October Brought Gifts!

Greetings, dear readers, on this eve of Halloween!  I hope you all are doing well, and enjoying some of the fall weather that is sneaking in behind the summer heat.  I wanted to drop by and share some of the beauties that were gifted to us in this glorious month of October!

* My neighbor's Ornamental Pear Tree left a colorful calling card this weekend!

~photo by Suzanne

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* Don't ask, lol!  I don't know where this guy came from, but, isn't he a beaut!!!  He even has the American Flag behind him!  Loved getting this shot!

~photo by Suzanne

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* Wild daisies down at the creek.  These sweet blooms were a pleasant surprise!

~photo by Suzanne

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* A squirrel cooling himself on a park bench in Cleburne, Texas!

~photo by Suzanne

* Sunday gathering at the creek!  It was an interesting meeting, I'm sure!

~photo by Suzanne

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* Mums' the word! * Guys just want to have fun!
~photo by Suzanne

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* Dorothy and friends at Meadow Lakes Senior Living *
North Richland Hills, Texas
~photo by Suzanne

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* On the eve of his "NINTH" Birthday * Little Scootie
~ photo by his Dad

* Well, I guess I'd better call it a day, and see what else I can get into!   I'm so glad you all came by today, and, I hope you have time to say hello.  All comments are so appreciated!

We are having some of the best weather of the year right now in the Fort Worth/Dallas Texas Metroplex!  However, on a not so glad note, there is about an 80% chance of rain tomorrow night for Halloween.  This could put a damper on the fun activities for our kids!  We plan to take Scootie to a  "Tailgate Trick or Treat" festival at a local church, so, we're hoping the rain will let up for that event.

Please have a safe, but enjoyable Halloween Night!  Flashlights are a good idea for the kids, or those light up necklaces (I don't know what they're called)!



 "Cat on a fence post
Witch in the moon;
Ghosts hover softly,
Halloween soon!"
~rusty fischer  

*  Happy Halloween from My Texas Gardens!🎃

While We're Talkin' About Berries!

"We're the pick of the crop!"

Hello everyone, and top of the month to you!  Aren't you glad to see October come rolling in?  It kind of crept in slowly, as though we wouldn't notice the continuing sultry, and hot temperatures, haha! 

Last month, when I stopped by, we talked a little bit about berries.  Well, then, I started thinking about some of the other berries we see throughout the year!  Most of the berries I see are not even edible-imagine that!

Take the China Berry for instance!


~ 2 photos by Suzanne


 

Although this tree is beautiful in the Spring and Summer of the year, it is considered a pest in the Fall.  The beautiful leaves turn yellow quickly and fall, leaving the berries to fend for themselves against the elements of  Winter's cold winds and rain.



~photo by Suzanne
China Berry foliage

This China Berry tree next to my house, was previously a 6 inch weed that I kept cut down before the next door neighbor moved in during the late 1990's.  The tree is actually on the neighbor's property, and, towers above the two homes.  I have had to hire help to cut it away from my roof.  I wanted you to get an idea of how the foliage looks, as it is turning yellow now.

These trees, when planted by seed or by rooting, will come up in threes.  That is to say that three little trees will come up together.  You would then need to consider how you want them to grow by either taking two of them out, or leaving them to grow together.  I imagine that is how this tree has so many twisted  and curvy branches.

And, one more thing in regard to the berries!  NO ONE likes the berries...they are toxic to humans if eaten in quantity, and, if the  birds should partake of the juicy pulp, they tend to exhibit "drunken" behavior.  I keep my dog and grandson away from the berries that have fallen to the ground.


"I wasn't THAT drunk, lol!"

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Now, let's take a little journey about 52 miles Northwest of Fort Worth, to a little town called Bridgeport.  



~ photo by Suzanne * Bridgeport, Texas

This giant fir tree is the Ashe Juniper, aka Blueberry Juniper.  I spotted this mammoth while visiting an old cemetery outside of Bridgeport, Texas, where some of my late husband's family members are buried.  You can't see the berries in the photo above, but I detected a blue tint about the Christmas-like tree and ventured across the property to get a closer look.


~ photo by Suzanne

The Blueberry Juniper, is native to Central Texas, reaching in heights up to 49 feet.   I'm guessing it is named  for its bright blue berries!  Aren't they pretty?   Well...don't eat them!  The berries are bitter, and the cattle won't even eat them.  However, the birds seem to do well at ingesting the berries, and spreading the seed throughout the countryside.   Aside from serving as great shade for cattle and other livestock, this plant is considered a pest by landowners and farmers.  The pollen from these trees can cause an allergic reaction in people, known as "cedar fever", which can ultimately develop into pneumonia!   .
The Juniper Ashe is drought tolerant, and has been used for telegraph poles and fence posts.

 * any photos NOT signed off by myself are courtesy of Yahoo images.

Thank you:
Yahoo
Blogger
Google
Wikipedia
gardeningknowhow.com
The city of Bridgeport, Texas

***  And, the biggest Thank You to my dear readers for coming by to check on MyTexasGardens!  I do have more berries up my sleeves, and, will stop by with their stories at a later date.  Please stop in if you have time, and say hello.  I am always pleased and happy to see you!

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I wanted to take a minute to send:
Special prayers and condolences out to the victims and their families of that horrifying and senseless tragedy in Las Vegas.


*** Currently the temperature in Fort Worth is a mild and lovely 70 degrees!
(but it won't last long, dearies!)





* You all are most welcome to join me for some of my SPECIAL berries!

See you next time!  Be safe! 💖