Some local scenes, and notes about my life back in the 70s

 

Wisteria vines or trees gone wild...and a strange red blossom showed itself.

When a lot is allowed to go back to nature, soon the dominant vines take over. But there still remains a curb under the greenery, perhaps stopping more growth from going further.

Others choose to butcher their trees to keep them manageable.

On Vance Ave, Black Mountain, can be found this "Little Brown Church."

The joyful burst of citified dogwoods.

Louise's Kitchen (restaurant for breakfast and lunch) still had their shelter curtains down when I took this, but I noticed a few days later, those eating on the porch were open to sunshine and warm breezes.

The other side of Louise's Kitchen has these wonderful double blossom cherry trees.

Looking at the cherry trees from the side.

A dogwood against North Carolina blue sky!

And then we had a cold Sunday with rain last week. This is what happened at my apartment. 

Last night's national news showed more demonstrators being arrested on different campuses. And Columbia's shot showed the tents still up, though I was under the impression the day before they'd been told to disperse by 4 am.

I have no news as to the situation my granddaughter was in at George Washington University. But the shots on the news of arrests at Ohio State U. were disturbing. That's where I hope to go next week for my other granddaughter's graduation. As far as I know it's still happening.

I am reminded so much of the demonstrations against the Viet Nam war by students in the early 70s. I didn't take part, though I certainly supported them from conversations at work on  coffee breaks. I was a single working mother, so I limited my involvement so I wouldn't jeopardize being the bread-winner for my children.

But when selected for jury duty, I was among many who were questioned for a trial against students who had engaged in a sit-down demonstration in the middle of a busy intersection in Tampa FL. Each prospective juror was asked if they had any relations in the military, or in a university. If so they were released, as having prior bias. I wasn't selected, because I'd been a part time student near the place where that demonstration took place, as well as my ex-husband having served in the past in the military. I was really hoping I could serve on that jury, but admit that I was biased. Actually of the first 100 jurors called, I don't think anyone was seated. The students did have some fines against them, but I don't believe any were incarcerated.

Sharing with Skywatch Friday and  Floral Friday Fotos

Today's quote:

Grief and love are sisters, woven together from the beginning. Their kinship reminds us that there is no love that does not contain loss and no loss that is not a reminder of the love we carry for what we once held close.

FRANCIS WELLER

Spring around home territories

 

Pale morning colors of spring...the dogwood not yet open...but just wait!

April 12 gave surprise rain late in the day with a cold front. But these dogwoods perservered!

And the sun came out on Saturday, along with wind continuing, but not as strong as Friday.

The wind catching a late weeping cherry tree.

Caught these dogwoods about to burst forth

A huge mural in the Black Mountain Center for the Arts lobby asks one to consider the native oak to the non-native ginkgo tree. Small questions are posted within the mural.

Redbud trees still blooming

At the entrance to the medical building and YMCA facility, as well as new homes built higher up the hill, sits this forlorn trolly. This is Jane Jacobs Rd. off Rt. 9 in the village of Cheshire. It's just down the road from interstate 40 and Black Mountain town center.

This disease-ridden old pink dogwood continues to have some blossoms, outside my front door.

More flowers in the neighborhood coming soon!

Today's quote: 

“He who fears what he shall suffer already suffers what he fears.”

- Michel De Montaigne

From the window - you know the one I mean

 

Looking down I see two or more azaleas about to bloom

Directly below my window is a bush with beautiful azalea blooms.

The white and pink dogwoods are just beginning to pop out. 

And as blooms start outside, the orchid is finally letting go of it's own beautiful flowers...which started in January if I remember correctly. Here's the link to Jan. 26 when I posted "At her Prime."

Today's quote:

I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.

ANNE FRANK

More dogwood blooms

 

Across from Lake Tomahawk are some simple well kept homes. Here there are white azaleas blooming, I think. 

And next door has wonderful dogwoods.

A more modern (or rennovated) home with it's dogwood.

St. James Episcopal Church is on the corner of State St. (US 70) and Craigmont, which leads to the lake.

Today's quote:

 I want people to talk to one another no matter what their difference of opinion might be. -Studs Terkel, author and broadcaster (1912-2008)

Sharing with Floral Friday Fotos

Ah the dogwoods!

 

And a nice early azalea too!

Acorns

A huge crop this year.  The old-timers say this means it will be a hard winter.

At least the bears will have plenty to eat and won't have to come to town, or even climb trees.

It was like walking when you come ashore after being on a boat.  The ground kind of rolled beneath your feet as you got used to the ball-bearing feeling of these acorns underfoot.

And of course the maples are beginning to turn as well.

And dogwoods.