Views From the Pond: July/August 2024

I am on track to finally get my View From the Pond post up with only two months of pictures (instead of three months). Yay! As summer is wrapping up and we get ready for fall it is nice to look back on the hottest months of the year and all that was going on at the pond. With summer break, I enjoyed not having to leave my house every morning to go to school. Instead I was able to have my morning coffee on the porch (most mornings), and it was a delight. 

We had a hot summer here, but we also had a lot of rain. In August we had a "once in a thousand year" rain storm where it rained over 6 inches in a few hours, and although we were lucky not to have flooding at our house, the pond and brook were FULL! Towns a half an hour away had closer to 13 inches of rain and there was severe flood damage to buildings, homes, roads, and bridges. Cars were trapped in flooding and people needed to be rescued, and houses were washed away. Scary and sad for everyone impacted by the flood damage, and it made the rain we got here seem like nothing.  

I hope you can sit back and relax and enjoy some of the views that brought me peace and happiness this summer. I caught some of the visiting animals- but we did have a black bear that I saw, but barely captured as he left the yard.

July 2024

A little bunny hanging out and enjoying some snacks. 

This guy walked out of the brook and towards the house, 

but he hasn't been out again since (at least not during the day, 

which I know is normal for them when looking for food.)

Love seeing the changing light!

Our heron made lots of visits to our house this summer. 

Loved watching it take flight, but I didn't manage to snap

any photos or videos of the amazing sight. 

Seeing reflections in the water brings me a lot of joy. 

Friends were visiting from Canada, but they 

got to see the heron when they were packing 

up the car. It was exciting for everyone- but the

heron got spooked and flew away. It's large wings 

need lots of space and it flew down the middle of the 

road as it lifted up and up!

Afternoon sunlight on the tree. 

August 2024

If you look closely you can see the magnolia has blooms. 

It likes to bloom on and off from spring until mid fall. Beautiful flowers!

The peeks of blue make me smile. 

A bud from the magnolia getting ready to bloom in all its glory. 

So green!

The August rain storm- the brook was starting to get full!

I have never seen the pond this high since we have lived here (2 years).

Amazing for sure!

The crazy thing is that 2 hours before this video the brook was barely there. 

I had friends over that I had to explain- over there is the brook. Then two hours later

the water was raging! 

Hello Sunbeam!

I am still enamored with the changing light each day!

Hello again, Heron!

The trees in the backyard were sparkling with drops of rain

after a rainstorm. No rainbow- but the drops looked like 

dazzling gems. 

We saw the bear walk by the window and watched it. Barely got a picture. 

We haven't seen him since.

As I type this (September 1st) I know that summer doesn't officially end for a few more weeks, though after working at a school for the last 26 years it always feels like the end of summer when school starts. Already the temperatures are starting to change as we head into September and the light is changing too. I do love fall and I know the pond will put on a show! 

Hope summer was good to you and that fall will be even better!

~S

MMGM: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

 

16-year-old Hattie has been shuffled around from relative to relative her whole life. She’s been living with her aunt and uncle, but her aunt is not happy having her there. She's said that Hattie needs to stop going to school and start work cleaning a boarding house. Then, out of nowhere Hattie receives a letter from her long-lost uncle giving her the land that he’s trying to farm and pay back to the state (prove up on his claim). Hattie takes this chance and moves to Montana, where she meets the cast of characters who will play important parts in her life. They help her learn what it means to be a homesteader. It's harder than she'd imagined! Hattie is a fast learner, but there are a lot of ins and outs of frontier life. Will she be able to put up the fence that's required of her? Is it possible for Hattie to plant the wheat, bag it, and sell it? What was life like out in the plains during the early 1900s when a war was going on? You’ll have to read this exciting historical fiction book to find out!

I read Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson because it was on The Week Jr., US Read Across America Map The Week Jr., US Read Across America Map for the state of Montana. I had already read some of the other books that were nominated for a state, but wanted to check out something new. I'm so glad I picked this book up! I LOVED it! I cared about Hattie and what she was going through. I learned about life at that time. Being a homesteader was not easy! Hattie is someone I would definitely want on my side, and someone who I would stand up for. I would recommend this historical fiction book to anybody in grade 4, and up who is interested in what life was like just a little over 100 years ago in part of our country. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Has anyone else read Hattie Big Sky? Or has anyone read another book by Kirby Larson? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: The Lucky Diamond by Valinora Troy

 

Five children are orphaned in Lowdar after their last adult family member was exiled from the community. Now the children live on the streets and life is even harder. When they find a diamond, it turns out to be no ordinary gem. They have met Lucky, a princess in a magical species. Lucky needs to return home, but there are many beings trying to stop her at any cost. The children agree to bring her home and Lucky promises they will be rewarded. A canoe, named Charlie helps them on their way and they have many dangerous terrains to pass- from water to mountains. Four of the five children have a special gift given to them by their mother before she died, and the items help them on their way. During their travels they get split up and their lives are in peril. Encounters with Queen Rose show the children what evil is capable of and they hope to help stop her from taking over the kingdom.  Will the children meet up with each other again? Will they get Lucky home? Can Queen Rose be defeated? You will have to read this fabulous fantasy to find out! 

Lucky Diamond by Valinora Troy was a fast paced fantasy that kept me captivated. It is the first in a series, but I was happy that everything wrapped up at the end of the story and I wasn't left on a cliffhanger! The siblings each have their own personality and I enjoyed seeing the way they interacted with each other. The magical elements were fascinating and I loved discovering more about the special items given to each child by their mother. I could easily picture the settings throughout the fantasy land and while there are places that sound beautiful, there are others I wouldn't want to visit! I liked trying to figure out who could be trusted and how they would get out of certain situations. I would recommend this book to anyone in 4th grade or up who enjoys fantasy, magic, and adventure. This was a page turner! I look forward to reading more books by this author. 

Has anyone else read Lucky Diamond? Or have you read another book by Valinora Troy? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Views From the Pond: April/May/June 2024

 

We'll see if I ever get to doing a Views From the Pond post with two months worth of pictures. Goals! Watching the changing light as spring was sprouting up everywhere was magical. I saw changes in the woods and foliage all around the pond. Each day a little more green filled in. So amazing to watch it all enfold. The days got longer and I tried to enjoy every extra minute of each day. Having a little more outside time after work makes a big difference in my stress level. Hope seeing some of the views over the last few months will give you a sense of peace, too. 

April 2024

A hawk in the tree.

Just a little bit of snow- thank goodness. I was ready for spring!

Morning views as I leave for work. Love the way the light streams in and falls on everything.

So different from the way the pond looks after work! 

Reflections in the water bring me so much happiness. 

The brook is full!

SO hard to leave for work when I just want to sit and watch the pond.

The magnolia tree (s) look so beautiful when they are blooming. Nice nighttime light. 

May 

Love the spring colors everywhere!

Lord and Lady Quackerly out for a stroll. 

Deer grazing.

Off to work! 

So green!

We came home and a heron was in our pond. We watched and were mesmerized for a long time.

We had to have 5 trees taken down. Lots of wood (this is from one tree) 

A woodchuck out in the yard. He swam so fast down the brook. It was awesome to watch!

The woodchuck running in the yard. Faster than I would have expected!

I love when the yellow daylilies come out. 

We had work to do under the magnolia. We had so much rain after we first cleared it that weeds started growing before we could put anything down. 

All weeded and we got the mulch down! Yay!

June 

Love the blue!

We watched the baby deer learning to walk. Lots of wobbling and stumbling- but amazing! 

Momma and her baby. 

We hav 5 baby bunnies and they hop around and play with each other. If I try to go outside to take a picture they hop to safety. So- this was through the window. 

Full Moon-  I couldn't capture the gorgeous color and light surrounding it.

Our heron hanging by the pond. 

June ended with a very full brook and pond!

It's hard to believe that (as I am writing this) tomorrow is July. I am happy summer is here and plan to enjoy the longer days and evenings while they are here. I know it is a busy summer ahead with lots of friends and family visiting from all over the world. Luckily I can have some nice down time sipping on coffee looking at the pond each day, and I hope to read some books out there too. Cheers to summer. Thanks for sitting by the pond with me and catching up! 

MMGM: Secret of the Shadow Beasts by Diane Magras

 

Nora lives in Brannland, where shadow beasts called the Umbrae come out once the sun goes down. Adults who are bitten die, but there are children who are immune. These children become knights at the age of 7 when they train to destroy the shadow beasts. Although Nora Kemp’s blood was tested and proven to be immune, her father refused to allow her to become a knight. Knight's train hard and live away from their families and Owen Kemp wanted his daughter to have a normal childhood. Instead, Nora lives in the countryside on a farm where she has sheep and plays the fiddle. Her family has always known they have to be inside when the "gloaming" comes because that is when the Umbrae come out to attack anyone outside. But life on a farm doesn't always stop. It’s been over a year since the beasts got her dad and now Nora’s mother has been almost bitten by them (even being near them can make someone sick). Only Nora’s quick thinking saves them both. But this makes Nora think about being a knight and she calls up the school and talks to the person who tested her when she was seven. The umbrae have been getting worse and there are less people who are able to fight them, so the school agrees to have Nora come and try out. She missed five years of training but that doesn’t stop Nora’s natural instincts and abilities from shining through. Nora has a lot to learn about the school, which is divided into different orders. It takes a little bit of time for her to bond with her new order, but they are a team the first night they go to fight the Umbrea together. Unlike the video game Nora played at home, these battles are exhausting, dangerous, and extremely stressful, as she needs to protect herself, her order and the citizens. When someone from another order does something that puts the lives of everyone in Brannland in danger, Nora and her order try to come to the rescue. What they discover is even more dangerous and petrifying than they could’ve ever imagined. Can Nora and her order defeat the beasts? What secrets will Nora discover about her family? Why are the beasts multiplying? You’ll have to read this fast paced adventure to find out.

I own a hardcover copy of Secret of the Shadow Beasts by Diane Magras, but I was lucky enough to win a copy of the audiobook online. I am so glad I did. The narrator does an amazing job and I felt like I was right there in the store with Nora. The way the setting was painted made the scenes easy to imagine. Nora is a character that people can relate to because she seems like a regular kid who enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with her family. I like seeing how the relationships in the book change as Nora gets to know everyone. It’s dangerous for children to be out fighting the beasts, but the story explains why it needs to be children, not adults. I highly recommend this book to anyone in fourth grade or up who enjoys action, adventure, and characters who really make you care about them. I have read The Mad Wolf's Daughter by Diane Magras and I look forward to reading other books by her in the future.

Has anyone else read Secret of the Shadow Beasts? Or have you read another book by Diane Magras? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.