On the 4th

Hello Dear Ladies,

Today people are enjoying a day off for family and friends to appreciate their country.  We have been treated to a day in a national forest, and have enjoyed it so much!

When I first began blogging, the British used to send me funny emails every 4th of July, about how they lost the colonies. I like the quote in Poldark. When asked, "How did we lose the colonies?" He replied, "By being on the wrong side!"  I have not heard from my British constituents in many years. I hope they are not still cross with us, because the Americans are very enamored with the British, and there are no hard feelings that I know of.

The forest is full of daisies.

I didnt get a photo of the water pump that the grandchildren happily pumped to get me a cup of cold water.

As I walked along a trail I picked a bouquet of wild roses, yarrow, daisies, columbine, and sage.

I carried it around the rest of the time I was there, and planted some of it around here when I got home.

above: with the bouquet and the stream in the background. I puddle jumped on the rocks to the other side. 

 I quite liked the shallow creek:

There were other people there from church, who go up there to camp on the 4th of July week.  I never understand why these people who already live in the country, or have a house in the forest, go camping in these places. I live in the country on farmland, and when it comes to a holiday, I stay home, because I feel I am already "camping" out here.  Everyone leaves to a campground, and there is not one tractor or truck making noise on the road past my home. So actually I have a quieter vacation than the campers, who often cluster together with their pets and their fires, etc.  They come home the worse for wear.

On the positive side, the church members being there camping made it possible for us to go visit them, and Mr. S. really enjoyed meeting the men and talking about people they knew from all over the states and the rest of the world.

The trail through the forest is a "good stretch of the legs."

Orange columbine growing wild.

I think this was a giant crop of Queen Anne's Lace by the side of the highway on the way back. I regretted I didn't make a dress to "go with" all this wild scenery. I have made up my mind to do better.

Back home, we enjoyed the sunset:

I cannot quit without including a 19th century painting of a lady outdoors. Instead of thinking what a pity it is we aren't in an era where women wear lovely clothing outside (and inside) , I tried to dress for the forest ;-)." It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness!" Or, better to plant a seed and cultivate a plant than to be upset at drabness around  us!

Every time you dress nicely it gives other people the courage and the idea to do so. 

I will try to find the name and artist for this and post it. 

So now here are some notes about our day trip to the mountain forest:

Mr. S. told me he wanted to drive a road that would shorten the trip by an hour, so I eagerly agreed. I did not anticipate the winding, curvy old road and the irregular elevation would make me feel dreadfully ill!  Yes, it did shorten the trip by an hour, but Mr. S. had to wait an hour  while I recovered from a terrible tummy and head ache.  Mr. S. said, "Just put it on my account of famous shortcuts."  I think that means he will "owe" me a more civilized trip somewhere later. His account is in the red.