The Trek Down the Driveway 2018

The long and winding road that is the driveway could on this day be compared to a small stream.  Lots of rain--and fall in Ohio this year has had lots of rain--plunges portions of the driveway under water.  But beauty rules along the trail during the year.  And the Ancient One--the monstrous red maple at the turn in the driveway and the old dogwood that has been here from the beginning are the stars.  Early, a number of crocus bloom under trees and shrubs along the way, even a hyacinth and several daffodils.  Trees that bloom are the old dogwood, a couple of redbuds, a flowering plum, an old and new apple tree--though the latter took 2018 off for some reason.  A red crab apple is not yet mature enough to bloom, but it's coming.  Other potential bloomers are a forsythia and witch hazel.  A golden barbarry also sits next to the apple trees and two huge burning bush are right before the old dogwood.  Non-bloomers are a gigantic willow--tallest tree on The Acres, a small juniper, and a fern or two.  For summer blooms--June-July--a Japanese iris, some lilies, a large a large sunflower grace the journey to the house.  The last things to bloom are the hosta, a couple hibiscus,  and the Rose of Sharon.  I take many a slow trek down the driveway as a meander home most days.  And I have an old bench under the Ancient One for just sitting and enjoying the entire front of The Acres.