Welcome! I hope I bring a spot of calm and happiness into these uncertain times. I blog about flowers, gardening, my photography adventures, the importance of chocolate in a well lived life, or anything else on my mind.
The calendar may say August 31 but the world around me is saying Fall is on its way.
Let's check it out.
Purple loosestrife is invasive but pretty. The bees were loving this patch so I didn't get too close.
The turtleheads in my back yard are blooming. I bought these years ago at a farmer's market in Asheville, North Carolina.
My reblooming yellow day lily does what it does as fall draws near - reblooms.
The pumpkins have arrived. (Not shown: all the Halloween decorations in the stores.)
Ornamental corn and a pumpkin clock.
Orange jewelweed.
Yellow jewelweed.
Japanese knotweed is in full bloom. This is one of the worst invasive weeds there is in this part of the United States. Its strong roots can destroy foundations and sewer lines. Ironically, it was brought here as a landscape plant in the 1800's. But, on the other hand, bees love it (and make a delicious honey from it, which I've had).
Otsiningo park scene with reflections of Japanese knotweed. It is beautiful.
Today, I ponder the last day of August. Where has the summer gone?
Any day now, the wild asters will be in bloom, and fall will be official.
This blog title will not mean much to anyone who has not lived in New York City these past 60 or so years. But for us who grew up in New York City, or spent time living there, it is a sad time.
I found this out from a high school friend yesterday.
On August 25 at midnight, New York City bid farewell to WCBS News Radio 880, after 100 years of service. The last 57 years were all news, all the time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I was entering high school when the format changed to all news in August, 1967. Even now, it was still broadcasting the old fashioned way. Listeners got information, not just sound bites or political opinions.
This video contains a series of air checks on the final night of broadcast. There's no need to listen to all 15 plus minutes, but the last three or so minutes almost brought me to tears.
"Our news desert is getting bigger and drier", the announcer (Wayne Cabot, 36 year veteran of WCBS News 880) said. After a few more tributes, he got personal, as the Beatles song "Imagine" played towards the end. He talked about how he found WCBS for the first time during a trip to New York City. “I thank my dad for
driving me into New York City in 1978,” Cabot said. “Parents—you never know what impact these random acts of
love and attention may have on your children.”
Cabot reminded us that local journalism is in danger. He remarked, "With each closing newspaper, radio newsroom, TV newsroom, magazine, now, even digital news operations, the country we love is diminished...we implore you to find that next trusted source. Use it. Support it. In word and in deed.
It is the most patriotic thing you can do."
"Good night and good luck", he said, the late Edward R. Murrow's sign off.
I know, I know. You are wondering why I'm posting a black and white picture of something you can't even see for Wordless Wednesday.
Well - I've done a couple of posts recently about a person who has been writing puns and jokes in chalk on walking trails where I live. They are temporary, of course, washing away with the next rain. We've had a lot of rain, so this time the joker/punster decided to write the jokes or puns under highway overpasses that pass over this particular walking trail. He wrote it wide, and I couldn't get it all in one photo.
Hence, the below. I tried to make this more visible with various filters that come with Windows, but I didn't succeed. But I felt everyone needed a good laugh (or groan) today.
This time, our jokester/punster didn't even leave a punchline so you'll have to guess it for yourself.
The Unknown Punster wrote: "I opened my electric bill and water bill at the same time."
And?
It's up to you, dear readers. You'll have to guess the punchline for yourself.
Once again, on Sunday, Binghamton, New York its West Side became its Fest Side, with the ninth annual Porchfest.
A porchfest is exactly what the name states - bands set up on porches in a city or town neighborhood and play music on a designated day. The original intention was to bring neighborhoods together, was run by volunteers, and took place in Ithaca, New York in 2007. This movement has now spread to at least 224 cities and towns in the United States and Canada.
Our first Porchfest in Binghamton was in 2015, with 50 bands on 20
porches, and wasn't even officially sanctioned by the City of
Binghamton. Sunday, there were 140 bands on 64 porches, all between (officially) noon and 7pm. It's family friendly,
alcohol free (although there are restaurants serving alcohol) and best
of all, there's no admission charge. Contributions and purchase of T-Shirts and
other merchandise is more than welcomed but each year there are more and more corporate sponsors, too.
There is all kinds of music, from rock, to opera, to big band era skits, to classical. You can even throw in a ukulele, although this young lady (a little more on her tomorrow) also played electric guitar and a keyboard. A couple of her original songs, accompanied by ukulele, were pretty good.
Here are some of my past Binghamton Porchfest posts:
So, why is my post called Growing Old with Porchfest?
This year, the sun got to me early. I only stayed about two and a half hours and I left one venue after 15 minutes because the music was just Too Loud. (Perhaps the huge speakers by the house should have given me a clue.)
In some previous years we did come early (parking is easier), left, and then came back later in the day. But that didn't appeal this year.
Time flies. I can measure myself and my energy level against the memories of 2015 and come up a little short. I know low energy and aging don't necessarily go together. A 92 year old woman I've known for some 50 years has taught me that. But there are some adjustments I need to make for Porchfest 2025.
So, yes, I was tired. But I recovered overnight. Yesterday it was on the road to the New York State fair for a concert. More on that another time.
As for Porchfest, there's always next year, with some better planning.
It's the last Monday of August, and it's time for music!
Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers, a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music
each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most
welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video,
please! Otherwise, your post may be labeled "No Music".) Our head host isXmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathyfrom Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy ofStacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.
Every
other week, we have a theme. On alternate weeks, we can blog on any
music theme we want. This week's theme is "songs about going back to school or childhood favorites". I'm choosing the latter.
Banana Boat Song (Day-O) - Harry Belafonte, from 1957, still one of my favorite songs.
Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter - Herman's Hermits, from 1965. I never released until writing this post that this 1965 hit was a cover of a song from 1963 featured in an ITV Televison Playhouse play, The Lads, in the United Kingdom.
This Diamond Ring - Gary Lewis and the Playboys, from 1965.
Ferry Cross the Mersey- Gerry and the Pacemakers.
How about one more? This 1964 song, at least from my point of view, came out of nowhere and was suddenly #1. I think it took everyone I knew by surprise. Here are the Four Seasons and Rag Doll. Fun fact, the B side of the single was a song called Silence is Golden, which was later a hit for a group called the Tremeloes.
So, as a bonus, here is the original from the Four Seasons.
And that's a sentimental wrap!
Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.
In the first week of August, we had some stormy weather. Trees came down in various places, including on the Vestal Rail Trail in the Southern Tier of New York, where my spouse and I like to exercise walk.
August 10, you could still see some of the stray branches left by a downed tree.
The tree had hit this bench, as you can see from the dent on the right side of the photo. Fortunately, it was a small tree, and no one was sitting there at the time.
These pictures were taken August 22 at Frog Pond Farms in Afton, New York. Fall has finally arrived, even though the calendar says "summer".
Winter squash.
Early apples. In fact our major u-pick apple farm in the area started to offer u-pick today.
The garlic harvest is drying. Our area's garlic festival is next Saturday.
A fall display.
Let's wrap up with some daily bread.
Fall is the most popular season where I live in the Southern Tier of New York, but right now my heart and tastebuds still say summer.
This is a transition season, where winter squash and apples compete with sweet corn, summer squash, eggplant, tomatoes, and melons, but soon enough the summer produce will be dwindling and fall will come on full force.
Such is life in a four season climate. I will enjoy summer while I still can.
Yes, this is my 5,400th post. It took from my start in 2009 until now to get here, and what a journey its been. I thank those who have been along for all or part of it.
Here's a snapshot of my latest journey - sitting outside on my days off and enjoying the birds.
A female ruby throated hummingbird decided to celebrate with me a day early. Our backyard has several plantings to attract hummingbirds, but we've only seen them a handful of times this summer. In fact, my spouse finally took down the hummingbird feeder.
But yesterday, a hummer showed up twice. Not only that, but it let me take its picture several times, while she showed off her mid air agility.
She seems to be asking "which pose do you like best?"
On the left side, suspended in midair?
From the back?
Feeding?
Or just wondering which flower she will feed from next?
Truthfully, little bird, I liked them all.
So, do I have any thoughts about my 5,400th post? I sure do.
I couldn't do these past 5,399 posts without the loyal readership of YOU, my reader, and I thank you once again for making my blogging journey so enjoyable.
Why not join me tomorrow, when I join other skywatchers in watching the sky?
Check out this classic pink Cadillac at the most recent twice a month (during the summer months) car show in the parking lot of a local business.
What a beauty.
From the back.
The interior. It's not really visible but there were decorations declaring the owner's love for Elvis Presley.
As car buffs (I don't rise to that definition) know, Elvis owned a 1955 Fleetwood Sixty Special and two other pink Cadillacs. The original 1955 Fleetwood is kept at Elvis's Graceland home.
I usually don't post music on Tuesdays, but today will be an exception. Two rock greats entered Rock and Roll Heaven this past week.
First, I pay tribute to a man of many talents: rock musician, horror author and philanthropist, who passed away August 13 at the age of 75. The cause of death was Alzheimer's disease.
Can you imagine a rock star who also was a nominee for the Bram Stoker award? His first novel, published in 1996, Horror Show, accomplished that. But his hit rock songs were not horrors. Quite the opposite.
Kihn was well loved in the San Francisco Bay Area for his morning show on KFOX from 1996 to 2012.
Some of the names of his albums were also puns (Next of Kihn, RocKihnRoll, Kihntinued, Kihnspiracy, Kihn of Hearts, among others).
These are my favorite songs of his:
From 1983, Jeopardy, which peaked at #2 on the Billboard chart. What helped this song become even more popular was Weird Al Yankovic's parody, I Lost on Jeopardy.
I have to include that song in today's tribute, mainly because Greg Kihn appears in a cameo at the end. As we would have said years ago, how cool was that? (Note, you'll have to click through to You Tube to watch this video).
From 1981, The Breakup Song (They Don't Write Like That Any More).
They really don't write like that anymore.
In lieu of flowers, Kihn's family asked that donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association in Greg Kihn's name.
May he rest in peace.
Speaking of resting in peace, Jack Russell, founder of Great White, died on August 15. He was only 63 years old. He died from Lewy body dementia (a little known and terrible form of dementia) and multiple system atrophy. He had announced his retirement due to that cause only last month. This was the same disorder that led to the suicide of actor and comedian Robin Williams, who also died at age 63.
Jack's name will forever be associated with the horrendous The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island, which took the life of 100 people, including a member of his spinoff band Jack Russell's Great White. I'm sure that tragedy haunted Russell, who was blameless, for the rest of his life.
This video was from a performance just a few months ago.
Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers, a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music
each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most
welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video,
please! Otherwise, your post may be labeled "No Music".) Our head host isXmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathyfrom Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy ofStacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.
Every
other week, we have a theme. On alternate weeks, we can blog on any
music theme we want. This week's theme is "You Pick"
Recently, I was invited to a kind-of college reunion (I'll be blogging more about that in the near future) and it made me think of some music from my college days.
But before I begin, two notes.
1. Here's a note about an important moment in music, which happened about three miles from where I went to college. It deserves its own post so I won't discuss it here. The date: when I was still in college. The place 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, in the Bronx. The genre: hip-hop. (I did blog about it once, back in 2016, but I saw that the two videos I posted then were taken down by You Tube. So I would need to rework the post.)
But, this post is about the music I, personally, liked in my college years.
2. Tomorrow, I will have a tribute to Greg Kihn (Jeopardy, The Breakup Song) a musician, horror novelist, and frontman of the Greg Kihn Band, who passed away last Tuesday at the age of 75 from Alzheimer's disease.
So, without further commentary, let's get to the music.
1970
The Carpenters and "We've Only Just Begun"
1971
Joy to the World
1972
Don McLean and American Pie, a mega hit that is still beloved by millions.
America and A Horse with No Name, a song that launched a thousand memes.
1973
Elton John's Crocodile Rock.
Tony Orlando and Dawn with Tie a Yellow Ribbon round the Ole Oak Tree, a song that took the symbolism of the yellow ribbon into a national source of support later during the 444 days of captivity of the American hostages in Iran.
1974
Let's end with an instrumental (well, almost a complete instrumental): T.S.O.P (The Sound of Philadelphia) -MFSB and the Three Degrees.
And that's a wrap!
Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.
Zinnias at my community garden from Friday. Enjoy the shadows as we are in another rainy spell right now.
Red.
Pink.
White.
Non shadow bonus - bee on top of white zinnia (sorry, blurry).
Joining up today with Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventures for her #ShadowshotSunday. We'd love it if you came out of the shadows today and posted a shadow picture on the linky of her post today.
It's mid-August, and today I'd like to show you some wildflowers along the Vestal Rail Trail in the southern tier of New York State. My spouse and I like to walk on this rail trail for exercise and there is always something new to see.
A bee was feeding off this goldenrod but I didn't capture it in my photo.
Here's some more goldenrod in a shady spot.
Queen Anne's lace has been blooming for weeks but I couldn't resist this self sowed by nature flower garden with a scattering of blue chicory flowers at the bottom.
And now, the invasives. Sweet autumn clementis, which is lovely but is also becoming increasingly invasive.
Purple loosestrife.
Our worst invasive, Japanese knotweed, is ready to bloom and will probably be opening its flowers in the next day or so.
Summer is moving so quickly. Fall will be here before we know it. So let's enjoy these wildflowers while they are blooming.
Flower lovers, assemble! It's the 15th of the month and time for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, brought to us each 15th of the month by Carol at May Dreams Gardens and participating flower loving bloggers from all over the world.
I'm so happy that I have a garden to show you in my zone 5b Southern Tier of New York yard. A hotter than normal summer with more rain than usual meant a lush garden but if this week had been last week, I would have been dodging rain after rain to get some wet photos. The remnants of Debby weren't kind to parts to the east and west of us, too. We were so fortunate in comparison, but please rain, go somewhere it is needed next time!
I took some of these pictures on August 13, but let's call it the 15th. At least it was warm (not hot) and just so beautiful I couldn't resist. Good thing, too, because yesterday afternoon, out of nowhere it - you guessed it - started to rain.
Hibiscus.
Cardinal flower, a native. After a year of sleep, a year of creep, we have the year of leap. This is one of several flower spikes.
Last month I showed you a pansy that had come back to life from last year in a hanging basket. This time I start with a real mystery. We saw these two young plants in another basket stored in our garage a month or two ago, brought them out and we were rewarded...
...with this. Two petunias; one started to bloom over the weekend. I'm so glad that I'm neglectful about cleaning out last year's hanging baskets.
What's left of our tall phlox. It was its best year ever.
Almost the last sweet pea. I grew the plants from seed and am amazed I got the bumper crop I got this past month or more.
My purple leafed loosestrife, normally a July bloomer, extended into August this year. It's just about finished up. I took this picture from the back. You can see the front in my July GBBD post.
My last non-repeating daylily, taken August 13.
Lavender petunia. This is part of one plant.
Nodding onion. This is the first year this has bloomed (we're at the end of the bloom period) and I was pleased by this plant.
Last but not least, ganzania.
Next GBBD we will be on the cusp of fall. It's hard to believe.
With the bounty of the summer, I have other flowers I can show you, but I'll end it here. I hope you will visit some other Garden Bloggers Bloom Day participants (link is here) and see what else is blooming.
