Shadows

Monday was a busy day, so we took the fast route to Bennington, over a series of bumps where you are liable to lose your last meal, or get airborne if the driver isn’t careful.

We have been spoiled by too many bright, sunny days and I failed to take proper note of the overcast which should have prompted me to make adjustments to the camera settings, but a gloomy day is a gloomy day.

Though it could have been gloomier. Over the weekend, I’d broken out in some sort of unaccountable, itchy rash to which I had applied salves obtained from the pharmacy. Sunday night, I was hopeful that it was diminishing, but when I woke on Monday I found that it had re-awakened and spread.

It was unlikely to be anything serious, but as I had a couple of upcoming appointments, I needed to be certain it was not contagious. To my surprise, my doctor was available to see me first thing and she is of the opinion it is an allergic reaction. To what, is the question, but at least I am not infectious.

Mosquitoes brought out by the rain contributed to my discomfort, attacking viciously and leaving me adorned with bites, including one on each side of my face. My right eye looked as if it was punched, all of which does nothing to improve an aging face!

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With the all-clear from the doctor, we decided to dispatch the previously mentioned slippery rug, which is being returned. We debated using it as a cover for the sofa, but decided you’d just slide off it onto the floor.

So back it had to go, which involved taking it to a place in Bennington, conveniently next door to Hannaford’s where we could top-up on groceries.

This past week there has been a change in our foliage. Apart from a few yellow ones here and there, the leaves are still green, but a more subdued shade. In Vermont, however, which is but a stone’s throw from us, signs of Fall are very obvious.

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We came back past the Park-Mccullough House which was once the home of the governor of Bennington.

We had been intending to view inside, but have still not got around to it.

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As pot plant gifts, which I may be incorrect in associating with Easter (on Long Island), I was never much taken with these flowers, but in recent years, seeing them here upstate where they grow in great bushes and even as trees, I have become most enthusiastic.

The pale pink and the panicled hydrangeas are my favourite, but I admire them all.

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Continuing from there, we noticed little red flowers lining the road. Perhaps I should have collected some. Orange jewelweed, which is also called “touch-me-not”, is reputed to be good for skin irritations.

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Back home, another tiny flower is flourishing: yellow wood sorrel, or oxalis.

Though we have never tried it, the internet tells me it is edible and one writer is enthusiastic about iced wood sorrel tea, which almost sounds worth a test.

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It turns out we have something else worth trying. Mallow, reportedly, is good for sore throats and bronchitis, for stomach irritations and for skin rashes!

Why did I need to visit the pharmacy?

As you can see from the flower, mallow is closely related to hibiscus and rose of Sharon.

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Mallow is an unobtrusive and much smaller cousin which I find enchanting.

Can you tell?

Often I take pictures that may seem a little quirky…

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Something about the imperfect flowers and stalks appeals to me.

Here’s a better one, that includes a bee…

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Usually I dislike the combination of yellow and red, but in coreopsis, it’s OK.

To finish off, here’s an image that presented itself late one afternoon:

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After heavy rain, the wild carrot stalks were bent every which-way. Where they fell across the walkway, the afternoon sun cast their shadows.

Shadows always catch my eye.

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