So impressive. #grownostr

It's like they were posing for us. #grownostr

I visited an old high school friend recently. He took me on a tour of the waterways around Georgetown, SC, where we saw lots of wildlife. The eagles seemed to be performing for us. I don't usually photograph wildlife and didn't have my camera set up the way I should have. Since then, I've made a custom setting on the camera for wildlife.

So glad I made this cold frame. I've been using it for years. It's served its purpose this spring, so I'll take it off of this bed now that the weather has warmed up and I'll put it back on in the fall. #grownostr

Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove is a good spot for bird watchers. This list was clipped to a fence on April 19, the day I took this picture. We had been there the day before, and it wasn't there then. #grownostr

Eli adopted us about 20 months ago. He was already an adolescent when he first showed up, so we know nothing about his early life. He wouldn't let us touch him at first, but when he finally let his guard down and I was able to pet him, he turned into one of the friendliest cats I've known. Whenever he sees us, his tail goes straight up and he comes over to to give a hello leg rub. I can't help but smile every time I see him. #grownostr #nostrcats

A Mayapple blossom is illuminated by the morning sun in Cades Cove. #grownostr

At this time of day, it's usually foggy here on Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove, which is part of what makes this place so magical. And there are usually at least some clouds. Not today! But it's still beautiful. #grownostr

Cades Cove never disappoints when it comes to wildlife encounters. #grownostr

We made it to Cades Cove, where we found this impressive patch of Mayapples. #grownostr

A pretty patch of Trillium at Sugarlands Visitor Center in Tennessee. We have a little patch of these in our yard. #grownostr

One of my favorite spots. The Chimneys Picnic Area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We had lunch there today on the way to Cades Cove.

Tip of the day...

I wish I could post the scent of this sweet Betsy (aka sweet shrub, Carolina allspice, strawberry shrub, and spicebush; proper name, Calycanthus floridus). My dad gave this one to us when we moved into our house more than 30 years ago. An interesting aspect is that its scent is stronger when you're some distance away from it. When I'm right next to it, I hardly smell it at all, but it smells wonderful when you're more than 5 feet away. Plus, it's a native plant! #grownostr

I converted my utility trailer to a hardening off station for my veggie and flower starts. The netting is for pest prevention, and it protects the tender plants against hard rain, too. If it's too hot, I can put shade cloth over it, or if the weather gets too bad, I can put a tarp over it or wheel it into the garage. #grownostr

A tip from my daughter: Check your pots before adding soil... #grownostr

One of the earliest blooming plants in my yard is Comfrey. Bumblebees are all over it. Comfrey serves many purposes, from a chop and drop fertilizer to treatment for a variety of injuries, and much more. Plant some in your yard or garden! #grownostr

My daughter sent me this picture of her tomato starts. She got the seeds from some tomatoes I gave her. I grew those tomatoes from seeds a friend gave to me. Ain't that great? #grownostr

I could use some technical support. I've done some zapping, but I just checked my Alby account and it says there have been no outgoing transactions. Have none of my zaps gone through? I'm confused.

This is my bed o' lettuce. I installed irrigation for those dry spells. It can be a challenge to find the right timer settings to use. It's easy to overdo it. About two minutes a day seems to be enough for the current weather conditions. #grownostr