The End of Summer

Our summer has been very strange this year -- sort of a 'water, water, everywhere' thing going on.  But while some of us have felt stunted by not being able to be out and about in the sunshine, our flowering plants have not disappointed.

This is probably my favorite of all of the plants - the Carolina Lily.  What a beauty.  It seems to bloom on its own, standing there alone.  How delicate it is, how intricate is its design.

The Cardinal Flower blooms every year and its deep, rich red makes a great contrast against all the green that surrounds us.

Last, but certainly not least is this small, but mighty  Evening Primrose.  Its lovely yellow flower makes me smile.  It seems so 'plain' but also so happy.  A beautiful tribute to summer, no matter how grey and rainy it has been.

"Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you". ~Rumi

 

{Just a short note to say that I think I've conquered the 'green word' thing. I will just stick here at my home of four years as long as there are no more problems.  Thanks for your input and patience.}



 

 

 



Rain, Rain Go Away

 

The rain continues, the flash flood watches/warnings continue.

The garden is soaked, the ground filled to the brim with water.  The leaves shine when they are wet. 

"Let the rain kiss you.  Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.  Let the rain sing you a lullaby." - Langston Hughes

Singing in the Rain

In between rain showers I rushed outside to capture some of the intrepid flowers that are blooming.  These little Balloon plants are such a lovely, deep purple color and so abundant.

My Lavender is trying very hard to bloom -- but I suspect its wondering how it ended up here, instead of a dryer, Mediterranean climate.

The Echincea and Black Eyed Susans are working nicely together with their bright colors.

Oh and don't I love the Butterfly Weed (now how could anyone call this a weed) with its bright orange blooms.

Lastly, but certainly not least, come my Hydrangeas which are still standing tall, blooming beautifully and saying to the rain 'bring it on'!

"I'm singing in the rain

Just singing in the rain

What a beautiful feeling

I'm happy again..." 

Water Lily

Rain has come down and come down and come down.  We've received 9" in the past 75 days - and most of that, I'm sure, was within the past two weeks when it has rained nonstop.

This water lily always seem such a patient plant.  All I see, for months on end, are the green leaves resting on top of the water.  And then one day I look up to see this beautiful yellow bloom.  Coming between rain showers it is a very welcome sight.

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir

 

Dupont Forest

Once upon a time there was a chemical facility run by Dupont in the middle of the forest.  Dupont closed its facility and the State took over the forest.  It is now a beautiful place in which to walk.  There are many trails and at the end of the main trail a lovely waterfall that breaks over huge, ancient rocks.

We went for a walk there last week.  In all the times that we have visited the area and the falls we have never seen as much water as we did this year.
 

It was standing in places where it had never been - run off from the surging stream.

It was flowing off of rocks and making beautiful white water.

There have been times, in years past, that we hiked up to the top of the falls.  Not this year!  The water has taken over its whole space.

Over this past spring we often wondered if it would ever stop raining but seeing all that water made those soggy days well worth it.

"In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time." - Leonardo da Vinci