Greensboro Daily Photo

We Are All ALIKE We are all DIFFERENT

This weekend, on an urban walk along Spring Garden Street, the above plants were spotted near Spring Garden Street on Holliday Drive, just behind Spring Garden Bakery. They are the same plant, but at very different stages of growth. The purple one is drying up, the yellowish one is younger. They reminded us of the juvenile non-fiction book, written in 1991, by Cheltenham (PA)  Elementary School. The book about culture, diversity, and individuality is aptly titled, "We Are All Alike We Are All Different. It reminds us of the importance of embracing diversity. 

Last night, a candlelight vigil was held in Greensboro to mourn the violence in Charlottesville and to stand in solidarity for social justice. Look at how much prettier this photo is with the two flowers being completely different colors. They are alike; they are different- just like us.

Each year, Greensboro becomes increasingly diverse. The website of the City of Greensboro has the following population data: White 44.2%, Black 41.1, Hispanic 7.8, Asian 4.0, and the other categories making up a few percent* Working together, embracing differences, and treating each other with dignity, will be what it takes to thrive in the 21st century. These are serious times.

* reference.

 

Miniature Horses

Greensboro and Guilford County are known for having horses. We are one of the State's counties with the most horses. The above photo was taken just outside Greensboro, near Oak Ridge, on a farm where they have miniature horses, at Westergaard Kennels and Dog Boarding. In addition to raising golden retrievers and boarding dogs, the kennel also raises miniature horses on their 15 acres.

It is hard to tell the above horses are not full sized, as there is nothing to reference, other than the fact they are shorter than the fence. They are usually about 3 feet tall or less. Miniature horses can live up to about 35 years; so, if you get one, you are committing to a pet that will span generations. Miniature horses tend to be friendly and interact well with people.  The photo below features one that really tried to befriend us. 

Tobacco Field

In North Carolina, tobacco has been a successful cash crop and central to our state's agricultural history. In North Carolina, tobacco growing dates back to the mid 1600s, as it was one of the few crops that grew well in the dry, sandy soil. The above field is an example of soil quality the Sandhills and even here, in the Piedmont. The above tobacco is planted out West Market Street, near the Guilford/Forsyth County line. 

Over the past decades, North Carolina has been moving away from its agricultural industry, with more emphasis on the industrial and service oriented sectors. There was a day when virtually every community in Greensboro, and the surrounding areas, had parcels of land planted in tobacco. Now, the crop is not nearly as easy to find and employment in tobacco. Between 1992 and 2012, employment in the tobacco industry has declined by almost 50%*

As you can see from the above photo and the insert below, tobacco ripens from the bottom up. The bottom leaves have already turned yellow. If you want the leaves to grow larger and thicker, you need to cut off the flowers before they open. Trimming directs the energy to other parts of the plant. Most North Carolina children who live on tobacco farms have had the chore of working the fields and helping in the process. The tobacco in the photo has a lot of flower buds.

This weekend would be a good one to take a drive around the rural parts of Greensboro to look for tobacco fields, old tobacco barns, and other traces of our agricultural history.

 

*reference, here.

Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtle is a beautiful tree/shrub and has been especially popular on the suburban lots of Greensboro. There was a time in the 1990s when virtually every new home came with a crepe myrtle bush as part of the landscaping. Many crepe myrtle never reach full height as they get brutally lopped off. The above crepe myrtle has reached tree height, growing well above the roofline on this suburban lot.

As you can see, where there is a crepe myrtle in bloom, there is a mess. Those blooms shower anything and everything in their path. The crinkled, crepe-like flowers keep blooming all summer. In the fall, the tiny leaves take on a showy display of color before they... you guessed it... drop, all over driveways, vehicles, gutters, rooftops and anything else in their path. The blooms of white crepe myrtle resemble snow. 

While native to the Indian subcontinent, they sure find themselves at home in Greensboro. 

Sunflower

From Tuscany and Provence to the Biltmore Estate, to the Triad, and the rest of the sunflower-growing world, sunflowers exude warmth and happiness. The above sunflower was photographed on a front lawn on Joyner Street in College Hill. As you can see, it has not yet gone to seed. Once the center pod turns to seed, you know summer is fleeting. Right now, the heads of the sunflowers on Joyner Street are still perky and perfectly formed. As they mature, they will droop to protect the seeds from the elements. Eventually, they will turn brown and dry out, but the seeds will be tasty.

If you go to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, you will see a field of sunflowers, a contrast from the formal gardens. Biltmore has over 100 acres dedicated as a wildlife food plot and the sunflower garden is a large part of that garden. Bumblebees, songbirds and doves are especially attracted to sunflowers. If you plant sunflowers in your yard, you will bring so much joy to not only wildlife but to people like us, who walk around looking for signs of Greensboro's seasonal beauty. If you get a chance, drive around the block from South Mendenhall and Joyner Street and see some beautiful old homes and nice flower gardens. This sunflower will be waiting for you (and the birds)! Happy Friday!

 

Flowers in Lindley Park

The south end of Lindley Park backs up to Spring Garden Street and extends to Holden Road. The above photo features a gentleman watering the cone flowers around the sidewalk at the part of Lindley Park near the entrance sign on Willowbrook Drive. The view is beautiful at this bend. And on sunny days, butterflies, bees, and birds, can be seen enjoying this flower garden.

The founder of Lindley Park, John Van Lindley (1838- 1918) was a pomologist and nursery person. He owned over 900 acres in this part of town and just west of here, before it was incorporated into Greensboro, when it was known as Pomona. He also donated 60 acres for a recreation complex, which is located near the above photo. At one time, Mr. Van Lindley had over 22,000 customers in his nursery business. He had more customers than Greensboro had residents at that time. Were he alive today, he would be proud of the unidentified gentleman above who is working hard to ensure the neighborhood flora thrives! You have to admire the fact that he is watering by hand, being careful not to waste any water.

Stop back by in the fall. Once these coneflowers go to seed, goldfinches will be plentiful.

BY THE WAY: Stop at the Corner Market this Saturday morning (at the corner of Walker and Elam) and kids will be able to make slime. They are calling it Slime Day. Lindley Park is always doing something fun! You can shop for flowers, produce, arts and crafts, while the kids are making slime!

Twilight

Twilight, after a rain, when it is bright but not sunny, can lead to a sky full of the most beautiful blues. The above photo was taken at Jefferson Village last week after a rain. The skies were clear and dramatic. On a night like the one above, it would not be usual to see fireflies in Greensboro. Did you know that temperature affects the number of flashes per second? The lights in the parking lot look like giant fireflies. The week after the Fourth of July in Greensboro can be pretty quiet with many people away on vacation. If you are in town, we hope you will find something creative and fun to do. The News & Record newspaper, the O. Henry Magazine, and Go Triad are three good places to start to get an idea of what is happening around town. Then again, we can all make our own fun. Consider organizing a picnic in one of our local parks. If you are trying to be more mindful and calm your mind, remember Meditation at noon tomorrow at Church of the Covenant at the corner of South Mendenhall and Walker Avenue.

Regardless of what you do, please get outside; walk around the block or visit a park. Truly, it is hard to improve on nature- especially dusk in Greensboro this time of year.

Provincetown Court at New Irving Park

Provincetown is a neighborhood in New Irving Park, just north of Cone Boulevard and east of North Elm Street. It is one of those communities built in the 1990's. The houses average from 4,000 to 6,000 sq. feet. Both the houses and yards in this neighborhood are well maintained. The above photo features a flower display located at the entrance to the neighborhood. In the sun, these plants simply glow. A lovely entrance,  such as this one, helps maintain property values. After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression and this impression is impressive!

Below, you will see a few more examples of the entrance. Greensboro is lucky that so many residents adore plants. If the entrance to your neighborhood could using sprucing up, consider taking the initiative to drum up volunteers to make it look like you want. Happy Tuesday!

Lake Higgins

Lake Higgins, one of Greensboro's reservoir lakes, is beautiful from the bridge on Carlson Dairy. It is calm and empty in the above photo, just as it would be if you drove by today. The lake is closed on Mondays. Perhaps the wildlife needs a day of rest.  However, on other days, if you paddle board or kayak, fish, picnic, and so much more. Lake Higgins is a fine place to visit on Tuesday through Sunday. You can even rent a lost of equipment there.

We've heard that Lake Higgins may even gain a rowing program. The sport has really gained momentum in the Greensboro/High Point area. We hope rowing remains strong in Greensboro. And, the more the merrier. If Greensboro gains another rowing team, Lake Higgins would be a great place to have it. Happy Monday. Today is one of the longest days of the year. It would be nice if you could get out and enjoy the extra hours of daylight.

Walk the Dog

Greensboro has lots of greenway and walking trails and there are plenty of places to walk dogs. Research shows that people with dogs walk more and walking is good for your health. With all of the rain we've had lately, as you can see, it is quite green and lush in Greensboro.

The above man seems to be enjoying his walk along the edge of the golf course at Carlson Dairy Road. This course is the farm course of the Greensboro Country Club and it is also the location where they host swim meets. If you do have a chance to walk with your canine companion, please take a doggie bag to clean up after they use the bathroom. If you look closely, the above leash actually has a case for little bags attached to the handle. 

 

Name That Caterpillar

Summer is a great time for yard work, enjoying nature, and spending time outside. In Greensboro, there are many opportunities to play outdoors.*  The more time you spend outside the more likely you are to uncover interesting things in nature. Today, when moving the base of a birdbath, we happened first upon a nest of ant eggs and then the above caterpillar. The caterpillar was very static and lethargic. Perhaps it was getting ready to change into a moth. Do you have any idea what it is? If our internet search proves true, it is a "Schizura leptinoides"  and it will morph in to an equally unattractive moth! Such is the potential for summer adventures. You start the day never anticipating you will uncover a caterpillar that you have never seen before. Before we went back inside, we saw a tiny praying mantis. Hopefully the praying mantis will stick around long enough for us to get a good photo.

Even if you aren't going on vacation this summer, with these extended hours of daylight, you can have a fabulous stay-cation right here in Greensboro. Let us know if you uncover something interesting. The caterpillar looks like something that would appear in a Pixar animated film.

Happy Thursday!

*Learn more about opportunities for summer fun, (here) at the City of Greensboro's website.

Magnolia Blossom

The June 1st theme for the City Daily Photo sites is "nature" and we've uploaded one of Greensboro's mighty magnolia blossoms for the world to see. At the moment, they are blooming all around town and the scent is heavenly. This ornamental, evergreen tree is especially popular in the American southeast and widely cultivated in warmer climates around the world. They can grow to 90 feet tall and the blossoms can grow to the size of a dinner plate. If you have a magnolia in your yard, you may notice an increase in the beetle population. Beetles pollinate this flower that has been around since before bees existed. That's pretty old.

The blossoms only last a day, but, if you are having an event in your home, if you pick them just before the event, their fragrance will fill your house with a lovely scent. They are fun to photograph and to draw. We're glad we took this photo yesterday because last night's pelting rain was pretty hard on them. Happy June 1st; go here to see some great nature shots around the world in the CDP Nature Theme Day..

From Amphibians to Friendly Frogs to Other Critters

Well, it has been raining cats and dogs in Greensboro this week. When you can't get outside to enjoy nature, it is nice to have nature come to you. During these rains, a little frog came to visit us on our back door. He was glued to the glass, waiting for bugs to hop by. The frogs are loving this rain.

Thinking of frogs reminds us that Greensboro has a great community pool with a summer swim team, the Friendly Frogs. If you are looking for some good, clean, summer fun for the whole family, consider joining one of Greensboro's many swim and tennis clubs. The Friendly Frogs are located at 2215 Mimosa Drive, right beside Friendly Center and Cone Health-Wesley Long Hospital. Swim practice has already started for the Friendly Frogs, but it wouldn't be too late to join. If you become a Friendly Frog, you will forever associate summer swimming with the tiny green amphibians. If their pool isn't convenient, you can become a Dolphin, Gator, Hornet, Marlin, Lizard, Elk, Tigershark, Piranha, Bear, Hammerhead, or more! All of the CSA teams provide great exercise and team building activities.

We love watching all of the teams; however, we're hoping one of those other CSA mascots doesn't attach itself to our door! (Well, maybe a lizard would be OK).

 

The Sierra Club

The Sierra Club of Greensboro is working diligently to clean up the stream that flows by the Yanceyville Curb Market. In the above photo, you can see a member who was removing garbage last Saturday. Greensboro is part of the Piedmont Plateau Group (PPG)  of the Sierra Club. The PPG Group was founded in 2013, but the organization dates back to 1892 when it was founded by John Muir. They have several events coming up in June and, if you are interested, see here. 

If you are looking for a great way to spend time outside and to make a difference, the Sierra Club is a great place to start. The Sierra Club advocates for exploring, enjoying, and protecting the planet together. It is an organization multiple levels of commitment. You can do something specific like help clean a stream, on an ongoing basis; or, you can find something almost every day to do to help the group impact the environment positively. It is so rewarding to chart the progress of the stream in front of the curb market. It now has more native plantings around it; a path is in process; and they will likely to get a bench to sit and appreciate the improvements of this little stream that is said to originate downtown, from a spring located under the International Civil Rights Museum.

If you see Vance at the Yanceyville Curb Market (photographed below)  ask him about how you can become involved in this very worthy organization.  

Lake Higgins

Lake Higgins, a 226-acre municipal reservoir,  was beautiful and tranquil today. The lake is closed to the public on Mondays and so paddleboat, kayaks, and fishermen had to seek recreation elsewhere. The above photo was taken from the bridge at Carlson Dairy, facing east. While it is over a month until summer, based on the above photo, it's beginning to look a lot like summer in Greensboro. With temperatures like yesterday, in the 80's, beach weather is upon us.

While Lake Higgins is the smallest of Greensboro's three lakes (Higgins, Townsend, Brandt), the fishing is spectacular. The second and fourth Wednesdays, they offer night access to the lake. Mark your calendar for May 24th and head out for an aquatic adventure. If there are teens in your life, Lake Higgins has an Xtreme Teen Adventure Week from July 10- 14th (see more, here).  We hope you have an opportunity to breathe some fresh air and enjoy Greensboro's lakes this summer- maybe even at night!

 

It's Peony Time in Greensboro!

It is peony time in Greensboro. There are about 30 species of this herbaceous, perennial plant, but it only takes one in your yard to bring joy to your kitchen table. These late spring, early summer flowers are not hard to grow, once you find a place where they are happy. We talked to an older woman with peonies in her yard that are over 100 years old. They have been blooming faithfully for a century on her family's property. Her grandmother's instructions, to which she diligently adheres,  were to never allow anybody to disturb the roots and, in late fall, to cut the stems back to the ground. Their family "recipe" seems to have been successful and their plants continue to thrive.

This traditional floral symbol of China is found in many colors and many different versions. The Wrenn family in Greensboro offers four varieties to ship out to you from their peony farm, The Peony Patch (more, here). The Wrens have been growing peonies for about twenty years. We can only imagine the aroma walking through their garden. You can also find peonies places like Fresh Market if you want to have them immediately.

We hope you find some time this weekend, to stop and smell the... peonies.

Fallen Tree & More Rain

In the past seven days in the Greensboro area, it has rained almost seven inches. When it rains so much in a short period of time, the soil gets soft and soggy and trees become vulnerable. Leaves retain moisture and get a lot heavier; roots loosen. The above photo features a fallen tree at a house in High Point on Ferndale Boulevard, across from High Point Central High School. The owners were working to cut the limbs into manageable pieces so that they could be hauled away. It appears that, fortunately, the house was spared. We didn't get a chance to ask our friend who teaches there if school traffic was affected.

Did you know there is a South Atlantic Water Science Center in North Carolina? They have a precipitation gauges throughout the state, including one at Horse Pen Creek at US 220. See here, if you want to keep up with "real time" rainfall near you. Somehow, we think the young couple in the yard above are more concerned about getting that tree out of their yard than they are about how much rain fell. 

Today and Sunday it is not scheduled to rain; however, it is on Saturday and Monday. Monday is May first. We'll all be ready to say goodbye to April showers and hello to May flowers. Wouldn't it be nice if somebody would leave some flowers at this couple's front entrance. They could use a little encouragement. This has been quite a lot of work for them!

Robin Redbreast

Little robin redbreast sat upon a tree; First he chirped and sang, and then he had to flee.

Robins are known for being a portent of spring. These migratory songbirds are one of the first signs, from the animal kingdom, that weather is warming and days are getting longer. Robins (turdus migratorius) are also one of the first species to lay eggs in spring and can have as many as three brooding seasons. Only 25% of robins survive their first year. On average robins live two years, with fourteen years being the longest known lifespan (Wikipedia). The robin is one of 309 species of birds in Guilford County (see the other 308 species, here).

Their original habitat was the coniferous forest; however they are now well adapted to suburban lawns. If you see them in your yard, smile, be thankful, and try to keep predators away from those pretty blue eggs. The above robin posed for us in a tree at the corner of Elam and West Market Street.

If you like haiku, here are several haiku about robins.

Green Acres

These cows, north of Greensboro and Stokesdale, just off Highway 220, were pretty unimpressed to have people driving down their road. It was a beautiful day and they were more interested in eating and resting than entertaining humans with cameras. So much of Greensboro has been developed, it is easy to forget our rural roots and the fact that there are still plenty of working farms near our community. Currently about 150 parcels of land and property are available in Guilford County. Perhaps most shocking of all is 16.74 acres on Horse Pen Creek Road is currently listed at $1,240,000. If you are looking for investments, it looks like property just might be the answer. Land around town is going fast and we just might need to tell the cows to moooo-ve over, here come the people.

We hope you are gearing up for first Friday and all of the events happening this weekend. One tremendously popular event is the International Festival on UNCG's campus. Check Go Triad, one of the best ways to keep up with events in our community. How do you stay informed about what is going on? The cows know... but they're not telling. We showed this photo to a francophile friend and she said, it is as if the above cows are saying, "Kiss my Dairy-erre." Forgive the potty humor and happy Thursday!

The Rainbow Stops Here!

Parts of Greensboro experienced strong rains Thursday night and they continued into Friday. Today's photo was taken from Mill Street yesterday afternoon at around 4:00 pm When we entered the Starbucks at that corner, it was raining. Upon leaving a few minutes later, the eastward sky was filled with sun and a rainbow. It was still dark and wet to the west. We were struck by the billboard message about diabetes and the fact that the rainbow seemed to cut through the sign. Should we interpret that image as a sigh that beauty will trump the horrors of diabetes?

Today is April 1st, meaning it is time for Theme Day with the City Daily Photo community. This month's theme is wet. You know where there are rainbows, there is water. Yes, it was very wet to the west. Whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere, may your weekend be filled with rainbows and joy.

See the CDP "wet" photos around the world, here.

Blossoms

It has been eleven days since we've featured spring blossoms on Greensboro Daily Photo. We'd like to share the above photo today because the rain this weekend, combined with the warm weather, really helped Greensboro start looking like spring. Last year, a late freeze, killed many blooms. This year, even the dogwoods are blossoming. This is the time of year where yards look different almost daily.

The above photo was taken on Jefferson Road near Temple Emanuel. The pink blossoms in the foreground really stand out against the blanket of yellow forsythia. When trees and flowers are blossoming, they bring so much joy to not just the owners, but everyone who drives by. If you are in Greensboro, now is the perfect time to drive through older, established neighborhoods like Old Irving Park, where great effort is put into keeping the landscape beautiful. Also, consider visiting our public areas like the Arboretum, the Bog Garden, and Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden. Happy Spring!

A Great Day to Be Outdoors

In Greensboro, today will be a great day to spend out of doors. Perhaps you can do yard work, help a neighbor outside, or enjoy one of our city's many trails or participate in sports. In the above photo, three golfers are on the putting green at the Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club. The photo was taken on Francisco Drive and shows that Greensboro actually has some change in elevation. Around our lakes, it is a little hilly. If you are on the above golf course, you really experience the hills.

On maps, Greensboro is recorded as being 892 feet above sea level.  The highest point in North Carolina is 6,687 feet at Mount Mitchell; the lowest point is sea level, at the shore; and, the average elevation is 700 feet. So, in Greensboro, we can proudly boast being above average. The standard par for a golf course is 72 and the average golfer shoots 100, in which case, at least in golf, we aspire to be below average. Finally, the average high temperature for March 25th in Greensboro is the mid-60's and today is predicted to be in the 70's. Indeed, it will be a great day to be outside.

Blossomtime...

With temperatures dipping to the 20s this week, Greensboro will be lucky if tree fruits aren't affected. We wanted to sneak in another photo of blossoms before they are gone. It is not uncommon for Greensboro to see ice storms as late as the ACC Basketball Tournament (currently underway). Old Man Winter was hardly around this year; to see him return in mid-March, with the spring equinox only four days away, seems pretty cruel. Unfortunately, the ACC Tournament is not in Greensboro this year. The tournament, born in Greensboro, is scheduled to return here in 2020. Let's all start planning ahead and show fans and players how wonderful it is to play basketball here. Perhaps we should fill the Coliseum with blossoms!

At any rate, the blossom photo proves the blossoms were beautiful in Greensboro this year. If you like to take this kind of nature photography, The National Park Service is predicting cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. will reach peak between March 19-22. This pesky cold weather is delaying their arrival, which was originally anticipated to be March 14-17.  Perhaps we should count our blessings that we have blossoms and time to enjoy them, regardless of when they come our way. Happy Thursday.

 

Spring on Oak Ridge Road

This beautiful view is found on Highway 150, very near Oak Ridge Military Academy. En route to ORMA to photograph Linville Capel for GDP this past weekend, we about skidded off the highway upon seeing these beautiful forsythia in full bloom. One forsythia alone is beautiful, but when you see a string of five framed by a gravel, country road, the scene is heavenly. The Carolina blue sky, the red-budding bushes, and the curvy, old tree branches made the scene complete. Nature is so beautiful, especially when we make a little effort to landscape, using plants that vary in color, texture, and size.

The North Carolina State Beekeepers Association keeps track of what is blooming when in North Carolina; by region.* You may not be happy to hear this, but dandelions are scheduled to bloom in Greensboro this week. Keep in mind, bees need Dandelion flowers and, from the roots to the blooms, every single part of this pesky garden weed is edible. Just maybe you can tolerate them in your yard. If you harvest dandelions, please eat and drink them! Save a glass of dandelion root tea for us! As for those forsythia blossoms; yes, they are edible- somewhat bitter, but edible. Save a serving of forsythia blossom salad for us, too!

* bookmark this great site.

Springtime in Greensboro

Spring in Greensboro is heralded by bursts of color sometimes vibrant and sometimes subtle. In the above photo, magenta, tulip-magnolia blossoms were opening in the warmth of dappled sunlight, against a cornflower blue sky. Petals were opening before our eyes. The blossom's fuzzy sepal is a tiny reminder of the delicate textures of spring. This seasonal beauty is fleeting and meant to be enjoyed out of doors and at close range. Changes are observed daily. 

If you live in Greensboro, or anywhere with four distinct seasons, we hope you find time to explore the joys of spring. Document it in a journal; write a poem; snap a few photos. However, know that no photograph can replicate the magical feeling of being enveloped by new life. 

Indeed, spring is a time of rebirth.

A Tale of Two Seasons

Today's photo shows how, in Greensboro, winter is still officially in full swing and spring is already well on its way. To the right are some poinsettias that are lingering from the Christmas holidays. To the left, daffodils are cheerfully invading the landscape; all, under a February, Carolina-blue sky. Yesterday's weather reached the mid- 60s and today, it may well be in the mid 70s. Let's hope that the temperatures don't dip to freezing any more, or many of our fruit buds may be killed.

Over the past week, there has been an increase in airborne pollen, especially from trees. If you find yourself sneezing, that could be the reason. Greensboro in springtime is about the most beautiful place on earth, when the wild and cultivated fields are at their best. However, it is also peak allergy season, making it, as Dickens would say, the best of times and the worst of times. And, it does seem like spring will be early this year. Greensboro gardeners, did you finish your winter pruning?

Happy Valentine's Day 2017

Happy Valentine's Day from Greensboro, North Carolina.

Locally, temperatures have been unseasonably warm this week. By day, temperatures have ranged from the 40's-80's. By night, they are averaging from just below freezing up to the 40's. Trees are starting to bud and the treasured colors of spring are popping up all around Greensboro. According to the calendar of the Cooperative Extension at N.C. State, in this region, February is prime time to prune fruit trees to ensure the best fruit production. However, pruning now seems almost too late as some trees in full bloom.

As a matter of fact, if you haven't already purchased flowers for your special Valentine, you still have time to head outside and cut some fresh buds. If you want something more conventional, try one of our locally owned florists, like Scrugg's Florist. They been serving Greensboro for over 60 years.

Penguin Time

The temperature in Greensboro was in the 20's last night; not as cold as other parts of North Carolina, but cold enough. The above scene evokes winter: chilly-blue walls and perky penguins. The photo was taken at feeding time at the African penguin exhibit at the Greensboro Science Center. If you love penguins, you can actually sign up for an opportunity to go behind the scenes and watch them be fed. They are an endangered species and the science center helps with conservation efforts.

On the day we visited, several school groups were on site and the penguins captivated them. Seeing the children so engaged in learning reminded us of all the great resources we have in our community. While school groups won't be there today, The Greensboro Science Center is open today from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm. We have found that the earlier you arrive, the more opportunities you will have to see animals being fed. If you are looking for an educational adventure, a place to get in out of the cold, or a place for great photos. Whatever you decide, where ever you are, have a memorable day!

In Summerfield

The stark winter landscape can be hauntingly beautiful. The above photo was taken of an old country property in Summerfield, not too far from Summerfield Farms on Pleasant Ridge Road. The empty building seems to accentuate the trees without leaves. Summerfield is an area northwest of Greensboro, consisting of about 27 acres and approximately 11,000 people. The community is completely within Guilford County and the students attend the Northwest Schools.

Summer field is known for its horse farms and wooded countryside interspersed with residential neighborhoods. The community has an Historical Committee as well as a Trails and Open Space Committee. Both groups work very hard to ensure that Summerfield has plenty of green space and areas for public enjoyment. If you are looking for something peaceful this weekend, plan to drive around in Summerfield.  We hope to take the same photo in about three months, when the trees will be in full foliage, the grass will be greener, and our community will be in bloom.

Fishing on Lake Higgins

The lone angler above was recently fishing on Lake Higgins. The day was cold and the starkness of the winter vegetation combined with the blue cast to the photo make the scene look even colder. According to the website of the City of Greensboro, the lake is stocked with bass, crappie, sunfish, trout, and catfish. Fishing is allowed from a boat or on the pier at the marina. At the fall bass tournament this past October, twenty-one anglers participated and the first place fish weighed 7.30 pounds. The spring tournament usually attracts a more people. If you are interested, start testing your equipment now and make sure you have found a few key fishing holes by early April.

This 226 acre reservoir is also a great spot for paddle boarding and kayaking. Greensboro is so lucky that the city maintains the reservoirs and provides access for the public at large. We're sure the man in the boat would attest to the peacefulness of fishing after a long week at work.

This Is Horse Country

In the Greensboro area, beauty abounds. On a recent, sunny, winter day, we drove on Highway 220 from Greensboro to the Stokesdale area. Once off the beaten path, we saw many scenes like the one above. The white horse was as curious about us as we were about her. The other horses were perfectly content to graze in the back of the pasture. The feathery tree line framed the view.

Guilford County and the surrounding area are known for being horse country. If you are interested in horses visit the international online horse directory, O Horse. It lists local opportunities for therapeutic riding, boarding horses, horse breeding, riding camps, pony parties, massage therapy for horses, and so much more. If you want to see a great show, on March 4-5, the Greensboro Kickoff I & II Horse Show will be held at the Sedgefield Showgrounds on Groometown Road. 

Moon over Macy's

Yesterday there was a full moon and it was Friday the 13th. The above photo was actually taken at Friendly Center on Thursday at moonrise. We dubbed it, "Moon over Macy's" and noticed that the white vehicles mimicked the piles of snow that had only melted the previous day. This week, Greensboro temperatures ranged from single digits to 70 degrees. By Thursday, we were happy to be out shopping and dining.

Friendly Center opened in 1957 and  this shopping center remains popular with Greensboro shoppers. When Macy's closed its other Greensboro store in 2015, the above location continued to thrive. In the recent (2017) announcement of Macy's closing 68 stores nationwide, the Friendly Center Macy's survived the chopping block yet again. Hopefully, with the great location and loyal customers, Macy's at Friendly Center will be productive and remain open for a very long time. It is nice for a community to have a mix of locally-owned and chain stores. For now, the Greensboro Macy's can bask in the moonrise, knowing sunset was evaded!

Happy Saturday and remember, shopping brick and mortar keeps jobs in the community!

Sun & Snow

Somehow when the sun is out, a yard full of snow doesn't seem so cold. Yesterday, temperatures in Greensboro were below freezing and the eight inches of snow showed no signs of melting; yet, the glorious sun was shining. Regardless of your age, this is perfect play date weather. Since school is cancelled today, families are able to to head outside and sled to their heart's content. Road travel has been fairly easy on the main roads, but the side roads remain extremely icy and the sidewalks are dangerous, too. Education is important, but safety is even more important. With internet access, students have access to consider learning resources.

Playing in the snow can be so memorable. Given the Natural Learning Initiative* and the documented benefits of connecting children with nature, time spent traipsing around in the snow is time well spent. Another option with these cold temperatures is to make snow cream- a wintry, southern tradition. If you family doesn't already have a snow cream recipe, a great recipe is only a Google search away.

*See this resource from NC State.

Case of the Mystery Gummy Bears

Walking and running are activities conducive to getting lost in thought. Recently, when we saw this burst of Christmas color along the road in northwest Greensboro, we had no idea what it was. As we approached the scene, it soon became obvious they were gummy bears. We couldn't help but make up a little story about how they got there. We decided somebody, determined to eliminate junk food and sugar from their diet, tossed them out a car window. The bears seemed helpless and abandoned on the asphalt. 

Walking is great exercise, not only for the body, but also for the mind. You never know what you will see, think, and feel. Here is an infographic of 21 foreign words to describe sensations experienced in nature. You may have to endure some ads to see them, but the words are great. Our favorite for the gummy tale is the Finnish word, "Poronkusema", meaning "the distance reindeer can travel before needing to stop to rest and relieve themselves." Maybe the bears had simply reached their "poronkusema" limit! 

White Peacock

This white peacock lives at the Greensboro Science Center. He is simply stunning when you can get him to display his tail feathers. He is one of the few animals at the science center who is not caged or captured, per se. He is free to roam around the zoo part in the back of the facility and seems perfectly content to roam among the other creatures who live there. While, he is not particularly aggressive, guests are asked not to try to chase him or to pet him. He does, however, seem to like having his photo taken. 

The Greensboro Science Center, still located on Lawndale Avenue, is a fabulous place to visit any day of the year. If you have guests in town, and are looking for something to do this week, the Greensboro Science Center is a great option. Every year, the center gets bigger and better; and, the white peacock has been there to oversee it all. Since male peacocks have close to 200 tail feathers, let's say he salutes his home with a full 200-feather salute.

Tuxedo Trot

If you have some time off between now and the first of the year, and are looking for something to do, the Greensboro Science Center is a great option. The earlier you get there in the day, the more likely you are to see the animals in action. Yesterday, the above colony of penguins got fed at 10:00 am to the delight of the school children who were visiting with their teachers. The two young ladies in the above photo were masterful at making sure that each one of the African penguin got fed. African penguins are an endangered species and the Greensboro Science Center works hard to keep their penguins healthy and multiplying. As a matter of fact, rumor has it, baby penguins are currently in the works.

Here is some general information about the African penguins and how their numbers have declined over the last century. Learning about them may make you want to get involved in the conservation efforts. In May, the science center holds the Tuxedo Trot: A Run for the Penguins. This fundraiser is very popular in Greensboro as so many people here enjoy running as a sport. Finally, watching these flightless birds diving and playing in their tank will make it clear why the movie about emperor penguins is called "Happy Feet." May we all have happy feet at this busy time of year.

Let's Ride

The above horse lives in a pasture in northwest Guilford County. The equine industry in Greensboro is thriving and, in North Carolina, it is a 1.9 billion dollar business. Over 53,000 homes in our state own horses. There are over 306,000 equines, with a total of 2.1 million acres of land dedicated to the equine industry. At a count of 10,940, Guilford County's equine inventory is second only to that of Union County.* Locally, N.C. A&T University began an equine program in 2006. They have a judging and riding team and offer a certificate in equine management.

When horses cooperate, they are extremely photogenic. We like the focused gaze of the horse in front, as well as the white one in the back left corner of the photo. It is so peaceful to drive through the county admiring these beautiful creatures. If you like to ride, there are plenty of options around Greensboro. You may want to start by contacting the Equestrian Trails Alliance of Guilford County. Have a great Thursday!

*May, 2009 reference, here. 

Time for a Road Trip

Fall is a great time for festivals and heading to the mountains, especially in North Carolina. This fall, however, the raging forest fires in western North Carolina have made it difficult to camp out. With Greensboro, since our city is centrally located in the State, heading to the beach is always an option. The above Airstream camper is dwarfed by these mature trees at this suburban home northwestern Guilford County. Look at the size of that magnolia tree in the foreground. It has been said that you know you are in the south when the yard has magnolia, dogwood, crepe myrtle trees, with a touch of kudzu sneaking in.

If you live in Greensboro, and own an Airstream, you may want to consider joining Unit 161, the Piedmont North Carolina group of the Wally Bynam Caravan Club International (WBCCI). At their rallies, they have tours, potlucks, and fellowship around campfires-- and Airstreams. The local group was organized in 1976, and at last count, had 56 members. The club has ten officers and an historian and they pride themselves in service to others and fellowship among members. Stanford-educated Wally Bynam launched the first Airstream in 1936. He would be pleased to know that eighty years after the first riveted, bullet-shaped, aluminum Airstream was made, it still has a commanding presence on American highways.

In the middle of the above photo, in the blue sky section, you can see a squirrel's nest. Wonder if Mr. Squirrel is waiting for his chance to move into this Airstream for the winter. His back up plan is that big ole magnolia tree.

All Is Calm on Lake Jeanette

Today, our Spiritual Sunday post is a look at nature. We took the photo the day before Election Day 2016 and were struck by the sheer beauty of Lake Jeannette that morning. The leaves on the trees are past peak now, but the blue sky, reflecting an even deeper blue on the calm water evokes scripture. The fog had mostly lifted, but if you look at the water line, you will see the advection fog from the warmer air gliding over the colder water. May you have a wonderful Sunday, however you have decided to spend it. And, if you see this as a day of rest, add a few minutes appreciating the natural beauty of the world around us. On this day, we also saw deer. As they breathed out, fog billowed from their nostrils. Sometimes the simple things make our community beautiful. 

Greensboro's Autumn Trees

Autumn is such a glorious time of year. The above photo was taken this past weekend when we were out exploring the northwest corner of Guilford County. You can always count on maple trees to give you a cheerful burst of color. Usually, we take photos to document the people and places of Greensboro. Today's photo was meant to evoke mood, the way a beautiful day with sunshine and blue skies can make you feel. From the bright white garage door on the building in the background, to the almost black bark on the maple tree to all of the color popping off the page, the photo captures the feel of a beautiful day in Greensboro.

Take a few extra walks this week and weekend. It seems like we wait forever for fall color in the trees and with one heavy rain or strong wind, the leaves let go. Before we know it, they will be gone for the season. Yesterday, we saw a group of high school students out collecting leaves and one of the boys even knew how to put a small leaf between his thumbs and make a loud, whistling sound. How special to see teenagers enjoying nature. Naturalistic intelligence is now considered one of the multiple intelligences; a tool for identifying talents in children.* Consider heading to one of Greensboro's parks this weekend to notice the beauty of the world around them.

*Read more, here.