Author: Flower Roberts

The Neighborhood Fox

| Flower Roberts

I get excited every time our fox shows up.

It is young and very active. Its colors are beautiful. Its tail is fluffy.

I watch it with great interest as it explores the yards.

It found a scent it thought interesting.

It rubbed it and rolled on it just like a dog would do.

This fox is habituated to me and my camera.

It took a little rest while I was standing on the deck photographing its every move.

It looked up at me and yawned again.

The fox is completely uninterested in me.

I consider that a compliment.

FLOW

My Gardens Move Inside

| Flower Roberts

It’s almost time for our first freeze here in North Carolina.

Many plants have been moved inside.

Last Christmas’s poinsettia. Not dark treatment needed.

Now my job is to water and turn pots.

My workshop is a jungle. It is my inside garden now.

I enjoy weaving around among the flowers and greenery.

The colors are a comfort as the world outside turns brown.

The Schlumbergeras are starting to bloom.

I distribute these throughout the house.

Any bloom is a mood booster.

Flower

Boathouse Back Home

| Flower Roberts

We rode up river to look at the damage caused by the swift and high water.

Many boathouses had been torn from their ramps.

There was a boat precariously perched on its lift.

Many piers suffered damage from high water and debris.

On the way back I spotted a boathouse that you may recognize from my last post.

The rogue boathouse was escorted back home by two towboats.

Water does whatever water wants.

FLOW

Watching the Water

| Flower Roberts

I live on what used to be the Catawba River.

A power company has built dams to form a series of lakes.

The water at my location still moves like a river and has not changed much in hundreds of years.

I can tell where the original river ran by how the water moves.

We are experiencing flooding right now.

The lake above us is over full. Water has risen and pulled out debris from its shores.

This debris is coming over the dam at the present time.

I have been sitting in my chair at the windows watching the water move.

I am in awe of its power to move heavy things.

Its flow is fast. Things are being propelled like a fast moving parade.

I love water. I respect it, but I do not fear it.

I will be here most of the morning.

Watching nature’s power.

Flow

A Tree for All Seasons

| Flower Roberts

I was fascinated by an unusual tree at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.

Its name is Chinese Parasol Tree, Firmiana simplex.

It had several features that were of interest.

One was its green bark which had an unusual texture.

Also, its leaves were huge and complex.

It had a nice shape overall that made it attractive from a distance.

This may be a tree for all seasons.

Flower

Sparkle and Splash

| Flower Roberts

What is it about water movement that mesmerizes?

I could have sat by the crown fountain all afternoon

listening to the sounds and watching the glistening spray.

As a science teacher, I referred to water as the miracle substance

because of its properties as a solvent and its three phases at natural temperatures.

There is more to water than physics can explain.

It’s movements and reflections are more art than science.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has a water show going on

even when the flowers are taking a break.

The many fountains, pools and canals deserve their own attention.

The afternoon sun gave the splashes plenty of sparkle.

FLOW

Twisted Twigs

| Flower Roberts

We visited Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, North Carolina today.

I was especially interested in a new artist installation that I had not seen.

‘The Magnificent Seven’ is by Patrick Dougherty.

This Stick Work piece was big enough for folks to walk through and play in.

I think it is a lovely addition to the garden.

FLOW at the Stowe

(More to come water features, planters, a magical tree and anoles)

A Hidden Gem

| Flower Roberts

I went on another adventure today,

deep in the mountains, across several creeks, through three locked gates.

My uncle Jim lead us to this hidden gem of a hide-away.

I have dreamed of such a place,

by a stream

Mr. Flower

with a fire pit

and a porch.

An outhouse was never part of my dream, but this one is dreamy.

It even has art inside.

I do believe there was magic here. ( I mean in the area, not in the outhouse)

The person who built this and I should be friends.

We have dreams in common.

We may know some of the same fairies.

Flow

Life on a Limb

| Flower Roberts

Zeta threw down a lot of limbs last week.

It is always interesting to look at what has taken up residence on the dead wood of a tree.

These life forms get heavy with rain, then the wind stresses the limb to the point that gravity wins.

Here is a limb full of life.

It is covered with fungi and lichen.

The fungi here is called a jelly.

The lichens are grouped by their form.

They can be crustose, foliose of fruticose depending on whether they appear crusty, leafy of fruity.

If you would like to learn more, use the link below.

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/lichens/gallery/index.shtml

Flow