SAND, STAIRS AND SIGNS

The times they are a 'changin.' As a kid, I remember walking along the beach with my friends. We played along the shore for hours, building sandcastles, throwing balls and running back and forth from sand to sea. It was our little world and we loved the freedom of the place. When we got hungry, we raced up to the road with our nickels and dimes in search of ice cream or sno cones. We cut through paths made from thousands of feet between beach cottages and waving to the occupants as we went. And they waved back.

Now as I walked along the same expanse of beach, I saw very few "beach cottages." Instead super-sized houses with angles and gables and large expanses of glass now stand watch over the sea. Their shingles are weathered and they seem a natural part of the landscape--until you notice the signs protecting gated stairs and pathways. The high tide mark now a boundary between them and us.

I understand property rights and I'm not advocating their demise. It was just sad to see.

ST. MICHAELS, MD

"Follow the river and you will find the sea."

~French Proverb

St. Michaels is a charming, historic town about an hour from Annapolis. It derived its name from the Episcopal Parish established here in 1877. Situated along the Miles River, early settlers engaged in tobacco growing and shipbuilding. There is a great maritime museum, interesting shops, lovingly restored historic homes and plenty of restaurants to keep a visitor entertained. Dark clouds and sprinkles didn't diminish our enjoyment of this charming town.

SCENES FROM ST. MICHAELS

Seems like I just got home and I'm off again for four days to the Statewide Master Gardener Conference. Have a good week. 

MONARCH MADNESS

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."  ~Hans Christian Anderson


Yesterday my yard was filled with Monarch butterflies sipping nectar from our salt bushes down by the water, energizing themselves for the remainder of their migration to Mexico. I've never seen so many of them here before. Usually one or two at a time in the garden. But this was real Monarch Madness!

I made a movie with music, but I can't seem to download it. I'll work on it. 

We have several of these salt bushes down by the water, and the Monarchs loved them. 

Wings open, wings closed, upright and sideways. 

A very pretty sight.

A Monarch ladder.

First you crawl, then you fly. I don't know what kind of caterpillar this is to the left, except that it is not a Monarch caterpillar. I'll have to watch and see what kind of butterfly it turns into.

Sipping Nectar.

Incoming!

AUTUMN IN RI

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.  ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Unfortunately, we did not have the time to sit and watch the leaves turn. Because of the unusually warm weather RI has been experiencing, the leaves  were hanging on to their green  for a little longer, though here and there swamp maples were displaying their coats of red. I admit to being disappointed. I was really looking forward to the blazing color of autumn, walking along leaf strewn sidewalks and inhaling the scent of burning leaves wafting from someone's back yard. 

We arrived on a cold, wet, gray day and it remained that way for almost 5 days. Just chilly and damp enough to remind us of why we fled south. However, once the sun made an appearance, we were instantly reminded of the magnificence of a fall day in New England. The sky seems bluer, the air crisp and dry and the sun still warm with just a slight chill to the breeze. There is a quality to the light in fall like no other season. Clean. It just seems so clean.

Before we left, I had a slight cough and some congestion. During our 12 days away, it bloomed into a full blown--I don't know what. But it lingers still. Tomorrow to the Drs. for a diagnosis and some antibiotics, I hope. With luck I'll soon feel well enough to go through my photos and share some of our time away with y'all.