Memory Lane

Here's a trip down memory lane. This photo is taken under the same yellow maple tree in front of the old house. First on left is my mom, then my sister Ruth, then Becky, me (with my kitten) and my granny and grandpa.

My mom and dad on the road in front of our house.


I'm adding a few more autumn pictures because VICKI asked to see some autumn pics from So Ill. I am so disappointed that the photos don't turn out as vivid as real life, so I'm not posting many of my pictures. Eric and I were walking in the woods nearby recently and there was a magical golden glow because of the glowing yellow gemstones on the branches of the trees. Very pretty and little rectangular pictures do not convey the real beauty.
This next photo reveals my humble beginnings: this is the house I grew up in. The glowing yellow maple tree was planted the same year my sister Ruth was born, so it's only 53 years old. It's also the tree that collided with me when I was 4 or 5 when I prematurely lost my front tooth! It's been a good tree, provided shade for many drinks of iced lemonade. The house has been vacant for almost 20 years.




Thanks for looking at my pictures! :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Our Walk in the Woods Today

Every spring and every fall a public road in the Pine Hills in southern Illinois is cut off from traffic. The road is called "Snake Road". In the fall, the road is closed off to allow snake crossing from the slough on one side of the road....



...to the bluffs for hibernation...



Today was a perfect day for hiking. The weather was clear and cool. Eric and I with our dog, Gretchen went walking on Snake Road. So did a lot of other people with cameras. Normally, we only see snakes if I am not carrying the camera. It was unusual for us to see any when I have the camera. We saw two snakes today: A little garter snake that didn't stop for a photo and this yellow bellied watersnake. I think that's what it was. Herptologists, feel free to correct me!



Along the way to the Pine Hills we took this photo of Tower Rock on the Mississippi. You're looking at Missouri across the river. You can see we're still pretty green with only two weeks left of October. In a week or so we should be seeing a lot more color.