Greensboro Daily Photo

Glorious Sunset over Greensboro- No Filter Needed!

Last night's sunset was nothing short of glorious. The above photo was taken off of Carlson Dairy Road, after the rain and as the sun was low to the horizon- at about 8:30 pm. The temperature  yesterday ranged from 67- 86º. We hope your part of town got some rain yesterday, as there is none predicted again until Saturday. Here is an explanation of factors that contribute to making a colorful sunrise and sunset. You can't always predict when the sunset will be spectacular; however, we found a photographer's blog that helps explain. First, the sun must be shining and low to the horizon. Then,  Stephen Bay, points out you need high clouds to catch the sun's rays, and a clear horizon so sunlight is not blocked. Those two factors are visible in the above photo 1) far-reaching clouds and 2) a clear horizon. We always post photos with a landscape orientation. However, yesterday's sky would have been even more interesting from a portrait orientation to showcase those lovely blues.

Happy Tuesday! May our summer days be filled with spectacular events, including vibrant sunsets!

Joymongers and the Ambience Downtown Yesterday

Yesterday was a glorious spring day, with the temperature soaring to 80, and downtown was teeming with people excited to be outside. The above photo was taken in front of Joymongers at 576 North Eugene Street at the tiny LoFi Park. This little slice of joy is a favorite of people who like outdoor activities. We're not sure of the name of the woman leading the exercise session here, but it was wonderful. She is the woman with the red balloon was explaining to the group that having something in your hands, regardless of how light, helps engage the core muscles. Participants seemed to be enjoying the session. If you know about this session, please let us know. Obviously, it was planned as people arrived with equipment and wearing exercise clothes.

It was so nice yesterday, people were out running and walking their dogs. The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day*, so if you were out walking yesterday you participated in this national event. We were walking and, as we were returning, we noticed the Lincoln Financial Group building in the background. It is always fun to feature a slice of what was known as the "JP Building" in our downtown photos.

Happy Thursday!

*if you read this article about National Walking Day, you will learn some really interesting facts like tennis shoes wear out after 500 miles and that people walk 65,000 miles in their lifetime. These aren't Greensboro-specific statistics, but if you walk a lot, you will find them interesting.

Golf in the Heart of Irving Park

Spring is the time for being outdoors and for outdoor sports. The people of Greensboro love golf and there are many courses in the area; at all price points. The above photo was taken at the Greensboro Country Club in Irving Park yesterday. However, given the black and white photo and the golfers using pull carts, the scene could have as easily been from the early 20th century as it is the 21st. Irving Park is one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods yet is is easily accessible. One can meander through the rolling hills of the neighborhood on foot or drive along in a car. It is so lovely this time of year with the manicured lawns and the spring flowering plants and trees. 

If you drive along Country Club Drive, you will notice that work is being done at the Greensboro Country Club (GCC). Summer 2020, GCC passed a 19.1 million dollar renovation plan. They are revamping the pool, restaurants, fitness center, and youth activities facility. They are getting two additional pools and recreational facilities.* The finished product promises to be a state-of-the-art facility rivaling any country club in the southeast.  While all of the upgrades in amenities will be appealing, there is something charming about the timeless look of the golf course itself.

Happy Wednesday!

*read more about the renovation, HERE.

Happy Spring Brought to You Today by the Forsythia!

As of yesterday, it is officially spring and today should be another beautiful day in Greensboro. The temperature should get to 70º.  At least once a year we like to post a photo of forsythia, an iconic harbinger of spring. They are a popular spring plant, one of the first to bloom. They are originally from Asia and are in the olive family. This forsythia is located in our side yard and took us by surprise, seeming blooming out of no where. Fortunately they held off until after that cold snap last week. Thanks to that weather, we're having to replant our cabbage.

As we looked around the yard and neighborhood, we noticed that the cone flowers are starting to pop out of the ground. The lenten roses are still going strong. Blueberry bushes are starting to show blossoms and dogwoods are almost ready to bloom. Greensboro is about to be at peak beauty. Our local, public places like The Greensboro Arboretum and Tanger Center Bicentennial Garden are great places to visit to enjoy spring plantings. What are you favorite places to go around town?

Sunset tonight will be at 7:32 pm. Just like that, the days are getting longer. Happy Monday!

Signs of Spring at 1801 Wright Avenue

There are signs of spring all over Greensboro. This little house on Wright Avenue looks like the owners are ready to enjoy being outdoors. They've got a small table in front, a robin's egg blue gourd birdhouse. They've got a tree is blossoming in the front yard. 1801 Wright is a 2 bedroom one bathroom house on a .33 acre lot. It was built in 1952 and looks like it has been well cared for over the past 70 years. The first day of spring will occur tomorrow, Sunday, March 20. It is a perfect to walk, bike, or drive around Greensboro's neighborhoods to admire all of nature's beauty. 

This small is in a perfect location, convenient to so much in Greensboro and a couple blocks off of Josephine Boyd and a street away from Walker Avenue. Have a great weekend!

Beautiful Sky Over Lake Higgins

In Greensboro, the sky was so beautiful this past week.The above photo was taken at Lake Higgins just a few days ago. As you can see, even when trees are still without leaves, with the sun shining, winter days can be as glorious as summer. Lake Higgins is a great option if you want to hike a trail or launch a kayak or fish- or, all of the above. In January, the Lake Higgins trout supply was replenished for winter trout fishing; boats are available for rental; and there is a beginning birding class happening from 10:30- 12 noon (see here). This 226-acre municipal waterway always seem to have something happening.

If you don't want to spend the day in nature, consider visiting one of the many farmers markets. Another option would be to head downtown to the Free Market at 1201 Bellevue Street from 11am-3pm. Everything there will be free. There will also be nausea there checking glucose and blood pressure. They will also be giving flu shots. Feel free to bring any useable item that you do not want. Maybe you will see something you want to take home. These "everything free"  events really build community. You will meet new people if you hang around the free market a while. It is located south of Gate City Boulevard, and a few blocks east of Elm Street.

Hope to see you there. Happy Saturday!

Vintage VW at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

Today's photo was taken on Saturday after another weekend snow.  This vintage Volkswagen was parked outside the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street while its owners were inside shopping. The farmers market is on the east side of Greensboro, just north of NC A&T University. If you look in the background, you can see the JP/LFG building, Greensboro's iconic landmark.

If you are from North Carolina, you recognize that the car is painted Carolina blue for UNC Chapel Hill. No, that is not an original VW color, but it really fits the vintage car and its owners. We are thinking it is a 1970-ish Volkswagen square back. The VW may be small, but it looks like it could hold a lot of fresh produce. While some times of year, the farmers market is open on Wednesday, it will not be open today, you'll have to wait until Saturday. Do you think the VW will be back? Eating healthy is so addictive and the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market is a great way to do so! It has bringing us great, local food products since it was founded in 1874!

Happy Candlemas! Happy Groundhog Day! We're headed out to see if the groundhog sees his shadow. 

Winter in Greensboro

This is what winter in Greensboro looks like: A silhouette of deciduous treen and pines. The lacy reach of tree branches against an art of light to dark color at the horizon. Tonight, sunset will be at 5:41 and days are slowly, but noticeably, getting longer. We usually let the camera guide us to lots of bright color; however, there is something about the blue and black of a winter evening that has its own magic. Today's temperature will range from 19°-49°. January is traditionally one of Greensboro's coldest months, so this is not unexpected.

On another note,  January is a big month for magnet applications for the local public schools. The magnet school application window is open in the Guilford County Schools. There are 66 magnet and choice programs across the district. Literally, there is a program for every student's interest. GCS is a leader, nationwide, in schools of choice. Here is a link if you know a school age child. If you do not live in Guilford County, look at this beautiful sunset in northwest Greensboro and consider moving here. Happy Thursday!

A Little Snow... A Lot of Beauty

This is what Greensboro woke up to Saturday morning. Temperatures were in the teens and while there wasn't a lot of snow, There was enough to blanket years, streets, and windshields. The  bright sunshine helped roads melt quickly. In the above photo, taken in northwest Greensboro, just look at the beautiful shadows the morning rays of sun were casting on the hill and snow covered driveway.

Yesterday's weather conditions were such that many in-person church services are canceled or reduced today- with online options. As an example, the First Presbyterian church of Greensboro will have one service at 11:00 in person am today and live-streaming. There will be no Church School. West Market Street UMC will have a similar arrangement. Nothing beats in-person fellowship; however, it is nice to have the option for virtual fellowship or simply having some quiet time to reflect and be thankful. We are so conditioned to go, go, go; however, sometimes, staying home and admiring the beauty of the natural world around is spiritual in its own right. Even if all of the roads are clear, if there was any remaining water on the roads, there could be black ice conditions.  The low today is 21 degrees while the high may be 46°.  

Happy Sunday; may we all appreciate and enjoy our beautiful city.

Snow is Lingering and Getting Cleared

While it didn't snow yesterday, workers were busy clearing it up in parking lots and on streets. The above pile of snow was one of many in the shopping center on Lawndale Avenue. As you can see, it got warm enough yesterday for the parking lot to melt; however, after sunset, the temperature quickly dropped to freezing and by sunrise had dropped to 23°F. The main roads have been cleared, but the side streets are still bad. Efforts will be made to get the streets cleared today. Also, garbage pick up is pushed back by another day as efforts continue to clear the streets. Forecasters are predicting that we could get some more snow on Friday.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation clears snow "based on connectivity, traffic volume, trucking routes, and importance to hospitals."* They do not remove snow from driveways or sidewalks. Homeowners are expected to address these issues in front of their houses. In the meantime, small children are all out making snowmen and getting in the first sled rides of the season. Do you have a special sled riding spot in your neighborhood? Happy Tuesday and if you must go out, please try to stay on main roads and go in the middle of the day when roads are warmest.

*reference and additional information, here. The top priority is interstates and four lane divided highways. 

Happy MLK Day... First Snow 2022 Yesterday

Well, it happened. We got our first snow of 2022 on January 16th. The snow started about 6:30 am and an accumulation of snow and ice continued throughout the day. People sent rumors that Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel was headed to Greensboro. To our knowledge, he was only in Asheville. The snow and ice continued into the evening. Today is predicted to be sunny. According to Accuweather, 71% of Greensboro received 1-3" of snow with 1% receiving 6" and 1% receiving less than 1%. In the early hours of the morning, the snow was really light and fluffy; as the sleet and ice came, the snow got wetter and heavier. During the day, temperatures hovered in the 20s and actually warmed into the 30s after dark. 

We heard from so many people in Greensboro who spent much of Saturday cooking up a storm... or, that is, in anticipation of a storm. The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro as we were out on a morning walk. It is alway fun to get out and romp in the snow; less so, of course if it is work related. Speaking of work, we are one of those holdout families who receives home delivery of the Greensboro News & Record. Our Sunday paper yesterday was double bagged and actually delivered to our doorstep. We love supporting the community paper and are grateful the delivery drivers are willing to brave the elements. Thank you to everyone who is working through the storm.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is intended to be a day of service. It looks like this year, the MLK Day of Service through the Volunteer Center at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State's Student Center will host this event, open to the public, next Sunday, January 23rd from 3-5pm (see HERE).

Happy Monday and stay safe regardless of what you decide to do.

Snow, What are your Storm Foods?

Do you think by this time tomrrow we will have snow? Yesterday, everyone in line at the Walmart Supercenter on West Elmsley Street south of Greensboro thought so. When we went in the store about 4pm, the self-checkout line was backed up almost to the back of the store. Fortunately, the line moved rather quickly. Most people were just picking up a few items. We were behind a worker who was buying something to drink and a snack, either after work or during break. We wish we'd thought to buy it for him and thank him for being there. Workers were filling shelves about as fast as customers were emptying them. If you notice the worker's vest, above the Wal mart sun, it says "6 bottles recycled to make this vest." In front of the employee, was a woman who bought a large pack of corn tortillas and three gallons of milk. We all have our "go to" comfort storm foods. What are yours.

The Elmsley Wal mart Supercenter is one of the newest in the Greensboro area. It is large, clean and (normally) well stocked. Sometimes you can find random things there that other stores don't carry- like 25 pound bags of rabbit pellets. It is located between South Elm-Eugene Street and Randleman Road and driving out the back exit to Randleman Road, we took Florida Street to Josephine Boyd to Spring Garden and made it to Reconsidered Goods- almost at West Market Street- to drop off a donation in a little over 15 minutes. One of the perks of knowing Greensboro well it getting from Point A to Point B and avoiding the busiest streets. 

Happy Saturday! Hopefully, we won't need to hunker down!

First Snow of 2022!

If you are local, you already know that we had our first snow today and termpatures dropping to the 20s after a weekend with temperatures in the high 70s. Fortunately, yesterday was a teacher work day and children were safe at home and maybe even had a chance to get out and play in the snow. For many in Greensboro, however, there were power outages from high winds knocking down power lines. Hopefully, temperatures will warm up today and power will have already been restored. The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro, along Carlson Dairy Road. We hope you enjoyed yesterday's wet snow, because it doesn't look like any more snow is expected over the next ten days.

On average, with a high of 48º and a low of 27º,  January is the coldest month of the year in Greensboro. So, we may need to brace for a little more inclement weather. Event wise, January tends to be a pretty quiet month in Greensboro. Still to come for January events, is the January8th Hip Hop Festival at the Coliseum; Porgy and Bess on the 21st and 23rd at Tanger Center; and the Big Hair Ball on January 22nd at the Coliseum. Of course there are smaller local happenings, too. What are some of your favorite things to do in Greensboro in January?

Piedmont Winterfest Skating Fun

Piedmont Winterfest in downtown Greensboro was going strong yesterday, in spite of the fact that there was a high of 72º yesterday. Above Greta and Skylar were there to help those who came to skate. In spite of the fact that there was a layer of water on top of the ice, enough of the water was frozen that people could, indeed, skate. Since school is out, hours are extended from 12 noon- 8pm tonight and until 10pm the rest of the week. Here is a complete list of hours, in case you want to go. Here is the website where you can even purchase tickets ($12) and see more photos. 

It was so fun chatting with Greta and Skylar. Greta is a student at Appalachian State; she plans to be a physical therapist. Skylar is a student at Rockingham Community College- studying elementary education. You can tell by their attire that it wasn't very cold outside. At the time we arrived, nobody was skating, and the WFMY News 2 van was parked nearby with the driver (videographer?) in the van. Perhaps he was waiting for skaters. Just as we'd finished talking to Greta and Skylar, a couple of carloads of people drove up. Once they paid for parking, the kids were ready to hit the ice. You can find the rink at the Barnhardt Street Parking lot, between Southen Brewing on Lewis Street and Fat Tuesday and the former Jae, Mar shop on the north end.  See you on the ice!

Sunset on Gallimore Dairy Road

Happy sunny day, today, Greensboro. This photo was taken this past Sunday at the corner of Gallimore Dairy Road and the access ramp to I-40. We were struck by the vantage point and being able to see the sun as it was setting in the western sky on one of the shortest days of the year. This strip of road and entrance/exit ramps looks so expansive, especially when you are the only car. For once, we weren't anxious for the light to turn green, but could have stayed for a good while watching the changes to the winter sky. 

There is so much history tied to this part of Greensboro. near the N.C. 68 corridor in the western end of town and northern end of High Point. At one time dairying was the number one industry around here. That's why you have Gallimore Dairy Road, it was built on landt that used to have a dairy farm. While dairy farming declined here in the late 1960s, it was all but gone by the 1980s with much of the grazing land replaced by houses.*  Like they say, time marches on and changes are made as demographics change. But, for one brief moment the other day, we were on Gallimore Dairy Road, looking at the sun set and it was almost as if we were in a cow pasture at the end of a long day on the farm. Then, as you can see above, the light turned green and off we went.

Happy Thursday, the night before the night before Christmas! 

* reference and more information HERE.

Blue Sky Over 4121 Spring Garden Street

This two bedroom, one bathroom, 888 square foot house, is located at 4121 Spring Garden Street. In this photo, it is as if it is a residential area. In reality, the featured house is an oasis on an island of commercial property. Indeed, when the home was built in 1955, there were probably a lot of houses surrounding it. Now, there are restaurants, strip malls, businesses, and offices around it. Even this house has a business in it. The house is across from Reconsidered Goods, and when we went to drop off a donation, we turned around and noticed the fabulous, mottled  sky. That western sky was so beautiful, but also reminding us that soon it will be winter. These blues and grays are so much more characteristic of winter than fall. Regardless of season, or weather, we are reminded just how beautiful Greensboro can be, especially when we take time to notice the beauty around us. 

We hope you have a great week and that you see lots of beautiful skies. If you have children in public school, you know that Guilford County made today and tomorrow days to work remotely from home. For many, it will be completing missing assignments. Hopefully, it will be a fun and relaxing week. Happy Monday!

Contrails Over Carlson Dairy Road

Yesterday morning, we were out driving around enjoying the beautiful fall morning when we noticed the well-defined condensation trails, or contrails. When the air is moist, these aircraft exhaust clouds can last for an extended period of time. In the above photo, taken on Hedrick Drive in the Carlson Dairy Road area, the contrails  point to the exact location of Piedmont Triad International Airport, They are passing over Proehlific Park and are higher then they appear. Ice particles usually combine to form contrails at  a cruising altitude.

Soon, all of this color will be gone, but for now, you should still be able to drive around and see great fall color on the leaves that are still hanging on. One friend said that soon, he will have neighbors again; meaning that when the leaves are gone, the neighbors' houses will be in plain view again. Finally, a lot of stores are starting to have their holiday open houses. If you are out and about this weekend, in addition to admiring the natural beauty of Greensboro, also stop in and buy something from local vendors- especially local artists.

Happy Saturday!

Southern Magnolia

The southern  magnolia is an evergreen tree with large, white, showy and scented blossoms in the spring. Now, the flowers are long gone and this is the time of year when the magnolia tree berries are in their prime. They are ripe for all of the animals to devour, and the seeds inside are perfect for cultivating. You have to get them while they are fresh, they cannot dry out. Also, the process of growing a tree from a seed is rather laborious. Read about it and consider trying to grow a tree from seed (see HERE). The better bet is to find a seedling growing under or around your tree. It is so fascinating that this genus evolved before there were bees, which is why they are pollinated by beetles. If you have a magnolia tree in your yard, you probably see a lot of beetles in the spring. 

The magnolia is beautiful and you can use parts of it almost all year long. The leathery leaves are always beautiful in an arrangement. The flowers are heavenly, and when the pods dry, people also incorporate them into wreaths and other December arrangements. If you want to brighten your day, listen to the Tex-Mex, Americana singer Tish Hinojosa's song about the magnolia tree (HERE).

We think a possum lives in our magnolia, at least we think that is what is scampering around the magnolia tree at night. Happy Thursday!

Blue and White Sky over Northwest Greensboro

Yesterday's weather and sky evokes an Ann of Green Gables (Lucy Maud Montgomery) quote. "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." In October, the air takes on a crispness unique to this time of year. The sky yesterday was full of clouds that usually only seem this voluminous when one is high in the sky in an airplane. The October air is clear and the summer constellations are still visible. If you want to learn more about October stargazing, on October 23rd, there is a field course offered at Gransfather Mountain (see details, here). Grandfather is about 2 1/3 hours due east from Greensboro.

The above photo was taken on Carlson Dairy Road, almost at Pleasant Ridge. This farm on the right is so charming and reminds us of the rural look that used to dominate this area. The sun will set tonight just about 7pm. If you can find an open space with an unobstructed view of the sky it might be fun to go watch. There will be some rain tonight, but rainy skies can be beautiful, too. Yesterday's clouds have just been waiting to drop this water. It would be a good week to aerate your lawn Happy Tuesday!

From Caterpillar to What?

Now is the time when nature begins to go through rapid change. From leaves turning colors and falling to the ground to animals getting ready for the cold, dark days ahead, it is as if we can see these changes before our eyes. One local friend has a monarch butterfly chrysalis on the brink of becoming a butterfly just in time to join the other monarchs on the journey to Mexico for the winter. The above fuzzy caterpillar, definitely not destined to be a monarch butterfly, was seen a few days ago crawling along on our door frame.

Thanks to the limitless resources on the Internet, we think this caterpillar is a banded tussock moth caterpillar. We found a site that lets you search by state and this is the one that most resembles the above creature. They are in the tiger moth family and they eat the leaves of hardwoods. There are hardwoods nearby where we found it. This creature was first described in 1787 by J.E. Smith. In the U.S.south, two or more generations are found per year. According to Wikipedia, the pupae overwinter in gray cocoons that have larval hairs on them. They are late season feeders, so seeing one this past week in Greensboro makes perfect sense. Nature is so fascinating. The more you study it, the more you see how animals are attracted to the plants and other animals that contribute to their well being. It is awe inspiring to be sitting in Greensboro looking at a moth that an entomologist in the late 18th century was also studying.

If you see a strange bug or other creature this fall,  take a little time and learn about it. To be sure, it will lead you to understanding the plant life around you. As for us, we have a banded tussock moth caterpillar because we have hardwoods. We have beetles because we have a magnolia; that latter relationship, however, seems more dynamic in the spring. Happy Monday, happy exploring the flora and fauna around you. Let us know if you've ever seen one of these caterpillars.

Autumn 2021

Happy fall; it is the first day of autumn. We leave the summer behind and edge into the cooler weather and fewer hours of daylight. The above photo, taken in northwest Gre3ensboro shows a doe trying to decide where she should rest for the night. Local deer hunters will know that Guilford County is currently in the season to hunt deer with bow and arrow, and males only. The females are still tending their young. We are in the central deer zone.

Many people feed urban deer and even try to keep them as pets. Wildlife experts advise us that the deer are actually better off if they have to forage on their own and they eat a diet that is healthier for them. Fawns who are fed on urban lawns don't learn to forage- a survival skill. It is not legal to keep a deer as a pet. So, they are best admired from afar. They are such beautiful creature. Happy Wednesday. Happy deer hunting, our favorite way; with a camera! Happy autumn. It is a beautiful season in Greensboro.

Purple Lights at Montessori School

On Saturday, it was a dark and stormy night... Greensboro had some strange weather this past weekend. On Saturday, the skies darkened early and there was rain, wind, thunder, and lightning. The northwest part of town was experiencing a lot of thunder and lightning. The above photo was taken in the parking lot of the Montessori School on Horse Pen Creek Road. The above photo was taken without any filters. The lighting in the parking lot casts a deep purple glow. As you can see back behind the school, in the eastern sky, it was not yet dark when the photo was taken. Ominous clouds had formed overhead. Fox News did a piece recently that said working LED lights give off no color, but defective versions of the lights emit blue or purple light. Apparently, the defective lights are a nationwide problem. Less than 1.4% is defective and some people are on a mission to find them.*

Don't be fooled by the photo. By day, Greensboro Montessori is a very different place. Established in 1974, the school is committed to providing personalized and hands-on learning for students. This campus has 10 acres with four permaculture gardens, multiple outside play spaces, and more. They also have a 37-acre satellite campus in Oak Ridge. Having hands-on experiences, outdoors in nature is an important part of the Greensboro Montessori experience. However, standing alone in the parking lot, on a dark and stormy night, with even the green apples on a tree looking purple, made the evening eerie, but fun!  If you are ever driving past 2856 Horse Pen Creek Road at night, notice the lighting. If you drive by during the day, notice the creative land use. Happy Tuesday!

 

*read more about the LED purple lights, here.

Bald Eagle Trail

If you don't mind getting a little wet, it is awfully fun to hike in the rain. Yesterday, we spent the morning on Bald Eagle Trail, beside Lake Higgins, and it was if the fungi and lichen came alive during the rain. As we walked in the reverse direction on this trail in northwest Greensboro, the colors were brighter and more saturated. The above photo shows fungi growing on a log near the entrance to the trail. The fungi in the above photo protruded in a line that extended the entire length of the decaying tree; not just on this underpart, but up all along the bark, too. Do you notice the millipede up on the right? There were several on the tree. Millipedes are known to be excellent decomposers. They don't bite, but they do secrete a toxin, so it is best to leave them alone, doing their work at enhancing the soil on the forest floor. 

Perhaps we shouldn't tell you (we have some readers with a real fear of snakes), but we did see a copperhead off to the edge of the trail. Our picture of the snake was confirmed to be a copperhead by the N.C. Snake Identification & Education group on Facebook. That group is open to the public and its membership exceeds 28 thousand. They are wonderful about accurately identifying a snake with a photo and a location. This group will help you be less afraid of snakes and will help you realize that if you keep your distance, the snakes won't bother you. As for trail walking, including Bald Eagle, please walk where you walk, keeps dogs on a leash, and have an adult walk in front of and behind children on the trail. If you take time to stop and notice, it is amazing what you will see.

Enjoy Another Night of the Full Supermoon

Last night was the first of two supermoons in 2021. The other one will be in May.  A supermoon appears bigger because it is closer to the earth. Last night, the moon was 222,064 miles from the earth, about 8% closer than the average.* It was called the pink moon, but it didn't really present itself as pink. The moon was bright and for the most part, the sky over Greensboro was clear. The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro is a suburban neighborhood. The lighting against the white brick added a nice horizontal orientation to the photo.

The moon sets today (Tuesday, 4,27) at 6:59 am and rises tonight at 8:58 pm with 100% illumination in Greensboro. Follow the moon phases in Greensboro, here. If you want to try to photograph the moon, first, bring out your good camera. If you are using your phone, portrait mode seems to work best- even though no person is detected! Also, find a place where you can see the horizon line, a body of water works well. There is the moon report for today. The skies should be clear tonight; so, stake out your moon viewing site and sit back and enjoy. Happy Tuesday and Happy Moonbathing- no flashlight required!

*reference and more information about supermoons, here.

Sunday on South Elm

Yesterday people were out and about in Greensboro. Red Cinema was open, brew pubs had people all around, and Elm Street was hopping. The above photo was taken at the Green Bean and is a good example of people spending time outdoors. The weather was beautiful, sunny and not too hot. The temperature hovered in the 60s for most of the day. Downtown Greensboro has also added a evening event on Saturday evenings, part of Elm Street is closed off to cars so that pedestrians are able to walk freely along the street. With the warm weather, "Open Streets" is really gaining traction.

Here is a list of some of the events happening in downtown Greensboro. For example, tonight is open mic night at Stumble Stilskins. Tomorrow is the Run and Walk Club meet up at Little Brother Brewing and also Trivia Night at SouthEnd Brewing. We hope you have a great week and that you find good safe ways to engage with the people, places, and businesses of Greensboro- whether you are downtown or on the outskirts. Oh, and dress for fun. People watching is back!

The Beautiful Greensboro Arboretum

The Greensboro Arboretum is 17-acres of glorious green space between Ashland Avenue and West Market Street. According to the Greensboro Beautiful website, there are 14 plant collections at the Arboretum. From the Jim Gallucci arched entranceway to the butterfly garden, it is the kind of place where every time you go, you can see something different. One time you may focus on plantings, another, on the structural features. The Arboretum is a very different place when events are being held there, like Summer Solstice, Candlefest, or one of the art events.

Last weekend,  The Greensboro Parks and Recreation department hosted a chalk walk here, where individuals and groups made chalk drawings on the promenade and visitors voted through their phones. The above photo was taken from a bridge at the end of the Arboretum closest to Lindley Park- near the chalk drawings. As you can see, the forsythia have their yellow blooms now and it has been so rainy lately that the stream is full. If you are looking for something lovely to do this weekend, consider heading to the Arboretum. If you think this seen looks like spring, you should walk through the Arboretum and you will experience what spring FEELS like! This lovely space is now open from 8 am- 7 pm.

Yesterday Was a Rainbow Afternoon In Greensboro!

Yesterday's rainbow in Greensboro (and High Point) was glorious. At about 6:30, the sun came out, after a dark day with the threat of strong winds and a torrential downpour. The above view of the rainbow was just west of North Battleground Avenue. It is easy to focus on the bad, but we need to remember to look for the good. The rainbow is, perhaps, the most glorious of all weather events. 

Even though today promises to be a rainy day, remember to be on the lookout for the rainbow, even if it isn't a literal rainbow. If you are looking for something to do tonight, events are starting up again. Here is a list of some local happenings. There are options from Friday Nite Live with DJ Deron Juan at Boston's on Arnold Street to a performance of Porgy and Bess at the Well-Spring Theatre.

Happy Friday, Greensboro!

Stacking Wood: After the Storm

Let's hope the anticipated high winds predicted don't materialize in Greensboro today. The possibility of high winds got us thinking about our most recent storms. When we had the ice storm about a month ago, we were passing this house on Hedrick Drive and noticed this wood cut and piled ever so neatly. We started to stop and see if it was available for firewood, but didn't. That would be a nice gesture, though. If you have a branch that falls, to cut it up and, if you don't need it, share it with friends who have fire pits, fireplaces, or who like to grill with wood. If there is one thing we have learned in this pandemic year is that even when we are alone, we can find ways to be together and to help each other. Greensboro comes by its name honestly and we are a community with a lot of trees. Let's hope our trees weather this one with grace.

There are some fabulous places in the area to purchase firewood (like Ace Firewood in McLeansville and Storm-Felled Firedwoods in Browns Summit). You never know, they may also take wood off your hand. Be safe everyone!

Big Sky Over Greensboro

Yesterday's post was of Airforce 1 on one of its circles around Greensboro. Today, we're featuring the sky over the Greensboro Country Club's Farm Course at Carlson Dairy Road. Whereas Monday's sky was sunny and cloudless, the sky on Tuesday morning was riddled with clouds. These winter skies can be so beautiful with the sun hovering closer to the horizon. The sky was so dramatic, it was hard to believe that it was real. Also, by late afternoon, the temperature was 68 degrees. That is indeed a drastic switch from some of the cold weather there we have been experiencing. Curiously, when we checked back late afternoon, the clouds had moved on.

This is the first week that middle and high school students in Guilford County are transitioning back to school, with sixth and ninth graders attending first. If you know any students in those grades, you likely saw some smiles, as they were so excited to be transitioning to the next level up in their education. Today will be a day of in-person school for these grades and then Friday is asynchronous so teachers can go get round one of vaccinations. May we all be as encouraging as possible to teachers, students, and families as they all adjust to all of the changes and transitions. It has been just under a year since some students have been in a classroom. Today won't be quite as warm, but it will be equally sunny, especially if we focus on the bright side of life. Have a great day!

Camellias

Yesterday we featured hellebores; today it is camellias. This northwest Greensboro camellia bush is blooming in full glory. It is fighting hard to keep its blooms bright as the ice surrounds it. This photo show the beauty of the Greensboro landscape. Even when trees have dropped their leaves, there are holly trees (to the left) camellias and other evergreens to add color and texture to the landscape. If you absolutely love camellias, many local nurseries sell them; however, there is also a nursery that specializes in them. Cam Too Camellia Nursery is located at 805 Oakbury Court. It is located off of Highway 150, just west of Northern High School and a stone's throw from Gethsemane Garden Nursery. Established in 1982, the nursery encompasses 60 acres. The excitement of a specialty nursery is that the owners work diligently to produce hardier, more resilient, and more beautiful varieties with a longer blooming season. When you go to these specialty nurseries in Greensboro, and you show a sincere interest in their product, you have a friend for life!

We hope you are warm, safe, and making the most of what Leslie Jordan calls "hunkering down"! 

Guilford College Woods on Fat Tuesday, 2021

Visiting the Jefferson Road and Bennington Drive yesterday, we noted several trees down as a result of the ice storm and extra soggy soil. Some people are still without power as a result of this recent bout of winter weather in Greensboro. The overcast, foggy weather seemed to highlight the beauty of the woods. The carpet of green moss is absolutely lovely this time of year. Notice how it appears at the edge of the woods, turns a vibrant green as it approaches the blanket of leaves, and then, just stops. Continue through that woods and you will come out at Guilford College. We will type what the historic marker says, as it can be a little difficult to read from the above angle."

"240-acre oasis of biodiversity. Land of Saura and Keyawee, settled by European American Friends (Quakers) in the 1700s. Site of encampment of British and American troops in the Revolutionary War. Refuge for enslaved Africans seeking freedom via the Underground Railroad and Quaker men escaping Civil War Confederate draft in the 1800s. Site of former college farm.Educational and recreational resource."

May it always remain this oasis of biodiversity! Happy Tuesday. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Greensboro has never been a big Mardi Gras town; however, since tomorrow Lent begins and if you prepare for Easter through self-denial during Lent, today is your last day to live it up, hence the name Fat Tuesday. Have a great day, whether you decide to take a walk in the woods or to don some purple, green, and gold beads and join some virtual revelers in celebration.

The Very, Very, Light Dusting of SNOW

Early Thursday morning, the rain turned to snow in Greensboro.  While roads weren't bad, snow was melting snow and refreezing with the the temperature holding remaining near 32 degrees. The above photo shows the light dusting of snow in the northern end of the city. As you can see, the morning sun was shining brightly. Today and tomorrow are predicted to be  sunny, with temperatures ranging between a low of 21 and a high of 42. Enjoy the sunshine because there is a good chance it will snow again on Sunday. December-January are predicted to be the coldest months here. However, in Greensboro, there have been so few bad weather days this season, we really can't complain. And, just think, Monday is already February 1 and Tuesday is Candelaria/Candlemas on the Christian calendar,  and Groundhog Day on the calendar of lighthearted fun calendar. Do you celebrate either? Both? If you celebrate the former, buy some candles this weekend. As for the latter, if you want spring to arrive early, hope the groundhog does not see his shadow.

Guilford County Schools posted that all school would be remote yesterday. People on social media sites were lamenting the end of "snow days" as we have known them. Now, when it snows, instead of having no school and needing to make up a day, students simply have a day of learning remotely. The pandemic has really taught us the importance of being connected to the digital world and it has also taught us how much we enjoy being together. Have a great weekend and may you find things to do that afford a little (safe) fun.

The Snowy Day

Yesterday, in Greensboro, as the sun was setting, the snowflakes started sticking. The above photo shows the intersection on West Market Street, where it intersects with Friendly Avenue. Temperatures hovered in the low 30s. For a few hours after dark, it started raining melting the snow that was sticking. Then about 10pm, it started getting colder again. GCS schools were 100% remote today over concern of the impending inclement weather. It did arrive, albeit a little later than anticipated.

Usually, when the first snow comes, regardless of how short-lived, people rush out to get sleds. A good place to look is at any hardware store. If you are downtown, last time we checked, Hudson's Hill (527 South Elm Street) had them. Do you have a favorite place to sled ride in Greensboro? We often see children on the hill at Brittish Woods, near the pond at Battleground Avenue. In the event there is enough snow for sled riding, here is a 2015 News & Record article about some other good places to go sledding in the area.*  If there is a snow day and you can't get out, consider listening to this classic from 1962, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, 

 

*Terrific Sledding.

 

Skating

Today's photo features the "pop-up" skating rink in downtown Greensboro. It is located in the parking lot, just west of Elm Street accessible from Lewis Street. You can see the Eugene Street traffic heading into town above the rink. The rink was not very crowded yesterday, but the middle and high school students out on the rink seemed to be having fun. The Piedmont Winterfest is technically located at 123 West Lewis Street. The rink will be open until January 31st. According to the schedule on their website, skating will be open today from noon until 4pm, closed on Christmas Day and then open again on December 26th from noon-10pm. The cost is $12 for a one hour and forty five minute session and you can pre-purchase tickets, which is a good idea since they have to limit the crowds for safety.

Longer Days & Shorter Nights!

Yesterday, the winter solstice, turned out to be a glorious day in Greensboro. The temperature was well into the 50s and remained above freezing.  The above photo was taken yesterday, from the bridge at Lake Higgins. It was just before 5:00 pm and the sun was ready to dip below the horizon. The sky was minimally cloudy, meaning good visibility for The Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus-  or the Christmas Star as it is also called. Many people in Greensboro and in the Triad got photographs of that event. The best photos were taken through telescopes and the moons of Jupiter and rings of Saturn were visible. What a treat to have clear skies last night.

Yesterday, social media was buzzing about the fact that Air Force 1 was touching down in Greensboro. It is not uncommon for the US President's plane to fly into Greensboro. PTI Airport is close to Washington, D.C., the air port is not very busy, there are multiple runways, and they are long. This makes conditions ideal for approaches, landings, and take offs of the President's plane. Indeed, December 21st, 2020 was a busy day in the skies above Greensboro. On the shortest day, meteorologically speaking, conditions were perfect for landings, take offs, sunsets, and viewing planets! Now, today, days start getting longer and it should be sunny.

Life is good in Greensboro!

Sunset Tonight 507 pm

Darkness is arriving noticeably sooner. Tonight, in Greensboro, the sun will set at 5:07 p.m. Once we embrace the darkness, it can actually be fun to head outside at sunset and twilight and see the magical skies. The above photo was taken off of Clifton Road and Merritt Drive. The above silhouette looks like it could be on a rural farm. In reality, it is a photo of the western skies from a parking lot on the western side of town. 

The winter solstice will be on Monday, December 21st. There will also be a "Christmas star" that night- the two giant gas planets will be the closest together they have been since the 17th century.*  In Greensboro, it is currently predicted to rain on Sunday and be partly cloud on Monday. Let's hope the skies will be clear enough to see this Christmas/solstice star. Maybe we can wish upon a star...or a planet! Happy Friday, we are connecting to Skywatch Friday. Click that link and you can see sky shots from all over planet earth!

* reference and read more HERE.

Landscaping and Preparing for Colder Days

Thanksgiving week, there were some beautiful, fall days, and, it was as if all of Greensboro were out working on their yards. Leaves were being raked; dead branches bundled; beds were getting mulched, and more. The above photo features some holly trees being shaped. The crew working on this project in northwest Greensboro was from Benitez Landscape Lawn Services. They were working hard, taking great care to be safe and to get the holly trees balanced into a conical shape. The crew had not finished the crowns of the trees at the time of the photo. With all of the rain this year, the female hollies have really produced a lot of berries and the leaves are especially green. The texture of the foliage was especially vibrant against the cloudless, blue sky.

Today is predicted to be cold in Greensboro ranging from a low of 25°F to a high of 45°F. However, given that today is the first day of December, 'tis the season for cold weather. Happy December 1st; Happy Tuesday.

By the way, if you don't feel like doing those landscaping jobs for yourself, the number on the back of the green crew shirts for Benitez was 336-668-8076.

Summer Gardens Winding Down... Cool Weather Gardens Winding Up!

These watermelons, grown in northwest Greensboro, remind us that summer gardens are quickly winding down. Soon, it will be time to pull up summer plants and plant winter, cool-weather crops like greens, broccoli, beets, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage. If you haven't tried gardening before, the fall crops would be a great place to start. If your summer garden didn't turn out as expected, the the cool weather vegetables give you a second chance. Here are some great pointers from the NC Cooperative Extension and here is their absolute beginner's guide.  Summerfield Gardens has an organic garden and they pick by hand. Soon, they will have gourds galore for you to pick from for your fall decorating. Some of those gourds actually look like the above watermelons. Actually, now that we think about it, watermelon are a member the cucurbitaceae plant family of gourds! Happy Tuesday! Happy harvesting! 

 

Amanita Caesar Mushroom

It is not usual for August to be the "rainy season" in Greensboro, but this August has been extremely wet. The average August rainfall in Greensboro is about 3.8 inches (U.S. Climate Data). It appears that Greensboro has already had close to 7" this month (see here), almost double. With rain comes mushrooms, and they are currently abundant. All of these mature trees and natural mulch in Greensboro are the perfect host for mushrooms. The above photo is an Amanita Caesar mushroom found near an oak tree. If you look closely, you can see an acorn and cap in the background.

These mushrooms are so beautiful and almost jump out at you when out walking. If you are spending a lot of time working or studying from home, please take time to get out and enjoy nature. With a little practice, it is pretty easy to identify mushrooms. However, never, never, eat mushrooms unless you are with an expert. It is really best to leave them alone and let nature take its course. The woodland animals seem to really love the Amanita Caesars.

Happy Tuesday, and happy second day of virtual/online/remote school, if you teach or have someone in your life who is a student in Guilford County. Have patience. Every day will get easier and better. Take a mushroom hunting break on your scheduled time for exercise.

Rainy Day On Tuesday

Yesterday was an extremely rainy one in Greensboro. The above photo is of a rain barrel, purchased from A&B Seed Farmers Market Garden Center. Unfortunately, it was not installed to get filled with yesterday's rain. Rain barrels are a great way to harvest water to use for watering gardens and other outdoor greenery. 

Yesterday, in Greensboro, it rained 2.31 inches, although it seemed like 10 inches- the way it filled wheel barrows and outdoor containers! Here is a weather tracking website that lets you see weather by day, week, month and location. As an example, yesterday, in Greensboro, the bulk of yesterday's downpour came between 3-6am. The rest of the day was just damp and drizzly. The temperature dropped about 10 degrees yesterday from the low 60s to the low 50s. The rest of the week will be pretty rainy. So, you still have time to purchase a rain barrel.... AND install it. There are several options, from terra cotta, to the flat-back barrel model, to the plainer, more-standard models like the one above. Rain barrels help reduce the fast and furious runoff that comes from large, hard man-made surfaces, like roofs.