above it all

So you ask why is this crazy lady posting photos of dots in a black space.

Because that white smear is the space station with 6 humans gazing down at us!!

I've re subscribed to the notifications of its passage over our region and rush out to greet it as it goes over. Last evening was perfect--a little cooler with just a few clouds. Screech owls called from from the woods and only a few unknowns nibbled at my shins.

I follow on Facebook those astronauts that are currently on board and they post amazing pictures of our planet.

It's one place where humans from many nations come together in goodwill and science  giving me hope that it can be done.

along came a spider

Strung between the shrubs and trees each morning in the fall are massive spider webs. 

I need to look up frequently to duck them all.

Wikipedia:

The golden silk orb-weavers (Nephila) are a genus of araneomorph spiders noted for the impressive webs they weave. Nephila consists of numerous species found in warmer regions around the world. They are also commonly called golden orb-weavers, giant wood spiders, or banana spiders.

One morning recently I walked into one and wore the web around my head like a cap. Only a shower and shampoo would remove the clingy sticky substance from my hair,

Usually I just try to avoid them or encourage them move higher since they are harmless to humans.

However, most visitors find them quite intimidating.

lobelia cardinalis

From year to year one can never know what a plant will do. Some have been in the garden for decades and perform differently each year. This year the cardinal flower went over the moon.

These are self sown seeds or "volunteers".

Wherever they emerge I let them grow, weeding them a little and giving support when necessary.

They are big favorites with sulphur butterflies, hummingbirds......and me.

surprise lilies

These are the bulbs that lay dormant all summer-- no leaves or evidence that they're going to burst into bloom at the right time. 

Often they are forgotten, mowed over, hacked down, accidentally planted over. After a bit of fall rain they appear overnight and have me running to check out that burst of color that erupted like a mushroom!

I am always happy to make their acquaintance again and rush to get a photo or two before they melt back into invisibility. They will produce some green strappy leaves that blend into the grass, and then out of mind till next fall.

making hay

After a long hot summer, the neighbor has finally begun to cut hay. Usually he cuts hay at least twice in summer, but this year let it grow as high as an elephant. Hiking through that kind of growth makes me feel like I need a machete. Because I am allergic to chiggers, which are small insects that burrow into the skin and form blisters that itch madly, I have to wear heavy clothing when I go walking in this thick grass. It's miserable in the hot humid days we've had recently.

So I was overjoyed to find the grass being mowed for hay as I approached the top of the hill this morning. Two flocks of ducks flew over--I couldn't identify them. Pine warblers and white eyed vireos sang from the fence row.

September

orchid madness

It's hard to pass these beauties up when the price is so cheap.

just a hint

A small cool front was pulled in by the great hurricane to the east of Texas hill country.

The early morning light reveals a promise of fall color.