Monday's Country Back Roads...Decades Old and Well Used

 

Even with the obvious aging of a once well used barn,

 I still find beauty, captured with my camera.

 

One of the many things I have learned from my country life, is that if you will slow down and give it a chance, the countryside will fold its arms around you and give you comfort....and, lots of joy.

 

Click on photo for a better view

Sometimes it's something as simple as an old marble,

lost long ago,

 and found while digging in the garden.

 

 

So....my dear readers,

 give it a try.

 

Breathe easy and discover what you might be missing.

Meggie Mac

 

Linking today with The Barn Collective.

Click  HERE  to view barn photos from around the world.

 

Simple Beauty....for Friday's Fences

 

Sharing my early morning spot with you, my dear readers.....

a little taste of the land I love so much.

 

The camera captured this early hour, with me directing the camera to the east.

It is still cool this morning and the air is filled with the scent of cut grass.

 

The trees rising 220 feet, in the background, are part of the area called The Bluff. Click  HERE  to read another story about the area. Or look at my tags on the right side of the page, and click on The Bluff.

 

 

Large round bales of hay lined up....

Ready to feed the cattle in the winter months.

 

click on photo for a better view

Hope your Friday is off to a good start...

Meggie Mac

 

 

Joining with Theresa at The Run a Round Ranch.

Click  HERE to enjoy other fences from around the world.

 

Dewy Foliage for Monday's Country Back Roads

 

Maybe Autumn is just around the corner....

The mornings now have a slight bit of fog, to burn off.

 

 

In less than a half hour.....back to blue skies. 

Meggie Mac

 

Linking with The Barn Collective

Click  HERE  to view barns from around the world.

 

Not Much Chance of Climbing This Fence.... for Friday's Fence.

 

I must say an unusual fence....not like one I have seen before.

 

 

Time seems to have chipped away at the top edge, giving it a "battle-worn" look.

Privacy must have been the primary goal.

 

Click on photo for a better view

It reminds me of the outer wall of Urquhart Castle...

taken when I was on holiday in Scotland, October, 2013.

Meggie Mac

 

 

Linking with Theresa at Run a Round Ranch.

Click  HERE  to view other fences from around the world.

Careful Now....There's a Tree on Monday's Country Back Roads

 

You must admire a town that values their trees so much....

by building the road around it.

 

Surprisingly, there are several small towns, near where I live, that do the same thing.

 

It's the start of another wonderful week, dear readers.

Enjoy yourself.

Meggie Mac

A Fence to Withstand the Test of Time...for Friday Fences

 

Taken in account of the weight of these vintage posts....

 One can only wonder if they were poured-in-place.

 

Click on Photo

I was so fascinated with their size, that I had to photograph all three sides of the property.

 

 

The Georgian Style Home is equally impressive.

 

My youngest daughter and I found the home in the small town of Navasota Texas.

 

 

Hmmmm....

I wonder if this is an invitation, for me, to drop in for afternoon tea ?

Meggie Mac

 

 

Joining today with

 Theresa at the Run a Round Ranch.

Click HERE to enjoy other fences from around the world.

The Renovations Have Begun in Earnest !!

 

When a truck like this arrives in the early morning....

you know there are about to be some serious renovations for the day.

 

Most of the older homes, in my area of Texas, were built on a pier and beam system. As is so often, an older home can be in it's original state of construction.

This is the case for my newly purchased 1930's Craftsman Bungalow.

 

 

Shortly after the first hour of work, this is what it looked like. The crew has removed the bottom skirting.

Before the day is over, many new piers will be added in the center of the home. They will dig deeply in the earth and add the piers, plus re-setting the old ones.

 

I'm so lucky to have the contacts of a 3rd Generation House Leveler. The owners' Grandfather started the business. He now has a nephew (4th generation) working for him.

 

I recently saw a sigh that said:

"If you think an Expert is Expensive....

First try hiring an Amateur."

Meggie Mac 

 

Rise and Shine....Expecting 103 Degrees Today in Texas

 

It's 6:50 am and already 78 degrees.....

 

 

But...not too hot to drink my morning coffee and take in the horizon.

Meggie Mac

The Charm of a White Picket Fence for Friday Fences

 

A truly classic look, becoming popular as early as the Colonial Era.

 

Click on Photo

Although today they may be found in polyvinyl, traditionally they are made of wood.

This one has been adapted to a Texas-style, using the star on each post. There is a bird finial topping off the 4'x4' post.

 

 

The early morning dappled shade, on the arched arbor and gate, is so inviting...

Meggie Mac 

 

 

Linking today with TexWisGirl at the Run Around Ranch.

Click HERE to enjoy other fences from around the world.

 

 

Moving to the Country.....Once and for All

 

In packing up of my humble library of 32 cartons of books, I came across a book I had purchased when I first moved to the country, almost 20 years ago.

 

The paper bound book, "Moving to the Country Once and For All", by Lisa Rogak, struck me as funny. After all, that is what I am in the middle of doing.

So, I have kept the book by my side these last few weeks to keep some humor close by,

 especially when the days become too long.

 

totally unstaged

So, here I am again with stacks and stacks of containers lining all the walls of my new "old" house.

 

The book cartons are three high, lining the dining room area. I see in the photo, my container of extension chords (much needed item in an old house).

 

 

Too worn out to look for the bathroom curtains....so, I improvised using two pillowcases, with clips I found in my office supplies. And yes, that is a filing cabinet in the bathroom. I did say these photos are not "staged".

 

 

I  managed, early in the day, to make up my bed with sheets and coverlet.

 

 

Breakfast the following morning....Cheerios, banana, green tea and two vitamins.

 

So, I will leave you, my dear readers, with some humor from my "moving to the country" book.

 

"Remember, you will never, never, never be considered a native."

"When driving in the country, use only one hand so you might wave to all you pass on the road".

"Listen and Learn....never say, this is how I did it in the city".

 

"And, last but not least, remember all the reasons you moved to the country"

Meggie Mac

 

Hidden in Plain Sight for Monday's Country Back Roads

 

By far, this is one of my favorite places to photograph on the prairie. One day, I plan to be there before sun-up, for the Golden Hour (sometimes called the Magic Hour). But, today I will settle for 9am and very very hot.

 

 

There is a well-placed Posted sign, which you do not often see in these parts. I must photograph from a distance for fear of becoming "fair game".

 

So you ask, "What makes this hidden in plain sight?" There are literally hundreds of stock ponds in the area where I live.

 

 

This one is located behind a locally owned pharmacy, newly built on the edge of farm land. The only way to see it, is if you take a chance drive to the back side of the pharmacy....and there she is...off in the distance.

 

Click on photo

The reflections, on the pond, are spectacular....accented by the dark trunks of the trees.

 

 

And, to make it all complete....the resident Blue Heron, that I often find walking in the shallow waters, is looking for breakfast.

 

Meggie Mac

St Rose of Lima Catholic Church for InSPIREd Sunday

 

The history of this church goes back to 1889. This may not seem very old, but one must remember that Texas only entered the Union in 1845. 

 

 

Even though I photographed before 8am this morning, the temperature was already 80 degrees. Lucky for me, there was some shade to stand in.

 

 

The most striking part of the church is the bell tower, with a cross on all four sides. 

 

Meggie Mac

 

 

Joining with InSPIREd Sunday.

 

Click HERE to view other churches, synagogues,

 and other religious buildings from around the world.