Greensboro Daily Photo

Groundhog Day 2012

Groundhog Day 2012 has come and gone this week. Do you know the origin of the holiday? Do you follow the results? According to the predictions of both Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania AND Sir Walter Wally's in North Carolina, there will be six more weeks of winter. Ironically, good weather on any given February 2nd, Groundhog Day, indicates winter will linger. In the USA, we have been maintaining this tradition for over 125 years. Pennsylvania's early settlers brought the following saying from Europe: "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."* Candlemas is the 40th day after Christmas. So, historically, Groundhog Day is linked to Christianity.

Information related to North Carolina's groundhog-predictor is archived through the State Climate Office of North Carolina. Check here on March 15th, if you want to follow up on the accuracy of Sir Walter Wally's 2012 prediction. On the same website, archived through NC State University, you can check the groundhog's record in previous years.  Last time we checked, the Greensboro's own Natural Science Center had "Woody" the Groundhog on the prediction circuit, too.

As for the above groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, and land-beaver,  he was seen frequently in our yard in Greensboro this summer. We're guessing he'll be back...... sometime after March 15th. As far as we can tell, he's never poked his head out on February 2nd. Care to name him?

 *Huffington Post reference here.

Old Guilford County Barn

Here we see a barn in Northwest Guilford County on a cold, colorless winter day. At one time, this wooden building was a full-service barn on a thriving farm. Now, it looks like most structures in the holding pattern of "tear down" status; the land is more valuable than the buildings on it. Before you know it, this acerage will be a new neighborhood, named by a naming consultant for what used to be on the property (Falling Barn Trace, Weather Vane Estates, Grassy Meadow Farms, Gatewood Estates etc.). Regardless, the barn exudes a haunting, poetic aura and the scene looks like something Andrew Wyeth would paint-- especially if someone were walking towards the horizon..............

Happy Monday folks. This week starts the first of about eight weeks in a row without a holiday or teacher work day. However, it is starting to seem like old-man winter has a weather event in his back pocket. If it snows, we're heading back to this barn to get some snow photos. 

Some Like It Cold....Camellias...Brrrrr

In Greensboro, the camellia bushes are in full bloom and we are thrilled that something so delicate and colorful thrives in this cold weather. The camellia bush is a small evergreen shrub native to Asia. Not only are the flowers delightful, the glossy leaves have a polished and waxed appearance. There are as many as 250 described species of camellia. In the proper environment, these acid loving plants can live for 100-500 years. Camellia sinensis is the most famous member because its leaves are harvested for tea. However, tea can be made with other species as well. While we haven't heard of any camellias being poisonous, talk to an expert before brewing tea from the camellias in your yard! Have you ever done so?

The little North-Carolina-pottery container above, with a metal frog inside, is perfect for bringing a few sprigs of nature inside. We try to keep it filled with something from the yard.

Of course today's title is a play on words for what some consider to be one of the greatest American comedy films of all time (Some Like it Hot). You might want to rent this old classic and watch it while you are trying to stay in from the cold! 

Last Skywatch Friday of 2011

Many Fridays throughout the year, we participate in Skywatch Friday, a meme where participants show a slice of sky overhead in their respective cities. This will be GDP's last Skywatch Friday of 2011. It is a winter sunset in northwest Greensboro. It had just rained and so some pink snuck in to enliven an otherwise sooty sunset. At this time of year, with excessive hours of darkness, an infusion of color from nature is a much-appreciated gift. To quote an old saying, some of the best things in life are free.

As we reflect on our sky shots of 2011, we find the one of Camberly's Garden to be the most poignant; the Peace on Earth at Guilford College to be the most hopeful; and Coble Farm on West Friendly, the most picturesque. If you are interested, feel free to review the year of Skywatch over Greensboro entries (here) and select your favorite. Let us know in the comment section below. In the meantime, lets hope 2012 is an equally great year for photographing the sky over Greensboro.

MACK and MACK & Ornamental Cabbage III

It is time for our annual ornamental cabbage photo; one of the top searches bringing first time visitors to Greensboro Daily Photo. This year, we tried to take an ornamental cabbage photo that was obviously taken in Greensboro-- no easy task. The above cabbage is planted in front of Mack and Mack Design Studio Showroom on Elm Street. The foliage anchors the window display beautifully and is a great prelude to the fabulously-colorful, expertly-designed pieces you will find inside. Mack and Mack Clothing is both a custom clothing design and production facility. It was founded in 1995 by Robin Mack Davis. Their signature, soft, washable fabric is called "Magic." They are also known for festive jackets and tops.

Robin and her crew are extremely committed to helping keep downtown Greensboro a vibrant and engaging place. On First Fridays, they feature music and snacks-- a good way to get people to stop in and look around the shop.

See our first ornamental cabbage shot here; and the second here. Wonder why so many people Google 'ornamental cabbage?'

T is for Treanor, Kathy Treanor

Kathy Treanor was instrumental in establishing the Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC), a non-profit that grew into reality around the Treanors' dining room table in 1989. Encompassing a 9-county* region, the overarching goal of PLC is to preserve the Piedmont's natural resources (reference). Some of the PLC's nearly 20,000 protected acres are for public use: Price Park, Weaver Bridge and the Lake Brandt Greenway are examples. Some land is farmed privately, but protected from future development: Goad Lady Dairy, Fern Hill Farm. Over the last twenty two years, Ms. Treanor has worked tirelessly, ensuring that future generations in the Piedmont have open space to enjoy, a clean water supply, and habitat for wildlife.

Ms. Treanor's passion for land preservation stems from the fact that her ancestors were farmers in America dating back to the late 18th century. Today, her 1797 family homeplace in Union Mills, MD, is an historic landmark as well as a museum of American culture (reference). Since her arrival to Greensboro in 1970, Ms. Treanor has been an ardent environmentalist. While she has recently retired as Executive Director of the PLC, Ms. Treanor is still involved in the organization's fine work. Her 2005 book, forever these lands, is a great reference and a way to enjoy the PLC's protected lands in the comfort of your home.

Today is ABC Wednesday and T is for Treanor, Kathy Treanor-- the latest in our People of Greensboro series. The above photo was taken in Ms. Treanor's back yard, a botanist's delight nestled between Friendly Avenue and Holden Road. For upcoming PLC events (including one TOMORROW) click here. 

*Alamance, Caswell, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin.

Do Pumpkins Float?

With students returning to school, the Thanksgiving Holiday is officially over.

Above, you see two pumpkins that have been tossed in a retention pond in a suburban neighborhood. Say goodbye to pumpkins and hello to the sights of Christmas: inflatable Santas, living nativities, Christmas tree lots, and the ocean of red and green chicken-wire-light-balls, tossed-high-into-trees in Sunset Hills. On Thursday, when December arrives, our memory of the ubiquitous fall pumpkins will be long gone. Likely, by then, a diligent neighbor will have transferred the above pumpkins from the retention pond to a compost pile.

Retention ponds are human-made basins for managing water run off. They are extremely popular in Greensboro, particularly in neighborhoods that were constructed during the housing boom of the 1990's. Some communities, Lake Jeanette, for example, made a real effort for these water features to be well-landscaped to enhance the neighborhood. Other places, the Wal-Mart on North Battleground, for example, these ponds are less elegant as they tend to collect litter. 

And yes, as seen above, pumpkins float. Jack-o-lanterns, however, do not........

Stephie's Birds

For Black Friday, we're headed out for a little retail therapy. What better way to start the day than to head over to Stephie's Birds to see some GIANT feathered friends!  Stephie, a second generation bird breeder/handler, is known up and down the east coast for her breeding of fabulously beautiful, healthy birds, of all sizes. From scarlet macaws to purple parakeets, her expertise in all issues related to birds keeps even a few vets ringing her phone. Above, a cockatoo named Chance watches over the store. In addition to selling birds, Stephie finds new homes for birds that the original owners can no longer keep. 

Recently Stephie's Birds relocated to North Battleground across from Wal-Mart.

While we only show a sliver of the sky in the photo above, we're sharing this photo with our friends at Skywatch Friday. We'll be sure to snap a few more photos when we are out finding bargains. How are you spending the day?

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

"Over the river and through the wood to grandfather's house we go... we would not stop for doll or top for this is Thanksgiving Day...."  No poem evokes the memory of Thanksgiving more than Lydia Maria Child's 1844 poem about the holiday. If you have time, read it with your family (here). So many of us have fond memories of visiting our grandparents or, perhaps, being the grandparent making those memories of holiday fellowship with family. Coming together, breaking bread, and celebrating the generations is at the core of who we are as North Carolinians.

The house above peeks out beyond a make-shift dirt parking lot, waiting to be filled with the vehicles full of travelers arriving for a Thanksgiving feast. Beyond the old oak tree, you see  Early Farms  on Bethel Church Road in Gibsonville. The Earlys are fifth generation farmers; so we imagine they'll be serving up some savory, Guilford-County-grown vegetables. Who knows, living in a rural part of the county, they may have procured a wild turkey.

Andreas Gursky Inspired Photo

On Tuesday, November 8, 2011, German photographer, Andreas Gursky, sold a photograph for 4.3 million dollars at Christie's in NYC. His photograph is sure to become THE iconic photo of the Rhine River... and beyond. Inspired by Gursky's fame and fortune, we wanted to take an iconic photo of North Carolina. The quest took us to Early Farms in eastern Guilford County. They are a certified roadside farm market. Roadside farm markets are to North Carolina as the Rhine River is to Germany-- well if not exactly, at least headed in that direction!

Somehow we don't think our photo will garner the fame and fortune as the Gursky; however, we sure had fun roaming around Guilford County looking for inspiration. We tried to interpret the Gursky photo-- layers of green, gray-blue, and brown. We just weren't as Rothko-esque.  Once we googled Gursky's images, we had a greater appreciation for his 4-million-dollar photograph. OK, you've waited long enough. See Gursky's photo here. 

And, during the 2012 growing season, don't forget to stop by Early Farms for some farm fresh produce. Let them know, not only do their gherkins make some mighty fine pickles but their fields would make a mighty fine Gursky!

Sunset on Autumn

For a few weeks there, it seemed as if autumn would last forever. Locally, fall was especially beautiful this year. Leaves were brilliantly colored, skies were blue, and many days were just perfect for spending time outside: bike riding, festivals, nature walks......... Then, in Greensboro, the temperature dropped over 30 degrees in a 24 hour time period. From Wednesday's tepid, mid-70's balmy tornado-front to driving rain and fog, COLDNESS captured our autumn at one fell swoop. Leaves surrendered their grip and winter coats were brought out of storage. Also, with the time change and days getting shorter, many people leave for work and return in the dark. What? Was there a day today? Did someone see daylight? Sunshine?

Yesterday, just when all seemed about as uplifting as a big bowl of unseasoned broth, this brilliant sunset lingered on the horizon, a carrot dangling, reminding us to see the beauty that lies ahead. First, some snow, slush and lots of gray, but, before we know it, all will be green again. In the meantime, winter is knocking....... Can't you hear it?

We're sharing this with Skywatch Friday and are heading over there to see the sky above a few hundred cities worldwide.

Guilford Horticultural Society

The Guilford Horticultural Society (GHS) is a place for garden enthusiasts to learn more about plants and to get their gardening questions answered. It was founded in 1983 and holds monthly meetings at the Greensboro Natural Science Center.  For the last 26 years, GHS has held a symposium on gardening. See last year's flyer here. 

At last year's symposium, GHS had a session entitled "Fashionably Late: The Garden after August 15th," providing ideas for keeping a garden alive after the first hint of fall. Had we attended that session, perhaps we would have known how to help our hosta survive the first frost. Oh well, we're pretty sure this perennial will come back to life next spring and, in the meantime, we are enjoying the brilliant yellow foliage. We're lucky to have it in the first place as most of our hostas were eaten by deer earlier in the season. Now that we've learned hostas are edible to humans, we are gearing up to beat the deer to them next year!

Consider becoming involved with the Guilford Horticultural Society. Meetings are free and open to the public and symposium fees are $45 for non-members and $35 for members.* According to their Facebook page, the group is planning a fabulous symposium for 2011-2012. In Guilford County, we are so lucky to have these gardening events and access to experts who are so generous with their knowledge. 

*prices published for last year.

Day of Rest

And the Lord spoke unto Moses saying, "Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that ye may know that I am the Lord who sanctify you....."

In Abrahamic religions, the shabbat/sabbath is a day of rest and worship. For Jews, the commandment for keeping shabbat a day of rest is repeated many times in the Tanakh. For Christians, it is stressed in Exodus 31:12-17. Christians interpret it as a general day of rest-- free from work. Jewish law is much more prescriptive, identifying 39 activities prohibited on Shabbat: planting, reaping, writing, tearing, igniting a fire, and applying the finishing touch-- to name a few (more here).

Wherever we find ourselves on the continuum of orthodoxy and fundamentalism to non-believing, for sure we all need time to nurture the soul-- that nebulous, incorporeal realm of the self. In the western world, gone is the common day of rest. However, consider scheduling a day of rest, when you don't leave your house, don't create or make anything; when you reflect, appreciate, express gratitude, and goal set... even if the day of rest is not a Saturday or Sunday. Today, we are resting-- sitting and admiring the above view of fall foliage in Greensboro-- and expressing gratitude for your visiting our blog.

Tree and House; So Poetic

Once there was a tree and it was so beautiful that the owner of this house decided to remodel the house around the tree. The oak tree continues to grow tall and thrive on this Shady Lawn lot, located off Etney Ridge, in the neighborhood behind Earthfare (off Battleground). This neighborhood is very conveniently located to Bryan Boulevard and Battleground Avenue. Many people like it because it is quiet, the houses are reasonably priced and it is zoned for Grimsley High School. 

If you like houses built around trees, look at this 300 year old tree in Pasadena, CA that has a home built around it. That post reminded us of Joyce Kilmer's poem.

    I think that I shall never see

    A poem as lovely as a tree.

    A tree whose lovely mouth is prest

    Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

    A tree that looks at God all day,

    And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

    A tree that may in summer wear

    A nest of robins in her hair;

    Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

    Who intimately lives with rain.

    Poems are made by fools like me,

    But only God can make a tree.

Is there a special tree in your life? We're sharing this with Weekend Reflections.

Fall Foliage

Today, we're featuring a bouquet of fall leaves and the last roses of the season. It is representative of the flora and coloration found in Greensboro this time of year. We put the arrangement together this past weekend, just before the first frost. It was our little effort at Ikebana-- the Japanese tradition of bringing together nature and humanity.

North Carolina is fortunate to have extensive diversity in our woody plant species with 487 native and 159 introduced species of trees, shrubs, and woody vines (reference). It is so rewarding to walk through one's yard and see the diversity nature has to offer. The holly leaves and nandina berries seen above will last through the winter; however, the red and orange leaves, as well as the roses, are on borrowed time. While outside relaxing in the quiet of the afternoon, we could smell wood burning in a distant fireplace. Like the wildlife, during a harvest moon, we're getting ready for a few months of challenging weather and this photo allows to hold on to fall a little longer.

Time for eating Brunswick stew and making apple butter with this arrangement on our kitchen counter. What's it like in your neck of the woods?

Tobacco Harvesting in Guilford County

The above photo shows a bittersweet industry for North Carolina: Tobacco. The state has a love/hate relationship with the product. We love the revenue from crop to finished product; we hate the physical consequences of first- and second-hand smoke.* In the USA, North Carolina is number one in tobacco production with a 2010 farm income of $582 million dollars and 166,000 acres dedicated to the crop. Tobacco's economic impact to our state is over $7 billion dollars (reference). That's a lot of revenue impacting and sustaining our population, any way you look at it. Smoking rates are slightly lower in North Carolina than the national average. Nationally 19.5% of high school students and 20.6% of adults smoke; in North Carolina, the numbers are 16.7% and 19.8%, respectively. Still 20.2 million cigarettes are bought or smoked by kids in North Carolina each year and 416,000 are exposed to second-hand smoke (references here).

The acreage in this photo is on Burlington Road, not too far from the praying hands we featured on Sunday. These workers harvested tobacco from early morning to early evening on Saturday.  It was a good day for it. Before the leaves are dried, the stems are sticky and wet. From the smell, you would never suspect the crop is tobacco. The leaves smell tart and pungent, almost like collards. As quickly as land is being developed for commercial use in Guilford County, if your want to see these old-time, rural scenes, you'd better plan your day trips sooner, rather than later.

 *Please follow the links in this sentence. You will enjoy the photos.

The Giving Tree

The persimmon tree is a member of the genus Diospyros... meaning the fruit of the gods. The astringent version of the persimmon is often found growing wild in North Carolina. The actual word "persimmon" is derived from a Native American word meaning "a dry fruit." Persimmon trees like to have their space and are usually seen in open fields. We have seen several persimmon trees around northwest Guilford County. The above stub of a persimmon tree reminds us of Shel Silverstein's poem, The Giving Tree.

Once, in Greensboro, there was a young persimmon tree. The persimmon tree was planted by a man, Mr. Greensboro Daily Photo. He loved this tree; visited the tree; he watered the tree, day in and day out-- from the first day of spring, through summer, into autumn. On a moonlight night, a buck walked past and decided to tear the tree down to a stub. He rubbed against the tree, stripped the bark, tore the top off and left it on the ground. The man is still very upset and has to decide what to plant in the space as it is very open and vulnerable to the tenacious, ruminant mammals. For now, he has this stub to look at to remind him that man may know how to fly to the moon but he just may not be able to outsmart the local deer.

This is our contribution to Skywatch Friday. 

 

Trumpet Vine on Elm St.

A couple of weekends ago, we were walking along Elm Street downtown and saw this vine on the building by Fordham Drugs, south of the railroad tracks. The color of the leaves ranged from light green to almost black. As seen in this photo, the flowers are bright and cheerful. They are the delight of hummingbirds and bees. At the leftmost tip of the bottom pod, you can see a bee. Some gardeners like trumpet vines because they are hardy and have a long season for flowering; however, many people consider them invasive. The vines can do great damage to buildings as the tendrils and roots cling to and crack mortar as they grow.

The vine, originally from Asia, became popular in Europe in the 17th century and has been growing with wild abandon ever since. We hope you get out and enjoy some fall displays before the season is swiftly behind us. Have a great Thursday everybody.

Woolly Worm Time in North Carolina 2011

Today, we bring you what may become an annual Greensboro woolly worm photo. Pyrrharctia isabella, or the banded woolly bear, is the larval stage of a moth that will winter over as a caterpillar. The furlike setae makes them resemble teddy bears and hide all of their segments and legs. Some people believe the more fuzzy black you see, the harsher the the winter will be. In reality, as the larvae mature, the black band decreases and the brown increases. In winter, the caterpillars freeze bit by bit except for their innermost cells. They can survive even Arctic temperatures as low as minus 90F. This photo of a wooly worm was taken one year to the day after the one we captured a year ago (Here). Although published later, both were taken on October 1st. 

North Carolina is one of many states with a woolly worm contest. The 34th annual Woolly Worm Festival will be held in Banner Elk this Saturday and Sunday. This proves to be a special year because it is the 100th anniversary of Avery County, NC. (Learn more here). Traditional music and dancing will surely be great there during the festival. However, we may have to settle for donning black and brown and wandering around Greensboro this weekend. 

Maybe you can have your own impromptu woolly worm race in your neighborhood. Otherwise, search GoTriad online (here) to find something that meets your interest this weekend. 

 

 

To Pilot Mountain and Beyond

From First Friday downtown to the Fall Festival at Bur-Mil Park on Saturday to Sunday's Italian Festival in Festival Park, Greensboro is packed with things to do this weekend. However, the mountains are also calling. From now until the end of October, it is possible to see peak leaves somewhere in North Carolina. You just have to find the right elevation.

The above photo of the iconic Pilot Mountain, just north of Winston-Salem, was taken last year later in the season. Pilot Mountain is a geological landmark that rises 1,400 above sea level and is the centerpiece of Pilot Mountain State Park. If you like the outdoors, Pilot Mountain is non-stop fun. Nearby Mt. Airy was the inspiration for Sheriff Andy Griffith's TV show about Mayberry. It is a quintessential small North Carolina town of yesteryear with 21st century updates.

Consider making a day trip from Greensboro to the mountains soon as this year is supposed to be good for fall foliage. We hope that you have a wonderful weekend; you are healthy and happy and, at some point, you visit Pilot Mountain, Mt. Airy, and beyond. (We're sharing this post with Skywatch Friday).

Hearty Orange Tree in the Arboretum at Lindley Park

After all the research we did for yesterday's post on John Van Lindley, we're not quite ready to drop the topic. By chance, on Sunday, we were sitting on a bench at the Arboretum in Lindley Park listening to Scotty Walker's band. Looking up, we noticed these spikey/thorny branches above us. Intrigued that some of the branches had leaves and others did not, we leaned over to see what kind of tree we were near. According to the sign, this is a hearty orange tree. How fitting that an orange tree is growing on land that formerly belonged to John Van Lindley who was an expert with fruit trees. The branch of botany that studies and cultivates fruit trees is pomology. Lindley was an expert pomologist. 

Down the road from Lindley Park is the Pomona Park neighborhood of Greensboro where Lindley had Pomona Nurseries and where his business, The Pomona Terra Cotta Works was located. In the same neighborhood, at the end of the 19th century, the Pomona Cotton Mill opened. In 1905, Pomona Baptist Church was built and soon thereafter, the nearby Pomona Cemetery opened.  Since Pomona is the ancient Roman goddess of fruitful abundance, we're thinking Lindley had his hand in getting all of these places named "Pomona."

Today, Pomona Drive has no houses and its surrounding area is gray.... full of businesses and industry. (See here for a photo).  We are especially thankful that Mr. Lindley left so much green space for us to enjoy today. We are thankful that organizations like Greensboro Beautiful and our master gardeners work so hard at planting and keeping things green. For a very long time, we hope to enjoy tranquil vantage points like the one in the photo. We suspect Lindley would be pleased upon seeing this orange tree thriving in a place for all to enjoy.

Signs of Fall: Seed Pods and Boxelder Bugs

In addition to football, another sign of fall is scattering bugs and seed pods. Seed pods burst open to begin their journey across the landscape while bugs scatter to seek refuge from the impending cold. Above, you see boxelder bugs clustered in these pods, in transition from their habitat in male boxelder, maple, and ash trees. These orange and black beetle specimens are hoping for a warm southern or western exposure window in a house to bask in the sun. Only the mature bugs will survive through the winter. For the most part, they are harmless to plants and people-- except for a little orange stain left behind and their appetite for eating seeds. We found these specimens on Fairmont Street during the Westerwood Art and Sole Walk this past weekend. While harmless and non-toxic, if a colony picks your home as the host house, you will know it as where there is one, likely there are hundreds.

Have you taken a nature walk yet this fall-- one where you take time to stop and look on the ground or on the undersides of plants? Greensboro's greenway and miles and miles of trails are a great place to start. Here is a website we like when planning a nature walk with children..... or grown-ups. Phones, headphones, texting?  No thank you. Binoculars, baggies, digital camera, walking stick, yes please! Here is one of our favorite finds from last year. 

Just in........ reader C Bond tells us these are actually milkweed bugs. They look so much like boxelders. Glad to have an entomologist in our readership!

Day 1,000 on Greensboro Daily Photo

Yesterday, Greensboro Daily Photo (GDP) celebrated its 1,000th post.

We began on January 2nd, 2009 as a joint husband and wife effort to do something meaningful for our community. Over the last 1,000 days, we have learned so much about Greensboro and have met many wonderful people. We started out mostly posting photographs of convenience. If we were at a festival, we took photos of that festival. When driving around town, we photographed whatever was on our beaten bath.

Over the last two and a half years, we have become more proactive and thoughtful in our approach to the blog. Memes (the themed entries) have helped with the effort. Fridays, we often post on Skywatch Friday-- including a slice of the sky over Greensboro in the photo. Saturdays, we often post on Weekend Reflection. Sunday shots are "Sacred Sunday" incorporating something spiritual-- not with a goal to proselytize but to showcase Greensboro's religious diversity. The ABC Wednesday posts have become personal favorites. We learn so much while working through the alphabet. The last series was A-Z streets. The current series is A-Z people; residents who have contributed significantly to the fabric of Greensboro. We would like to thank our friends, interviewees, and readers for your input, comments, and feedback. Please continue to read and spread the word about the blog.

We're not sure where the next thousand posts will take us, or if we can sustain the frenetic pace this hobby entails. However, as long as we feel like we are contributing to the positive image of Greensboro, we will make every effort to publish daily. When we started this project, there were less than 300 cities participating in this project, which began in Paris with Eric Tennen. Now, we think there are about 2,000 cities in the City Daily Photo Community.

 

September Weather Events

Across the USA, September has been a month of extreme weather events. Some cities had their wettest day in history. Binghampton, NY got 7.49" of rain in one day (9/7/11). Houston's 9/13 temperature of 102 was the hottest on record so late in the year. On 9/15, International Falls, MN had a record low of 19 degrees. These record busters go on and on (more here). As for Greensboro, September 7th was a gulley washer (video here) and yesterday was a little wet, too. However, in all, September has been sunny and dry in Greensboro-- with a little wind thrown in.

As fall knocks on the door, our garden looks dehydrated, scruffy and overgrown. The leaves at the top left of the photo are eggplant that has stopped producing. The marigolds are just about ready to call it a season and the legumes have flat, empty pods. The tomatoes were barren. We're decided to plop ourselves down on the above bench and herald the arrival autumn which comes, like it or not, tomorrow.

Peace Acres

East Wendover is also Highway 70 and Burlington Road. Driving east towards Elon University, past Sedalia and near Brightwood Inn, you will find suburbia encroaching. However, a property that dubs itself Peace Acres has carved out its own little slice of tranquility. England has Stonehenge, Guilford College has Stickhenge, and the family at 6474 Burlington Road has what you might call Zenhenge, a circular stack of boulders and rocks. Their cozy brick house sits back from the road and the above rocks distance the property from the road. We'd love to know the story behind this assemblage in the field! While these rocks are more stacked than balanced, did you know that rock balancing is considered an art form? If you know of any rock balancing efforts in Greensboro, please let us know. We'd love to get out and photograph them.

Happy Skywatch Friday folks. Greensboro is gearing up for Indian summer which should bring some beautiful skies and silhouettes. Have a great weekend dear readers. 

Fishing on Lake Higgins

This Great Blue Heron was spotted fishing on Lake Higgins. Success! Look closely and you will see a small fish in his beak. Lake Higgins is a 226- acre municipal reservoir just north of Greensboro in Summerfield. You can access it from Hamburg Mill Road.

The manmade lake was constructed in 1956. It was named after Vic Higgins who was a Greensboro city councilman in the mid-1950's. Lake Higgins even has a hatchery pond for catfish and trout, accommodating up to 6,000 at a time (reference)!  Thanks to the hatchery, is not only good fishing for birds but also for people! Boat, kayak, canoe rentals range from $10- 17 a day and are a great way to have some summer fun! Right now, the lake level is full, fishing is rated as "good" and the water temperature is about 88 degrees. 

Lake Higgins is closed on Mondays though so don't try scooting out there today! Here's to another great week in Greensboro.

Topsy Turvy Tomatoes

Do you plant tomatoes? What are your secrets? This year, we planted some tomatoes traditionally, in the ground around our patio; additionally, we planted two in topsy turvy containers (see above). Some people have great luck with these downward growing plants. However, for us the ones in the ground are thriving and the ones in the topsy turvy container seem to be in a downward spiral. You are supposed to water them daily and we suspect that precision watering is key. At about $15 a green pouch, plus the cost of the plant, we could buy a whole lot of tomatoes at our local farmers' markets for the price of this gardening mis-adventure.

We'll keep you posted on our little experiment in Greensboro, NC. How about letting us know what you are looking forward to from your garden. We try to plant only edibles and blueberries will be ready soon!

Ladybug Reminds Us, Life Is All Around

This is our second hydrangea photo in a week but we just can't resist sharing this little ladybug who was visiting us on the hydrangeas that refuse to open all the way. This is the time of year when something beautiful in nature presents itself with each new glance. Carrying your camera out to the garden pays off.

Ladybugs are actually in the beetle family. With over 5,000 species, these coccinellids are found worldwide. Four hundred and fifty species are native to North America alone. If you check the previous link, you will learn that the name actually comes from Mary, Jesus' mother, as the (European) ladybug-- featured above-- has a red cloak with seven spots, representing Mary's seven joys and seven sorrows. In the winter, ladybugs like to invade homes. Speaking of invading, Asian ladybugs are invading the USA and are causing concern with gardeners in the NC mountains (read here); however, so far in Greensboro, we seem relatively spared the recently imported ladybug. If you have ladybugs in your garden, they are helpful in reducing the aphid population. You can even purchase ladybugs for that purpose. Are you a ladybug lover? If so, head over to the Parisian Promenade at Tanger Bicentennial Garden from 1-5 and you'll be sure to see some nature, both real and recreated!

Hydrangea Haven.... or Heaven

Today, we head a few blocks north from yesterday's photo to the corner of Tate sand West Market Street. This hydrangea is as beautiful as specimens grown by members of the National Hydrangea Society. This blue mophead is taller than the porch rail and the scene looks like grandmother's porch down a quiet rural road. In actuality, the intersection is very busy. The wrap-around porch is part of a house known as the Kennedy Chase House. Two lawyers, Chut & Brackett, and Swaim Tax Accounting have their offices here. Formerly it was the law office Mike Barber who was also a city councilman. 

We drive past this thriving-- yet, likely neglected-- hydrangea and wonder why ours in the back yard has half-opened blooms and wilts at the drop of a hat. It seems like the most neglected hydrangeas are the hardiest. We do know that the blue ones have more aluminum in the soil that the pink ones.

If it stays this hot in Greensboro (96 degrees yesterday), we might have to go calling on this business with iced-tea in arm so that we can rest a spell and enjoy the beauty of these flowers. How is your luck with hydrangeas? We're headed to this website to learn a little more about them.

The Celebrated Sleeping Tree Frog of Guilford County

Of course today's title is a play on words from Mark Twain's 1865 short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Doing yard work this weekend, Mr. GDP had a saw in hand to cut this little branch when he noticed it was home to a gray tree frog. The gray tree frog is widespread throughout North Carolina; however, they aren't usually spotted, sleeping during the day. This one almost seemed to be semi-hibernating; however, he is gone today. As seen in this photo, gray tree frogs are good at camouflaging themselves. Changing color quickly and blending in are features for which they are famous. If you click through on the above-linked website, you can hear their call. As we typed this post, that exact noise filled our yard. We work very hard to keep our yard amphibian friendly, especially avoiding pesticides. See GDP's gray treefrog photo from last year, taken by chance (with nature's cooperation) on the same day of the year and posted a year and two days apart (here).

Read more under conservation if you want to know how pesticides can harm frogs (here). Finally, the following website is extremely informative if you want to know more about amphibians and reptiles of North Carolina (here). 

White Butterfly on Lavender

Here, we see a white butterfly, in flight, making a beeline for a clump of lavender. Small white butterflies are pretty to look at, but they are pests if you are trying to grow cabbage, mustard, or (it appears in this case) lavender. Widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa, it is said that white butterflies were an accidental import to the USA. They are the kudzu of the butterfly family-- pretty, but tenacious and distructive. Hardy beyond belief, white butterflies are the first to emerge and the last to go during the growing season.  The caterpillars are hard to find because they hide on the underside of leaves and munch away-- camouflaged.  On a positive note they are pollinators. This one, a female, was spotted in Greensboro yesterday.

Butterflies have great symbolism in religion, art, and literature and were even featured in Egyptian hieroglyphs over 3,000 years ago. If you are in the mood to learn a little more about them, Wikipedia is a good place to start!

AB SEED at Piedmont Triad Farmers' Market

Saturdays are a perfect time to catch up on yard work and AB SEED at the Piedmont Triad Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge is a great place to go to kick start your yardening. In addition to great plants, they also specialize in fountains and other hardscaping. AB SEED, formerly known as Summit Lawn and Garden, has been open since 1956. However, stuck in the 20th century they are not! In addition to their main website, AB SEED has a blog and a Facebook page.

On the checkout counter, front row center at AB SEED, is one of their store kitties. He is basking in the comfort of a box and in the affection of an associate. Usually, cats meander through the plants, pavers, and pebbles daring voles & mice to enter the property. As seen in the photo above, mid-day is prime NAPTIME for the feline friends. They should add to the back of their t-shirts: Compost, plants and napping cats-- happen.... here!

If we get a chance, we'll link this to Camera Critters.

End of School Year

We're entering that season where the end of the school year is upon us. Today's photo was taken at a chorus concert in the auditorium at Page High School.  Concert season is winding down and, in North Carolina, end-of-grade tests are revving up. High school students are preparing for exams and final projects. Prom dresses are flying off the shelf. Most seniors know what university they will attend in the fall. It is a time of hopes and dreams.

Special opportunities, like the performing arts event event featured above, are so important for motivating students, for helping them feel connected to their community, and for building memories. Let's hope that budget cuts for pubilc eduation won't be excessively severe so that students can continue to receive a well-rounded education. Whitney Houston sang it best, "I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way." Our school district has 26 high schools and one of the lowest drop out rates in the nation. With so many special programs in our high schools, there is literally something for everyone. Please leave a few words of encouragement and wisdom for this hardworking Graduating Class of 2011. Sitting here, daydreaming, we can almost imagine seniors walking across that stage.

 

Ajuga Ground Cover

On the edge of the forest floor grows a dense carpet of ajuga. Also known as bugleweed, this purple ground cover is quite hardy as it tolerates shade as well as sun.  One of the best things about the bluish-purplish flowers is that deer don't bother them and, in suburban Guilford County, deer-proof is IMPORTANT. As an added bonus, bumblebees seem to love it. Mr. GDP is so excited for the ajuga to be spreading in our back yard, he mows around it. Mrs. GDP sees ajuga as an invasive non-edible weed but tolerates it for the purple spikes. Perhaps we should package the ajuga and sell it at the farmers' market. In our efforts to reduce the amount of lawn needing mowing, ajuga serves a useful purpose. What are your thoughts on ground cover?

Eric Tenin (Paris Daily Photo), the original City Daily Photo blogger loves to photograph from high and low perspectives. The technique is actually named for him. Inspired by Eric, we placed the camera on the ground to snap this one. Whether you take photos, teach school, run a business, or manage a household, try looking at life from a different point of view.

The Yin and Yang of Daily Living

As our faithful readers know, on Fridays, we usually participate in Skywatch Friday, showing you a little slice of the sky above Greensboro. This week, we share a sight that has been fairly typical this spring. To the north, you see a dark, foreboding sky. To the east, and off on the horizon, you see the sky breaking open with sunny, blue and white warmth. Cold/warm, wet/dry, destructive winds/calm air; Just when you think you can put your wool sweaters away, you need to dig them back out. Just when you think the April showers are behind you, you need your umbrella.

Spring 2011 in Greensboro has been characterized by weather extremes.  The Chinese explain this with yin/yang, asserting the polar and opposite forces in nature are interconnected, giving rise to each other. The dichotomy is not as much good and bad as it is a balanced, mutual whole. The plant grows so that it can bloom and produce and then it falls to the earth awaiting a new cycle. So, as we enter the weekend, regardless of the weather, ponder how it fits with the balanced whole. As for the yin/yang of daily living, life is usually easier towards the center of the continuum, as opposed to listing at one of the extremes. Here's to a balanced, Mother's Day Weekend, celebrating mom if she is living in the lower half of the photo and remembering her fondly if she has already drifted to the upper half.

One More for the Road

We just can't get yesterday's featured street, Pamlico Drive, out of our head. This photo was taken in front of the white fence in yesterday's yard across the street (here). Can you imagine being in this white house and looking out to see these flowers in all their glory? Can you imagine tending your roses and looking up to see that crisp-as-linen white house? Reciprocal beauty is the ultimate in neighborly love. You keep your home and garden beautiful for me and I'll do the same for you. 

In preparing a second post on Pamlico Drive, the play on words, "One More for the Road" came to mind. Granted, the song is a sad saloon song; however, it evokes the beauty of the voices of Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Billy Holiday. The song was originally written for the 1943 movie, The Sky's the Limit, a contemporary of this little, white house, built in 1947. Do you think maybe a soldier returning from World War II, bought this house for his new family with money loaned to him through the G.I. Bill? 

Hats off to Pamlico, and, one more for the road!

P is for Pamlico Drive

It is ABC Wednesday and "P" is for "Pamlico Drive." The Pamlico were Native American people from North Carolina who spoke Carolina Algonquain. The Pamlico lived at the the coast, along the Pamlico River. Pamlico County, one of North Carolina's 100 counties, is a bio-diverse area with hardwood and pine forests, open sound water and marshlands (reference).  

Today's featured house is at the corner of Pamlico and Whilden Place, in the Lake Daniel neighborhood. Pamlico parallels Westover Terrace. If you walked behind this home a couple of blocks, you would be at Grimsley High School. This yard may well be the blue ribbon winner on the street; however, most of the residents take their gardening seriously. While the Pamlico population was almost gone by the early 1800's, were its members to see this yard in all of its blooming glory, we're betting they would be proud of their namesake street.

If we counted on the map correctly, there are 266 streets in Greensboro starting with the letter "P." We featured Pamlico Drive today at the request of another Greensboro blogger, Abandoning Eden, who lives on the street. At present, "Q" is up for grabs for next week. Let us know if you have any ideas for a Greensboro street to feature! In the meantime, view "A-O" here.

Going, Going, Soon-to-be Gone

Across the street from yesterday's "Martha Stewart green" church/house on Horse Pen Creek Road, you see the following: an approximately 1,200 square ft. flat-roofed, square, brick house, sitting on a little over an acre of land-- prime real estate. The property recently sold and has the BIG Z in the yard. Of course the BIG Z stands for the zoning meeting that must take place to rezone this house for another purpose. We'd love to know what it will become. Properties on Horse Pen Creek are being rezoned right and left for businesses, schools, churches, apartment complexes, sports facilities, and even a fire station.

Perhaps we should go to the zoning hearing on May 9th at 5:30 pm to learn more about Case Z-11-05-002. Perhaps we should just wait and see what this duck-out-of-water will become. In the words of Doris Day, "Que será, será/whatever will be will be" which, coincidentally was first published in the year this house was built, 1956. If you've got 2 minutes, follow the link and watch Day's peppy performance, here. In the meantime, we're going to observe that glorious tree with the big hole in it and to the right of the house. Surely, at night, when traffic dies down, a raccoon family hops out to peruse the neighborhood! Anybody got a critter relocation service?

Finding Beauty Where You Least Expect It

In Greensboro, Sunday was glorious. The sun was shining; the air was warm and breezy. Many business were closed; families were together and the streets were noticeably still.  After the Easter services, picnic shelters were filled with large, extended families enjoying a day at the park together. As parents prepared picnic food, children were playing tag and riding bikes. How can you top such a beautiful day? 

Late afternoon, we went for a walk through Fisher Park, happening upon a lovely rose bush. The sun was perfect for photographing its blooms. First, we took pictures of its fresh rosebuds and roses at peak. Then, we noticed the stem above, with just two petals hanging on and a dried center.  L.H. Bailey in his 1925 "Manual of Gardening," reminds us, "The satisfaction of a garden does not depend on the area, nor, happily, on the cost or rarity of the plants. It depends on the temper of the person. One must first seek to love plants and nature, and then to cultivate the happy peace of mind that is satisfied with little" (p. 1).

For our friends at Mellow Yellow Monday, is this rose half alive or half dead?

Gateway Gardens and University Research Park

After nearly a decade in the planning, Gateway Gardens is a reality. It is located on 11 acres of land between East Lee and Florida Streets adjacent to Barber Park.  Greensboro Beautiful, the non-profit that brought Greensboro the Bog and Bicentennial Gardens and the Arboretum, brings us Gateway Gardens. They do so, in collaboration with Greensboro's Parks and Recreation Department, as well as with the help of many private citizens. The above entrance from the parking lot is a mere prelude to the colorful, child-friendly space that blends local artwork, especially sculpture, with beautiful flora and walking trails. There is an outdoor classroom as well an many places to sit along the way. We will feature other views on Greensboro Daily Photo this week.

If you look closely at the building in the center of this photo, you will see yet another exciting venture for Greensboro. NCA&T and UNCG, the two North Carolina state universities located in Greensboro, have entered into a joint venture to build Gateway University Research Park. Anticipated to open later this year, the 64 million dollar facility will house the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, one of North Carolina's most exciting 21st century initiatives. For sure, the school will attract students from around the world who are interested in pursuing Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in the nanotechnology fields. In the meantime, with the Gateway Gardens, Gateway University Research Park and Barber Park, East Greensboro will be quite an amazing GATEWAY to the Gate City. If you have about 9 minutes, we highly recommend you watch the video clip put together about the Gateway Gardens project (read/view here). If you are interested in the Gateway Research Park, read/view here.