Singing the blues and purples . . . . . .

Each day the clouds build and thunderheads appear late in the afternoons.

Huge drops of rain plop heavily on the back deck, and I run outside to toss the 

cushions into the gazebo. Lightning illuminates the darkening sky, thunder

 cracks sharply directly overhead making me jump and the neighbors' dogs

 bark, or booms in muffled rumbles off in the distance.

Thunderheads (cumulonimbus) are the most dramatic looking clouds with their

tall and imposing shape. They grow vertically instead of horizontally, forming

into dense towers that can reach 20,000 feet, sometimes even more.

Late Summer sky over Raleigh while driving home from the State Farmers' Market downtown on Sunday. 

Sunday, we took a drive to the market for fresh farm eggs and tomatoes, and

ended up also buying a few pretty purple eggplants - they come in all shades, 
shapes and sizes now.

Despite garden conditions being disappointing this Summer due to a

 crazy weather pattern, I was shocked when Bob pointed to "a purple thing in

 the back garden on the arbor." Looking closer I found not one but two

 'purple things' dangling from the arbor. . . . . . . very late blooming wisteria

racemes! None bloomed in Spring but it's lovely to see them now.

While singing the blues, I have to show you this beautiful piece of handmade glass

 from Colorado. It was a gift from my neighbor. His kitty is Ms. Nala whom I've

 shared with you often. . . . . and this Summer I did take care of her for several
 weeks. The blue vase is sitting on the lovely mosaic tray made some years ago
 by my dear friend Penny in the North Carolina mountains. 
You can find her here at Enjoying the Simple Things.

Clouds and the journey home. . . . . . . . . .

I took these photos with my iPhone as we flew into Washington D.C.  

last Thursday evening. The flight from New Hampshire was smooth

 and the cloud formations just stunning.

The Pentagon and Potomac River

Northern Virginia 

Coming home from a trip, especially when flying is involved, is always

 full of nostalgia for me.  

Each time I land I give thanks for the safe passage, then, if necessary, 

as on that evening, I head to the next flight gate, or the lounge if time permits, 

and settle in for the layover. That evening our flight from Washington to

Raleigh was delayed 2 hours - crew problems - so a comfy lounge wait as

 dusk turned to night was manageable. Eventually, the last thanks for safe travel

 were given as familiar territory appeared below the wing, the landing was good,

 the bags appeared quickly, and the taxi took us home.

There's no place like home, is there?

Clouded views from the neighborhood. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . but we are not complaining at all!

This Summer's clouds have been especially beautiful, often
piled up like whipped cream in the Carolina blue sky.

I whipped my iPhone out to get these photos as we drove past this building just

 minutes from our home. Yes, the latest hi-rise to be completed - there are several others

 plus more under construction - on land which at one time was most likely part

of the farmland (we dug up a vintage tractor seat in our back garden) where

 our older neighborhood stands tucked in between massive oak, hickory and pine trees.

We have lived in this area of Raleigh, north of downtown, for almost 40 years.

The changes to the landscape were slow at first, then with more roads, high-priced

suburban neighborhoods, and strip shopping areas gradually stretching even further

 north, the countryside has been eaten up, bite by bite, year by year.

It's called progress!

Across the main road from our neighborhood, built just prior to our move here in 1977,

 was the only enclosed 2-story air-conditioned mall between Washington D.C. and

 Atlanta, Georgia. 

It was also Raleigh's only mall with two levels of department stores, shops and

 restaurants, a fun place to visit for many years. Later it was sold and gradually

 went downhill when other more modern upscale malls started springing up around

 the growing city. 

In 2001 along came a man with great vision who bought the dreary mall,

 a nearby shopping plaza, aging apartment complexes, and much of the

 surrounding area, eventually building what has become known as Midtown. 

This North Hills area is an ongoing expansion of quality hotels, hi-rise office

 buildings, posh apartment complexes, great shops, a multi-screen cinema, 

hi-tech bowling alley, brewery, outdoor park and performance/concert areas,

 and many excellent restaurants of every type. 

Now under construction, along with three more office buildings and a boutique hotel,

 is also a wonderful retirement/assistive living complex.

The design and quality construction of this entire new area couldn't have been 

better. We do have more traffic, and lots more people, but with something

for all age groups we enjoy how lively this destination close to home has become.

The fact that our property values are increasing as we now sit on a prime location

 is good. There are a lot of people moving to Raleigh/Wake County - they 

estimate 63 per day - who work for these national companies, many of them

 want to buy homes!

   Older homes are selling quickly, some becoming tear downs, and larger, 

elegant houses are being built in their place, this helps breathe life into a somewhat

 tired neighborhood. We enjoy hearing the music wafting over from the Thursday

 evening Summer concerts, and a Saturday morning Farmers' Market brings 

plenty of fresh farm bounty almost to our door.

During the holiday season from November thru early January, there is plenty of

 entertainment and we can walk from home - no searching for a parking spot.

The outdoor concert/performance park.

Construction continues with more office/hotel/apartment high rises underway.

Will we remain here in this now busy urban neighborhood? 

Who knows what the future may bring!

Have you lived in your neighborhood many years? 

If so, has it changed much?