The Dying Embers of Summer

Cannot believe it is September already!! Seems like only yesterday schools closed and the only thing on everyone's mind was summer vacation.

Where has the time gone?

I am looking forward to cooler weather and the changing earth tones of autumn. I've already seen, to my dismay, displays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all at the same time in the same store!!! I love the holidays but I am not ready for them. Summer lingers with its ever present reminder via the heat and humidity.

The other day I found myself on another walk around town and thought I'd share with you some reminders summer is not ready to surrender to fall.

I used to know my roses but for the life of me this one's rose type escapes me at the moment. It reminds me of the old style heirloom roses of the Victorian era.

I love it when gardeners use natural planters, like the base of this old tree that sits at the edge of a sidewalk.

Definitely a fish out of water! He was perched on a metal stake by a sunflower. Often, I find some of the most interesting, creative, even quirky items used in gardens. Some you'd never imagine to see in a garden yet you know once you seen them, you realize they belong.

Now, this is what I call "going green"! It's a sweet potato vine. It's such a vibrant green. There's also an eggplant/plum color which I like better but this green definitely gets your attention!

This garden sprite was tucked in a small corner of a church garden. I liked the idea of the American flag close by.

These seed pods look like they're immitating the American flag in the upper left hand corner of this photo. Actually, they remind me more of the flags you see on a yacht; not that I've ever been on a yacht.

Graceful, beautiful sweet pea like flowers emerge from the seed pods above. An old brick house sits on the corner where these vines bloom. They wend and wind their way around, through, over and above an old iron fence. The next time I pass by, I think I'll knock on the owner's door and ask if I might have a few of the pods. I'd love to see if they'd grow in my yard even though my yard lacks the beautiful iron fence, which is the perfect backdrop for this vine. 

This grasshopper, at least I think that's what he is, was on the back side of our garage this morning. He kindly hung around long enough for me to take his picture.

Labor Day is almost here and I'd like to wish all of you a happy Labor Day.

Namaste
Chris