Monday, 22 July 2019
The grass has to know how the canna got downed. Has. To.
I’ve got a bit more data on this one. This yard sports new-this-season sod, and it’s supporting a sprinkle of these little ’shrooms, perhaps inky caps. No other yard has them. Mushrooms d’sod? The grass has to know.
Sunday, 21 July 2019
No popup storms today. That I noticed. This is carry-over moisture.
We’ve been binge-watching the latest “Veronica Mars.” Spiffy writing overall, yet some parts drag despite some snappy dialogue.
Saturday, 20 July 2019
White lily with feathery petal tips. “Just an ornamental” (™ 😀 ).
An Ampelopsis spp., common name porcelainberry. Pretty sure.
At seven this morning it was a mere 72°F, unlike yesterday’s 79°F, so I went for a no-stress walk. Humid!
Friday, 19 July 2019
I did not count how many times lately I’ve heard the phrase “feels like” (and its sibling “will feel like”) referring to high temps. And not in the kitchen, but in the everywhere outdoors.
I took heed and stayed indoors (except for the odd outdoor chore). I did not walk. Or do yardwork.
The photo? A three-tired retaining wall under construction along a newly built section of a miscellaneous highway in southern Appalachia. I haven’t seen one built quite like this before. A sign of the future? Stay tuned….
Thursday, 18 July 2019
I am possibly too fascinated by the patterns I see in nature, especially in plants.
First big magnolia blossom I’ve noticed this year.
White and green is not a reference to MooU. It just looks like it might be.
Wednesday, 17 July 2019
Inattention suited the basil lately. The tall Genovese bush is thigh high; the Thai cultivar is to the right with the purplish flower spikes.
I picked a good pile of the Thai basil…
…and, with cilantro leaves, it made a terrific garnish for our Thai curry tofu. High protein version today with added edamame, peas. I think the rice has a bit of protein, too. I recently read that aging people need more protein.
Protein: check. And yummy, too!
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
I’m glossing over myriad details to note there were many during our now-completed northern trip. We swept back into town less than an hour ago with reasonably light traffic, made a few extra [green] lights, the truck is now empty, and the thermostat readjusted to blast the temp downward more than when the house was empty. Home in the summer.
Last night’s sunset. I like the flag and the glow, but had no time for a second shot with the other poles edited out. Such is life. [I have no doubt editing software could readily remove them, but not me.]
Monday, 15 July 2019
That freighter: Indiana Harbor. I assume it’s a real place. The strange-shaped vessel behind it is working on the disputed pipeline that crosses the straits. I think the white cone is part of the pipeline project.
Sparty. BMOC. You know which C.
Old Forestry building, now called Chittenden Hall. Mom’s office was on the second floor.
Irish nachos. Totally decadent. Happily shared with almost-birthday guy, DeeMickGee.
Sunday, 14 July 2019
Last relaxed morning. Here. For a while.
The peonies are winding up. The dominant blooms on the branches with double buds have finished, and the B-team is putting on a meager, but still lovely scented, show. This is one of the largest of the final crop.
We made a small Sunday-drive outing on this last day, up to Eagle’s Nest, or Eagles Nest, or Dad’s version: Eagle Nest. This is the pond-and-marsh to the south. I found the poofy clouds in the blue sky very compelling, with the green belt of vegetation separating the heavens from its reflection.
Saturday, 13 July 2019
This is how far along the grapes are. These are wild grapes, I think, and the vines are quite productive this year. They have taken over the spreading juniper since The Guru had to remove one trunk of the sour cherry they used to hug. I bet the birds still get the fruit when it ripens, and we don’t snag more than two or three grapes (not bunches) per person.
We got to dine with five lovely young women and two of our age-set tonight. We laughed, we told stories, and we learned that “vinho verde” is not pronounced with Spanish phonetics. This makes sense because it is a Portuguese wine. The correct pronunciation of the second word is along the lines of “verdj(eh),” with the “eh” at the end just a hint. We sampled two tonight; one was still and the other had teeny bubbles, technically pétillance. Note that the green in the name refers to young/new/youthful, rather than the color.
Note that the grapes above are not a variety used in vinho verde. Or in wine. So far, anyway. Maybe not even technically a variety.