Back in NJ.

8-31-16 SHORT HILLS: We’re back in the humidity and heat, hiding in the AC. We walk the dogs before 9 AM. We have been getting organized and settled after the summer in VT. Judy is sorting the many stuffies by size for later distribution to the facilities she visits with the dogs.

I filled the bird feeders. Something I haven’t been able to do for months because of the bear situation in VT. There are always a lot of chores that need seeing to but it’s too hot outside. I did walk around the yard to see what’s in bloom. Some of the flowers are just the last few from things that are usually early of mid-season bloomers.

In bloom: rose of Sharon, aster, strawberry, caryopteris, abelia, vinca minor, roses, spirea, hydrangea, lamium, hosta, leadwort, white-star clematis, sow thistle.


Rose of Sharon is a late season hibiscus relative that comes in several flavors like this...

...and like this. It's a tall shrub.

Abelia is another late season bloomer. It's a low mound most of the summer.

Sow thistle is about two feet tall-a dandelion on steroids-but a weed.

Caryopteris is another late season flowering shrub that gets to three feet or so.

From VT: Santa's sleigh filled with toys and two golden reindeer...

...and Corn pickers.