Fall Colors of Florida

Once again, it's time to show the world that Florida does have fall colors! While other parts of the country are revelling in their leaf hues, we are experiencing our own unique form of fall color!


This is an interesting weed -- it is the wild balsam apple (source: resident botanist, Mary Stricklen). When it first develops, it is orange like and elongated pumpkin. Then it begins to open so that its seeds can disburse.

When fully opened, the seeds are exposed to the world and ready to find a place to take root. This weed invades groves and twines around trees. But while the fruit is on display, I think it is beautiful!

Here is the beginning of our winter color. This is a tree at the entrance into our property, loaded with wonderful flame or ruby red grapefruits. They are just beginning to turn and won't be ready to pick until January or February. But such and abundance is hard to pass up for recognition!

This grapefruit is either left over from picking last season, or early ripening. But it has color, so it is included!

These tangerines are on their way to being a treat on someone's table! They are down the road from our grove.

Fall color! Allergy sufferers won't think much of this ragweed, but fields full of beautiful yellow blossoms add to our autumn experience.

There are several lush bouganvillea bushes in our community. The blossoms linger long into the fall, and sometimes into winter.

This beautiful blossom is the Confederate Rose. It is not as sophisticated as a "regular" rose, but it is lovely and poignant.

The alamanda is a staple in central Florida landscapes. It is a sturdy bloom that never fails to cheer me up! This one lives in daughter Molly's beautiful yard.

Ah, my favorite fall color! The humble raintree. In our community, there are quite a few, and this time of year, the display is dazzling!

This full tree will be bare before long. The pink "blooms" remind me of Chinese lanterns. They have the same shape, and their papery texture is like a lantern.

Another raintree. With a better camera, the depth of the color would be more apparent, but it is beautiful, just the same.

Well, that's all the time for fall colors this year. Tomorrow, we leave for "Arkasouri" again, and fall foliage of a different kind!

Arkasouri Trip part 7: Final Fling

Well, I think this will be the last post of the August trip to the mystery-land called "Arkasouri" -- mainly because this cotton-picking thing has gone on long enough. AND . . . we are getting ready to leave in about 2 weeks to go out again! (I heard, as Kitty says, that groan!) Well, after all, we have apples trees coming that need to be planted . . . and the leaves are so beautiful . . . and . . . and . . . well, there are the "sweet facies" we can't stay away from for long!

Right before we left for home, the Davenports, sweet friends who live high up on a mountain top in extreme northern Arkansas, hosted a very special event for us. They invited many of their friends to come enjoy the Country Cousins, and the invited a special guest for the Country Cousins to enjoy! Below is Mrs. Violet Hensley, who turns 93 years old this month. Check out this web article: http://www.stateoftheozarks.net/Cultural/Peoples/VioletHensley.html She is such a dear lady -- she not only plays very old-fashioned fiddle, but she has made dozens and dozens of fiddles -- big fiddles, tiny ones, beautiful, intricately carved ones, fancy ones, and rustic ones.

She brought several fiddles to show us. Some of them she carved from wood she cut down and planed herself. On some of them, she carved horse heads and razorback heads, and on others she painted mountain flowers. She carves with plain, ordinary knives, some of which she made herself.

Her fiddles are in museums and are cherished by Grand Ole Opry stars. The stories she told of life in the Ozarks during Depression years were inspiring. She is a delightful new friend, and although she is almost completely blind, she offered to help Daniel learn to hand carve -- she lives just a short distance from the Millers. She even called our home in Florida to follow up on her offer to teach Daniel. What an extraordinary life, lived for the Lord and for others! Thank you, Lord, and thank you, Davenports!

Here, the camera is on the wrong setting again (hey, I warned you that I am no photographer!)

The Country Cousins let her take the lead on most songs -- she is a natural performer! Occasionally she took a rest and let the children take the floor.

Mother and I enjoy the "concert" from the back of the stage!

RG and Sarah do their "dueling fiddles", Red Haired Boy and Old Joe Clark, one of my mother's favorites.

Daughter-in-law Ashley and Lisa Davenport. The Davenports are always so willing to gather their friends and make us feel welcome.

Here RG and Kitty really get into "Orange Blossom Special". This was one piece Mrs. Hensley had never played, so she sat this one out. But I think she knew every other mountain and bluegrass song ever written! Looks like Mr. Davenport couldn't resist taking to the floor to get his feet moving!!

Bethie, Katie, and Ashley delight us with their rendition of "I'll Fly Away" -- Oh, I think that's Lisa Davenport adding her voice, too, behind Katie. Some of those trophies on the wall are Lisa's.

Jason and Ashley visit with little Sam with the music in the background. I think Sam has been enjoying the punch!

For some really great pictures and commentary on the trip, visit the Dischers' fun blog:

http://www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com/

Okay, one trip put into the memory book! Thank you, Lord, for Your hand of mercy on our travels. Thank you for Your wonderful people who are so willing to share their hospitality and gather a family to their hearts. Until next time . . .