@CarolDustinsMom

The Dude loves to cover up with blankets. My other cat, Brendel, not so much. With cold weather on its way, I decided to buy a new bed for the Dude. As you can see in this collage, I think he approves. He gets in it at night usually when I go to bed. I can see on the security camera the next day. So cool to see him enjoying. Maybe Brendel will check it out eventually.

Just saw my posts finally migrate over. Good to see. And now I hope to get a few friends and followers. I would like to join in on your discussions. My cousin rescued this beautiful dog named Presley. Her eyes are so pretty and captivating. Rescue animals are the best.

After about three months I am back to visit the new site. I hope you are all doing well. Lots to learn and very excited to see the new site. I hope I can see some of my old friends soon. From what I am reading, I have to wait to receive followers before I can comment. Any takers?

Pipevine Swallowtail on purple Butterfly bush in Dustin's garden. This one made my day. One of my favorite butterflies. Hope your day is going well. Things in my life are currently mostly upside down but this too shall pass.

White clouds and blue skies are all I saw today. Was inside the car taking this one. The rain started about an hour later. Amazing to see such pretty shaped clouds. Don't forget to look up. #AlwaysOriginal

Yellow Swallowtail in Dustin's garden. I finally got some photos. I have to stand still a few minutes for them to land. They take me to another level. And the two butterfly bushes are covered with these, and the black ones. So beautiful. #AlwaysOriginal

Checking in with everyone after being away. My garden is in full bloom. This bloom is called a Black Knight butterfly bush bloom. I have posted about these before. The butterflies have now arrived. There was one on the bloom and he quickly flew when I snapped the photo. Still recovering from my surgery. Will be back as I can to catch up with you all. Hope you are all doing well. #AlwaysOriginal

Update about my absence. Had surgery on July 1st. I will be out for a little while. Not sure how long. I don’t usually talk about personal health conditions online. But I will say I have had headaches for a couple of years now. Dealing with balance issues and other symptoms as well. After MRI’s and other testing I have been diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation in my head. But thankfully this condition can often be treated. Hopefully with a good outcome. I have done tons of research on this before making my decision. It will not get better without surgery. I have confidence in my Neurosurgeon and Vanderbilt Hospital. I hope to return soon. Take care everyone.

Collage of my front and backyard. Some of you (LindaOH) have asked about trees and plants in my yard. I made this collage to show some different views. Also a few were taken during the fall. Maybe it will help you. I enjoy seeing the trees mature each year. With the perennials, the mainteance is low key. Sunshine and water are the main ingredients needed. In the photo are: Crepe Myrtle and Holly bushes, Tulip Poplar, Mini spruce in the front, Sycamore in the fall, Blue Cypress trees in the fall, Rose of Sharon in front by the driveway. #AlwaysOriginal

Japanese Honeysuckle blooming in my yard. Another favorite. The smell is wonderful all over the yard. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. This one is so easy to grow. It started as a small vine many years ago. Each year it grows more and more on my fence. We used to pick honeysuckle growing wild, as a child. This flower reminds me of those days. #AlwaysOriginal

Roses inside to enjoy from the garden. Was out earlier dead heading the blooms. This is always good for your flowering plants. Seems to help new blooms appear. I enjoy doing this when the weather is not so hot. This morning was nice and a little breezy. Perfect day for this project. All done for now. Brought a couple of roses inside to enjoy. #AlwaysOriginal

Monarch Butterfly in Dustin's garden. Have to share the beauty with you again. These monarchs are stunning to see on my purple butterfly bush. I hope to see more soon, as summer progresses. Such an honor to have monarchs in the garden. #AlwaysOriginal

Swallowtail Butterly in Dustin's garden. The butterflies are starting to show up finally. Both butterfly bushes are just starting to bloom. Always enjoy seeing these special butterflies in the garden each year. They are very large, bigger than my hand. So pretty as they flutter all over the garden. #AlwaysOriginal

The Dude is sleeping on the rug. Brendel is out in the screen room asleep. They have such good relaxing lives. So glad I rescued them both many years ago. Happy #Caturday from my two cats. Hope your day/night is great. #AlwaysOriginal

Roses are doing well in Dustin's garden. Extreme heat has arrived lately. Summertime weather is here. I watered the garden yesterday. Hoping for a break and maybe rain soon. #AlwaysOriginal

Blue skies today while out running errands and appointments again. Snapped this one from inside the car. Lot of mountains and trees and blue skies seen on the back roads. Hope your day is going well. #AlwaysOriginal

Black Knight Purple Butterfly Bush blooming in Dustin's garden. Excited to share this with you. This bush has dark purple blooms. It is called a Black Knight due to the dark blooms of course. The butterflies will be here soon. I saw one yesterday flying around. The bushes are just starting to bloom. The hotter it gets the more blooms it seems. Little things to enjoy.

Bumble Bee covered with nectar inside my Rose of Sharon bloom. These bumble bees love the blooms and the nectar of course. I am amazed at how close I can get without them moving. It is as if they pass out from all of the nectar. Maybe they do. Cool to see the bees and the blooms. Rose of Sharon is in the hibiscus family. But it is a different plant. #AlwaysOriginal

Roses in full bloom in my garden. The weekend was nice. Temperatures finally dropped as well as the humidity. Enjoyed being outside for a change. The blue skies were nice as well. Roses are still blooming every day. Butterflies will be here soon. Little things enjoyed. #AlwaysOriginal

Ruby Spider Lilies have bloomed in my garden. I love these large crimson colored with yellow blooms. They are in my front garden. Four blooms today. First ones for 2022. They are perennial, return each year to enjoy. Butterflies and hummingbirds will visit them soon. #AlwaysOriginal

Brendel was snoozing on the table in the screen room. I snapped her photo and then realized the Dude is laying there as well, behind her. Too funny. Happy #Caturday to all of you. #AlwaysOriginal

View from my deck. My backyard trees are swaying in the wind. Thunderstorm warnings are here. I hope we get rain to cool things down. A heat wave all week here. How is your weather these days? #AlwaysOriginal

Rose of Sharon from my garden. They are in the hibiscus family. First bloom of 2022. So happy to see these starting to bloom today. I have three of these bushes. They will soon be full of blooms. Then the bees and butterflies will visit the nectar. Always fun to watch the big bumble bees get covered in nectar in these blooms. Nature is always offering something to watch.

Tomatoes on the vine already. Neighbor is at Disney in Florida with his family. Watering his garden for him while he is gone. I noticed a few green tomatoes on the vine yesterday. He always shares tomatoes. Will be delicious in a few weeks. Nothing like fresh tomatoes. #AlwaysOriginal

Rose in Dustin’s garden yesterday evening at sunset. Happy with the roses so far this year. Enjoying each bloom. Little things make such a difference in life. #AlwaysOriginal

Hot summer days for now. View from my deck in the backyard at 7:00 pm. It does not get dark until around 8:00 pm. And the sunset views are visible only from the front yard. Not as nice as the winter views from the back. But I snapped this photo of the blue skies in the back. Late in the day still has blue skies and white clouds to watch. Enjoy your day/night everyone. #AlwaysOriginal

Magnolia bloom from the yard. My magnolia tree grow each year and is now covered in these huge saucer sized blooms. A few bugs are attracted as are birds. I enjoy the evergreen leaves of the tree year round as well. A nice tree to have in your garden. #AlwaysOriginal

Mimosa blooms on my neighbor's tree. His yard is lined with these gorgeous trees. The hummingbirds love the blooms. They are often called ice blooms as well. So pretty to see these trees covered in blooms. The tree only blooms in the summer. It is dormant with no leaves for the winter and is considered invasive. He enjoys the trees. I love the blooms. #AlwaysOriginal

My two cats, Brendel and the Dude are enjoying the sunshine in the screen room. The Dude often sleeps on his back. Such a character that one. And now Brendel is asleep on the chaise. They both enjoy the sunshine. Happy #Caturday from my cats to yours. #AlwaysOriginal

Winged visitor on my day lily. Sharing a photo once again of my lilies in the front garden. And got this little visitor as a bonus. Cool to see these tiny insects in the garden. Wishing you all a great weekend. #AlwaysOriginal