Can We Talk 2

Cooler Weather

         It's the start of the tropical season. No hurricanes or other storms yet, except for one out in the Atlantic, no where near land. But we have had our warnings. Fortunately, I am not in a disaster area now. I grew up in the flood zone, but the river waters always came just short of our yard. There is a small town, very quaint, near here that has been flooded completely several times in my life. But they always rebuild and carry on.

         Meanwhile, the oppressive heat has let up, and we enjoy cooler temps even on sunny days. It's good for catching up on weed pulling and invasive plant pruning. I had some beautiful red zinnias this year, which are now fading. I know what I want to plant next year: more red zinnias.

         I have rose of Sharon everywhere. The individual blooms are not that pretty, but a whole shrub covered with them is quite lovely. And this year I've noticed hummingbirds going to the blooms. However, the shrub grows very fast and gets out of control It also multiplies. Every day I pull stray plants out of flower pots and from between the slates on the patio. I have heard it is almost impossible to hurt a Rose of Sharon; now I believe it. They take a lot of work and time to keep them from taking over the entire yard and house. They don't require watering or fertilizer; just pruning.

         So as the days get shorter and summer starts to fade, we know the hot weather is not gone completely. It will continue possibly into early October, even as the leaves start to fall. Tropical storms, fading flowers, earlier sunsets are all just reminders that life goes on and our lives are getting shorter. Let's enjoy the weather while we can.