Early mornings in the Hollow have been in the mid-40s and foggy, and my walks have been later than in the warmer weather. The plants are getting ready for fall, as the yellows and purples fill the fields and gardens, and leaves begin to fall. This is the field “over the ridge” where I will ramble more after the weather changes.
The persimmons are “coming in” now; I have shaken three or four off the tree every day. These still have their “caps.” I ate a couple while walking today; one of them had a spot that wasn’t ripe, and, man!, it sure made my mouth pucker! (No photo of this!)
Last year I saved persimmon seeds and was able to grow some plants, which I potted in the spring and are now ready to be put in the ground. I planted a couple of the larger ones (about 8″) in the “orchard” behind my house. On the way up the hill, I saw a hole in the ground, maybe about the size of a tennis ball. As I stood (several yards way) trying to figure out what critter had dug it, I realized that yellow jackets were flying in and out! YIKES! I gave the nest a wide berth as I finished planting and watering the persimmon trees, but I don’t plan on checking up there very often until we get a freeze.
Two years ago I realized there was a yellow jacket nest about 8 feet up in the steep bank by my driveway (another tell-tale hole). Fortunately, it was up high enough that comings-and-goings didn’t seem to disturb the yellow jackets. Nonetheless, I was happy when I went out one morning and saw that something (a bear?) had dug up the nest during the night. The remains of the nest were at the end of the driveway. If I wake to find a hole in the orchard, I’ll happily post photos!
And in case you have been missing the critters, here is a fawn and a turkey sharing some corn…
and a buck (not Buttons) that has wandered through a couple of times.
Oh! And the writing spider moves to the screen door.
French Broad Hollow Ramble 
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