What's In The Garden?

The summer is coming to a close but parts of our SW PA garden are still filled with color and life, especially around the front lamp post -- both red and white hibiscus.

The phlox attract the butterflies.

A plot of rudbekia.

Red hibiscus.

Magnolia tree seedpod.

Some glads starting to say goodbye.

It must be football season in western PA. Here's our black and gold spider.

GO STEELERS!

Baltimore Oriole

This beautiful Baltimore Oriole has visited us from time to time this summer. He likes the top of the tallest tree in the yard. Must be a great view!

Irises at Hopewell

A patch of Japanese irises is somewhat hidden along the edge of our grove. Here they are for all to enjoy in a vase given to us by our niece Meg. The perfect vase, n'est pas? :)

Butterfly Garden at Powdermill

Several years ago Nikki and I made a gift to Powdermill in support of the capital campaign to build the new building, for which I was responsible as Director. We wanted there to be a focal point for kids and decided on a butterfly garden in memory of Tina. The garden was a long time in coming, but thanks to Dr. John Wenzel (new director) and Cokie Lindsay (lady who makes things happen there) the garden is now staked out, fenced, and planted. Plant selections and layout were done by Martha Oliver, a nearby resident and well known in horticultural circles.

We could not have been more pleased with what we saw on our first visit. The garden was designed with kids in mind and signage to be installed will educate adults as well.

Our thanks to the team -- John, Cokie, and Martha -- for making our vision a reality.

The bees seem content as well.

Our Serviceberry Tree

Our serviceberry tree here at Hopewell has anchored the sunken garden of our east terrace for many years and has been a stellar performer. When the berries have ripened, as they are now, the tree is a magnet for cedar waxwings, as seen above. We've had as many as 20 in the tree at the same time. This year a scarlet tanager also dined here.

The Move to Vero Beach - Phase 1

The South Hills Movers arrived on Sept. 28 to get everything organized for the packing of the van the next day.

The result was room after room of tightly packed boxes and tagged furniture.

The loading begins. Actually, this is van #2, the one from yesterday having taken care of the stuff in the storage locker. When they finished loading from the house they had to go back to their warehouse and unload both vans onto the monster van which would make the trip to Vero Beach. On the way they also dropped off the antique piano at Tony and Holly's house in VA.

The movers arrived at our house in Vero Beach right on time -- in fact 20 minutes early. Jim and his son Dave were teriffic, handling everything professionally and with great care.

Nikki checks the inventory as boxes and furniture are brought in.

The kitchen became the staging area.

The guest room became the storage area.

Poor Gramma Bessie -- the indignity of it all! But she made the trip in good shape and is safe in her crate for the time being.

Dave's office.

Nikki's office.

The garage -- room for only one car at this point.

The move-in took 9 hours. The unpacking, well, that's another story.

Sunrise at Hopewell

A beautiful sunrise on a September morning. This view is from the deck by my office.

And look who was up early as well.

Catbird babies

As Catbird mom was sitting on the nest early this morning I believe these babies were born during the day today. The nest is in a Rose of Sharon tree in the sunken garden adjacent to our east terrace. I'm wondering why we don't call catbird babies kittens -- even their eyes are still closed. Or maybe the three of them are just asleep.

Coyotes

We may not live in Texas or Canada, but we do have coyotes. Like black bears, they are quite happy here in the Allegheny Mountains. However, they are rarely seen. In the 12 years we have been here I have seen one, very early in the morning on my way down to Powdermill. Anyway, there have been at least 2 dens of pups in the past 4 years or so, both in the woods on a steep slope behind our house. There is a small stream at the bottom of the slope so they have safety and water. You would have no idea they were there except for the occasional yapping of the pups and mother, usually at night and usually very quick, then nothing. Last night we heard them at least twice, once at about 9 and again around 5 AM this morning. Very cool!! Like the black bears they do us no harm, except that the bears like to eat Nikki's black raspberries.

Summer harvest

Yesterday the Hood Farm field across the road from our house was relieved of its hay burden, as happens at this time every year. It is fun to watch the bales being thrown from the bailer into the hay wagon. This year the "catcher and stacker" was female -- don't mess with her!

It is also berry season and we have had a very good crop of currants, raspberries, and blueberries. Nikki and Cokie Lindsay are picking the blueberries which are excellent this year. I'm sure Cokie has a great recipe for bacon and blueberry something or other which I hope she will share -- and I don't mean the recipe. :)

Ladder Safety

A couple of days ago our 8' aluminum stepladder fell over. Unfortunately I was on it at the time trimming the wisteria vine. I landed on my back, elbow, and noggin on the brick patio -- forcefully enough to abandon careless use of said ladder in the future. I'm OK and have regained the necessary respect for ladder safety. All is well.

Hollyhocks at their peak

The hollyhocks look great in our gardens right now!