Tuesday through Wednesday, December 16-31, 2025—Whew, It’s Finally Over

Posted on December 31, 2025 by dunngone

Perhaps because we’re not spending the winter away from home this year, it seems that the current holiday season was unusually long and intense. It’s possible that social activities occurred every day or evening from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, and those who know me really well know that I’m not a social person. Kay, however, was “busier” than ever. Let’s see: there was Bubbly Lunch and Bingo, Village Big Band’s Cool Yule Concert, Hand and Foot Card night, The Book Club December meeting,

Christmas party at pickleball friends house, Court Sports (tennis and pickleball) Christmas Party, Christ of the Hills UMC Christmas Cantata, Christmas celebration with Kay’s family, Communion and Candlelights service at Christ of the Hills UMC, Christmas Eve dinner at the Morris’, and another Hand and Foot Card night. New Year’s Eve ended at 9:00 PM for us. Christmas gift giving was very low key for Kay and me; we have everything we need and virtually everything we want.

Despite all the extra activities, we did manage to play pickleball almost every day, and I played golf on the two Mondays and a non-holiday Thursday.

I only managed to “shoot” (i.e. photograph) four days during the sixteen days. On December 22, 2025, a Tufted Titmouse and a Carolina Chickadee were the only birds willing to pose.

December 23, 2025, yielded a a Carolina Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse, plus a Red-bellied Woodpecker and squirrel.

A Carolina Wren, Pileated Woodpecker, and Dark-eyed Junco were photographed on December 24.

And, an American Crow and Pileated Woodpecker perched on a far away tree long enough to be photographed on December 27, 2025.

The year 2025 was a good one, and we were blessed to not have any major illnesses or accidents. We sadly lost several friends, mostly unexpected. We look forward to 2026, and have few clues as to what the year will bring..However, it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to maintain the same pace as 2025!

Sunday through Sunday, November 16-30, 2025—Kicking Off the Holiday Season

Posted on November 30, 2025 by dunngone

As Thanksgiving day approached, the holiday season, at least for us, slowly accelerates. As always, there will be good times with family and friends, and too much food.

I continue playing golf, as weather conditions permit—yes, I’m a “fair-weather” golfer—and the both of us play pickleball up to four times a week, again as weather conditions permit.

On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, we enjoyed an early Thanksgiving meal with Ron and Cheryl and their immediate family. The occasion was to celebrate Kaden (Ron’s son and KK’s oldest grandson) and Diane’s visit from San Antonio. And then, another feast was celebrated on Thanksgiving day, again at Ron’s, with KK’s family and Cheryl’s family. It’s always good to see family during the holidays, especially the grandkids.

Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving was pickleball play for the both of us—a great way to unwind after all the food and celebration.

I spent a good portion of this reporting period making a YouTube video, “Sizing, Printing, Matting, and Framing a Photo”. This was the 23rd or 24th video created, and though they’re fun to create, they don’t get a lot of views.

Photography has slowed a bit during this transition between fall and winter, as the birds have a lot of natural food available, and don’t hang out in the nearby trees and shrubs. However, on Monday, November 17, a few birds showed up including a Golden-crowned Kinglet, Tufted Titmouse, and Carolina Chickadee.

But the real star of the “show” was a Turkey Vulture perched in an adjacent tree.

A few more birds began appearing towards the end of the month. In addition to the regulars, species observed included a Downy Woodpecker, Pine Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Dark-eyed Junco.

Wednesday through Wednesday, October 1-15, 2025—Birds, Butterflies, and Hickory Sticks

Posted on October 15, 2025 by dunngone

The first two weeks of the month were relatively quiet. Most days found me taking photos, and the both of us either playing pickleball, golf, or both. Two notable events were Kay taking a girls trip to Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the two of us playing in the Duffer’s annual member/guest scramble. The Beau Rivage trip resulted in donations to the casino, but overshadowed by a good time with Pam. The Duffer’s scramble was a weird Halloween-themed event with strange rules. Kay and I finished, which was a success in and of itself. Regardless, to say we were and remained blessed is a gross understatement.

I managed to photograph eleven days out of the fifteen of the month. Wednesday, October 1, was the most productive day with several species of butterflies, a dragonfly, and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird captured on digital memory.

Butterflies included Fiery Skippers, an Eastern-Tailed Blue, and a Clouded Skipper.

A solitary Blue Dancer dragonfly was also using the pollinator garden.

And the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were stocking up on nectar for their upcoming journey south.

In addition to the usual butterflies and hummingbirds, a Fence Lizard was hunting for prey in the garden later in the week.

Butterflies have all but disappeared. A few birds came around on Sunday, October 5, including a Carolina Chickadee, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a Tufted Titmouse.

Few birds came around on Wednesday, October 8. A Tufted Titmouse and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird were the only ones photographed; however, none are shown here.

The only bird of note photographed on Thursday, October 9 was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Though no photos are posted here, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet was observed on Friday.

The season’s last photographed Ruby-throated Hummingbird was observed on Saturday, October 11.

And even though two Ruby-throated hummingbirds showed up early Sunday morning, October 12, no photos were made. These were the last hummingbirds seen this season. However, a juvenile Blue Jay (having a bad hair day) was photographed later in the day.

A Great Blue Heron was feeding along the shoreline on Monday morning, and it was photographed having breakfast. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was also observed.

The 18th U.S. Hickory Open golf championship was held in early October at Hot Springs Country Club. This tournament annually attracts an international field of golfers who play with antique pre-1935 hickory shafted golf clubs or authentic replica hickory clubs. Most of the golfers dress in period golf clothes, making for an awesome photographic event. Friend Dan and I attended on Saturday, October 4, making several photos.

Monday through Tuesday, September 16-30, 2025—Time Marches On

Posted on September 30, 2025 by dunngone

It was a relatively quiet couple of weeks ending September. Most days found us either playing pickleball, golf, or both. Significant items were Kay’s birthday, her departure for a girls trip to Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi, and repair of the house deck.

Kay celebrated another birthday on September 23, yet she doesn’t look a day older. Her son took her out to Pancake House in Hot Springs and she immensely enjoyed it. And then on September 30 she and a girlfriend flew to Biloxi, Mississippi, on a gambling junket at Beau Rivage. Also on September 30, a father and adult son removed rotten wood from the rear deck and replaced it with new material. As best I can tell, they did an acceptable job, but he grossly misstated the hours worked (at $55/hour). There was little I could do except pay, but we’ll not recommend him nor use him again.

As temperatures cooled, butterflies and dragonflies were observed less and less often; consequently, I switched to photographing birds.

On September 16, a Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird were photographed.

A surprise visitor, a Northern Parula Warbler, showed up earning on the morning of September 18, and was photographed chasing, then losing a caterpillar. This is only the third Northern Parula Warbler I’ve seen.

The following photos show the sequence of catching then losing a caterpillar.

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was observed and photographed on September 21, an unexpected visitor.

Another unexpected visitor, a Chipping Sparrow, was observed and photographed on September 26.

On September 27, a solitary Ruby-throated Hummingbird was photographed.

An exciting birding day at our place was September 28. On that Sunday morning before church, a Nashville Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Northern Flicker were observed and photographed. The Northern Warbler was a “LIFE BIRD” and the Northern Flicker was the first-time I had photographed that species.

Lastly, a Brown-headed Nuthatch was observed and photographed on September 29. Nuthatches are often seen going down trees head first, clinging to bark with their strong feet rather than leaning on their tails like a woodpecker.

Saturday through Monday, September 1-15, 2025—Twenty-five Years

Posted on September 15, 2025 by dunngone

We were privileged to host our Maumelle kids this Labor Day weekend. They arrived on Saturday afternoon and stayed through Monday morning. As always, we played a lively game of pickleball, and Kay and I were amazed at how much progress Aker has made, getting almost all of her serves in and doing a great job of rallying—is proud for her! And of course, her mother and brother are both super competitive making for a great afternoon of fun.

On September 2, Kay and I traveled to northwest Arkansas to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We toured Crystal Bridges Museum upon arriving in Bentonville, and continue to be amazed by the presence of such a facility in Arkansas. Afterward, we ate our anniversary dinner at Fish City Grill in Rogers—what a magnificent meal.

The restaurant is owned by the daughter and SIL of a friend of Kay’s, and I can’t recommend it enough. We were comped an appetizer tray and dessert, and the appetizers were to die for!

The following day, we drove to Springfield, Missouri, to tour the Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. It was indeed a sight to behold, and I particularly enjoyed the nature photography exhibit. We returned home early on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, we drove to North Little Rock to watch granddaughter Aker play volleyball. She did really well, and though her team was outmanned, they still made a respectable showing. As for the rest of the reporting period, our calendar was filled with pickleball, golf, haircuts/beauty appointments, and social activities for Kay.

Butterflies and dragonflies have just about disappeared from the pollinator garden and lake shoreline. A substantial cool front that moved into the area in early September must have pushed them away. Consequently, photo opportunities for these creatures have been far and few between. However, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have ramped up their migration, and we are seeing a lot of immature and mature males at the feeders. In addition, a few birds are beginning to hang out in nearby trees. On the morning of Monday, September 15, a Baltimore Oriole was observed near one of the hummingbird feeders hanging above the deck; regrettably, it didn’t hang around long enough for photos. Kay and I put an orange half out hoping to entice it back, but to date, it has not reappeared.

On Saturday, September 6, a few hummingbirds were photographed.

Hummingbirds were again photographed the following day, Sunday, September 7.

In addition to Ruby-throated hummingbirds, a Tufted Titmouse and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher hid in the fully leafed birch tree, but appeared in an open area long enough to be photographed.

Birds, butterflies, and dragonflies were not out and about on Sunday, September 14, but a frog was caught “climbing the wall” and a hummingbird sat still guarding his food source.

Wednesday through Wednesday, April 16-23, 2025—A Busy Lifestyle

Posted on April 23, 2025 by dunngone

Kay golfed Wednesday morning, though she did not have a great round, and I played the Diamante Pickleball Ladder in the afternoon, playing better than previously.

She then played pickleball with the Peaches at Diamante on Thursday morning, and I played golf with the guys on Thursday afternoon. Golf with these guys is always lots of fun. In fact, our Tuesday and Thursday golf games and Hole 19s are my favorite activities of the week!

Carolina Chickadees are one of the most popular subjects I photograph, and on Friday, April 18, one posed just long enough for a couple of portraits. (If you want to see more detail, just click on each photo.)

Saturday was without any planned activities, and after a couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbird photos,

a short excursion to Middle Fork Barrens was in order. Many of the target wildflowers were in the final days of their bloom, a few butterflies flitted about, and even a dragonfly landed on a nearby stone.

Easter Sunday was uneventful, and then on Monday, it was back to our regular routines of pickleball—Kay at Diamante while I played at Desoto HSV courts.

A group of Spotted Sandpipers flew though across the lake on Tuesday morning, landing on a neighbor’s rocked bank. These are the first we’ve observed in the neighborhood.

Around lunch, we drove to Bald Knob to watch Ridge compete in a junior high track meet (he’s only in the 7th grade). Prior to the meet, Kay and I had footlong chili cheese slaw dogs at the Bulldog Cafe and Kay topped her’s off with their famous strawberry shortcake. The food was okay, but not near as good as we remember. At the track meet, Ridge did well and had good times, and we were delighted to visit with BIL Gerald and niece Lisa, who met us at the meet.

Kay played golf on Wednesday morning with the Duffers, and shot a really good game with great drives and putts. While she played golf, I took a few photos and then played in a couple of pickleball ladders at Diamante. We were both pretty tired Wednesday evening.

Monday through Monday, April 7-15—Back to Fun and Games

Posted on April 15, 2025 by dunngone

After bunches of rain, it began to dry on Sunday afternoon, allowing play on most golf courses and on the outdoor pickleball courts. Our “Old Men” group reformed and we played some challenging pickleball Monday morning at the DeSoto courts in the Village. It was obvious that a number of us were rusty, but got better as the morning progressed. After pickleball, we drove to Vilonia to watch Ridge participate in a track meet. That kid has a huge heart and outran the closest competitors in both the 4X100 and 4X400 relays despite being significantly behind when he received the baton running the last leg of both relays. While he didn’t win any of the dashes or hurdles, he made a good showing.

The golf courses were too wet—cart path only—resulting in most of our group cancelling Tuesday afternoon golf. On Wednesday morning, Kay played on a wet Coronado golf course; play was slow and tough. And at home, a few birds fed at the seed feeders, yielding photographs of mostly American Goldfinches with a Carolina Chickadee thrown in.

The Diamante Pickleball Ladder welcomed a full house on Wednesday afternoon with two times: 12 noon and 1 PM; I played both, some 7 or 8 games and while loads of fun, it wore me out. Kay also played after the grueling 9 holes of golf, and said she would never do the two on the same day again. And then on Wednesday evening we hosted a Hand and Foot tournament; Gary and Jolene, Janice and Harlan, Helen and Don, Bev and Ron, Marcia and Norm, and Kay and I played. No one was allowed to partner with their spouse. Janice and I came in 6th, but we’ll do better next time.

Kay did The Book Club on Thursday and I played golf. She followed up with pickleball on Friday afternoon while I played Saturday morning with some of my favorite people—Stephanie, Sue, and Gayle; it was like old times when the “Chicks” played everyday. Kay and I sure packed in a lot of activities this week. And then temperatures in the low 80s prompted a visit to Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area to chase butterflies and dragonflies. A few butterflies paused long enough for photos, but the wind kept most in the air.

No dragonflies were observed clinging to shrubs or limbs, or on the ground for that matter. A few wildflowers were evident, though the Fire Pink I was hunting could not be found.

We were both sore and tired from the week’s activities, but we wanted to play golf Sunday afternoon. Helen and Don Baggett joined us for a very windy nine holes at Grenada followed by dinner at the Granada Grill. Golf was painful, i.e. we both played poorly, food was good, and company was great!

Pickleball Monday was with the old men’s group at DeSoto. Don, Tom, Ed, and I played and had a great time. Kay played pickleball with her “Peaches” group at Diamante. Upon returning home, I took a few photos of birds in the back “yard”, and was happy to get two species that do not frequent the feeders: a Pine Siskin and a House Finch.

While Kay played pickleball Tuesday with the “Peaches” group at Diamante, I played golf at Magellan. It was not my best game, though the G&T afterwards was great.

Monday through Saturday, March 16-22, 2025—Wow, Spring has Sprung

Posted on March 22, 2025 by dunngone

Kay and I continue playing pickleball (her more than me) and golf when weather allows. Though our lives are not boring, there are no new adventures to report.

Good news; bad news. The good news is that wildflowers have begun blooming, but the bad news is that high winds have prevented most flower photography these first few days of spring. Nevertheless, with a high shutter speed, a few of the blooms have been photographed. Also, a few “new to us this season” birds have shown up at the feeders.

Grandson Ridge ran several races in a multi-school track meet on Monday, March 17, 2025. He placed first in all but one, and second in that one. Not only is he a great athlete, but he’s a great kid, too.

On the first day of Spring, Thursday, March 20, 2025, feeders in the back yard attracted enough birds to generate several photos. An American Goldfinch came in close enough for a portrait.

And then, a Purple Finch, the first I’ve photographed, landed in a nearby birch tree before coming in to feed. The immature female Finch didn’t hang around long though, and only came that one time.

More American Goldfinches visited the feeders, landing in the nearby birch tree. The tree seems to be a popular hangout for birds!

And finally, a Tufted Titmouse landed in the birch tree.

Wildflowers were the order of the day on Friday, March 21, 2025, despite heavy winds. The photographic quest for the day was a white Trout Lily spotted at Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area by good friend Dan. I walked the usual circuit twice trying to find one in bloom, but no luck because of cool temperatures. However, several other wildflower began blooming as the morning progressed towards noon.

And most surprising—and best of all—a Black Swallowtail butterfly flitted by and landed in the grass about 10 yards away. I began photographing it, approaching nearer and nearer with each burst of shots. The butterfly photographs made the almost two-mile walk worth it.

From Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area, I drove to Cedar Creek Trail in search of the more numerous yellow Trout Lily. Several other wildflower species presented blooms as noon arrived.

And finally, near the trail’s parking area, a few Trout Lilies began appearing, though sparsely, on the forest floor.

Sunday through Friday, February 16-28, 2025—Unseasonably Cold Temperatures and Winter Weather

Posted on February 28, 2025 by dunngone

Mid-February started off with cool temperatures and after only a couple of days, rain began, turning to sleet and snow. And, temperatures plunged to single digits. For four days, temperatures never exceeded freezing.

With us spending more time at home in Hot Springs Village, we are going to try and play more cards (Hand and Foot) and games. But for Hand and Foot particularly, we don’t have any of the accessories such as shuffler, “book of cards” holder, and deck tray. So, it was off to the shop to make the latter two. However, as a consequence of the brutally cold weather, only the first couple days of the reporting period (Sunday and Monday) were fit to do anything woodworking in the unheated shop. Nevertheless, 1x4x8’s were glued together, decorative edges cut, slots made, and supports attached. Sanding and application of several coats of polyurethane finished the process.

Tuesday morning, February 18, 2025, I braved the dropping temperatures and the beginning of frozen precipitation to “shoot” some birds.

American Goldfinches, Carolina Chickadees, and Tufted Titmice were frequent visitors to the seed feeders, and permitted a few photos to be made.

A lot of reading was done on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during the day, and YouTube videos and a French detective series, Balthazar, were viewed in the evening. A gradual warmup began on Friday, February 21, 2025, with many of the roads and streets free enough of ice to be usable.

These are some of the photos taken on Sunday, February 23, 2025. American Goldfinches hoarded the feeders, but a Northern Cardinal and Carolina Chickadee slipped in for a seed or two.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the “regulars” returned with lots of American Goldfinches, a few Carolina Chickadees, and a Tufted Titmouse using the feeders.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, was a warm day, and though few birds came in to the feeders, many hung out in the trees, necessitating a steady tripod to reach out and “touch” them with the camera/lens. A Brown-headed Nuthatch stole the show, but played coy with the camera and made taking its portrait quite difficult.

PERSONAL NOTE: Now that we don’t have near as many exciting adventures to relive in the blog, I have decided to change it up a bit and focus more on photos and unique activities. We will still capture our travel, and perhaps craft projects, but no more verbiage about our boring everyday life.

Sunday through Saturday, February 8-15, 2025—What’s Next?

Posted on February 15, 2025 by dunngone

Kay and I have been RVing pretty much since we got together—25 years. Now that the RV is gone, and there is not one in the future, what will we do next? First and foremost, we’ll stay home in Hot Springs Village more, enjoying our house and lakefront lot. We will continue to play golf and pickleball. And Kay will likely fill up her social calendar while I’ll ramp up photography experiences. If my back will tolerate it, I would like to do some yard work and gardening, particularly for pollinators. And time will be made for even a bit of woodworking now that the absence of a third car frees up a portion of the garage. Maybe, even car/tent camp. And, we will continue to travel—just not for extended times, likely three weeks or less at a time.We still have several places to go on our life list: Switzerland, Ireland, New Zealand, more of the Pacific Northwest, northern Arizona and southern Utah, and maybe even Africa. Whereas financial aspects used to be the limiting factor, now it is health and wellness, or lack thereof, so we’ll see.

Now, for this reporting period. Because of lots of rain, conditions in the Village have been wet so no pickleball and no golf. We’ve both done a bit of cooking and baking, and I have made a couple of things in the “shop”. Our shoes—golf shoes, outdoor shoes, gardening shoes, swimming shoes, etc.— were seemingly everywhere in the garage. So, a shoe bench seemed like a good idea. And, we had a cushion left over from “our” first house (actually Kay’s house). Made with a “trout and fly fishing” fabric that I wanted to use. Consequently, that set the dimensions of length, width, and height. Cheap lumber was used, i.e. #2 pine; it was of very poor quality, but “good enough”. So, after a bunch of sawdust, measurement errors, and wrong screws, the bench was finished. It’s not something to be proud of, but is serves it’s purpose quite well pattern.

And then, a coat and cap rack was necessary to hold all the umbrellas, rain jackets, work coats, and caps and hats. If it’s length were the same as the bench’s, the two would look quite matched. A couple of rare pieces of clear 1 x 4 x 8 pine had been purchased previously from Lowe’s and one was used for the coat and cap rack. It was a simple design and build: cut to length, edges routed with a decorative pattern, sanded, a finish applied, and the coat and cap hooks installed.