Step by step I am making some pathways. I don't know why I haven't done this before but I have become obsessed with the show "Big Dreams, Small Spaces." I think putting in your path or paths first can help you better plan a garden. I know where my natural paths are and where I want some to lead but my main problem is what to use for the borders. I should have started long ago. Right now I have nothing and have been using a reel mower to keep the paths mowed down. I was thinking of making a nice mossy pathway which would be good on the feet if one wanted to walk barefooted. I have lots of moss around so that would come in handy. But, I don't think moss likes full sun so I may have to ditch that idea. I was thinking maybe I could steal some of the pea gravel from the former play yard, now bird haven. I would most certainly need some type of border to keep those tiny rocks from straying. I'm thinking I may use medium sized rocks to start the lining of the main path which separates the clover from the wildflowers. I won't have enough but it is a start.

     While trying to clear out some brush from underneath the trees in a certain area I came upon a path that was used a long time back. I decided to line it with the long branches that were laying nearby. I think I will call the old path, "Hickory Hollow" because that was the name of the cabin I stayed in along with other Girl Scouts when I was younger. Girl Scouting, family camping trips, and the neighborhood I grew up in helped create my love for nature and the outdoors.










     While I was sitting on the deck, a rabbit starting hoping down the pathway I haven't even put a border on yet. I guess it just new where to walk. I mean hop. He was looking for something. I think a place to find shelter. It was getting ready to rain. I figure he probably found a place.
     

Psalms 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.









   

     I absolutely love those framed folkart chicken and rooster pictures that were created many years ago. They had dried beans and seeds glued onto them. Did you know someone that had one or do you have one that has been passed down in the family.

     Merriam Webster defines folkart as: the traditional typically anonymous art of usually untrained people. Which definitely does not mean the art is no good just because the people making the art are untrained. The skill that it takes to individually place each bean in an aesthetically pleasing manner is nothing but remarkable. Patience and time are requirements needed for this art. It is like putting pieces to a puzzle together; which we all know can sometimes take awhile.

     My son was getting rid of some old artwork that he didn't want. When I saw a chicken drawing he was getting ready to toss I was delighted. Here was a chance to make some folkart. Now I didn't have to go searching at garage sales for one. All I needed was to go and purchase some beans. And that is exactly what I did.

     I saw my first folkart chicken piece at my Grandmother's (mom's mother) house. The intriguing piece of artwork hung above her kitchen table. As a child, I was amazed at how food was used to make a piece of art. It was so colorful and had a texture that I wanted to touch but knew I shouldn't since it wasn't mine and I would probably get in trouble if a bean just happened to fall off.

     On a nice afternoon my son and I got busy and glued a few beans onto the artwork and believe me it took awhile. I thought we should leave part of the drawing to show and not cover it completely like the vintage ones. If you have a vintage chicken or rooster bean/seed picture please share it in the comments section on the facebook post. Looking forward to seeing them.

     While raking leaves I noticed a small tree which stood out among the brush. The leaves were quite unique. It looked to me like part of the leaf, which was in the shape of a thumb, was missing. I had never seen this tree before so it was a new discovery for me. 

 The tree is located on the edge of a row of trees near the Hackberry tree. It was leaning over a bit. I noticed it was because there were vines twisting around it's small trunk. I carefully untwisted each one and later will find a support for the tree so it will be able to stand straight and tall.

     Through my research, which was very hard trying to describe the leaf on Google, I found out that the tree is a Red Mulberry which is native to the South.

I will clear the brush around it a little more but will do a better job after the robins leave their nest which is located in a tree to the right. I have no idea how old the tree is so I will just have to keep an eye on it to see when the mulberries arrive. Some sites indicate that the tree must be ten years old before it produces berries. This tree will provide more food for the birds and squirrels. Hopefully one day we will get to enjoy it's sweet fruit.