Summer is finally winding down in Central AL. We’ll have hot days in October but not like the summer…I hope. A spring freeze forced me to prune my fig tree very low. It’s made fast time growing this summer and is loaded with young figs. They’ll never reach maturity this late in the year. My gardening projects are winding down with the exception of the winter garden in Tuskegee: will share pics of the progress with it.

The flower garden is peaking out here in July! The petunias and lantanas are colorful. A few perennial wildflowers are in the mix plus day lilies and a special variety of roses. Hummingbird traffic has picked up tremendously and of course butterflies. It’s just a fun project that adds color to the back lawn near the patio.

2023 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Annual Ball at Montgomery AL. Our Sigma Phi Chapter had over 200 in attendance. I hosted two tables. The two tables of seated people are our friends who attended. Steven Reed our city mayor and frat brother was present: great evening!

Pumpkin Season! My current little project is growing a couple of pumpkins for the fall: out of a container. We should see them forming shortly on the vines. This is the large variety but heat is a factor for pumpkin growth: they love moderate to cooler temperatures. I’ll share pics along the way..see what happens!

Warrior Stand, AL today prepping for hunting season. The neighboring property is cutting timber. The crew allowed me to get near the monster machines. They’re scary! I rounded a bend on a logging trail a while back and came face to face on my utv with one of them plowing towards me. Down through the pines I went. I’d never get close to them when they’re running: the sound of them freaks me out..lol!

In Salem MA this Friday. Breakfast at Salem’s Retreat, a mom/pop eatery was fantastic. It’s a drizzley and cool day here but huge crowds: temp ranging from 50’s to high of 60. There’s lots of gothic style dress with heavy makeup among the women. Note: the city is not as rustic as I thought it would be. But we’re enjoying the visit.

Cruise Day from Boston. It’s not my fav pastime but we’ll see some of Canada’s coastline and port cities. We prefer cool weather and will visit: Portland ME, Saint John NB , Halifax NS and Bar Harbor ME.