August walking and orphans

 Today's walk took me back to the pond, a bit harder to get through the trees now bent down with overnight rain.

The air was full of dragonflies and other insects probably getting a banquet of gnats after the storm. 

Across the pond was a contingent of the flocks of Canada geese we deal with, here eating the golf course and no doubt pooping copiously all over it. They're protected and very prolific breeders, so we're not entirely enthusiastic about seeing them around 

Berries ripening for the birds

 There are fungi showing up, sometimes bitten into, a sign of early fall, though the hollow tree where I find lichen doesn't have any yet.

And here's a plant I can't identify, at the edge of the trees 

Maybe the buds will open helpfully and we'll know. Meanwhile if you already know, please speak up.

Elsewhere there was talk about rescuing plants and I realized that all of my collection are either rescues, from the dumpster like the ancestor of this third generation plant

or friends who didn't know how to handle them. 

Like this 

 I think the only houseplant I ever bought was the ficus now in residence at the library.

And on the patio, the developing hibiscus bud collected rain in its cup overnight 

Not long before a new blossom bursts out.

Someone asked me recently about English paper piecing, so in case they're reading here, here's a pillow I pieced by hand a while back 

Today's reading is 

Old fashioned attitudes and language but still good reading, especially since Peter Wimsey's mother appears, bringing wonderful dialogue,  and there's an indomitable old lady, the mother of the accused. They hit it off fine.

Happy day, everyone, between the walking and the allergy meds, the season in full swing again, I think I'll rest my eyes soon..

Handsome Son has asked to finally celebrate his birthday on Thursday this week, weather permitting. This means if it's great shore weather we'll reschedule! Those days are precious.