September

Color is returning to the yard. The grass is still green. The hateful lawnmower died this week. The gas tank, connected by a metal pipe to the innards of the engine, fell off. The pipe was cracked in two. It may have tried to break my leg last summer, but I got the last laugh. Now I need to buy a new lawnmower.

Turn of the Century is blooming again. I cut it back hard in July due to damage from Japanese Beetles.



Zinnias provide color. They seem more vibrant this morning.



The acorns have started to fall. Bumper crop. It sounds like tap dancing outside my window at night if I park the truck too close to the house.



It's 72 degrees. Hurricane Earl is in the Atlantic, threatening to land on the NC coast. We're not expected to see any rain according to the latest forecasts. No rain in sight for the next 10 days. The high today should reach the mid 90s, again. *sigh*

Few acorns, but I'm not complaining.

I've noticed a lack of acorns this year. Last October, I would lay in bed listening to the *thunk* *thunk* of acorns hitting my truck in the driveway. The ground was littered all winter long. They all sprouted in the spring. I'm still pulling seedlings. I'm afraid the squirrels are going to be hungry this winter. My poor crocuses.

With overnight temperatures in the 30s forecast for next week, I'm afraid the final brugmansia may not bloom. It's so close. I believe this is the yellow one I got from the ice cream stand where Main St and Pee Dee Ave converge.



I need to take cuttings of the white lantana.



Dame's rocket needs dividing already.



My cabbage plants (Bok Choy and Stonehead) are way behind schedule.



Next year's datura bed is looking good thanks to the rain last week and the water I've been giving them as I use the sprinkler in the meadow area.



The tea olives are blooming again too.



It's 61 and overcast. The high today will be in the upper 80s.