09.21.07 BLACK BEAR

It has been over a year since I have had the privilege to see a wild black bear, Ursus americanus, in our neighborhood. That last sighting was pretty magical, a mom and two cubs crossing through my headlights near our house in the middle of the night. Two days ago, coming home at dusk, my truck startled a big bear enjoying a drink from a stream about 2 miles from our home. It jumped up the bank, across the road, and gamboled across a big field to hide in the woods. I first saw a wild bear in the Appalachians in 1995. It was the beginning of a new period of wonder in my life and every time I reencounter one of these fellows I am reminded of just how fortunate it is to be.

09.20.07 THE PAPER TREE

Paper can be made from the fibers of many different plants, but one of the best sources of fiber is the bark of the paper mulberry tree, Broussonetia papyrifera. In China, where paper was invented, paper was made from the bark of this tree by the third Century AD. Paper made from this fiber is still popular in Japan where it is called kozo. Kozo has an excellent surface, is lightweight, and very strong, perfect for printmaking. Unfortunately this tree is only very rarely used for paper making in the United States and solely by hobbyists, and it has become a nuisance tree. It is highly invasive and grows quickly and commonly throughout the South. The leaves of this tree are remarkable because, like the sassafras, they come in several different forms, oval or with one or more additional lobes.

09.19.07 OPEN SESAME!

One of the plant experiments I tried this year is sesame, Sesamum indicum. I used seed collected from a mix sold for sprouting at an organic grocery store. Thomas Jefferson tried to grow it at Monticello hoping to make salad oil. Mine is doing fine and is quite beautiful. I look forward to the day this fall when those green pods have dried and pop open to share some seed with me.

09.18.07 EARLY COLOR

The tupelo, or blackgum tree, Nyssa sylvatica, is the first tree around here to show significant color. Individual leaves occasionally turn red before summer’s end, and here you can see an entire tree turning a brilliant red before fall has officially begun.

09.17.07 VINEY GLORY

This time of year my desire to work in the garden wanes. The summer's heat has drained the last bit of energy from my gardening spirit and I am ready to rest. I enjoy watching everything grow; weeds mature, seeds form, vines climb, and the jungle prevails. But I know frost will come soon and knock the green behemoth to the ground. So I am content to watch it as it engulfs the garden. Beautiful flowers appear every morning in blue, violet, and magenta as their vines cover tomato frames and deer fencing like so much southern kudzu.

09.16.07 SEASON SLOWS

The cicadas still fill the air with their loud song, but their time is passing. I occasionally find the enormous insects sitting quite still. They will allow me to pick them up and although alive, move and react very slowly.

09.15.07 RESPLENDENT ROADSIDES

The humidity has simply disappeared and the air is clear with a hint of crispness. Mountain trees can be discerned miles away where before we just saw a green smudge in the haze. The lower angle of the sun sets the roadside ablaze with color as it shines through these beautiful "daisy-type" flowers growing everywhere. Although difficult to identify, they are easily enjoyed.