Greensboro Daily Photo

Sue Chen Playing the Chinese Dulcimer

Sue Chen, originally from Taiwan, is a graduate of the Beijing Language and Culture University in China. For several years, she has been a Mandarin language instructor in Greensboro. Ms. Chen is also very committed to teaching people about traditional Chinese culture, music and the history of the instruments used to play traditional Chinese music.  In the above photo, she is playing the Chinese dulcimer 扬琴 (Yang Qin) at the Global Education Conference, hosted this past Saturday by Guilford County Schools at Ragsdale High School.

From Ms. Chen, we learned that the modern yangqin usually has 144 strings, and four to five bridges. It can take up to four hours just to tune the instrument. As demonstrated above, the sticks are held, one in each hand, hitting the strings alternately. In the orchestra, the yangqin often adds to the harmony by playing chords or arpeggios. As the yangqin is softer than other Chinese instruments, it is usually positioned at the front of the orchestra, just in front of the conductor. Fortunately, the instrument folds up rather compactly to be transported as Ms. Chen is always giving concerts and demonstrations, so that the Chinese dulcimer and other traditional instruments will gain a wider audience. She is very generous with her knowledge of music, language, and culture. The beautiful sound of the yangqin is very relaxing and was enjoyed by conference participants.

 

On Bunch Road

Bunch Road is one of those roads that used to be rural, but now has more of a suburban feel. It connects the Northwest High School area to Oak Ridge and Summerfield. The above photo features an older, modest home on the road.  And the mature trees in the yard tower over the tiny house. Look at how beautiful the yard looks on the cusp of everything blooming.

The photo was taken this past Saturday, after the skies were gray for much of the day and then early evening, the sun came out to make everything look fresh and clean. Truly, this house and property is a peek at the Greensboro of yesteryear, back in the day when a small, single story home was enough.

Blossoms, Eric Tenen, Paris, and Notre Dame...

The weather in Greensboro has been very fickle lately. From sunny days to heavy rains to strong winds, the city has experienced several seasons in the last few weeks. The above photo shows a driveway on a hill in a suburban neighborhood in northwest Greensboro. The cherry blossoms have been beat to the ground from the winds and rain. However, in their own way, the petals are beautiful as they carpet the cement in pink. Peeking over the crest is the family's basketball goal.

In March, 2005, Eric Tenen launched Paris Daily Photo. Eric is the reason there is a Greensboro Daily Photo. We joined Eric's City Daily Photo group in 2009. Eric was known for taking ground-shot photos like the one above, and this orientation is now called the Tenen Perspective. We present this blossom photo in Eric's style in honor of his beloved city, Paris, that is suffering under the weight of yesterday's fire at Notre Dame. To Eric, to Paris, to Notre Dame. (Here is a photo Eric took of Notre Dame in 2008).

Time to Plow the Fields

If you are so inclined, and you haven't already, it is time to plow the fields! Greensboro has had so much rain lately, it is kind of hard to fit in a planting. So far, it hasn't heated up excessively and cold weather crops are still thriving.

If you love seeing slices of rural America and live in Greensboro, consider taking the back roads to Kernersville or Burlington and you will see many scenes, like the one above, along the way. The above photo was taken on a recent venture to Kernersville. With all the add-ons, this house is actually larger than it looks. And, by the looks of the fields surrounding the house, they take their farming very seriously. Have a great Saturday and, if at all possible, plant edibles and support our local farmers!

Lady Banks Rose Time

'Tis the season for the Lady Banks rosees to bloom. This hardy, thornless, climbing rose has its origins in Central China, and came to the USA via England. It was named by Sir Joseph Banks who named it after his wife. The yellow variety above, located in Sunset Hills, looks lovely growing on the white picket fence.

We featured this bush nine years ago in 2010. Last time, Harley Houston from NCA&T University contacted us and even arranged to get cutting of the Lady Banks rose. Over the years, Harley has been very committed to gardening, especially planting in raised beds. We wonder how his cutting grew and what his plant looks like today. If you know, let us know. We'd love to photograph him with his plant. Knowing that plants can be shared is such a nice thought.

Hyacinth Time

This photo, taken on Saturday in northwest Greensboro shows that the hyacinths may have bloomed just a little early since the weather is predicted to dip below freezing this week. The lenten roses and the cold weather crops should be happy, but bulbs and tree blossoms just may suffer. Let's hope for the best.

The two story brick colonial home peeking out of the upper right-hand corner of the photo is a common construction for this area. This particular home uses a buttery, colonial yellow for the trim and for the City Daily Photo community, the April theme is yellow. See a sampling of photos from the City Daily Photo community, here. Let us know how your plants are tolerating this April freeze. Do you see those pesky onions to the right of the hyacinths? To be sure they will be undaunted by the freeze!

Blossoms Galore

When the sun shines in the spring in Greensboro, it feels as if the whole city is enveloped in blossoms. The above photo was taken last weekend. It reminds us of when young children make blanket forts where they sit, feeling secure and peaceful, passing away the day. May you find a space, blanketed in blossoms, to sit and reflect on the beauty of a warm spring day in Greensboro.

Peak cherry blossom time for Washington, D.C., is predicted to be April 1st. Perhaps a road trip is in order. It is about a five hour drive from Greensboro.

Happy Friday!

Country Roads

The above photo was taken this past weekend on a back road between West Market Street and Kernersville, that area where you can't be completely sure whether you are in Guilford or Forsyth County. This is rural North Carolina at its best; the way things used to be. From the looks of the home, it might not be around much longer. However, the horses look well cared for and happy on the property. 

Greensboro and the surrounding areas have a lot of horse farms. Scenic country vistas, like this one, are quickly being replaced by apartment complexes and Sheetz gas stations. Growth is inevitable and progress is, well, progress; however, there is something special to driving down a country road and enjoying nature in the abundant silence of a warm spring day.

Spring Is On Its Way...

 

Signs of spring are here, in Greensboro. Today is a beautiful Saturday. The sun is shining, the early flowers are pushing their way through mulch, pine straw, and leaves from deciduous trees. The above crocus plants are volunteers, staking their space under a sweet gum tree. At long last, Greensboro has a reprieve from rain, with nice weather predicted for the week. By about mid-July, we'll probably be begging for rain.

In the meantime, today is the 238 Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. If you are up for it, head over to see one of the most historic events in Greensboro, the Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Today and tomorrow, there will be events to bring Revolutionary War history alive.

Hellebores and Daffodils

In spite of spring being over 20 days away, Greensboro is starting to look a little greener. The hellebores and daffodils were out in full force this past weekend. Hellebores are also known as Christmas/winter/Lenten roses. They have a long blooming season and start blooming when most everything else in dormant. They even bloom before daffodils. Both of these flowers grow well in Greensboro, as seen in the above photo. Hellebores are especially happy under deciduous trees as they get plenty of light while blooming, but are somewhat protected after the sun gets more intense. 

Speaking of sun, on Sunday the sun came out after many gray, rainy days. Everything looks so bright and happy when the sun comes out, everything from flowers to people. Greensboro is supposed to have several days in the 60s this week. Head to the farmers market to purchase your hellebores from Janice Nicholson, who was referred to as the "Hellebore Lady"  in a 2002 News and Record article by Maria Johnson (here). Janice runs the family business, Gethsemane Gardens, east of Church Street on Highway 150, where she cultivates hellebores from seeds. The hellebores in the photo are a product of her regionally-famous green thumb!

Beauty in Nature...All Around Us

Sunday is the day we try to post something religious/spiritual. Greensboro has plenty of houses of worship, and we haven't exhausted them all in ten years of Sundays. However, sometimes, the most spiritual views of all come straight out of nature. Greensboro is such a beautiful city. The above photo was taken in Northwest Guilford County, reminding us that the area is known for horses, stables, and interesting landscapes. 

There has been so much rain lately, it is hard to believe that our last big snowfall was in early December. Also, it will be spring in 24 days. If you get a chance, head outside today and breathe in all the beauty of nature around us. For this beauty, we are thankful. If the weather forecast is correct, temperatures should rise to the mid 60's. The horses will happy today; we should be, too! 

Blue House and Redbud Tree at the Corner of Scott and Walker

This past weekend, the blue house, at the corner of Scott and Walker Avenues, was in its early spring glory with this redbud tree bursting with color. This Lindley Park house is just down the street from Lindley Elementary School and is a prime example of the beauty of a well maintained older home in a well-established neighborhood. The people of Greensboro love their yards and many take great pride in landscaping. Just the right plantings in just the right place can really add beauty to a yard. The blue paint and white trim on the house make that pink tree pop!

The native eastern redbud is one of the first trees to flower in North Carolina, and it is a hardy small tree that can thrive in full sun or light shade. Once the tree is done blooming, heart-shaped leaves will be a vibrant green through the summer and take on beautiful color for fall. Redbud trees stay small and like to volunteer to grow, which means they are hardy and FREE! Let's hope the threat of ice today doesn't damage these glorious blossoms!

It's Blossom Time in Greensboro

Readers have been alerting us to sightings of blossoms around Greensboro. You can usually count on these trees, located on Green Valley Road, on the east end of Friendly Center, to be some of the first to bloom around Greensboro.With so many in a row, they look spectacular, especially if you catch them on a sunny day. Yesterday was overcast, not the best for photos. However, this time of year, Greensboro is at risk of getting a late-season ice storm, or a hard rain that tears down the blossoms. 

Redbud trees have also started to bloom around town. This should be a good weekend for seeing some early signs of spring in Greensboro. We'll be on the lookout, too. Happy Friday!

Snowy Day

With yesterday's nearly record high temperature in the mid-70's, it is hard to believe that Greensboro was recently in a deep freeze and, before that, under near record snows. The window of Scuppernong Bookstore on South Elm Street is decorated to remind us of the fun of a snowy winter day. The above photo features their display of Ezra Jack Keats' 1962 children's picture book, The Snowy Day.

Regardless of what the weather brings over the next month or so, it is nice to know that days are getting longer and the sunshine a little more sustained. Regardless of the weather, it is always nice to find a bookstore, order a warm beverage, and begin the process of finding something great to read.

Homes of Greensboro: Shannon Drive

Greensboro has had some great, sunny, winter days. The above photo was taken earlier in the week, on Shannon Drive at the corner of Golden Gate Drive. The brick home, built in  1955,  is right across the street from Golden Gate Shopping Center; however, it looks like it could be in rural Guilford County. The cul-de-sac, just a couple of blocks from Page High School, is lined with trees and has plenty of greenery- even in winter. 

There was a time when people were leaving these houses, smaller  than 1,000 square feet, for bigger homes in the suburbs. Today, with the appeal of living closer to urban areas and the tiny-home, less-is-more movement, these little homes, with such great bones, are good as gold. This particular home hasn't sold since 1981. We're betting the owners are pretty happy with it.

Super Blood Wolf Lunar Eclipse Moon

The super blood wolf lunar eclipse moon was beautiful as it rose over Lake Higgins last night. The sky was clear and the breezes were cold. Near Lake Higgins, owls were communicating with each other, filling the night with interesting sounds. Hopefully this full moon be the start of a good day where the Greensboro community comes together to remember Martin Luther King, Jr.'s activism and leadership in the civil rights movement.

Equity is a key component to every community. If you want to be involved, there are plenty of options. Today from 11-1pm, you can enjoy the Martin Luther King Parade downtown. After the parade is the unveiling of the bronze bust at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and Bragg Street. The Four Seasons Mall will also have students performing, helping with a blood drive, and so much more. Consider spending the day in service and in support of civil rights for all. 

Camellias in Bloom

 

As reported recently in Greensboro's newspaper, the News and Record, 2018 proved to be a very wet year. The 2018 yearly total rainfall for Greensboro was over 64 inches, surpassing the 2003 record of 62.32.* That amounts to over five feet of rain last year! One of the positive sides of the wet year is that many plants bloomed prolifically. The above photo features a camellia bush that is thriving in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood.

Camellias are known to love the climate in the south. They like water, as long as the soil drains well and they don't get water-logged. Some camellias, like the one above, bloom in winter. It is so delightful to see these evergreen bushes in all of their floral glory at a time of year when much of the landscape is drab. Greensboro is known for its flora, and if you work with a master gardener, one of our local nurseries, or a landscape designer, you can have a visually interesting yard all year long.

Happy First Friday. There will be plenty to do downtown. If you are out this weekend, see how many camellias you can find in bloom.

*reference and more information, here.

Horse & Fog

This past weekend was extremely foggy in Greensboro. As long as the foreground is visible, fog can really enhance a photo. Such was the case with this horse, spotted at the corner of Pleasant Ridge Road and Stanley Huff Road. Greensboro is entering one of those time periods where just about every possible weather event will be experienced within about a week. From fog, to warm sunny days, to the likelihood of snow and ice. Are you ready? This beautiful horse is. Rolled bales of hay were delivered last night and there is enough to last through the most tenacious  of snowstorms.

If you love horses, there are plenty of stables around Greensboro. If you own horses and want a horse farm, horseproperties.net often has property listed in the area. Around Greensboro, conditions are good for riding, most of the year.

Corner of Oakland Avenue and Holden Road

 

Yesterday in Greensboro, with the temperature in the mid-20s and the sun shining, the air was crisp and invigorating. The above photo was taken at the corner of Oakland Avenue and Holden Road. Oakland Avenue runs the along the railroad tracks from South Mendenhall all the way to Holden. Since there are a couple of spots that no longer make it possible to drive the entire length, the road is more or less forgotten. However, if the old Rolane Sock Factory gets developed into something like a brewery, the street is likely to gain prominence. 

With the Carolina blue sky, and the yellow and burnt orange leaves,  the off-white house with the tattoo parlor on the side, looks absolutely striking. Enjoy these last weeks of fall, as old man winter is patiently waiting to pay Greensboro a visit.

A Walk in the Woods; Time for Reflection

Greensboro was especially beautiful yesterday afternoon. The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro and is representative of how so many of our woodsy areas look this time of year. There was patchy fog in parts of town and as it began to burn off, the colors of fall revealed themselves. This year, yellow has been more dominant than the orange and red of some years. Before you know it, there won't be any leaves remaining on trees.

Hopefully, today is a day of rest for you and, if you have to work, in or out of the home, you still have a little time to pause and give thanks. For some, that will be in the form of a prayer. Regardless of what one believes, it is important to be thankful for the beauty in nature and know that it should be protected and nurtured. Have a great day, and, thank you for stopping by Greensboro Daily Photo.

Fall Leaves 2018

In Greensboro, we've had an interesting fall this year. At first, the leaves showed no sigh of turning colors. Then We had hurricane weather and rains that toppled trees and blew the leaves off of trees. Finally, there are signs of fall. Even thought the foilage is past peak, you can still find pockets of fall beauty. The above photo was taken on Beaman Place, near Grecade Street and Wendover Avenue. Curiously, on the left hand side of the photo, the leaves are plentiful and colorful. On the right hand side of the photo, the leaves are sparse and the whole scene is more monochromatic. Nature has a way of doing what it wants, especially this time of year.

We've already had a taste of winter, with some near freezing rains and overcast days this week. Yesterday, the skies were beautiful and the weather seemed like a mid-November gift. Hopefully, you will get a chance to get our and enjoy Greensboro's beauty this weekend. It is hard to believe that the above scene was located just off of one of Greensboro's busiest east/west roads. Happy Saturday!

Hunter's Moon 2018

This week was the Hunter's Moon, the first full moon after the fall equinox. It alerts hunters to stock up on meat for the winter. It reminds hunters and animals that winter is on its way. Since full moons rise at sunset and set at sunrise, they are first seen low to the ground and seem especially large. In the days pre electricity, they served as a powerful light source. If you are ever out walking in the light of a low, full moon, you know how dramatic the effect can be- especially on a clear night.

The above photo was taken near a the Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club in northwest Greensboro. As this is the part of town where the airport is located, that stripe through the moon is probably a contrail. Since there is not much light pollution, the silhouette of the treeline frames the moon beautifully. If you are ever out near Lakes Higgins, Townsend or Jeanette, the views are spectacular this time of year. If you want a way to spend time on a lake, this Saturday and Sunday and next at 11:00 am, you can take a fall foliage pontoon tour on Lake Townsend. Reserve your spot by calling 336-373-3694.

Lotus Center on Lawndale Drive

Lotus Center is a facility with healthcare professionals who practice holistic medicine on Lawndale Drive near Target. According to their website,* the center houses a pharmacy of over 500 herbs and 200 prepared pills and tinctures. In the front yard, you will notice a tree that was likely uprooted during Hurricane Michael. 

If you notice, these professionals, who are grounded in natural, earth-friendly practices, have taken the tree and are sawing the wood in three inch planks that are about 2 1/2 feet by 7 feet. The wood looks like oak. It is solid, beautiful, with a nice grain. It will be interesting to try to find out what they are going to do with the wood. Whoever is cutting it is doing a fabulous job. The cuts look perfectly level.

*reference, here.

Bee Positive

In Greensboro, with temperatures recently dropping to 39 degrees, summer is gone and fall is fleeting. So far, fall foliage is being stingy with color. The above photo cheats a little bit it, as it was taken at the recent fall flower sale at the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden in Kernersville. Hydrangeas were abloom in October and bees were busily working on the flowers. Hidden from view are price tags, shipping bins, hoses, a fence, tables, clipboards, and other items from the sale. Actually, the brilliant blue in the background is nothing more than a blurred tag. Today's Sunday reflection reminds us that, to an extent, we can construct what we see and how we perceive it. It is human nature to do so. With a little bit of effort we can find beauty in what we see. 

Greensboro is a beautiful place. Sometimes we get too bogged down in our own worries, disappointments, or political platforms to step back; or, in the case of the photo, zoom in to see the beauty around us. We hope that today, at least once, you will take a little time to find the beauty in our community- and your own life. That beauty can actually grow and spread and beget more beauty. Truly, it helps to bee positive. 

Pho Hien Vuong

Pho Hien Vuong, the fabulous Vietnamese Restaurant located at 4109 Spring Garden Street was packed, several times over, last night. With so much of Guilford County out of power, people got very creative about finding ways to get a hot meal and out of the dark. This family-owned restaurant has been a Greensboro institution since 1996. The Hien Vuong family cooks are known for recreating the flavors of southeastern Vietnam, using lots of spices, fresh vegetables, and meats, while using very little oil. The kitchen and waitstaff seemed very undaunted by the large parties of guests on a Thursday night. 

Hopefully, everyone is safe today with the power back on. With so many neighborhoods with downed power lines, flooding, and trees blocking roads, there is much work to be done. With the current situation throughout the county, it is best that children are staying put at home- or out eating warm noodles and broth with loved ones.

As ready as Greensboro was for Hurricane Florence, it seems as if Hurricane Michael took the community a little by surprise!

Arboretum Time

The Greensboro Arboretum off of Market Street is just such a beautiful place to visit and to take photos, allow us to share one more picture of this mom pointing out plants to her chid during their time at Art in the Arboretum this past Sunday. How wonderful to have parents who take their children to these open, public spaces and teaches them to appreciate places that are free to all with no strings attached. The City of Greensboro has a great system of public spaces and collaborates with many organizations to keep the spaces vibrant and filled with interesting events.

The photo is a little smoky, due to the many food trucks that were to the side of the photographer. But the hazy look adds to the ambience of the photo. Let us all remember that we have local florist, nurseryman, and horticulturist, John Van Lindley (b. 1838- d. 1918) to thank for much of this open, public space and this love of plants and flowers. He operated the New Garden Nursery, the first of its kind in North Carolina. Were he alive today, he would love seeing the wide variety of plants in the Arboretum.

We hope you have a wonderful Thursday and that, by the time you read this post,  Hurricane Michael has broken up and fizzled into nothing more than some heavy rains.

Greensboro Beautiful & Arboretum

Today, is another photo taken at the Art in the Arboretum event this past Sunday (October 8th) sponsored by Greensboro Beautiful. This wonderful organization sponsors lots of gardening events in the community. This non-profit organization was established in 1968. As they report on their website, Greensboro Beautiful is dedicated to conserving the beauty of Greensboro and to enhancing the ecology. It is common to see members around town doing clean-ups, planting trees, or working gardening events. If you look closely in the background, the green watering can is actually a donation bucket for Greensboro Beautiful, and, indeed, they put to good use every penny that comes their way.

The plant in the foreground appears to be a trifoliate orange. While, technically, they are edible, they are very bitter. Sometimes marmalade is made from them. If you try to pick one, watch out for those prickly thorns. This is a great time of year to visit the Arboretum. In spite of the heat, seeing the plants with their colors starting to change make the visit especially worthwhile.

Blue Sky Over Mill Street

Today was a beautiful one in Greensboro. The temperature hovered in the mid-70s and the skies were blue. Perhaps it is the angle one can get by standing in the parking lot of the Red Collection on Mill Street, but the sky always seems to be so noticeably beautiful in this part of town. This tiny street between Westover Terrace and Battleground Avenue in Midtown seems to be a perfect, urban vantage point to admire the sky. Today there is an abundance of triangles formed by the phone wires, the angle of the photo, the clouds in the sky and the three red cars in the middle part of the photo.

The greenery of the maple trees on the left hand side of the road contrasts perfectly with the gray on the right hand side. If you look closely, those trees are just starting to change color on the top, a sure symbol that nature knows it is time for autumn. This former industrial area is now part of Midtown and will likely change dramatically, especially if a Publix grocery store moves into the area.*  Here's hoping the plans include keeping the trees.

*News and Record article, here.

Howard Street, North of Spring Garden

Howard Street, north of Spring Garden, intersects with Sherwood, near Lindley Park. The above Howard Street home is beautiful. On Saturday, the street was full of mushrooms. The recent damp weather made conditions perfect for mushrooms and they were everywhere. This bundle of spores evokes the lore of European fairy tales and fairy rings. From this angle, the mushrooms seem gigantic, almost overpowering the house.

How about your house? Has it been full of mushrooms? Learning which ones are edible and which are poison is quite an art. If you are interested in learning more, there is always the option of joining the Piedmont Triad Mushroom club. The group is on Facebook. They regularly hold potlucks and workshops, get together and talk about mushrooms... and probably eat them, too. 

Leaves of Tobacco & a Slice of Yesteryear

This charming farmhouse on Highway 158, at the corner of Angel Pardue Road, is located just north of Greensboro and just east of Stokesdale. As you can in the field on the right of the road and on the left, back to the tree line, this house is surrounded by fields of tobacco. While decreasing, tobacco remains North Carolina's number one cash crop and North Carolina is the largest tobacco producer in the United States.*

If you live in Greensboro, it is not uncommon to see scenes like the one above: a charming farmhouse with a wrap-around porch, a sleepy country road, fields and fields of tobacco, or some other agricultural product. Soon, this tobacco will be harvested, the fields will be plowed, and it will be time for planting fall crops- chard, cabbage, collards. If kids are lucky, there will be time for a little harvest fun; perhaps some apple cider made, a corn maze to visit, a hayride, and maybe even Halloween fun. Today's photo is a little slice of a way of life that has existed in North Carolina since North Carolina became a state.

* reference and article, here.

Lawndale Drive, the 3500 Block

As we batten down the hatches and prepare for Hurricane Florence, Greensboro residents are trying to determine the best way to remains safe during this weather event. Florence seems to be having trouble making up her mind where she will land and do her damage.

The above photo features a house in the 3500 block of Lawndale Drive, very near a cluster of retail shops at Pisgah Church Road. This ranch house is so typical of the houses that were being constructed in the 1950s in Greensboro. If you notice, the house has a large picture window is surrounded by very mature trees. Greensboro's neighborhoods are full of them (the city comes by its name honestly). Those trees provide lots of shade, they also are in danger of blowing over or having limbs drop during times of storm. Please send positive thoughts our way and be prepared to help if some of our dwellings and businesses suffer damage. As feasible, stay safe... and dry!

 

 

Time for Spiders and the Central Carolina Fair

The above, yellow garden spider has taken up housekeeping behind a mailbox on the edge of a field in northwest Guilford County. She is about the size of a fifty-cent piece. Also known as writing, or corn spiders, they are common throughout the United States. These curious creatures can make their webs wiggle and they can zig-zag write, not unlike Charlotte in Charlotte's web. This is one of North Carolina's largest and most brightly colored spiders. They are masters of trapping prey. If you want to teach children about the food chain, this arachnid is a great specimen. It is not uncommon to find moths and butterflies in their strong webs.

Females live for about a year, at least until the first hard frost. If brought indoors, they can live for several years. Anyone want a pet spider? We know where "Charlotte" lives in Greensboro. On the other hand, if we wake up to find the message RADIANT, TERRIFIC or HUMBLE in her web, we'll rush her off to the Central Carolina Fair, which begins September 7th and and runs through Sunday, September 16th at the Coliseum Complex. This is the 120th year for the Central Carolina Fair.* Yes, the fair is 105 years older than a Starbuck's pumpkin spice late. In the 21st century edition of Charlotte's Web, instead of SOME PIG, do you think she might write, SOME LATTE?

*more information, here.

Hints of Fall

Have you been enjoying these glorious days in Greensboro lately? There are still several hours of daylight in the evening. The shadows are long and the warm rays of the sun linger. The above photo features a scene on a sleepy road in northwest Guilford County. It shows just how green Greensboro has been this summer, and reveals the gentle contour to the landscape. This area is not completely flat, nor it is hilly. Yet, less than an hour away, we have Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock; a few hours on to the west, the mountains, and a few hours in the other direction, the sea. Perfection!

With temperatures in high 80s these last few days, it is hard to believe that fall will be here within the month. There are hints of summer ending as gardens slow production, trees start dropping nuts, the magnolia pods are preparing to go to seed; mint and basil has long gone to seed. Perhaps the biggest indicator that fall in on the way, has nothing to do with Greensboro, per se; but, today, Starbucks offers pumpkin spice lattes again for the fifteenth year in a row.

Living Waterscapes

Living Waterscapes is a Greensboro business located on Sandy Ridge Road, across from the farmers market. They have such beautiful things to make yards look magical: koi ponds, water lilies, elaborate playsets for children, pergolas, lighting, accent features, and so much more. The above photo features a few of their Japanese koi gliding in and around the water lilies. "Koi" in Japanese also means "love" and "affection" and you are sure to fall in love with these fish and their ponds when you see them on display. While koi, bred for their bright and shiny colors, are lovely to look at, these color patterns also make them a target for predators, from heron to raccoons. Living Waterscapes has the expertise to build outdoor koi ponds  that provide places for koi to hide and features that are deterrent to predators. 

Their original Greensboro location has been so successful since opening in 1999, they been rebranded as Pond Country and have expanded into the Charlotte and Knoxville, TN markets. The day we were on location, a couple in their late 70s walked out of the retail shop with a bag of koi in hand. They told us they'd been going to the store since it opened and they were chatting about the new fish they'd picked out together as if they were newlyweds. So much "koi" over their koi, it was heartwarming.

Carolina Mantis 2018

This is the time of year that gardens really start to get buggy. The above mature Carolina mantis was having a field day eating bugs in a local Greensboro garden. The Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) is native to North Carolina; however it is common throughout the USA, Mexico, and even South America. We're pretty sure this brown mantis is a female as she has short wings and widens out towards the bottom. Also, the females don't fly and this one only scooted around during the photo shoot and never flew away. (No mantis was harmed in the preparation of this blog post).

The praying mantis catches and eats other insects with their forelegs. A mantis doesn't have to eat daily, but can eat from 2-7 flies a day. They live approximately nine months, consuming as many as 1,000 bugs in their lifetime.* This should make the owners of the above garden very happy as pest reduction by mantis is very organic and good for the garden. We try to publish one mantis photo a summer. Have you seen a mantis in your Greensboro neighborhood yet?

*reference and more mantis fun facts, here.

And Then There Were Frogs...

It wouldn't seem like summer in Greensboro with a rainy spell to bring out the frogs. This green tree frog (hyla cinera) is more common in the Costal Plain region of North Carolina, but is expanding into the Piedmont (Greensboro's region). The green tree frog likes wetlands, swamps, and moist, shady areas.* The above frog was spotted on a metal fence post in the middle of a butter bean patch. While green tree frogs are known for being easily frightened, this one seemed determined to hang out in this same spot, even though the humans around him were busy picking butter beans. What a reward for working hard in a garden, getting to see nature's creatures, also enjoying the garden. 

Of the 28 frogs and toads found in North Carolina, the green tree frog is one of the brightest in color. It is the state amphibian of Georgia and Louisiana. Do you know the state amphibian for North Carolina? Read below the reference.

 * reference and a chance to listen to how this guy sounds.

 

North Carolina has two state amphibians. The pine barrens tree frog is our state frog and it looks a lot like the above frog, except the stripe in brown. North Carolina also has a state salamander, the marbled salamander.

Spirituality of Nature

Today's photo features a male American redstart, who was flitting around in the leaves in the Bog Garden off Hobbs Road. Since November 2017, volunteers have planted 1,427 native plants in the Bog Garden. The funding for the new plants has been provided by Greensboro Beautiful and also the Piedmont Bird Club. These native plants attract birds and other wildlife. The American redstart is a warbler that likes open wooded habitat with deciduous trees. They are active birds that seem to never stand still.

In Psalms XI, the soul is compared to a bird. "Flee as a bird to your mountain." This week, Greensboro lost Phil Segal III, who was the founder and owner of Havana Phil's Cigar Company. We featured his business yesterday, not knowing that he passed away on Wednesday. On Friday, David Tyler, a young college student who grew up is Greensboro, was buried. So, today's moment of spirituality is in memory of Phil and David. Life is short, precious, and, before we know it, we flee as a bird to our mountain. The Greensboro community is grateful for our time with Phil and David. Both men left this earth too soon. We are thankful for public places like the Bog Garden that give us a chance to sit and reflect on life and the beauty all around us, especially in times of loss.

Produce Stands and the Flavors of Summer

Produce stands are a summer tradition in the South and they are plentiful in Greensboro this time of year. These side-of-the-road pop ups are a great place to stop and chat a while, unless of course vendors are super busy. By talking to the vendor, you can tell how the growing season has been, what is in season and what is not, and maybe even get some suggestions for recipes. Recently, the above stand has been at the Spears YMCA on Horse Pen Creek Road. Until this past week, they have had strawberries, but strawberries are out of season now. Blueberries and peaches are plentiful. 

The above produce was from Candor (Johnson Peaches if we remember correctly) which is located in Montgomery County. According to the 2010 census, the town of Candor only has 840 residents. However, come the third Saturday in July, which is July 21st this year, all of Candor will be celebrating the peach festival and peach EVERYTHING will be for sale. Until then, in Greensboro, we can all enjoy Candor/Sandhills peaches from the farmers markets and produce stands. Maybe we can even sneak off to Yum Yum to get some ice cream to go with those fresh peaches. By shopping locally, we are reminded that different foods have a season. Oh, the flavors of summer. 

Cabbage White Butterfly on White Echinacea

Summertime is Greensboro is such a great time to enjoy the local flora and fauna. As the summer solstice approaches and the hours of daylight are almost at peak for the year, there is so much to see and appreciate. In the above photo, a butterfly was settling in for the night, trying to blend in with the white cone flower. To the right of this scene is a cabbage patch and the larva of these butterflies are a serious pest to cabbage. Fortunately, the growing season for cabbage is over and we were able to harvest all of the cabbage before the invasion of the cabbage butterfly.

Insect-plant interaction is fascinating. Sometimes it is a good thing. For example, magnolia trees are pollinated by beetles. So, if you have a magnolia tree in your yard, you may notice beetles also. Sometimes, the relationship is not so great, as is the case with cabbage butterfly that comes to invade the cabbage patch. If you are sitting with your friends and family glued to their phones, have them investigate the flora and fauna and the dynamic interaction of the two. With all of the rain this spring, Greensboro is especially green and rich in vegetation.

Rainbow Over the Golf Course

Today's photo was taken at the golf course of the Greensboro Country Club along Carlson Dairy Road. While the farm course is extra thirsty due to having extensive landscaping done, most golf courses require generous amounts of water. The photo reminds us that when there is water, and the sun is angled just right, a rainbow forms. Rainbows can appear in unexpected places at unanticipated times. Let's all help each other find the rainbows even when the clouds loom large. Happy Sunday.