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Saturday, November 15, 2025

Photos of Fall in Florida

I looked back at the past couple of years and I took a lot of photos that I didn't share so I have plenty to choose from.

Still no hike this week. We went to the cancer center on Thursday but Ron's blood levels were not good enough to have a cancer treatment so they have scheduled an appointment for next Tuesday. We hope and pray he will be able to have chemo to fight this cancer. As my friend Tom said...and other sweet blog friends, "Cancer is Cruel". We faced more challenges this week but I still want to blog and treat myself to some blog visits this weekend. I hope you are all well and I continue to pray for so many of you that are going through hard times too.

The Cardinals are especially pretty.

And this is Palafox and it only blooms for a short time at the end of summer.

It's rare to even get to see it!

I try to learn to ID plants here but it is a challenge!

Take care and thanks for the prayers and friendship. You are the BEST!

Love, Diane

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Saturday, October 18, 2025

A Cardinal is a blessing for the whole day!

I heard someone say that about Cardinals and I've never forgotten.

My husband and I have been very blessed over the years and we are thankful for that.

(taken on a hike on the Florida trails last month)

But now we are going through a very hard time and I wanted to write and ask you for your prayers.

Ron has a very rare cancer....B cell Lymphoma.

There's a good article HERE. He has the Splenic subtype.

It is too advanced for surgery to remove his spleen so they have started Chemotherapy treatments. He's been in the hospital receiving blood transfusions too.

I'll update you all when we get farther into the treatments. I had thought about taking a blog break but I get so much enjoyment from reading my favorite blogs and I know you will all give me encouragement.

I've come to know most of you over the years of blogging and know you have all been through hard times too and I have prayed for many of you over the years. So I'll thank you in advance for your prayers and I will be around to visit soon. I know I'll read my favs and I'll comment when I can.

God bless you, your blog buddy Diane

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Friday, January 10, 2025

'Forest to River' at O'Leno State Forest (a funny story)!

Grab your walking stick and let's take a hike!

Even in December we enjoy colorful leaves in the forest here in the South.

This story begins deep in the forest.

I hiked to the youth camp first.

This is NOT where we camped! Don't worry we did NOT have outdoor showers! HA!

But I took a few pics of the beautiful forest and then made a turn.

I looked at my watch and I had been hiking for 45 minutes so I knew it was time to turn around.

And here's where the funny story begins. I came to a 'T' in the trail and when I looked to the left, I saw someone walking my way. A forest ranger on foot, deep in the forest.

We talked about all the wildlife in this forest. I was seeing lots of deer tracks and small animal tracks. He asked me where I had started my hike. So I said, I left the campground and walked to the Youth Camping area and then turned right down another trail and I was planning to turn around. He said you are not far from the river now and another group camping area. So I said, Oh great! I'll keep going. Well...for someone in their 30s, it wasn't very far. But for someone "my age" it turned out to be a 'fur piece'. Haha!

I did get down to the river and I did make it back to camp but it ended up being about a 2 hour hike (which is about my limit these days).

So that's the funny story.

An old raggedy hornet's nest.

A white feather.

I saw some beautiful sights along the way!

Some gorgeous trees,

a monster or two!

And the Santa Fe River.

Happy Hiking!

We are praying for everyone suffering in the horrific fires in California and for those freezing in this winter storm. We still keep those affected by the hurricanes in our prayers, too. Take care and be kind. Everyone faces challenges in this life and everyone needs a kind word and a prayer.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Friday, August 23, 2024

Bees a buzzin'!

Don't kick the bucket....

or in this case....the steel drum!

I saw bees buzzing all around this old steel drum alongside the trail at Halpata Tastanki last week.

The wild bee hive is still there and the steel drum is nearby.

When I got around to the other side of this drum, I zoomed in and saw a hole about the size of a dime and bees going in and out.

You just never know what you'll see on a hike at the preserve.

Which trail do you want to hike?

We get to a 't' and have to decide.

It was a sunny day but it felt great to be in nature.

I spotted this deer lying down in the shade of some trees.

She turned her head to get a better look at me but decided I wasn't a threat and stayed put.

A Cardinal lit on a branch and I saw a Bobwhite fly low across the trail.

This Gulf Fritillary butterfly lit near by. I saw lots of butterflies and dragonflies but no other good photo ops.

Now we have turned back to walk to the trailhead.

I parked in the shade so that kept the Jeep cool.

And I saw a Northern Harrier swooping overhead at the end of my hike.

It was a good day and the heat and humidity has been perfect for mushrooms. I'm trying to figure out what these look like. Maybe they look like some kind of sandwich or pastry?