No pictures this time for a reason....
The Mountain Laurel is in full bloom all along Rte 151. The two huge bushes at the top of the driveway are beautiful as well. The clematis on the barn is also in bloom - a cluster of large white blossoms.
But the rest of the yard is not in such beauty: there is an infestation of caterpillars this year in the area. Both fruit trees are totally without leaves and the branches are crawling with tent caterpillars. A bunch of the big trees including the old maple that lost the big branch are also suffering with gypsy moth caterpillars and are struggling to produce new leaves.
The deer (?) ate every single hosta leaf along the back of the house! Just the stalks are left. I guess it was deer; what else would do that?
It has been a banner year for vine-y growth. Poison ivy is everywhere, as is bittersweet. Bob said all the shrubbery has bittersweet growing in it.
Bob mowed and I cleaned off the 5 foot weeds, and others, from the patio so the purple and white flowering thyme can be seen. It is thriving.
There's a wasp nest being rebuilt (I brushed it down last time) between the 'real' front door and the storm door. Watch out.
All in all a bit disheartening visit, the place is looking a bit forlorn and neglected.