Late Summer

 

 

 

Late summer here. To no one's surprise, it's sunny, hot, and humid most afternoons (this is southeastern Virginia, after all), perfect conditions for many of my favorite things.

 

No DST?

I'm particularly fond of old time pieces. Having become frustrated with the batteries on my digital watches failing at just the wrong--shall I say it?--time, I finally invested in a mechanical watch with an open dial. It hasn't failed me yet. 

I think that's why I so enjoy sundials like this one I found in one of the quiet, often overlooked gardens in Colonial Williamsburg. Sure, it can't adjust for Daylight Saving Time, but that's part of its charm, isn't it? I mean, who needs DST anyway? I know, I know, it's controversial! And some of you may live I places where there is no DST. So, what do you think? Are you better off without it or not?

Lagerstroemia

 

"Lagerstroemia, commonly known as crape myrtle (also spelled crepe myrtle or crêpe myrtle), is a genus of around 50 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs native to the Indian subcontinent, southeast Asia, northern Australia, and other parts of Oceania, cultivated in warmer climates around the world. It is a member of the family Lythraceae, which is also known as the loosestrife family. The genus is named after Swedish merchant Magnus von Lagerström, a director of the Swedish East India Company, who supplied Carl Linnaeus with plants he collected. These flowering trees are beautifully colored and are often planted both privately and commercially as ornamentals." -- Wikipedia

Favorite Garden

 

Welcome again to one of my favorite Colonial Williamsburg gardens. As often is the case here during the growing season, there are a few surprises to go along with my old friends.

In this case, the surprise came in the form of these "bunching" peppers.

Guardians

 

Guardians of the past and future (!) at the now relocated Bray School of Colonial Williamsburg

Waterfront

 

Just a last couple of shots of the Yorktown waterfront showing the Coleman Bridge above and the statues representing an imagined conversation between Gen. George Washington, Adm. Francois Joseph Paul, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Comte de Grasse.

Bowsprit

 

Tied up very near to the Schooner Virginia was this much smaller sailboat. In contrast to the Virginia, I noticed the bowsprit.