The Flood

I am astonished that I have no posted anything since August 23, 2009. I guess I have been busy, but that hasn't kept me from noticing all the beautiful things in Douglasville. Around the first of September I saw the occasional sumac bush turning bright red. And since then, the dogwoods in my backyard have all colored up. So Fall foliage is soon to be the seasonal flower.

Unfortunately, Douglasville had a horrendous storm last night, and much more rain today so the beautiful things are getting a bath in rain water and gloom. But you should have seen the beauty last night at the lightning illuminated the trees and yards. The colors blue and black painted the scenes in such high drama, I forgot I was afraid of a lightning strike. Fortunately, I had windows to look out. My cats weren't so lucky. I didn't get them in until the wee morning hours.

There are many businesses and schools closed in the county today because of the storm and rain. My husband just couldn't help himself. By 8:30, he was on the road looking to see what he could see. Too bad he didn't take the camera with him. I could have pictures to post.

I promise to keep updating fall foliage and the storm and the flowers.

Scrubbed Air

Yesterday as we drove down the new Dorsett Shoals Road, we were treated to a view of bright green leaves and perky flowers due to the rains of the past few days. The air smelled so good my husband called it "scrubbed" air. The rain has cleansed the air of all the pollutants at least for awhile.

And today we awoke to 60 degree temperatures, very cool and refreshing after the hot muggy days of the past week. Douglasville weather has an answer for everything. Is fall so far away? I think not. I have noticed a few, a very few, turning leaves on the dogwood trees. They've turned to a bright red.

By the way, the new intersection at Dorsett Shoals and Chapel Hill Road is a job well done. Before the new road was put into place there was a very dangerous intersection at the intersection with Annewakee Road and Dorsett Shoals and Chapel Hill. But now traffic is able to zoom through safely. Chapel Hill road is being widened into four lanes as it has need to be for some time. When school began on August 6th, the traffic was maddening. One day it took me 20 minutes to move from Chapel Hill High School to the Publix Supermarket. I'm very grateful for the road construction this county is able to provide. I'm also grateful for the good weather. We're looking forward to at least three days of wonderful sunshine. Then maybe some more rain. The tomatoes and green peppers won't complain.

Rain, Rain Go Away

I know. We need the rain. In my last blog, I stated that my rain barrel was empty. But the rain comes at an inopportune time. I must travel to Virginia, and I don't want to drive in the rain.

Outside my window, the atmosphere is gray and stormy with rain so far gently falling. Will the fall increase in power during the night? I don't know.

The rain is welcomed by everyone because it has been hot and muggy for three days at least. We want to be comfortable to get out in our yards where the flowers bloom and the greenness comforts us.

Douglasville is covered with clouds dripping water.

For the Love of Rain

Will the tropical storm headed for Pensacola come this way? We all wait to find out. I hope so. My rain barrels need water. I am down to the last two inches. This morning I used what I could to water the tomato plants. I also restrung them so that the new branches could be elevated and get the sun better. I have many wonderful green full tomatoes and one is beginning to ripen.

The August weather has been hot so far, but also there's been an occasional muggy and hot day. What's the difference? Well, on muggy days, the air is so close you can hardly breathe and it is usually cloudy. It is on these days that I have to watch all the plants because they need water desperately.

We went to the High Museum today and viewed the Monet Water Lillies. What an honor! So many museums to choose from.

I have the crepe myrtles to enjoy still and I must say they have not yet waned. In fact, unlike azaleas, they are more beautiful than ever. One thing that amazes me each day is the variety in color and shape. I will try to get more pictures on this blog. You must share my joy with me.

In The Heat of the Night

Do you remember that old television series about a Mississippi sheriff of a fictional town called Spartica? It was always hot. Their skins appeared shiny from sweat and occasionally you could even see a removal of hats and brow wiping. Well, right now in Douglasville, there is even heat in the night. After the wonderful coolness of July, we find ourselves actually sweating when we go outside to get in the car. Even though the seats in my car are leather not vinyl, they heat up pretty well during the day so that I sit gingerly when I get in with shorts on. Last week, I got in the car go to Kroger's and jumped out with a loud, "Yeow!" No real burn on the back of my exposed legs, but it felt like I just sat in a hot skillet.

No matter. There's still a relative coolness in the morning. Although the time is briefer, we can still leave the doors and windows open for awhile before we must resort to the air conditioner.I don't mind cool weather. In fact, how could I appreciate the cooler weather if I didn't have the comparison to make?

The tomato plants are loaded, even the cherry tomato plants. They, unlike the rest of us, adore the hot weather as long as I keep pouring water on them. In the morning as the sun hits the plants, you can almost see them turning their faces upward to worship the heat.

The weather makes people in Douglasville head north and one of my favorite places to go is Fire's Creek in Murphy, North Carolina. Turn off Highway 64 at the sign. It is about 2 hours from here, and located down a long, winding road. By the time you get there, putting your feet in that cold creek water is all you can think about. The clear water is so cold that the only time I am comfortable in it is in August. Once I visited Fire's Creek in July along with my two granddaughters who were little tikes. They bravely wore swim suits and sat in the water fall until a short time later their lips were blue. They were shivering, but they still didn't want to get out. My step children grew up in Murphy. They tell me they used to jump off the bridge into the pool just below. I still don't know how their bodies took the shock of the cold water. I think next week-end will make a great picnic-at-Fire's-Creek week-end. I just might get rid of the heat of the night for a short time.

Stormy Weather

The past 7 days have seen several local area thunderstorms, even one that produced a lightning strike on a nearby home. Yes, one of my neighbors had serious damage to the roof and gable from a strike which traveled through the house, through the yard to the neighbor's yard and erupted at the end of his driveway causing concrete and flower beds to explode! Naturally, the commotion of the firetrucks and police created quite a stirring of neighbors who walked and jogged down to the end of the cul-de-sac to see what was happening. We even had a homeowner from a neighborhood down the road ride over and inquire about the action. We're pretty friendly folk around here, so nothing was a secret. Besides we enjoyed seeing people we hadn't seen since the last neighborhood party.

But this just reminds me that the weather can be a serious factor in Douglasville. We don't have to contend with hurricanes or earthquakes or tsunamis, but we do have the occasional thunderstorm which blows down trees and strikes lightning into our yards. Once in awhile we have a tornado threaten us but so far that danger has not caused any damage to our locale. The rain that came with the storms was welcomed however, because we had had several days of dryness. My rain collection buckets were dry, and I almost had to use hose water to keep the tomato plans and flowers alive. I'm not known for my gardening skills, but this summer I have been more successful. I enjoy the gardening and the thrill of seeing something growing but so far my thumb remains a nice fleshy color. I look for greenness each day.

This week-end was tax-free day, and so we spent Sunday at Lenox Square Mall buying school clothes for the grandson. You should have seen the line outside the Apple store as people lined up to buy new computers free of taxes! We couldn't even go inside and drool or wish for what has become our next planned purchase. We will buy a new Apple before the end of the year, but we couldn't buy school clothes and computers this week-end. Apple computers are favored in my household over pc's.

Lenox Square Mall has Arbor Place Mall beat a mile. The Anthropology store and Apple store alone draw me back over and over again. Not that the Arbor Place Mall is shabby. I've spent many happy shopping trips there. Lenox Square Mall, however, leans toward the upper end of purchases. It's only 40 minutes from my house. We go west on I-20 and then north on 85/75 to the exit for 400 which takes you straight to Lenox Road. It's not hard to figure out how to get around in the area. Since my daughter was visiting, we had to stop by Filene's Basement, a big disappointment since the store was pretty bare. Are they going to close as so many of our other stores have done? I don't know. But if you hear anything let me know.

A Rainy Night in Georgia

Last night was a rainy night in Georgia. Yes, really. The rains are here, and although my tomato plants, herb garden and flowers welcomed the deluge, I miss that wonderful Georgia sun. In addition, the coolness of the past two weeks is missing this morning. Mugginess prevails. All my doors and windows are open, but there's not that deep drink of cool air coming in. Soon I will have to close them and turn on the air conditioner. That's okay. I can knit to my heart's content and watch CNN, NCIS, HGTV and OMG, I forgot - wait for my daughter to arrive. She flies in from Fredericksburg, Virginia, via Washington, DC at 3:00 this afternoon. Her room is ready for the week long visit. Some of the places she will want to go include Lenox Mall, Phipp's Plaza, Filene's Basement, Six Flags, Maggiano's, just to name a few. See? Douglasville is at the center of everything Atlantan. I just love this place.

The 285 Bypass is one I will frequently use this week while she is here, because it is so easy to get around the Atlanta area. Some people feel they can't handle the heavy traffic and high speed. You see, the speed limit is 55, but everyone ignores it and travels at about 70 mph most of the time. I, on the other hand, don't mind the occasional stop and go or the speed because of the convenience. This bypass makes a complete circle around Atlanta. Such a great idea.

My rain catchers are full this morning so when the rains leave next week, I will still be able to use natural water to water plans. Only once or twice this summer have I resorted to the hose. Sorry for the Texas people where there is a drought. We, too, had to contend with drought conditions in the past, but right now everything is green and lush and sometimes wet. What a place to live!

Interstate 285 Bypass

I don't know why they call it a "bypass" because actually it loops through several communities. It doesn't bypass much. For the past four days, I have had occasion to travel on Georgia's Bypass 285. At approximately 6:30, I launch onto this remarkable highway from I-20 and travel to exit 31B. And at 4:30, I make the reverse trip. The highway itself makes a loop around the Atlanta area. It is remarkable how it actually circles Atlanta. No wonder so many people travel this circle. It actually does take you to major areas in and around Atlanta.

Yes, there is a down side. Traffic is heavy at 9 and 5 and Friday. But if you're new to Atlanta, there's very little you can't find by traveling this remarkable highway. Yes, there are traffic jams. But I moved from Douglasville to Duluth quite easily and I would not hesitate to do it again. There is just one thing you should know: While the speed limit is 55 MPH, most people travel 70 MPH. Not me. I kept a steady 60 to 65 miles per hour.

The circle is designed to drop you off at most of the major Atlanta locations like Turner Field, Marietta, Duluth, 75/85 Interstate Highways.

I spent some time in Duluth for four days. Exit 31B heads down Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and into Duluth. Most of this road is populated by corporate offices and residential areas. It is an hour from Douglasville. Do you like to communite? Douglasville is a wonderful area to live in and Duluth offers many job opportunities. It would have to be a personal decision. If you can accept that there will be days of heavy traffic, and days of light traffic, this is the route for you.

Book Your Reading Now

The Douglasville Library was the proud recipient of $5.20 from me for late fees yesterday. But I was happy to pay it. Not only did I get to keep and finish reading two great books by Lisa Gardner, $5.20 was a lot cheaper than buying them. I miss Borders, but honestly the library in Douglasville is such a great place with so many great services that at least there's compensation. One thing I would like to tell you is that they finally, finally repaired the squeaky front door. The door automatically slides open as you approach and for the last two years or longer, the horrid, nerve stretching squeal from a misaligned door greeted each visitor. I literally covered my ears, but now that sound is gone and the door opens soundlessly and you enter the library's foyer to find loads of information about the services. The next door opens into the library which is roomy and well-organized. All of the librarians are friendly service-oriented people. I have really appreciated the place since I lost my job in November and couldn't afford to buy books anymore. Apparently, a lot of Douglasville residents feel the same way. All the services are up-to-date; so far the county has seen fit to continue all services.

There is a table or two of books for $1 each, and then there is also an "honor" table. Just take a book, read it and then bring it back for another. The collections are extensive; so far I have found all books or tapes that I wanted. Patrons can reserve books but just like at any library there is often an extensive wait period for the best sellers. Still, it beats not reading them because you can't buy them.

Located near Douglas County High School (better known as "DC" by the students) and several low income and retirement rental units, the library serves the community in more ways than just books and tapes. It provides a place for tutoring for all students in the county with several little rooms. And it gives the nearby residents a quick access to a place to go that is fun and entertaining and cheap. The location is in the "old" part of town. The nearby houses are beautifully traditional and charming. Speaking of charming, the outside is also very useful as well as attractive. There is a cute little garden near the entrance where, if a reader wishes, books can be enjoyed on one of the comfortable garden benches. In the autumn as the leaves are changing and the weather can't make up its mind whether to be summer or fall, those benches are great for reading or napping!

I notice the ages mixing at this library. For example, the other day I was in there and because it is summer, several readers sat at tables or in the chairs quietly absorbing a story. The thing I noticed was that teenagers sat near oldagers quite comfortably. Blacks sat near whites. Males sat near females. Everybody just mixed without thinking of anything other than the enjoyment of a good book. In my first blog, I pointed out that Douglasville is halfway between Alabama and Atlanta or the city and the rural areas, if you will. I believe that closely describes the entire atmosphere of the town. Location is perfect for blending of several elements.

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Myrtle Crepe

A little overcast today but so pleasant around seventy nine degrees and it is 11:04 am. We have not yet turned on the air conditioner. The doors have been open all morning.

All around town the crepe myrtles are blooming. Even though gardening experts say not to prune the crepe myrtle bushes, most people in Douglasville chop off the tops in the early spring (or is it fall?). It doesn't seem to make any difference. The pruned and the unpruned ones bloom profusely in July. The predominant colors are the rose and white ones.

Almost every month in Douglasville sees at least one major bloom. Maybe January and February are truly bare of flowers, but even so the dark greens of the cedars and the red and green of the nandinas are colorful. And there's always the pansies, right? In March, flowers start the show with the gorgeous, outrageous Bradford pear trees. They are huge tree balls of white blooms that make you weep they are so beautiful. I've tried to capture their beauty in pictures, but so far I haven't made it. And you might think it is too cold, but the daffodils pop up around the late part of March. The yellow daffodils kind of compete with the yellow of the forsythia at the same time. In April, the dogwoods show their stuff, and if you can find a pink dogwood, you just find a way to drive by often to look at its brilliance. Toward the end of April and on into May the azaleas glorify the area. It is not uncommon to find yards with huge blooming azaleas draped like antebellum dresses across the landscape. Also in April and May, cherry trees briefly but poignantly burst into bloom. In May the dominant flower is, of course, the magnolia. I love to look at the creaminess of the magnolia bloom, and if I have to, I sneak a bloom from someone's tree to place on my dining room table in a brandy snifter filled with water. It lasts for a few days. In June the daylillies dance around the town. There used to be a time when everyone had daylillies in their yard, but now I notice those yards are fewer and farther between. And now this month, the crepe myrtles take center stage. What comes next month? I don't remember, but I will report the event on this blog.

The Green, Green Grass of Home

Tom Jones knew what he sang about. The greenness of the area is in stark contrast to the burnt brownness of Florida. The weather is definately a plus for Douglasville. Coming from Florida, I had quite a task in acclimation. At first, the cold really got to me. But soon it warmed up, and one day I noticed I wasn't freezing any more. In Florida, I would prepare for the heat. But here I soon grew accustomed to cool mornings and very pleasant 72 degree afternoons. Oh yes, there are occasional spurts of deep, summertime heat, but not like in Florida where the sun could burn your skin just walking to the car every day.

Today the temp has not been above 79 degrees. This morning the cool air made it possible to open the doors and windows and enjoy the outside inside. We could hear the birds chirping and smell good old Georgia fresh air. Now I have to admit, yesterday during the thunderstorm or even before it, the weather was muggy, but this morning a cool 69 degrees.

If you are like me and you've lived in the heat, a place like Douglasville is a true treat of atmospheric enjoyment. Tomorrow I will tell you about the flowers.

In the Beginning

This rainy, cloudy day in Douglasville, Georgia will be the first day of my blog on the town of Douglasville. Since I am new at blogging, don't expect too much at first, but do check back often to see if I've improved. The town has caught my interest and hopefully yours because it is located halfway between redneckville and urbanville, half way between Alabama and Atlanta. I live here. I may die here. But I will never be bored here because there's plenty to do. For example, today I had lunch at Wendy's out on Douglas Boulevard. I ate the new Asian spiced boneless chicken wings and found them acceptable for a quick, spicy, cheap lunch. The diet Coke helped wash down the heat.