his landing gear down and full flaps! We took this shot at a beach somewhere near Edmonds, Washington.
First tomato of (hopefully) many
Today we spotted the first tomato on one of our plants. There are more flowers on both of our plants and we hope they will continue to produce.
Colorful flowers and Sacred Statuary
Oldenburg, Indiana is know as the “Village or Spires” due to the many steeples that dot the town’s skyline. The town was founded by German Catholics, and that Faith is still predominate in Oldenburg. This flower box and Statue of Mary is outside the Post Office building.
A dragon approaches
OK, it’s a storm cloud, but to me it looks like a dragon’s head
We have been needing some rain, and this system did bring a nice shower. While we are not getting the extreme heat like in the Pacific Northwest, our temps have been in the low 90’s with stifling humidity. The weather forecasters say the “Muggy Meter” is pegged today.
Our grandson’s toad
We got this picture of a big toad outside our son’s house recently. Our grandson (Kindergarten age) immediately proclaimed that he had already seen this toad. Not just any toad, but this one. Kids know critters, so who are we to doubt him?
Oldenburg 1871 Sorrowful Mother Shrine
Oldenburg Indiana is known for its rich religious history. Founded in 1837 by German settlers, it is known as the “Village of Spires” due to the multiple church steeples that make up the town’s skyline.
Located about a mile outside the town limits visitors will find the beautiful Sorrowful Mother Shrine, erected in 1871 by Siegfried Koehler, who had arrived in Oldenburg from Alsace, France in the late 1830’s.
The Altar
Prayer bench
The statue on the altar is actually a plaster cast of the original that Koehler brought with him on the ship from France. The original was found to be hand carved from black walnut, and now is in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Oldenburg to protect it from vandalism.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary
Seven Sorrows pictured
The shrine is found on a country road, and is in a beautiful setting. Trees, lawns and a stone bench ad to the ambience. While it can be locked, the shrine was open the day we visited. This is a Holy and Sacred place, and you can feel peace and serenity at the shrine.
A fun Saturday discovery
Wine bar to serve you
Sher and I wanted to have a new experience Saturday. We had been looking for nearby attractions, and found that there was a winery near Batesville, Indiana, about half way between Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Ertel Cellars Winery is a well established winery and bistro, offering both excellent varieties of wines and varied and delicious menu selections in the restaurant.
Loving that wine!
Studying the wine list
That’s a burger
We decided to have our meal on the outside covered patio. The seating was in very comfortable wood rocking chairs, and overlooked a beautiful green valley through classic rough stone masonry. We each received a complimentary flight of three wine samples. Of the samples we both preferred the Pink Catawba, one of the Estate wines, meaning grown, fermented and bottled on site at Ertel Cellars.
The meals we ordered were from the lunch menu. I ordered the Smoked Gouda cheese burger, and Sheryl had the Spinach salad with all the trimmings. Both of our meals were superb and very filling. We had a bottle of the Pink Catawba with our meals and took the specially packed unfinished bottle home with us. Sarah was perfect as our wait staff and made our visit most memorable.
Gorgeous view from our table
Some of Ertel’s vineyards
The dining patio is an absolutely delightful place to enjoy a quiet and calm Saturday afternoon. With the best company (no question there), great food and excellent wine we had an adventure that turned into a romantic Saturday date. Ertel Cellars should be on any traveler’s agenda. We’ll be returning.
One year later
Taken on June 20, 2020
Taken on June 25, 2021
This Black Cherry was one we got free from the Conservation Service and Indiana DNR. The first picture was taken on June 20, 2020 shortly after being planted. The sapling was then in a cage for protection, and the top visible rung on the cage is less than 2 feet high. The second picture was taken on June 25, 2021. The tree is now a little over 6 feet tall. Black Cherry trees normally take 8 to 10 years of growth before they produce cherries. We’ll report back in June, 2030.
Pecans coming when?
We picked up some free tress recently from the local Conservation Service and state DNR. This pecan sapling took a couple of weeks to get going, but it now has some strong leaf growth. According to the experts, you need two pecan trees to produce pecans. Don’t know if we’ll get another one growing or not.
Roadtirement 