DROUGHT PLANTS, GOLDENROD, AND, WILL ATLAS SHRUG?

WHAT A DAY!

"THE ENDLESS SKYWAY"

DESTINATION RHINELANDER

CANADA GOLDENROD

Saturday. 8:00 AM.  65 degrees F, wind WNW, calm.  The humidity is 75%, the sky is clear with some haze over the lake, and the barometer is way up.  What a day!
    This is the Bayfield Arts Festival weekend, and the lake front park will be filled with exhibitors, and the town with tourists.  It is a juried exhibit, which ensures high quality art work.  We hold our breath until it’s over, as several years ago we had a freak windstorm which blew tents, artwork and dollar bills all into the harbor (luckily no people).  Looks like we should be O.K. weather-wise.
    The trip to Norhwoods Nursery was uneventful and pleasant, a nice drive. We did see the usual roadside flocks of wild turkeys on hwy 51, in the Mercer area.  The fall goldenrods (species of Solidago) are noticeable now, a little earlier than usual. The hot weather and drought has evidently favored at least two species of plants, which seem to dominate the roadsides; Queen Anne’s lace, AKA wild carrot, and spotted knapweed.
     Now I have to plant the sixteen potted perennials and three shrubs that we brought back. The main purpose of the trip was to get enough summer blooming perennials to freshen up the perennial garden, which has become rather monochromatic and unexciting in  the past few years, sort of a blood transfusion if you will.  We are adding Rudbeckia, Monarda, Liartris, Russian sage, Hyssop, Achillea and bellflower, plus some Hydrangea and a Sorbaria for the front yard.
    I see that an Indiana manufacturer of medical equipment is canceling plans to expand and hire more employees because of the uncertainty of Obamacare and its tax on medical devices.  Damn those businesses!  Force them to hire! Who do they think they are? They didn't build that!  Are we beginning to see a revolt of the productive class in this country?  Hold onto your seat, and read Ayn Rand's 1950's creepy tale of the future, Atlas Shrugged.