Summer has exploded in the hills, with searing heat and high humidity. The widespread daylilies and daisies are giving way to Queen Anne’s Lace, blue chicory, and the showy orange butterfly weed. The leaves on the trees are hanging full.
Late evenings are bringing out the lightning bugs. These little insects with their taillights burning brightly, rise up from the grass and are chased by the eager children. Enthusiastic curious minds will search for information to see what lightning bugs eat.
The larvae seem to be very voracious. They live on the ground, under the bark, and in moist, swampy places. They eat earthworms, slugs, and snails. Adult lightning bugs can live for several months and dine on plant nectar, pollen, and parts of flowers.
Wild black raspberries are ripe and ready for picking. Black raspberry jam and cobblers are a great way to end the evening meal. Elderberries are in full bloom. Elderberries make a very tasty pie.
There is much folklore surrounding the Dog Days which began July 3 and last 40 days. Some folk believe that if Dog Days set in rainy, that it will rain for the 40-day period. At the same time, if they set in dry, it would remain so for the duration of the 40-day period. Time will tell. This period of time generally brings on the worst heat of the summer. Folklore contends that dogs go mad and run over the county, foaming at the mouth, and snakes go blind during this time — purely folklore.
Dog Days also bring on mildew and mold which seems to grow on everything. Water will grow stagnant in puddles and creeks, and damp wet clothes to be hung on the outside lines can sour overnight. Disease and discomfort can plague the general population during this time.
Life’s little lessons include the following:
- Money can’t buy manners, morals, and respect.
- Offer to wash the dishes for the host.
- Write a thank you note when receiving a gift.
- Buy whatever kids are selling in their front yard.
- Plant a tree and flowers.
Nature has its way of taking charge and changing courses. The heavy rains have flushed out the leaves in the ditches making the flow of water easier to get to its “yonder” location. The orange daylilies along the roadsides have been waving their bonnets to the motorist. Quite a beautiful sight for the beholder.
Quotes for the week are as follows: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” — Yogi Berra “Three things can ruin a man: power, money, and women.” — Eleanor Roosevelt “I avoid looking back. I prefer good memories to regrets.” — G. Kelly “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy “Kindness is one of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon another. If someone is in need, lend them a helping hand. Do not wait for a thank you.” — Katherine Hepburn
Sitting by the river is a cool place to hear the “Talk of The Grove.”
Wesley, Becky, Ben, Emma, and Nathan spent a few days in Charleston. They cat fished at Whispering Pines and visited the state capital and museum.
Judy Costello of Verona, Virginia, along with friend, Sonny, spent the weekend with Evelyn Varner.
Helen and Rhonda Nash spent the Fourth of July afternoon at a family cookout at the home of Helen’s niece, Julie Jessee, and her husband, Greg, in Monterey, Virginia.
Karla and Jim Moats had a wonderful long weekend celebrating with guests from out of town — Troy and Montana Hise, Tuesday, Brian and Cedar Simmons from North Carolina, Sam, Shyla and Isabelle Cogar from Maryland and David and Kasey Cramer from Virginia Beach, Virginia. There were lots of fun, games and love.
Motoring to Washington, D.C, to watch the Nationals versus Tigers game were Morris and Sherry Homan and Brandon, Cara, Macie, Carson, and Carly Mitchell. It was there that they all watched Charles and Sue Rexrode’s grandson, Brenan Hanifee, pitch for the Tigers. The following day, they all motored to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park to take in all the educational opportunities that were offered.
Former residents, John and Rita Todd, are proud great-grandparents to Raelynn Nicole Southerly. The young lady entered this world at 2:45 a.m. July 6 weighing in at 7 pounds and 12 ounces, and measuring 19 inches long. Congratulations to the Southerlys.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Every night at 8:30 in Providence, Rhode Island, buildings, boats, and police vehicles flash their light to send a message to kids in local children’s hospitals.
- In size. Lake Michigan ranks third among the Great Lakes, and sixth among all freshwater lakes in the world.
- There are 10, 685 beaches in Australia.
- The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799, was the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs.
- Cats have 32 muscles in each ear.
Concerns are for the following: Mike Adams, the Bob Adamson family, Charles Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, Liz and Mick Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Joyce Calhoun, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Kim Davis, Phil Downs, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Sharon Harr, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Chuck and Tracy Hiett, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Henry Hodges, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Julia Homan, Keith Hoover, Delbert Olin Hoover, Debbie Horst, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, Tom and Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Donna Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marsh, Anna Mauzy, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, Jim Moats, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Dwight Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryle Paine, Terri Parker, Andy Pond, Wayne Price, Daniel and Debbie Propst, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Marilyn Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Virginia Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Bernie Sasscer, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Bruce Smith, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Natalie Stephenson, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle and Don Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Amby Waybright, Jr., Mike Waybright, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams and Ann and Ed Wimer.
