bits and bobs: A random assortment of things; small remaining pieces and things
With all this beautiful weather lately I’ve been doing a ton of walking down by the beach and the surrounding neighborhoods each day. Which is a good thing because all that walking burns calories and well you know, when it’s 80 degrees outside copious amounts of ice cream is a daily must have.
Does anyone know what this plant is called? Because of its size it must be a perennial. I’ve noticed it growing in a few yards and the bushes are between 5′ – 7′ tall. AND I NEED ONE! The flowers almost look like gerbera daisies {but they’re not}.
I don’t know about you… but I love a good picket fence.
And hydrangeas, you can never go wrong with those.
I don’t know who’s walking around drinking fireball {if it’s the same person or it’s a trendy thing} but I see these little bottles all over the place. In town near the gutters, in neighborhoods, in the brush alongside the road and the other day I even found one in my flower strip out front. Seriously, what’s up with that.
There has been a decrease in dental picks though…
And an uptick in masks on the ground.
I counted 27 within a 7 day period last week. TWENTY SEVEN!!!
I also found $1.50 at the beach.
And a nice pair of new sandals {wrong size} and one of those blender bottles.
Yesterday I spied one of those fancy Turkish towels on the beach and I took it home thank you very much! {Don’t tell my husband}
Eyeglasses, beach toys, even new hardcover books {The Other Mrs. have you read it?}. There are so many goodies being left behind at the beach these days… Every morning it’s like a little treasure hunt. It’s kind of exciting.
And the scenery, it’s always changing. Last night I spotted a guy fishing about 10 yards out. What for, I have no idea {maybe you do?}. The lazy days of summer, they’re here and I’m loving them.
Wishing you all the best on this beautiful morning,
~Mavis
Lisa R says
The flower looks like a sunflower. I grew difference species that were very similar to it. One of my favorite flowers to grow since they look so cheerful.
Jen says
I love Turkish towels. I got them on Amazon for the same price as regular towels. They dry fast and are also great for travel.
Julie K Whitmore says
Jersusalem artichoke, I think. Around here, it’s very invasive. I’d admire from afar.
Deb K says
That was my first guess as well!
E in Upstate NY says
This is the wrong time of year for Jerusalem Artichoke to be blooming. It’s the last flower of the season pre frost in late Sept, early Oct. Do agree though, they are very invasive, but do respond to constant mowing and pulling out.
GSS says
Mexican Sunflower maybe? I have several in my backyard and I love them!
Deborah says
Cool beach finds. Isn’t found treasures great? You are so lucky to live close to the beach. BUT, if you want some real heat, come on down to Texas! Our temps are closer to 100 than 80.
Valerie says
Love the views. You are so lucky to be able to enjoy the beach every day.
Dot LeClerc says
The flowers look like Hellanthus “lemon queen” sunflower. We grow them here in Kansas. They are a pernal. They do spread. You can pull the little ones in the spring to control them. They are so pretty.
Jen says
There are perennial sunflowers, which is what I think this is. Leaves are too wide to be a swamp sunflower and Jerusalem artichokes have multiple flowers on one stem.
Meg C says
I have those in my yard. They are called Heliopsis Helianthoides-False Sunflower.
They’re wonderful for a bit of privacy as they grow tall & thick but they do spread & need to be controlled. I pull out about 1/4-1/2 of them in the spring & fall & they still come back like gangbusters. The bees & other pollinators love them. Also, I find I need to tie them up because they can become quite floppy, especially after rain. I rescued an old metal bed headboard from someone’s trash pile & use that as a decorative fence to help keep them in check.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! I think that’s it. Thanks Meg C. 🙂
Nancy says
Yes, I agree! Love them but they do spread and I also have to tie them up.
Annette says
I like the idea of the metal headboard.
Lissa says
Don’t people ever come back to the area to look for lost items?
Mavis Butterfield says
You would think so… but unfortunately no.
Katelyn says
I’m certainly not suggesting their employees are at fault, but Sazerac (who makes Fireball) has 2 distilleries relatively near you in Maine – just a little fun fact for you!
RebekahU says
I think it’s a Maximilian sunflower.
Randini says
I too have seen an uptick in discarded masks (and also not as many dental picks) I guess it’s hard to floss your teeth on the go with a mask on.
I’ve taken to carrying gloves and a plastic grocery bag each time we go to the beach here in WA. I ALWAYS fill up the bag with trash from the beach. Other beach-goers often say ‘thank you’ for doing that. I’m hoping it is contagious (contagious in a good way these days) so others will pick up and dispose properly of trash on their adventures.
Heather says
could those bottles be vases for some bouquets? love all the beach finds…
tia in boise says
HOW could someone A–pay for that new hardcover book (instead of borrowing from library) and then B–leave it?!!! Yep, I finished The Other Mrs. a week ago–was gooooooooood! so many twists and turns and me thinking i knew what was going on but then i didn’t.
Lynda says
I’m not going to the library these days.. no idea who’s had those books…
And I don’t like reading in my iPad.. books don’t need to be recharged….iPad died while reading on a transatlantic flight…NOT GOOD to be bookless for 7 hours!
Linda T says
Our library cards allow the “rental” (no fee) of audiobooks via Libby. The selection is nearly endless, though the newest books may require you to wait to get them. It is a great service and no germs to worry about. You might check to see if this is an option at your library- even small libraries are usually hooked into this.
Kaia says
Mavis, you must get the Seek app!!! It identifies plants, fungi, insects, even animals! I got it a while ago but have been having so much fun and LEARNING so much lately! Particularly about wild and native plants, which is helpful for foraging. It’s fascinating.
Michèle says
Mavis I think it’s Lion’s Bane. A perrenial.
Kim says
Dahlia
Teri says
I don’t know why he’s fishing out there like that! I also don’t get all those littered masks!! Good find on the book and the towel though. Too bad the sandals didn’t fit!! Keep at it; it’s fun to see what you find!
Mari Hewson says
The flower is Inula helenium or Elecampagne. It’s a medicinal herb, the roots are used as a cough expectorant. I grow it here in New Zealand. It’s a stunning plant.
Melanie says
I think the Fireball drinking/discarding must be a trendy thing, or the same person walking around drinking in your town makes a weekly detour through Nebraska because I find those in our alley ALL. THE. TIME.
Andrea says
Most likely that guy is fishing for either striped bass or bluefish. Fishing like that is called surfcasting.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you!