Over the Fence

 

Call It Evil

 

Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 

I've thought about this often over these past many years. Why do so many people with even the best of intentions so often shy away from calling a spade a spade? This book by Susan Neiman isn't in my local library yet, so I've put a hold on her last book, Learning from the Germans.

 https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/books/review/call-it-evil-susan-neiman.html?smid=bs-share

Trail Finds

 

 

 

A couple of finds along the trail.  

Risks

Just a note on the sometimes treacherous hobby of photography.  The photo above, for instance, cost me a large blister about the size of a half-dollar (remember those?!) on my ankle, the result, most likely, of  an insect bite. Oh, the risks we sometimes take for our art! :-)

 

 

 

The Swamp

White-tailed Deer

 

Rose of Sharon

 

Field Skipper

Echinacea and Field Skipper in a Colonial Williamsburg's garden.

Eggplant

Crepe Myrtle

 

Figs

 

 

"Nothing important comes into being overnight; even grapes and figs need time to ripen. If you say that you want a fig now, I will tell you to be patient. First, you must allow the tree to flower, then put forth fruit; then you have to wait until the fruit is ripe. So if the fruit of a fig tree is not brought to maturity instantly or in an hour, how do you expect the human mind to come to fruition, so quickly and easily?"-- Epictetus

In the Pink

Lake Ontario

 

Yep, just checking my new MapQuest app. :-)

Vote 2026

 

Image is from dreamstime.com.

The deadline to register to vote in Virginia in the Nov. 3 elections is Oct. 23, though Virginia does offer same-day registration with provisional ballots for voters who miss that deadline. Early voting begins Sept. 118. Check with your local election office for locations.

Hop, Skip & Jump

Covered Wagon

 

 

I've been following the work being done to refurbish this covered wagon that I've seen used periodically in Colonial Williamsburg for various purposes. Yesterday I saw, but didn't have the opportunity to photograph the canvas that now covers the top and makes the work look almost complete. 

 

Dipper

Scarlet Rosemallow

Restoration of Rights

 

This is quite a different post from me. First, I have never, to my knowledge, posted an image that I didn't create myself. The image above was taken from a WHRO article that I think is very well done and presents one of the referendums that will be put before voters this fall, namely the matter of whether or not to restore the rights of felons who have completed their sentences.

 Now, I'm not decided on this issue. I am inclined towards the view once espoused by George Mason, namely that suffrage belongs to "all men, having sufficient evidence of permanent common interest with, and attachment to, the community." I would only alter that statement to include all "people", not just men.

 But should that include people who have once been found guilty of felony offenses? Gosh! That's a tough one! I guess, in that case, one would have to second-guess a former felon's "attachment" to his or her community. But by what possible means can a community properly assess that? 

 Anyway, it's something to think about, especially if you happen to be, like me, a registered voter in Virginia. (Early voting begins September 18!) We must take this matter seriously and think deeply, and I do mean DEEPLY, about not only a former felon's attachment to the community, but, while we're at it, our own. Hmm. 

 Please do share your opinion in the comments below, as I think they could maybe help us all think through this matter.

Thistle

 

 

Such an an endlessly fascinating plant, whether it's in full bloom or, as in this instance, not.