Greetings again from Susie’s Gardens.  It still continues fairly hot although a bit lower in temperature. Now we’re in the high 80s and low 90s. I guess what has been so uncomfortable is the fact that the humidity was high and we had very little breezes on those hot days. We had some rain a couple times in the last two weeks, adding up to about 3 or so inches which was a great help for the garden but a little late for most of it. We are still at a minus for the year. Oh the garden has still been pretty, but flowers aren’t lasting as long. All the phlox are blooming now, and way back by the shed the big balls of blossoms of the “Pee Gee” hydrangea (paniculata) are blooming. It resembles the snowball viburnum of spring but the blossom balls are larger and the individual blossoms that make up the ball are larger. They resemble the blossoms of the oakleaf hydrangea but that plant has cone shaped clusters. It gives us some late summer blooms along with many of the others I have mentioned many times before. We are trying to work it so there is always something blossoming at all times. The sedums are starting to develop, a sure sign that summer’s end is near. As it cools down a little, we are able to get back on the patio in the evening and enjoy the yard and all the activity. The hummingbirds are a show all by themselves. Chasing, twisting, diving, dodging through the trees and shrubs, zooming here and there. They are the Mazdas of the bird world (Zoom, Zoom?)! They still have a few monarda to feed on and a host of other blossoms as well as the feeders. Sometimes they come right into our “Sanctuary” under the pergola for an up close and personal visit. The goldfinches make regular visits to the bird baths, and eating on the many types of developing seeds on the sunflowers, cone flowers and zinnias. Young of the year are everywhere, including the wrens, house finches, cardinals, brown thrashers, and doves. I haven’t heard much of the catbird lately or any mockingbirds. Robins are flocking up already and we watch them return from the fields in the evening heading for their roosts in the Chickahominy River swamps, and along the James River. 

     The doves come in singles, pairs, and threes and fours at evening too. Dove hunting season begins in a couple of weeks. It’s been quite a few years since I did any dove shooting. It was always a treat to have dove breasts, rolled in seasoned flour and fried until browned, then with an addition of sliced mushrooms, red wine, a touch of vinegar, and some sour cream; they’d be simmered for awhile until tender. As I have always believed, hunting is not just the killing; it’s the anticipation, the planning, the day outdoors with friends, then the kill, followed by a special meal prepared with care and appreciation. Of course I never shot many. I was lucky to get two out of a box of 24 shells. Best I did was six one time. That’s expensive meat! 

     The yard has also been full of butterflies. August IS butterfly month. They are all over the phlox, petunias, butterfly bush, and gauras. Black and tiger swallowtails in particular, but monarchs, and others too. The cicadas have really been “singing.” It’s as if they know they have but little time left. The new sound is the crickets at night. The butterflies especially like a new and different phlox that Susie planted near the cedar in back. It’s a smaller-flowered variety. There is a bewildering variety of insects in the garden. I have a book entitled Insects and Gardens by Eric Grissell, which is excellent in showing the lives, ecology, and interdependency of insects and our surroundings. You can’t beat ‘em so learn about them and how to live with them. 

     Speaking of books I mentioned I was trying to read more. I’ve started to try to gat a set of all Samuel Eliot Morison’s books on U.S. Naval activities during WW II. I have many other books on WW II, plus documentary videos and a lot about aircraft and aircraft use at that time, but this will fill a niche I’ve wanted. Another one of my art goals was to do a painting of some of the more famous “War Birds” of that era. 

     The mold count has been high all summer. You can’t help inhaling the microscopic spores in the air and that’s often what makes you tired and listless along with the heat. At night your nose and throat can get all gummed up. Solution? Don’t go outside, or if you do drink prodigious amounts of water. 

     The garden is fading. I should still get a few squash. It was only a so-so year for them. The tomatoes on the other hand are some of the best. The dryness has resulted in unblemished fruits. I had hand watered them regularly in June during the drought, and when we did get the rain recently I went out and picked everything with color. I missed a few which did crack. As I said last time, once the fruit is set, a big sudden influx of new water sucked up into the fruit causes it to rupture. I have also had to share a few with the chipmunks. One row of tomatoes never grew very big—too crowded I guess. Although they were the Rutgers and Early Girl varieties which do not produce big fruits anyway. We had to have our beef bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches of course. 

     We just got word from Barry that he is leaving Progress Energy and is taking a job with Computer Science Corporation as “Network Architect, Principal Leader.” He will begin in early September and his office will be located in Research Triangle Park near Raleigh/Durham. 

     Well, back to the drawing board to work on my Cooper’s hawk art and watch the end of the NASCAR race.Take Care, Hang Tuff, Be Safe, and God Bless you. 

Editor's Note: If you would like to write about your back yard, please feel free to do so. And include photos. JAF