September Stuff

We have had some stunning weather this month. Lots of sunshine and stellar sunsets. 

 I've eaten salads and dinners outside, although many more meals have been in the hospital cafeteria.

There is a salmon outside the window of her hospital room, thankfully, most of the other animals around are less metallic in their makeup. . 

Our fireweed is beautiful this fall. Normally, we see the leaves turn red and then the plants get ugly in the autumn rains. This year it has been dry, allowing the herb to keep the fire theme from flower to frost. 

I had a chance to watch waterfowl on Bishop Lake and earlier the same evening, I saw beluga playing just off the mouth of the Kenai. (there is a beluga count this weekend. There are only about 300 in the Inlet now.) 

In spite of moose season, there are any number of the creatures roaming around. I've been privileged to see cows with calves and even a young bull. 

Our local forecasts have heralded a change in the weather starting this weekend. I reckon our summer is almost over and is about to reach an end. In hindsight, I can honestly say it was a season to remember. I wonder what is around the corner??? 

It's a Parade!!!

Hops are one of the strangest, most fascinating plants around. You can use them in many ways (most people make beers from them) and in later fall, they are an organic (and somewhat itchy) confetti! 

 I decided, since we had such a pretty day, the things needed taken down. Usually Steve does this, but I opted to this year. (he is working on the roof instead!)

 When you tug on the sharp vines (the vines have some sort of coating that scratches) to get them out of the trees,  dried petals release from the cones and float down through the sunshine onto the ground. Lovely!

 They would make a beautiful indoor dried floral arrangement, if the petals were more firmly attached.

 The single start I got from Elgin (I think this is where I got it) grows up into my neighbor's tree almost every year. We try to aggressively trim it, to help contain the vines. But, missing a couple of weeks allows it to escape and the darn thing takes off. Hoping someone on Tex's side can get her tree free from this confetti creature.

 No parade is complete without balloons or Japanese Lanterns to line the path.

 Dancing fairy lights illuminate the world as they reflect off the tiny pond.

 Spectators oooh and ahh over the display of colors gracing the participants.

 Even the dollar plants are ready to empty their purses into the crowd!

 Everywhere you turn, it is apparent the parade is here for a long couple of weeks, rain or shine. I, for one, am very thankful.