Foggy Fourth #SkywatchFriday

How could it be Friday already?  Wasn't it just Monday?  And how did it get to be July 14?

Today, I want to bring you back to July 4, which, here in the United States, is our Independence Day and also a big vacation week.  We decided to spend most of the week in Plymouth, Massachusetts, which has an important part in our history.

We were looking forward to seeing how Plymouth celebrates.  Well, when you live near the shore, you have to expect certain weather.

Like fog.

But foggy skies are part of watching the sky, right?  Let's dive (no pun intended) right in.

Nice fourth of July parade in fog.  Every fire truck in  20 miles must have been part of the parade, along with police cars, floats, marching bands, classic cars and motorcycles.  This is a small part of the crowd.

Here's one of the vehicles.  I think you get the general idea.  I may post some more pictures of the parade for one of my Wordless Wednesdays.

After the parade was over, we walked down to the harbor.  This building protects Plymouth Rock, which is (according to legend) the rock where the Pilgrims landed in 1620.  This, incidentally, is the smallest state park in Massachusetts - and the most visited (according to the desk clerk where we stayed).

An American flag looks like it's floating in the fog. 

The Mayflower II, a replica of the ship the Pilgrims sailed on, in the foggy harbor.  We visited it, but not that day.  I highly recommend a visit, if you are in the area. 

Had enough of fog?  Well, I have one more for you.

There was supposed to be a philharmonic concert the evening of the fourth, followed by fireworks.  The concert was postponed to the fifth by noon.  But the fireworks people, after seeing some blue sky later in the afternoon, decided to go ahead.

Nature had other plans.  The fog rolled back in.  

Nevertheless, not believing this was going to happen, we made our way (walking through crowds and the bangs of unofficial fireworks) to a small beach we found out later was called Nelson's Beach.  There, some person put on a nice show.

We got there, apparently, towards the end of The Anonymous Private Fireworks Person Extravaganza and this is my only photo that came out.

Yup, fog.

The official, privately sponsored, fireworks?  You couldn't see them.  At all. It didn't tint the sky, either.  It was just a bunch of noise, something we had had enough of by then.  We left, after a few minutes, along with many other people.  Enough of those people vented on the festival's Facebook page, too.  Several people mentioned the Nelson Beach unofficial display, which was put on (according to that motel desk clerk) by a local businessman, and praised it.  I'm sorry I missed much of it.

It did make for a nice Skywatch story and post, though.

Speaking of which, I'm joining up with Yogi and other skywatchers, as I do each Friday, for #SkywatchFriday.

A Tree of Plymouth #ThursdayTreeLove

Along the waterfront of Plymouth, Massachusetts, where we visited last week, were these wonderful, heavily pruned trees with small, fragrant flowers.

In a local park, I saw a majestic specimen of the same tree.

They reminded me of the linden trees we have where I live in the Southern Tier of New York State, except that there were no bracts alongside the flowers.  On our trees, the bracts appear when the flower buds appear.

Sorry about the strip of light in the middle of this photo.

My iPhone has a built in plant identifier in the Photos app, and it identified this tree as a "lime" tree. in one photo.  In the other, it indicated Chinese linden.

Here's a closeup of the flowers.

To us in the United States, lime trees produce...well, limes, the sour but otherwise delicious green citrus fruit.  Those trees are hardy only in several states, not including Massachusetts. They would die in any winter where I live and certainly in Plymouth, too.  But then, I remembered that in Europe what we call a basswood or linden is called a lime tree.

After further research, I suspect these trees are Chinese lindens.

And oh, did they ever smell good.

Joining Parul at Happiness and Food this second Thursday of the month for her #ThursdayTreeLove.

Vermont Before the Floods #WordlessWednesday

Manchester Center, Vermont, August of 2022.

Manchester Center is a beautiful small town of about 4,000 people.  Now, much of Vermont is trying to recover from historic floods.  Like so much of Vermont, this town was under a flood warning yesterday mornng.  Much of the damage was north of Manchester Center.  The capital of this small state, Montpelier, is flooded.

Meanwhile, much of several southern states bake.

Weather gone wild.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for #WordlessWednesday.

Still Another Iowa Tragedy Update

Before I begin:  we (fortunately) weren't impacted by the New York/New England flooding, although the area where my spouse grew up was.  My heart goes out to those in the areas impacted by the terrible flash flooding.

 On November 6, 2021, I blogged the following post.  Today, where are we?

I am in mourning today, for a town in Iowa I haven't been to in almost twenty years, for a high school that three of my first cousins went to, and for a teacher I never met.

Last night, we turned on the 6:30 pm national news and one of the headlines was about a murder in Iowa.  When I saw a picture of a park entrance I knew exactly where it was.

My heart sank.  I used to have family in that city of about 9,700 people.   I lived there for a brief time and had walked in that park with my uncle several times, back in the 1970's.

A 66 year old Spanish teacher at the high school in Fairfield, Iowa, had been reported as missing on Wednesday morning. She had taught in that school since 2012.   Her body was then found, later that day, in a local park where she loved to walk in the afternoons.  Now, two high school students, both 16, are being charged in her death.

Apparently, they had discussed her murder on social media.  They are being charged as adults.

A couple posts I've written about Fairfield.

My introduction to Fairfield

Why I Didn't Become a Librarian 

The Fairfield I remember was - how can I put it? Different?  Original?   I don't remember it as a place where you had to be afraid.

People think of Iowa as a flat place with miles of cornfields and nothing much.  That's far from the truth, although there is lots of corn grown in Iowa and some parts are flat.  But there are also a lot of surprises in Iowa.  And, yes, hidden gems.

In our pandemic times, there is an upsurge of violence, including an upsurge of violence against teachers.  So much doesn't get reported, but this tragedy made the national news.  

Last night, there was a vigil for this teacher, with hundreds attending.

I can't bring myself to even start to understand.

And then, in 2022, I blogged this:

Time flies, but justice doesn't. Not in our modern times. The alleged murderers (who were both 16 at the time) haven't been tried yet.  The trial of one of the teens was supposed to have begun on December 5 but it has been pushed back.  Right now, the new date isn't known but it is interesting that the trial is not going to be in the county where the murder took place, but, rather, about 100 miles away.

The other trial is set to begin next March.

Speedy justice, in these times, seems impossible.

Finally, some progress.

On July 6, 2023, the first of the teens (who was 16 at the time of the murder and had previously pled guilty to beating the teacher to death with a baseball bat) was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole in 35 years.  

The motive?  He was failing her class.

Oh, did I mention that the slain teacher's husband (who was disabled) died from cancer on June 29?

I still don't have any words for this additional tragedy, at  a time of so many other tragedies.

May they forever rest in peace.

Vacation Getaway #MusicMovesMe

 It's Monday, the dog days of summer are here and it's time for music.

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers?

We are bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please!)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and Yours Truly.

Why not join our music loving folks?  It's so easy. All you have to do is join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music video.  No music video? Your post may be removed, or may be labeled *NO MUSIC*.    

Today's theme is picked for us by Songbird at Songbird's Crazy World:  share songs about anything relating to summer vacation – destination, activity, transportation, etc.

Just coincidentally,  I just returned from a vacation and I know others are out there exploring and having a (hopefully) good time, too.  So, let's see...

 

I didn't leave on a jet plane, but at least two people I know did.  This song isn't quite about vacation travel, but it's one of my favorites.  Here's the Steve Miller band and their 1977 hit "Jet Airliner".  The video I chose is combined with another song, "Threshold" at the beginning, which is how a lot of radio stations play it nowadays.  This is the album version of the song, which has an expletive in it.

This is the state where I traveled to.  "Massachusetts" by the Bee Gees.

I was about 40 miles from Boston, which has some great songs written about it.  So let's go with Boston as my musical destination.  One day (I've only been there once) it will be my real destination.  But we did cross over the Charles River at one point, so here's the Standells and "Dirty Water" from 1965.  I had this song as a 45 rpm record.

We can't have Boston music without the Dropkick Murphys, so here's "I'm Shipping Up to Boston".

After that song, we need something mellow. Our actual destination was the eventual (unplanned) permanent landing place of a certain sailing ship called the Mayflower, in 1620.  So let's have a sailing song:  "Sailing" from Christopher Cross. This 1980 song was a multiple award winner, winning three Grammys.

And, of course, we have to mention Plymouth Rock, the rock that millions have come to see over the years. (No, that's not why we came but of course we had to see it because it was there.)

If you're interested, here's a short video about the history of this boulder.

On our way back home, still in Massachusetts, I heard this song by the band Boston  from 1985, "Amanda". So let's end the vacation on a mellow note, because I was tired!

And that's a wrap.

Join me again next week, same time, same place, for another episode of Music Moves Me.

Mama Duck and Ducklings #ShadowshotSunday

Good Sunday morning.

Taken July 6 in Town Brook Park near the historic Plymouth, Massachusetts grist mill, a mother mallard duck stands guard as her two ducklings drowse off.

Did you know that male mallard ducks do not participate in the incubation or raising of the ducklings?  Mama does it all on her own. 

Give this hard working mother a (quiet) round of applause.

Joining Magical Mystery Teacher for #ShadowshotSunday.

Day Lillies of July Part 1

Presenting the day lilies of 2023 in my flower gardens.  Strap in!

Before I begin:  I do not know the name of a lot of my varieties.  Some were bought from our local botanical garden after they got them from the family of a deceased day lily lover.  They didn't know the names of some of them, and priced them cheaper and...yes, I'm cheap.  

Some are varieties from two day lily farms, one in Penn Yan, New York which is still in operation (Grace Gardens) and one in Pennsylvania which is mostly closed (retirement).   This post gives the names and origins of some of my day lillies.

I'm going to be lazy and just (mostly) post pictures today.  These pictures are from yesterday and today.

My earliest lily has already been blooming for over a week.
 

No name, just cream and purple.

May be called "Bubbly".

I've turned part of my front lawn into a mostly day lily garden and this ruffled variety is one of the stars.

This is an unnamed variety I purchased last year from a day lily grower in Pennsylvania  (Lambertson's Daylillies) getting ready to retire and close the business.

Did these flowers arrange themselves like this on purpose?

Orange and yellow, from Grace Gardens in Penn Yan, New York.

Red.

Yellow with a hint of green.

I love this shade of color.

One of my favorites.  It bloomed profusely last year but tends to be a shy bloomer.

A better view of the fifth day lily above.

I'll have more for you next Saturday, Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

Enjoy!

Postscript: My bed is actually becoming a bit overgrown with lily foliage.  I need to do something about it but not today.  Yesterday, it got up to 91F (32.8C).  Not hot compared to some parts of the country, but hot for us.  I'm just wanting to kick back today.

Old Erie Canal #SkywatchFriday

You may have heard of the Erie Canal in New York State.  This canal was built between 1817-1825, revolutionized transportation, and still exists today.   I've had the pleasure of visiting various spots on the Canal, which is open from May to October for recreational boating.

But did you know that there were several iterations of the canal?  The old ones still exist - sometimes overgrown, almost completely unknown, but some are being restored.

In June, I visited two such spots in the Syracuse, New York area.  One (not the one I am showing today) has been abandoned (I was told by a volunteer) by the State of New York, and depends totally on voluteers.

The other is a gem near Camillus, New York.

Welcome to  Liz and David Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park.  This park was founded in 1972 by Elizabeth and Dr. David Beebe.  

The museum on site was closed the day we visited, but on Wednesdays and Saturdays you can also, for a small fee, take a short boat ride on the old canal and see a restored aqueduct over Nine Mile Creek.

 

Welcome.

I apologize for the size of this - it really isn't readable but you can see the aqueduct and a canal boat.

Let's look at some sky reflections, shall we?

Enough of the water here looks like this, but there were also some nice reflections.

You can see the edge of the rebuilt aqueduct.

I never did find the "Tow Rope Wear Stone Edge".

This year, for the second year, I am participating in the annual "Erie Canal Challenge".  You can walk or bicycle on the towpaths.  Or, you can kayak or motorboat on the Canal.  You report miles (and take pictures as proof) and get small gifts.  My current challenge is a 15 mile challenge and there is no time limit to complete - good thing, as I live more than an hour away from the old canal, and further from the currently used one.

Here is one of my other Erie Canal posts, this time one of the parts that is still used for boating.

Joining Yogi and other sky watchers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.

The Medicare Wellness Exam

I was working full time when I turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare (the American health system for seniors).  When I first enrolled in Medicare, I became eligible for an annual "wellness exam" fully paid for by Medicare  I got the first one, then skipped the next couple. 

This year, I decided to get it.

The good news is, I don't have dementia.

The nurse said I scored 100% overall.

But the questions...This was a trip down memory lane and a peak into my future.  And, perhaps, yours.

The reason for this exam is to have a personalized care plan based on your risk factors for various conditions.

The questions the nurse asked brought back the times I was a part time caregiver for my late mother in law.  I remember when they tested her for dementia and other conditions.  Some of the questions were too familiar.

When she had her tests, they asked her if she did her own cooking and housework.  She said "yes". But she could do neither.  She was speaking her truth, though. In the world of her mind she was still fully independent at a time where she needed home health care.

"Have you fallen in the past year?"  My mother in law fell....too many times.

Meanwhile, back in the present, the nurse read down the list of questions mandated by Medicare for this type exam.

"What day of the week is it?"  (I don't know why they ask this; every retired person I know has a problem with this.  As a part timer, I have to know when I report to work and when I don't, so I always know.)

"Do you need help eating, toileting, dressing, bathing?" (but if you do, I pondered later, what then?  Medicare doesn't pay for most home health care and getting the same is a nightmare for every caregiver I know.  And I do know a couple right now.)

"Do you have trouble managing your money or your medication?" Back came the memory of the day my mother in law denied she needed any of her many prescriptions, even when we showed her the bottles with her name on them.

"What year is it?" (My mother in law couldn't handle this one, nor did she know who the President was, given that she watched a news channel most of the day).

"What town are we in?"  With all the doctor visits I had this month I actually had to think about that for a minute.  They are all in different places.

"Write a sentence with a noun and a verb in it." (Don't they know I'm not the best with grammar?)

I passed the three word test, where the nurse tells you three words and you have to remember them a few minutes later.

Then came, for me, the stumper. The nurse said:  "You have a choice between spelling "world" backwards, or counting backwards from 100 by sevens."

"By sevens, is that what you want?", I said, disbelieving.  "Yes", she said.

I chose spelling a word  backwards.  I've always had trouble with spacial concepts and I'm surprised I could do it.  (Later, at home, my spouse, who loves numbers, did the "count backwards by sevens" without any hesitation.  Showoff.)  I did manage "world", to my surprise.

There were, though, the questions they don't ask during this exam.  The answers many in the United States would give are all too familiar.

"Can you afford your prescription medication?"

"If we order tests today, will you be able to afford them?"

"How hard is it for your caregivers to provide care for you, and how many times do people they hire to help out never show up, quit without warning or interview and then ghost your family?"

"Do the programs we are referring you to have a long wait list, not enough funding, or have an income maximum that is just low enough for everyone to be ineligible?"

I can't help thinking back to when I was a caregiver for my mother in law, and ahead to when I will need help, if I live long enough.

Our system is broken.  Ask the woman I know whose mother has dementia and other health issues and needs someone with her 24 hours a day.  Ask the woman trying to take care of her 100 year old father and help out her only sibling, who has a serious and possibly fatal illness?  I know both those people.

There are millions more.

It's nice to have a Medicare wellness exam, but our country must ask itself:  How much longer will we fail our most vulnerable?

On This Site in 1897 #WordlessWednesday

I love historical places.  Sometimes you see the unexpected.

At Camillus' New York's Liz and Dave Beebe Camillus Canal Park, along the old Erie Canal (since replaced with newer sections), there are various memorial benches, plantings, and some historical markers.

This one caught my eye.  The bench looks nicely weathered.

The plaque says:  "On this site in 1897 nothing happened".

Joining up with Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

The 10th Anniversary

July 4, 2013.

It's been 10 long years.  Such a long 10 years since I spent my last "good" day with my best friend from childhood.  There's a reason why I have "good" in quotes and I'll get to that later.

Where do I begin?

I had wanted so much to be able to visit Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that week.   There was supposed to be a large gathering to commemorate the 150th anniversary a watershed Civil War battle that took place July 1-3 but, unfortunately, many people had the same idea and, unlike me, they didn't try to make last minute plans.

Spouse and I had already taken time off from work.

I was not happy, but then fate intervened.

First, I need to explain that many years ago, both this cousin (let's call her "H") and my childhood best friend (BFF) were house hunting in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City.  H has spent almost her entire life in Brooklyn.  BFF grew up with me in the Bronx (another borough of New York City) but, as an adult, moved to an apartment in Brooklyn at the time she got married.  Several years later, BFF and her husband were house hunting.

As it happens, so was cousin H and her husband.   H and BFF found themselves at the same Brooklyn open house.  

They hit it off.  They became friends, not knowing (at first) that they both knew someone else-me.

(Just as another fun fact, a good friend of BFF's husband was the son of my next door neighbor in the Bronx, proving that even New York City, with its eight million people, can be a small world at times.)

At some point, they found out they had me in common. 

Fast forward to 2013.  About a year and a half before, BFF had been diagnosed with cancer, one that did not have a good prognosis.  As the summer of 2013 opened, she was doing as well as could be hoped.

One late June day, H called me to catch up on life.  In talking with her, she mentioned that, on July 4, BFF had planned a BBQ.  Among other people, H and her husband was invited.  Too bad I couldn't be there, as I lived 150 miles away, and probably had other plans....or could I be?

I contacted BFF, and sure, we were welcome to come.  And, better yet, to stay with her and husband.

We came. We had a wonderful visit and 4th of July BBQ with BFF, H, and some of BFF's other friends. 

I never told some of the rest of the story on my blog, though, until now.

That evening of July 4, BFF and her husband, and my spouse and I, went to a Dunkin Donuts as sunset approached.  The neighborhood fireworks (all illegal) were just starting.  It took a lot of courage for my friend to step out.  A traumatic childhood incident had given her a great fear of fireworks. 

But she wanted to talk to me.  One thing I always loved about my friend was that you always knew where you stood with her.

Over some sweets, she told me that she was quite aware that there was no cure for her cancer, and she would not be around that much longer. She had already picked out where she would be interred.  She joked that it was near a shopping center so people would find it convenient.

This is not a story with a happy ending, I'm sorry to say.

This visit was the last time I saw my BFF "well". The next time I saw her, she was sick and went to the ER later that day. Not too long after, she was told the cancer had spread to her brain.

BFF passed away in 2015, four days after I saw her for the last time.  

May she forever rest in peace.

I'm a big believer in things happening for a reason.

If I I had been able to find lodging down in Gettysburg, I never would been able to go to that wonderful BBQ, and spend that quality time with her.

Each July 4, I think back on that special July 4 I spent in Brooklyn.  Today is its 10th anniversary.
 

Roses in bloom from that trip

May my readers in the United States have a happy and meaningful Independence Day. 

America #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, it's the day before Independence Day here in the United States, and it's time for music.

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers?  

We are bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please!)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and Yours Truly.

Why not join our music loving folks?  It's so easy. All you have to do is join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music video.  No music video? Your post may be removed, or may be labeled *NO MUSIC*.    

Today we welcome a new month.  We also say "Hello again" to the several new music bloggers who have joined our group over the past month or so.  Welcome!

Today, our guest conductor chooses as our theme: You Pick.  I am picking songs mentioning America in celebration of our national birthday tomorrow.

We all take sound - dialog and singing - for granted in our movies, but the very first "talkie" wasn't made until 1927. The movie "The Jazz Singer" made film history as, in a complex way, sound entered the film.  Here, spoken and sung by Al Jolsen, the star of "The Jazz Singer", are the first synchronized spoken and sung words in film.

Most of us know of The Jazz Singer's 1980 remake with Neil Diamond, and its song "America", which is now played in so many Independence Day fireworks shows. I love this music video, which I hope will play in other countries.

Don McLean and "American Pie" is a rock classic from 1971.  It's a long song, so settle in.

It's time to party once again.  The movie Rocky IV brought us this James Brown 1985-86 classic now also a favorite at Independence Day fireworks shows. 

Let us not forget that America isn't always the most popular place on earth, as the Guess Who remind us in "American Woman", my final selection for today.  For 1971, the brief obscenity at the end of the song (for those stations that played the full version) was a bit shocking to our 1971 ears although this video on You Tube left it out.

And that's a wrap. Just a little note; I may be a bit late getting to your music posts this week, but I will get there.  Thank you for your patience.

 Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.

Old Erie Canal Shadow #ShadowshotSunday

A belated Happy Canada Day to my Canadian readers.  I forgot - shame on me!

You may have heard of the Erie Canal in New York State.  This canal was built between 1817-1825, revolutionized transportation, and still exists today. 

 What you may not know is that there were several iterations of the canal.  The old ones still exist - sometimes overgrown, but some are being restored.

One such restoration can be found near Syracuse, New York, at Liz and David Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park.

Here is one of the plaques you can find along this part of the old Erie Canal. 

Lots of sights along the old canal, including the farm below.

 

It's a fascinating place to visit.  

Joining Magical Mystery Teacher for #ShadowshotSunday.

Happy July 1

Happy July 1.  As some would say, "rabbit, rabbit!"  

The smoke in our area of New York State is just starting to clear out.  We hope that, in the next day or two, most of the affected areas are clear - for now.

No pictures from today, but I want to share some pictures of last week's Binghamton, New York, farmers market with you.

Strawberries - local berries are scare this year due to a partial crop failure and this vendor was selling these for $10 a quart.  Ouch!

Carrots with the tops attached.

Greens.  Arugula (ours bolted when they were too small to use), rainbow swiss chard (we are growing this) and Lacinto kale.

 

I have a leftover photo from earlier in the month.  We are past the season, but enjoy this picture of rhubarb.  I'm not a fan but many here love them in pies.

Speaking of gardens, we have had to neglect ours (and my flowers-day lilies now blooming) for several days due to the smoke.  My spouse is checking our garden plots right now although the air quality is still not the best.  He certainly isn't going to do anything strenuous. 

 

 I'll end today's post with a day lily from June 28, after a rain.

Wishing you a happy Saturday and July.

Back to the Smoke #SkywatchFriday

The last day of June.  The year is half over.

Thankfully, our air is not as bad as it was three weeks ago when our skies were yellow, but the air was at unhealthy levels for everyone in New York State as of yesterday (when I took these pictures).  Right now it's 142 (unhealthy for everyone).

This is not the post I wanted to write.  Maybe next week I can take you on a small trip we took a couple of weeks ago.  For today, we are staying local.

Southern Tier of New York State, heading west.

You can barely see clouds, but it isn't near as bad as some other parts of the United States right now.  For that I'm grateful.

Let's try some reflection photos.  Do the reflections look a bit hazy?  I think they do.

 

Along the Susquehanna River.

Contrast with the sky on Tuesday.

Joining up with Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday this last day of June.

It's Getting Shorter All The Time

No, I'm not talking about my height although (thank you for asking) now that I'm in my seventh decade, I am shrinking a little.  

No, I'm talking about the seasons and daylight.

Did you know that winter started last week here in the Southern Tier of New York?

No, we didn't get a freak snowstorm.  No, we didn't get an unusual June freeze.  Instead, something happened that happens every year.

The days strted getting shorter here in the Northern Hemisphere.  By that, I mean the length of daylight shortened.

It's a sneaky process.  There you are in June.  There is daylight for hours after dinnertime.  When I was a child, it would seem like summer would never end.  I would be chased outside to play.  And we did, while our mothers gathered on benches in the housing project I grew up in to talk and gossip.  No supervision.

But I'm an adult now.  Yes, and a senior citizen, too.

I hate those short winter days (and am grateful I don't live in Alaska) when the sun sets at 4:31 pm.  Now, the sun sets around 8:50 pm.    But, watch carefully.

We are losing minutes to the dark.  Soon, it will be hours.

Soon, the street lights will snap on before dinnertime.

I love having my flowers. In three or so months, it will be like a dream that I ever had flowers.

Like my first day lily, which opened on Monday.

 

My second, which opened on Tuesday.

In December, I'll open my phone's Photos app and look at the photos, and wonder where the time went.  And I'll wonder if it will ever get warm again, as the snowflakes fly.

In the meantime, the days are shrinking.  The days are getting shorter every day.

Like sands through the hourglass....

Voodoo Lily #WordlessWednesday

At Binghamton, New York's Cutler Botanic Gardens, the voodoo lily was in bloom Saturday.

I was fortunate enough to see it, although I didn't want to get too close (I'll explain why later).

Here are a couple of pictures.   Unfortunately, I managed to cut part of the explanatory sign off in my photos.

This is said to be the largest flower of the plant kingdom.  I've actually seen one once before - indoors.

I dared to come a little closer.  

The sign, incidentally, says "Dracunculus Vulgaris Voodoo Lily Smell my Flowers If You Dare"

I wasn't going to dare.  Some people call it the Corpse Flower, for good reason.

 

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for #WordlessWednesday.

A Tuesday Wildflower Bouquet

Just for you, my readers, a late June bouquet of wildflowers.  These pictures were taken June 24.

Elderberry.  This is a wild edible (although I don't have land with elderberry bushes on it any more) - here are some of my memories of when I did. 

Harvesting and processing elderberries is a lot of work.  Both the flowers and tiny berries are edible.

I am thinking this is silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) and not a viburnum. Whatever it is, it's been blooming for a week or more and there is a lot of it along the Vestal Rail Trail, where I took these pictures.  The berries of the silky dogwood are a favorite of birds.

Forget Me Not.   I won't.  They are said to represent royalty and true love/devotion.

Penstemon and some daisies.

Wild Rose.  The trail is full of invasive white roses that have finished blooming.  This is the only pink rose I am aware of on the trail.

Finally, there's this pink flower.  It may be familiar to a lot of you.

When I first started reading seed and plant catalogs in the late 1970's after we had purchased our first house, crownvetch was heavily advertised for erosion control.  Perhaps it did its job too well - it is considered a highly invasive plant now.  It spreads rapidly and chokes out desirable natives.  However, it is also eaten by white tailed deer (who are immune to its poison -yes, it is poisonous) and provides groundcover for rabbits and ground nesting birds.

Thank you for coming on my wildflower walk with me.