summer's end ~

Aren't these some strange looking fungus?  They are called by their scientific name Xylaria Polymorpha ~ but I know them by the common name ... Dead Man's Fingers.  Every year a little cluster of them grow by the base of one of the trees in my yard.  I guess they are a pretty common mushroom in North America; but often go unnoticed ~ mainly because of their color and texture ... they seem to blend in with their surroundings more than other types of mushrooms.   Truthfully, when I first noticed them a few years back ... I thought they were a pile of dog do ... nasty.

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My bamboo is finally starting to bloom.  I know there are several varieties of bamboo; and I couldn't tell you what one this is .... just that I know it's a bamboo and it has some pretty nice canes growing too.  The bamboo my sister has growing by her place has real long narrow leaves.

I never tried drying it; but may do so this year.  If it does dry hard enough it could make some pretty neat plant stakes or maybe some picture frames or fishing poles... who knows ??? There must be something crafty I can use it for.

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The elder berries are ripe ~ I'll have to get them picked before the birds get them on me.  Have you ever had elderberry jam?  Very tasty!

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The flowers are quickly coming to an end ... as is our short summer. 

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Mr. Moose is still hiding in the shadows off the edge of the lawn ...

I keep wanting to move him into the open; but Dear Hubby thinks it's kinda funny having him standing off in the woods where you have to be looking to see him and then when he is noticed it's usually the same response, "Did you know you have a moose in your woods?"  Duh!! How do you think he got there???

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School starts tomorrow for my 3 granddaughters ... one will be a Senior, one in 7th grade and one in 1st.  Talk about spaced out kids!  I always teased my daughter about having one in each of the schools some day ... well this year is it :)  ... come to think of it ... she had them in each of the three schools last year already.  It's hard to keep up. I'm just glad those days are behind me.

My grandlove, Bailey, ran into one of her friends from school this last time out camping.   It was so cute watching them ride their bikes together and having their chats by the lake ... catching up.

Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel