Winter Storm

 A winter storm moved through the area yesterday, leaving behind a few inches of snow and some ice in South East Kansas.

I laid awake and listened to the thunder, soon changing to the rat tat tat of sleet followed by quiet snow and then the ping of freezing rain on the metal chimney. Two days of no school, a welcome break. The sun came out this morning.

 Weston Missouri

Skywatch Friday

 A few skies from South East Kansas.

The violets are enjoying the skies this week.

For more sky watchers visit here.

Skywatch Friday

Same old Cat

Same old cat, brand new camera.

Dry Weather

 The drought here has taken its toll on crops and livestock but also I believe it is starting to take its toll on wildlife. We live in the wettest part of this state and this is the worst drought Ive seen it in the 17 years we have lived here. We did get a few scattered showers that moved through last night but not near what is needed. Our grapes did well and my wife has been picking for a week or two, when its this hot they seem to ripen at different rates on the same stem. This doe was out helping herself the other morning, I was really in no great hurry to spook her off the grapes, we have picked a bunch and the droughts been tough. I let her browse until she spotted me with my camera.

 Ironweed is in bloom,  I was using my wife's point and shoot Kodak this morning as my camera has bit the dust. I believe the sensor went bad. RIP. Need to start saving for anew one this point and shoot is OK for some things but its not what I really need.

 Its hard to tell but this leaf is holding just about the amount of rain that fell today so far, hope we get some more.

 The pastures have browned up, the trees are losing their leaves and its pretty dry.  Temps have been over 100 for about two weeks.

 I spotted this group of young turkeys out for a stroll with an adult as I drove home from town.

 This is where some cattle have found whats left of a hole in a dried up stream, actually pretty cool down there.

Recently

Recently my trustworthy camera has been not so trustworthy, I have not been shooting much on my walks. Here are a few things happening in the back pasture.

 Hen and Chicks

 Crape Myrtles are lovin the heat.

 Our version of an owl to keep away snakes, doesn't really work.

 This little guy was living dangerously,

 a moment later stinky the cat appears.

Tomatoes have been really great this year, as have onions, asparagus, grapes, and peaches. Usually the rain shuts off here in late July this year everything seems to be a month early.

At the Auction

 A few photos taken from an auction I attended last week.

This was a consignment auction, meaning several people had items up for sale and some of the proceeds were going to a good cause; The Annual Katy Days Festival in Parsons. The auctioneers donated their time, there was lemonade and cookies. Every so often a nice breeze cooled the air under the tent. Items went high and items went really reasonable. The three dollars in my pocket stayed there unfortunately, even though I had a number and was ready for the bid.