Round Two, Round-Up

Despite the weeks of heat with only weensy rain, a new rose has opened on the trellis, so this may be the start of a true round two for the roses. Or a tiny moment of beauty.

Meanwhile, the mulberries, who volunteer in unfortunate places, must be gone after with Round-Up. I hate to do it, but I have been advised by the Dean of Green (WGLT Radio) that this is the only thing that will kill them.

Other pests thrive. Aphids (here pictured on milkweed) are having a heyday on the vines of sweet autumn clematis, itself a pest to some, but I love the sweet, anise scent of the tiny white blossoms. I was pondering the seedpods this morning, their resemblance to lady parts (lady parts not pictured, blossoms above).

I routinely duck spiderwebs, even the ones in inconvenient places like gates and doorways. But, whoa! There's a ginormous spider who's made a ginormous web over the bleeding heart. In another month, she'll be big enough to catch baby rabbits.

Speaking of gruesome deaths, you might enjoy this review of a rehearsal of Macbeth by Ada Grey, seven. She is my new favorite theatre reviewer under 30. My favorite totally grown-up theatre reviewer is still Julie Kistler of A Follow Spot (because she knows everything about everything and writes with lively joy).

Ada dictates her reviews to her mother, who maintains the blog for her. This is a two-for-one review of dress rehearsals of Lakeside Shakespeare productions of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream, and I particularly like Ada's description and illustration of the term "love triangle."

Ada enjoys gruesome deaths and scary witches, but only in moderation and went to a dress rehearsal because it was a "not-blood day." But her review may indeed induce you to visit Lakeside Shakespeare in Frankfort, Michigan for a good time!