Autumn Walk

Beginning of Ghost Hedge Nature Trail.

This past Sunday was a beautiful Autumn day and the perfect day to explore Sycamore State Park in Trotwood, Ohio. The Fall colors were glowing and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for a walk in the woods. Sycamore Park has over 2,384 acres located in the Wolfe Creek Valley. The trail follows along Wolfe Creek which widens and narrows as you go. Some kind of shaky, railing less bridges here and there.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful old oak trees, maple, ash, Sycamore and many more varieties line the path. The woods were full of birds and busy squirrels. The trails are well marked for hikers, horseback riding and even cross country skiing in the winter. Benches are placed here and there along the trail too. Some on hillsides that probably at one time were overlooks but are overgrown now.

 

 

 

A rock walk across Wolfe Creek.

 

Osage Orange Tree fruit were all over the forest floor. Once in a while you can hear them hit the ground or water and they make quite a thump. Heads up! They would probably knock you out if you got hit in the head with one. Quite heavy and about the size of a softball, 6" diameter fruits. The trees were planted as windbreaks in Prairie states. The trees have thorns and were used as cattle deterring hedges. The tree is also known as hedge apple. Pioneers also used them as insect repellent. They have a citrus-like smell. The fruit have edible seeds that squirrels and deer love. Native Americans used the wood for war clubs and making bows, it is strong and flexible.

 

 

 

Another View of Wolfe Creek.

 

All in all a great park and a great afternoon. This park will be one we return to over and over again.

 

Glorious Trees

 

 

I love trees. From climbing them as a kid to photographing them now. I am always drawn to paintings of trees, arrangements of branches or things made of bark. I have favorite trees all over the country that I go back to and visit. A Grand old Momma Pine tree on the banks of Pine Creek in the Eastern Sierra mountains of California. I still have bits of her bark that I have saved. There is a beautiful Old Oak tree on the grounds of the Alamo in San Antonio, TX with the branches low hanging and supported with posts. It is a cool place under the hot summer sun. When my brother and I were kids we used to play amongst the hanging branches of old Willow trees. It was magical and beautiful when the wind blew them about.

 

 Oak, Bur Quercus macrocarpa.

 

 

 

I found these two old beauties in the Wood walk at Wegerzyn Park here in Dayton. They are Burr (Bur) Oaks. I have found the name spelled both ways. They have large, fringed acorns. The tree is also referred to as Mossy Cup oak because of the acorn. The acorns provide food for squirrels, White Tail deer, Wood Ducks, wild turkeys, mice and a variety of other rodents.  The trees grow to between 70-80' high and can have an 80' branch spread. The leaves are large sometimes up to 12" in width. They have a very long life span of 200-300 years.

 

 

These lovely old trees are appreciated and celebrated on the Woods Walk here in the park. If trees could talk what would they say about all that they have seen? They adapt to changes, weather storms, provide food and shelter for animals. Wonderful trees... Have you hugged a tree today?

A New Fall Wardrobe

What is Fall without Mums? Glorious color in a large urn.

  

Fall at Wegerzyn Garden. We spent a couple of hours yesterday walking and enjoying the warm weather and sunshine. The park is changing over into Autumn. It's like putting away the summer clothes and trying on the new Fall fashions. Layers of color and textures. These are just some of the new and exciting looks for Fall.

 

A Mum runway. Love this color!
 

                                Trees are getting into the Fall mood too. Berry accessories.

                     Ornamental Kale's planted in the rock wall. Love the textures and color.
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Begonias in all of their glory.

      Large pots of begonias are everywhere throughout the gardens. Beautiful and lush.

Spectacular!

 

 

 

The Woods Walk. So inviting and the path beckons.
 

       We took the forest walk through the trees. It was cool and the path littered with leaves.

 

 

    As always they do a lovely show at the Gardens. Thank you to the many hands that are involved!
                                                        Always inspiring and creative.

Be Curious... Explore!

Wright Brother sculpture downtown Dayton, Ohio.

It always amazes me just how many people never explore their own environment. A person who has lived in the same town for 40 plus years for example who has never visited a local museum, a city park, a new art gallery, a local Farmer's market. Being new to Dayton I have been exploring my new city. I meet people and inevitably they ask where I am visiting from?  I say, I just moved here from California. They exclaim in surprise and always say the same thing...WHY?  Ohio? They say it like I'm crazy and like California is a Utopia. I guess it's the same story every where; the grass is always greener somewhere else but hey Ohioans don't sell your state short! Get out there and just look at what you have. Be thankful. Be curious! And this isn't just for Ohioans but for everyone, wherever you are, get out and broaden your horizons.

Every place has a unique vibe, a different look, climate, terrain, art, vegetation, food, character, architecture, history and way of doing things. You get the idea. Every place is always in a state of change that's just the nature of life. "I haven't been there since I was a kid on a school trip." Why not?  Guaranteed it has changed since then. Why not rediscover it now?

I love, love, love the Five Rivers Metro Park system here in Dayton. Each one of the parks is different. Wegerzyn gardens I go to almost on a weekly basis. The gardens are in a constant state of change. Something new is blooming, and something else has died down or the displays have been changed. The light changes as the day progresses. In early morning it is soft and the gardens have a hush over them. The plants are wet with dew, a bird is splashing in a puddle. I have sat on a bench and just listened to the garden waking up. It is a form of meditation. I feel rested and rejuvenated afterward. Midday the garden is bright and hot in the sun, volunteers weed beds, someone is mowing the lawn area. In the evening the light throws shadows as the sun goes down. A different feel again. The garden prepares for sleep. Just as a garden changes by day the seasonal changes deserve a return visit. Spring to summer to Fall to Winter. The first shoots of new flowers just poking their heads above soil; full blooms in summer showcasing drifts of colorful blossoms, the air heavy with fragrance; Fall colors in all their glory, grasses, trees and shrubs in reds, yellow and orange; Winter- a garden under snow is lovely in its own right. Bare stems lightly frosted in ice, footprints of animals and birds in fresh snow, the bright color of red berries against white. You get the idea.

Maybe because I have lived so many places in my life I am just naturally curious and interested in learning more. If I see an interesting building I want to know its history. If I see a plant that I don't know I look it up and the same is true for birds, trees, animals, and rocks. My point being that once you allow your curiosity to take hold it will lead you to more interests and experiences.

Say Yes to life. Say yes to new experiences. I was invited once to a co-workers home for a family get together that involved cooking. I was a little intimidated as he came from a very large family. It was right before the Christmas holidays. I said Yes and what an experience I had. Table after table put together with members spanning 4 generations around the tables making tamales. The men had started cooking the fillings three days ahead, piles of masa and corn husks were on the tables and I learned how to spread the masa and fill them. It was a huge assembly line. A family tradition that went on year after year and I was honored to be included. I remember it all these years later with love even though Grandmother, who spoke no English said "No, no" every time she saw my corn husk. I wasn't  spreading the masa correctly, but it was OK, I learned and I had a wonderful time and a lifelong memory of tradition.

In Julia Cameron's "Artist's Way" series she encourages something she calls "Artist's Dates." The date is taken by yourself and can be anywhere that you find inspiring; a bookstore, an art gallery, museum, a garden, a walk on the beach, etc.. You go by yourself because you want to be your Self. Play, have fun, be inspired and act the way you want without being inhibited and at your own pace. Try it, it will work wonders.

There are plenty of sources for finding out what is going on in your town; the Internet on event sites or local news stations, radio, local newspapers or just look out for banners and signs announcing upcoming festivals, concerts and events. One will usually lead you to another. Local churches and groups are always having festivals, dinners and concerts. Network.

Regional food is a whole other story and you can only learn by going out and trying new things but I have to comment on one particular travesty that I have discovered here in Ohio here and now. Big Boy hamburgers. I'm from California where the original was made in all it's glory with it's original delicious special sauce and Ohio... tarter sauce is just NOT right. YUCK! How and where did it get lost in translation? Go to California, Burbank, and try the original...Please. Enough said.

I guess the reason I started "Blooming Where You Are Planted" was  because I believe that we are ever changing too and in order to be the best we can be we need to look for our life everywhere we go. If a living thing stagnates it dies. You have to give your Spirit nourishment to live fully and deeply. Be inspired. Explore. Grow. Bloom!

Lilac Tree. Cox Arboretum.

Pretzels, Antiques and Gourds, Oh My!

Welcome to the wonderful Land of Festivals. There never seems to be a shortage of things going on here in Ohio and this past weekend did not disappoint. If only I had the time to go to all of them but here is a variety of Festivals and events that we did go to this past weekend.

This past Saturday we started off  at the Germantown Pretzel Festival. Germantown, 15 miles southwest of Dayton, has lovely historical buildings and just seems like a pleasant community. It was founded by German speaking people from Pennsylvania back in 1804. The festival is held at the Veteran's Memorial park and offers craft booths, entertainment, food, clogging by the Ohio Cardinal Cloggers, raffles and of course, pretzels. Chocolate covered, pretzel bites with dipping sauces, fresh-made large pretzels with lots of sea salt, and any number of sandwiches wrapped in pretzel rolls including bratwurst which was delicious. Every member of our group though suggests in the future that the rolls be heated or steamed. It's in the details! The homemade ice cream booth was our last stop. Yum!

Ohio Cardinal Cloggers.

Our next stop was on Route 4 not too far up the road from Germantown. Kindred Spirits show held on the lawn of The Little House antique store. We had passed this on our way down and didn't know what it was. So glad we went back. It was a beautiful day to wander around the booths and vendors displaying antiques, collectibles and crafts. We also checked out the shop, barns and the "Christmas Coop" (formerly a chicken coop). Mentioning that we had been at the Pretzel Festival the proprietor asked if we had stopped at the Butter Barn? No, so back we went to Germantown in search of a butter yellow antique barn.



Kindred Spirits Show.

Butter Street Barn on Old Butter St. is just off Route 4. A large barn full of antiques and collectibles, crafts and right now fun Halloween and Fall decorations. There are a number of out buildings full of items to explore as well. Both Butter Barn and Little House will be on the Fall Shop Hop held October 25 & 26. Look for this event on Country Neighbors of Ohio's Miami Valley on Facebook.

Gourd with pine needle basketry. Beautiful.

Sunday found us on the road headed to Greenville to the Ohio Gourd Society 51st Show. Held at the Darke County Fairgrounds this is a three day event. It was definitely winding down but there were plenty of amazing gourds to view. We wandered through aisles of award winning gourds- carved, woven, painted, dyed and wood burned. Gourds that were grown into fanciful shapes, tiny to very long, 76" as in the picture below. So many varieties...who knew? Outside there were plenty of vendors selling gourds in the "raw" to inspire your own creativity.

Wood-burned gourd.

 

 

 

 

First prize winning gourd 76"length dipper.

 

 

 

Another floor had gourd artists and vendors from around the country and booths selling art supplies. They also had demonstrations going on.  Next year the Gourd show is moving to Delaware, Ohio which is 30 miles north of Columbus. As we were perusing the gourd festival inside it was pouring down rain outside. We decided to drive over to the Prairie Days event going on at the Shawnee Prairie Reserve and Darke County Nature Center.

 

 

 

Blacksmith Shop, Shawnee Prairie Preserve.

 

 

 

 Thankfully the rain stopped so we were able to walk the grounds more comfortably. Volunteers dress in costume and reenact life as it was between 1795 and the 1830's. We visited the blacksmith shop, saw corn being shredded and pounded into meal, and visited with pioneers in the log house where we were welcomed with warm sarsaparilla tea and a cozy fire burning. A lovely quilt was being sewn and three ladies were spinning wool upstairs. Next to the house is a garden tended by the Old Thyme gardeners, a group that specializes in gardening techniques of the 1820's-1830's. Here and there they were demonstrating pottery making to tin-smithing.  Kids were having fun in the Craft and games tent. You could take a ride on a horse drawn wagon or walk through a tent encampment with smoke from the campfires hanging overhead in the trees. All in all a great afternoon rain or shine and a weekend that proved that there is no place like Ohio for fun festivals.

 

Log House.