Photo-a-Day Week 40

Week 40, how about that! It seems that each week is going by quickly. The latter part of the week, we were at our twice-a-year music festival, the Albino Skunk Music Festival. Going to Skunk Fest lends itself to getting some fun photos. Hope you enjoy this week's offering of photos. Remember to subscribe to this blog on Substack. Here's the link- https://janetledebuhr.substack.com/  go to the page and click the subscribe button. The follow.it email subscription is now just sending advertisements and the link to my blog. When I signed up to follow.it, the entire post was in the email, now, none of it is. 

Day 272-

About every two weeks, I take apart our robot vacuum, wash the filters, and replace them with dry ones. With two dogs and a cat, we have a lot of hair and dust that is picked up. Buying a second set of filters for both the robot and upright vacuums was a great idea. The drying ones were on the kitchen counter, with the lamp light shining through. 

Vacuum guts

Day 273- 

I was surprised to see my Bottlebrush blooming. Callistemon viminalis 'Woodlander's Hardy' has been renamed to be Melaleuca viminalis 'Woodlander's Hardy'. It usually blooms in the summer, early summer. The fact that it is blooming now is not usual. 

Bottlebrush

Day 274-

If you have been a reader of my blog for a long time, you know I have written about various trees. The Beech tree, Fagus grandifolia, is one on my list. None of the photos I have of the Beech tree includes the nut. These nuts are edible. How many of you remember beechnut gum? While the gum bears the name of the Beech tree, and a logo of a stylized beech tree, it does not contain any part of the tree. This tree is in my neighbor's front yard. I told her the other day that the tree was bearing nuts. She didn't know that it had nuts this year. If you want to read more about an American Beech, here's a link to my post. http://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com/2010/03/tuesdays-trees-american-beech-fagus.html

Beech Nut

Day 275-

While driving into town, we encountered a traffic backup. You can see a log truck up the line of vehicles. There was road work going on. The intersection roadway was in such bad condition, really glad it was getting fixed. One part of the road was like a washboard. Really bumpy!!!

Traffic in Greenwood

Day 276-

Our first day at Skunk fest, the sky was so blue. There wasn't a cloud in sight, the sun was shining, and the post oak we were sitting under was providing dappled shade. It was a perfect fall day. 

Blue Skies

Day 277-

What's more fun than a disco ball? A disco ball with bubbles all around it! The sunlight was hitting the little mirrors but the bubbles really put it over the top. 

Bubbles and bling

Day 278-

After you walk through the entrance to the Skunk farm, on your way to where the stage is, you pass a message board (for lack of a better word). This covered board has almost all the posters from the festivals over the years. Hurricane Helene hit the area, and the previous posters were ruined. I am glad there were more to replace those. Each poster is a great memory of past music. We have been going to Albino Skunk Fest for fifteen years, and loved every minute of it. 

Skunk history

Not used photos--

Like I said at the top of the post, there were lots of possible photos from which to choose. There are multiple metal lawn chairs around the grounds. This was a sitting area, just behind the message board pictured above. 

Rusty metal gears and little mirrors make some interesting mobiles to catch the sunlight.

Nice line-up of chairs, preset for the viewing of the music. Getting photos of rusty chairs is like getting photos of fog, I am drawn to it!

Last photo in the line-up is of the bib of my husband's overalls. Friday was overalls day. I looked around for a good picture of a row of bibs, but only got this one of Charlie's. 

Thanks for stopping by again for this past week's photo of the day. Be sure to check out the Substack link.

©Copyright 2025 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet, The Queen of Seaford.

Photo-a-Day Week 39

Another week is in the books. We took a quick trip to Nashville to visit our daughter and family. I want to tell you, my faithful readers, that I am going to drop the follow.it email feed. I will continue to post here on my blog site, "The Queen of Seaford," but I will also be posting on Substack. On Substack there is a way to sign up to receive emails of new posts. As I figure it out, I will be sure to post about it here. I won't cancel follow.it quite yet, allowing for an overlap. 

So without further delay, let us continue with last week's photos. 

Day 265-

In my daughter's neighborhood in Nashville, they go all out for Halloween decorations. Our son-in-law pulled out some of theirs while we were there. The grandkids love it. The younger one was carrying a life-sized skeleton around with him, he's two and a half. Sunrise accentuated the bats and skeleton hanging on the porch. 

Spooky Season

Day 266- 

Our drive home took us through Chattanooga and Atlanta. Saw a lot of signs for both Rock City and Ruby Falls. I remember the 'See Rock City' advertising on barns. It was an iconic sighting. Met a woman a few weeks ago, and the conversation somehow got to the 'See Rock City' signs along the highways. She had never heard of them. I was dumbfounded. So for those who haven't seen a 'See Rock City' sign for a long time, here you go! They are no longer painted on the roof of barns along the highways but signs of their own, mimicking the barns. 

Iconic

Day 267-

The Golden Asters are in full bloom. They are nice native blooms, blooming at the same time as most of the Goldenrods we have popping up. Chrysopsis mariana is the most common one here in South Carolina. Common names are Golden Aster, Maryland Aster, and Maryland Golden-aster. I like the shaft of sunlight hitting the flowers, making them shine.

Golden Aster

Day 268-

This Gnome house is a favorite of so many of us in the neighborhood. I saw activity with the gnomes and thought the owner was just moving them to cut the grass. Next time I drove by, she had set up a yard sale for the gnomes. It is so cute. I'm eager to see what she does next with them. 

Yard Sale

Day 269-

Driving home the other night, we finally got a little bit of rain. I think my rain gauge reading was 2/100th of an inch...not much! We did have a few raindrops on the grill of the truck. 

Raindrops

Day 270-

While waiting for the show to begin, I took a few photos of the Peace Center, where we were to see Lyle Lovett. He puts on such a great show. By showtime, the seats were all filled. When I bought the tickets the floor seats were already sold out. We were able to get row A, center seats, in the first balcony. Really like the seats. 

Peace Center, pre-show

Day 271-

This native flower is such a nice burst of blue color in the fall, where there's a lot of yellows, oranges, and reds. Blue mistflower, Conoclinium coelestinum, is perennial and will spread where it is happy. Mornings are a great time to capture the sunlight sparkling on the blooms.

Blue Mistflower Aglow

That's all for this week. Next week I will include a link to my Substack page. 

©Copyright 2025 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet, The Queen of Seaford.

Photo-a-Day Week 38

As fall comes, there is a big change in my garden. Orb Weaver spiders and fall colors on the deciduous trees and shrubs. 

Day 258-

Large spider webs in the garden appear in the fall. The Orb Weavers put their webs up at night and generally take them down in the morning. That's a lot of work each and every night! This one was quite large, the circle was probably about two feet across. It was also across the middle of the yard, so the spider had to secure its web from the Magnolia tree to the right and the house on the left. 

Spider Season

The color version of this photo wasn't as impressive as the black and white one.

Day 259-

I have multiple Oakleaf hydrangeas in the yard. Three of them are in the front yard, they are Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers'. They really live up to their name in the fall. Their fall color is so vibrant, it really pops in the garden. The dog hair is an added bonus! 

Ruby Slippers with Dog hair

Day 260-

We live in an area where active timber harvesting is year-round. The log trucks are often overfilled. One doesn't want to follow too closely behind these loads. 

Log Truck

Day 261-

When I went out front to play frisbee and rings with the dogs, there was a tiny gray feather that I just had to get a photo of. Fiona is a bit of a vacuum cleaner- she will inhale anything unusual on the ground, especially if you wanted to give it a closer look. I needed to get my photo quickly. Not sure what bird lost this feather. 

Tiny Feather

Day 262-

We made a quick trip to Nashville for the weekend. This was the sunset reflecting off the buildings of downtown. Grandson (five years old) was having soccer practice on the field with views of the city.

Sunset

Day 263-

With the kids going to school and parents working, Charlie and I played tourist for the day and went to the Grand Ole Opry for the backstage tour. If you are ever in Nashville, it is a good tour to take. I really marveled at the size of the stage where "Hee Haw" was filmed. It seemed rather small. We walked  through the building to the main stage. The photo was taken of the ropes and cables of backstage where the Opry is performed. The black and white image shows all the shadows and shapes.

Backstage

My first thought for the photo of the day was in the entrance area. The lights with all the guitars were an interesting photo. All these guitars are Gibsons, donated by the company. 

Day 264- 

Coming home from the above mentioned grandson's soccer game we encountered this trolley. It made me laugh, the name on the trolley was "Trolley Parton". These trollies circle through town, where you can do a pub crawl of different breweries. Always something to see in Nashville.

Trolley Parton

Another week done! It is fun to gather photos from trips out of town. My day-to-day experiences at home center on the yard and garden. See you next week.

©Copyright 2025 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet, The Queen of Seaford.

Photo-a-Day Week 37

Welcome back to another weekly roundup of photos. Some garnered more attention on Facebook than others.

Day  251- 

While playing with the dogs in the front yard, I looked to the back and saw an odd shape in the tree. Usually it is a bird, Mourning Dove or Red-bellied Woodpecker or Brown Thrasher. Turned out it was a squirrel! They don't normally sit up that high. 

Squirrel in Silhouette 

Also observed that morning was a pair of Bald Eagles soaring high in the sky. I only had my cellphone with me, so the photo isn't great. My choice for the photo of the day was the squirrel, while it also wasn't a great photo, it was a nice silhouette. 

Day 252-

Since we have had Millie, our kitty, we have made sure to keep the door to the room to the toilet closed. As a small kitten she would love to play with the roll of toilet paper, unrolling it all the way to the cardboard tube. So, as a rule, we keep the door closed. I guess one of us left it open. Millie unrolled a nearly full roll of toilet paper. When she does that we say that she is having a party.  This was a photo that got a lot of laughs. 

When the Door is Left Open

Day 253-

While getting ready to water the containers with the hose, I re-encountered the Carolina Praying Mantis. The long, tall shadow made on the wall was impressive. Thought that it would make a good photo choice. Hope you agree.

I'm Still Here

Day 254-

It is Ironweed season. The variety I have growing in my yard is quite tall, perhaps Vernonia noveboracensis. This one grows 6-8 feet tall. I have found there is a nice, more garden-friendly-sized variety called Iron Butterfly. I may try to move these tall giants to a better space. It is a gorgeous shade of purple, and pollinators love it. 

Ironweed

Day 255-

When we first moved here, I planted a variety of Panicum virgatum, a native grass. There are several varieties of Panicum virgatum. I have/had three different ones- Shenandoah, Heavy Metal, and Dallas Blues. This one pictured is either Heavy Metal or Dallas Blues. I can't remember which of these two I planted in which location. Shenandoah is smaller and has green blades that turn red in the fall. The two I can't remember specifics of location, are taller, and have bluer foliage. I will have to try and determine if this one is Dallas Blues or Heavy Metal. The morning light illuminated the seedheads so nicely.

Panicum

The rejected photo was the original photo, in color. I thought the black and white image showed the brightness of the seedheads better. Which do you like better?

Day 256-

This day's image is of something that sits on my dresser. It is the telegram that my dad sent to my mom's parents, my grandparents, telling of my birth! My dad was in the Army, and he and my mom were stationed overseas, telephone calls were unheard of at that time. A telegram was sent to announce my birth. It is faded and tough to read, but I love having it.

Telegram!

Day 257-

This beauty is a native plant growing in my side yard. I have others in various spots in the yard, this one is the largest. Deer love it, so many remain small. Its botanical name is Euonymus americanus, with many common names. Our favorite is Hearts A' Bustin' because of a song by Billie Joe Shaver. Another name is Strawberry Bush. You can see why it has these names. These drupes really pop against the green foliage. 

Hearts A' Bustin'

This brings us to the end of another week. Thanks for stopping by. 

©Copyright 2025 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet, The Queen of Seaford.

Photo-a-Day Week 36

How is it Sunday already? The days just zoom by so quickly! I hope everyone had a good week last week. Let's talk about the photos from this past week.

Day 244-

For those who were on the Memphis Fling, you might remember a planter that had a kaleidoscope focused on the blooms in the planter. I remembered that I had a small kaleidoscope in the drawer of our hutch. After a few trial shots of other items, I settled on using this one of  Lantana camara 'Miss Huff', in full bloom. 

Lantana Kaleidoscope

Here are a few other photos using the kaleidoscope. The first, taken in the house of an item on the hutch.

Once outside, I took a photo of the rose bush by the front door. It was fun to use the kaleidoscope to capture some photos. I might bring it out again during Christmas season. 

Day 245-

We rotate hosting bridge, and this past week it was close enough to walk. The setting sun created long shadows as I walked east towards the gathering bridge game. Walking home in the pitch black night is always interesting. I was good until close to my house when I heard a sound, perhaps a fox, call out in the darkness. I turned on my cell flashlight to finish the walk to my house. 

Walking to bridge

Day 246-

Resurrection Lily, Spider Lily, or Hurricane Lily, this fall-blooming bulb is always a treat to see. The botanical name is Lycoris radiata. I  have them planted around the yard/garden but so far, these are the only ones blooming. I also have a Lycoris aurea, a yellow bloom. At one time I also used to have the pink variety, Lycoris squamigera, often called Naked Ladies. All the Lycoris bloom after the foliage fades.

Resurrection Lily

Day 247-

Fall is also the time when the Tea Olive blooms. Its fragrance is distinct. I have heard some say it smells like Fruit Loops to them. Osmanthus fragrans is an evergreen shrub that can be trimmed into a multiple-stemmed tree. I leave mine in its full form. Amazingly, this tiny bloom can have such a large fragrance, it perfumes the entire yard.

Fragrance Abounds

Day 248-

In the same drawer as the kaleidoscope, I found my birth announcement and a photo of newborn me! Stay tuned, there may be more archived items showcased. 

Things You Find in a Drawer

Day 249-

Saturday was an SEC (Southeastern Conference) football game. For Mizzou fans, the game was against Kansas. Long-time rivals. (or arch enemies, depending on with whom you are talking)  This is the Mizzou tiger logo, in a prominent position in the living room.

MIZ-

Day 250-

Today's gem is my dad's metal truck, Buddy-L. Not sure when my dad got this toy, but I remember riding it in my grandmother's backyard as a little one. I inherited this and it has spot on the shelf in the living room. My grandkids rode it around the living room this past Christmas, four generations of love. 

Buddy-L

I tried a different view for the photo, but I liked the full side view better. The one below just wasn't a very good photo. It happens. 

Another week's photos shared and explained. Hope you enjoyed it. See you next week.

 

©Copyright 2025 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet, The Queen of Seaford.

Photo-a-Day Week 35

We are already at the end of another week. Many of this week's photos are outdoor-oriented.  As the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds migrate south, we have more visitors at the feeders and more territorial guarding happening. We have had much cooler temperatures, and it is lovely to be outside, enjoying the weather. So, on with the discussion of each photo. 

Day 237-

Love how the sunlight hit this tiny bird's chest. She is guarding a feeder to the left of where this metal hummingbird ornament sits. Fiona is always on guard at the sliding glass door, barking at these little jewels.

Hummingbird on hummingbird

 I was on the fence about which of the two photos to use. I used the one I did because the sunlight was brighter on it. Here's the 'reject', also a good photo. 

Day 238- 

We usually have the green Praying Mantis and its egg sacks around. Seeing a native one is a treat. The native mantis is brown, not green. This one was on our sliding glass door. As I was in and out, refilling the hummingbird feeders, I was worried I would disturb it before I got a photo. This was taken outside, with the trees and sky reflected on the glass.

Carolina Mantis

I did try a shot from inside the house. Not very good.

Day 239-

Driving back from the doctor, we drove past this old Wilson factory. I liked making it black and white. But wait, there's another photoshopped element. Check out the photo below the one used.

Closed Factory

Not only had I changed from black and white, but I was able to remove the truck from the front of the building.

Day 240- 

On my way inside I walked past the rose bushes and saw the Katydid on the rose bush. Quick snap of the shutter captured it!

Katydid

Day 241-

One might think my garden is filled with insects, and perhaps you may be correct! I like getting photos of these beauties. It almost looks like this is another black and white photo, but it is as it appeared. 

Dragonfly

Day 242-

Yes, another black and white offering. The sunlight sparkled on the spider web, and I had hoped that using a black and white filter would help accentuate the sparkle.

Sunlight on Spider Web

The original one for your viewing. Also tried to crop it to show the web closer. I decided that having the fern and downspout in the photo framed it better. 

Day 243-

I like this tight little rose bud. The varied colors made me take notice today. It seems the colors red and white were what I was drawn to today as the discarded photo was also a red and white bloom.

Oso Easy Rose

 

Here is the discarded red and white bloom, a Salvia. Do you see the tiny ant on the left bloom? 

This ends another week of the photo a day challenge. Stay tuned, there's more next week. 

©Copyright 2025 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet, The Queen of Seaford.