My friend invited me out for coffee at the new coffee shop downtown.  It is right on the main road.  I met her there and parked on the street right by this gorgeous hanging basket.  When I came back to my car, I had to take its picture, and as I lined up the shot I noticed the lamppost with the welcome banner.  

 

The new coffee shop, The Press, was terrific, and my picture came out pretty good too.  

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

I noticed that the Sassafrass trees in our neighborhood have set fruit.  Look!!!  Little purple berries on red stems.  Aren't they pretty?  I've written about Sassafras before, but I've only begun to notice the berries.  

 

Next time you see a sassafras tree, look more closely and maybe you'll see the berries.  

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

I know I've shown you this before, but it is such a great plant, I want to remind you of it.  It is Spotted Touch-me-not, or Jewelweed.  It is a species of Impatiens, Impatiens capensis, and it has cool medicinal value.

 

I was surprised when we saw these touch-me-nots in the park the other day.  I haven't seen any in a few years.   It often grows alongside poison ivy and nettles, and when the leaves are crushed they ooze a kind of ointment that soothes the itchiness of the poison ivy.  How convenient!!!!  But I hope you are able to recognize poison ivy and avoid it.

 

Do be on the lookout for Jewelweed, though, it's kinda weedy, but pretty.  

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Here is another reason to love Meeks Park.  There is shade, there is water.  It is such a peaceful place.  That's why we go there so much.  It is always a pleasant outing.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

We absolutely love this bank of hydrangeas in the Methodist Church parking lot.  They curve around the corner, and block the view into the next parking lot.  Great use of landscaping:  hiding something unsightly from view.

 

These hydrangeas start out bright white, and fade to dusty pink in the fall.  We see them every week, so I will show you again when they change color.  They are fabulous!!!

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Yesterday we drove to Chattanooga to the sewing machine repair place.  Yes, darn it, my sewing machine is having an electrical problem.  Anyway, on the way home, this was the info screen in the truck!!!  Yikes!!!

 

Thank goodness for air conditioning.  

I hope you are staying cool wherever you are.  Be smart, be safe:  stay inside.

 

 

MEANWHILE, HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

It is Vitex, botanically it is Vitex agnus-castus.  That's the only name I know for it.  Oh wait, it is commonly known as chaste tree.  I love this tree/shrub.  I love seeing it in the summer with its beautiful purple, spiky flowers.  

 

I read that it can grow from 3-16 feet.  I've never seen one that big, but the ones we usually see are around 8-10 feet tall.  

 

There is only one that I know of in our neighborhood, but they grow easily here in the mountains.  Look around;  you may see some in your travels.  I hope so.  They are so pretty right now.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

As I started out on my walk, I looked up and noticed the Persimmons are getting big.  They are almost full size, about the size of a ping pong ball.  When they reach their full size they will start to turn orange.  But that's not until October.  We still have a couple months to grow.

 

I am certainly not rushing through summer to get to fall;  but I do love a good persimmon.  No big hurry, though.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Check this out!!!  This is Violet's Hibiscus in bloom.  It is in a massive ceramic pot, and blooming its head off.  I think she told me that is called "Holy Grail."  And each blossom is as big as a dinner plate.  

 

It is awesome!!!

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

The Devil's Walking Sticks in our neighborhood are blooming.  I've also seen a couple on 19/129 on our way to Blairsville.

 

They are about 10-12 feet high, and blooming with bright white flowers.  Beautiful!!!

 

I hope you get to see some in your travels.

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!