This schoolhouse, stands vacant, testament to an earlier time. A fine brick farmhouse stood next door until three years ago, when it was scraped to make way for a few hundred square feet more of cropland. We were very surprised that the school didn’t suffer the same fate. It’s probably only a matter of time until this building makes way for easier access for a farmers’ implements.
Achilles and Stella take their ease on the deck during a warm summer evening. Special dogs, so different from one another. I love both of them.
taken and posted with the PlayBook
During a recent wet spell we were overrun by toads hich came in under a door. One day I caught and released six. This little guy allowed me to photograph him/her before I swept him up and deposited him/her in a damp shady spot outside.
This trio – a Ring-billed Gull and two juvenile Herring Gulls – seemed to be interested in my presence only insofar as I had the potential to make them move. Far from slothful, they were simply in resting, energy conservation mode.
Like ice skaters, this pair of mute swans (link to allaboutbirds.org) moved with grace, at times as one. 
taken and posted with the PlayBook
A summer sunrise softly brushes the pine tree.
Robins strike me as being industrious creatures. A robin will land, cock its head to scan for a tasty morsel. Not seeing one it runs with confident purpose, stops, cocks its head. Snaps up a bugs or tugs a worm out of the ground, devours its find. Runs confidently, repeats. I enjoy watching them at work, and greatly enjoy hearing their beautiful, happy, caroling.
At ease in our very pleasant back yard. At ease wearing pink. At ease wearing an ear stud. At ease with my friend, companion. At ease in, with, life.
Achilles can pose as well as the original..
Kendal’s graying eyebrows and chin provide an appearance of the distinguished gentleman.
previouslytexan 