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South Messenger - August 21st, 2022

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www.columbusmessenger.com<br />

Watching for the signs of the seasons<br />

As summer steams along toward its<br />

midpoint, I start to look for my purple pal<br />

in the countryside.<br />

Specifically, while I am out riding my<br />

bicycle on the paths of Three Creeks Metro<br />

Park, my eye scans the meadows as I watch<br />

for my annual, colorful friend to appear.<br />

By mid-summer, June’s wildflowers<br />

have had their day in the sun and have<br />

waned. The soft, lush bright green grasses<br />

of spring have transformed into sturdy,<br />

more coarse blades of faded green as the<br />

sun ekes away their moisture. The plants<br />

in the meadows are all taller as July rolls<br />

by, but their height does not match the<br />

glory of what is to come.<br />

In years past, I would not expect to see<br />

my friend in the fields until <strong>August</strong>, but in<br />

recent times I have noticed it gracing the<br />

meadows in late July.<br />

I watch for it with each bike ride as July<br />

begins to blend into <strong>August</strong>. Then, on July<br />

26, I saw it, along with many of its purple<br />

brethren, gracing one of the big meadows<br />

of Three Creeks Metro Park. Ironweed -<br />

big, bright, beautiful, and bold - its royal<br />

purple blooms standing out amongst all<br />

the green of the fields.<br />

Ironweed is a tall wildflower that can<br />

grow three to eight feet high. It’s a naturally<br />

occurring flower and gets its name from<br />

its strong stem. It attracts butterflies,<br />

bees, and other pollinators.<br />

Ironweed is a seasonal marker for me<br />

Editor’s Notebook<br />

Rick<br />

Palsgrove<br />

along with lightning<br />

bugs in June;<br />

Resurrection Lilies<br />

(which I inaccurately<br />

call Day Lilies<br />

because they shoot up from the ground so<br />

fast) in July or <strong>August</strong>; Goldenrod in<br />

September; pumpkins in October; and<br />

Peonies in spring.<br />

Another seasonal clock marker for me is<br />

noticing how the angle of sunlight changes<br />

bit by bit from month to month and the<br />

amount of daylight changes as the solar<br />

system spins around in its cosmic dance.<br />

But the first sight of Ironweed remains<br />

special for me. It is an example of beauty<br />

and strength. Its bloom lasts a while giving<br />

each successive bike ride a visual treat.<br />

When its magnificent purple bloom<br />

fades, I know that summer is slipping into<br />

autumn. But as I continue to bike the<br />

Three Creeks Bike path into the fall and<br />

early winter, the Ironweed’s spent tall<br />

stem remains as a promise that it’s glorious<br />

bloom was once there and that it will<br />

return again when the air is steamy, the<br />

bugs are buzzing, and the sun is high in<br />

the sky.<br />

Rick Palsgrove is managing editor of the<br />

<strong>Messenger</strong> Newspapers.<br />

Nakita and her brother<br />

came into rescue after<br />

their human mom<br />

passed away. They<br />

spent much time<br />

mourning her loss.<br />

Nakita is still very shy,<br />

but making progress in<br />

her foster home. She is<br />

very sweet, loves head<br />

scratches, Temptations<br />

treats, and a fancy feast or two. She would do<br />

best in a quiet home with someone patient<br />

enough to earn her trust, but in due time she’ll<br />

be your best friend. Contact Colony Cats if<br />

you’d like to meet Nakita.<br />

FYI: colonycats.org<br />

Asher was surrendered<br />

to rescue after his former<br />

family experienced<br />

some serious medical<br />

issues and couldn’t<br />

continue to care for him.<br />

He is at the Colony Cats<br />

adoption center now<br />

looking for a new family.<br />

Asher does have some<br />

health issues. He is very<br />

susceptible to upper<br />

respiratory infections and may have a chronic<br />

runny nose. He also need a consistent diet to<br />

help with some skin issues. This guy is so<br />

friendly and affectionate though that you<br />

won’t care about those things. Asher lived in a<br />

pets of the week<br />

<strong>August</strong> 21, <strong>2022</strong> - SOUTH MESSENGER - PAGE 5<br />

house with other cats and does well with<br />

them.<br />

FYI: colonycats.org<br />

Ivy Rose is a shy girl<br />

who is looking for someone<br />

with a quiet home<br />

and the patience to give<br />

her the time she needs<br />

to adjust. Ivy is not a lap<br />

cat but can be affectionate<br />

and likes to be near<br />

you. Her favorite trick is<br />

to flop on you when she approaches you for<br />

affection. She gets along with other cats and<br />

could potentially be good with older children<br />

who would understand her shyness. Ivy Rose<br />

needs a home of her very own to flourish in,<br />

to love a family to her full potential. Adopt her<br />

from Friends for Life Animal Haven.<br />

FYI: fflah.org<br />

Wilson is such a cutie.<br />

From the moment he<br />

meets you, his tail will<br />

never stop wagging. He<br />

loves getting attention<br />

and is in search of<br />

someone who will give<br />

him all the love and<br />

belly rubs he deserves.<br />

He would do best as your only furry friend and<br />

must meet everyone living in his forever home<br />

prior to adoption. Come meet this handsome<br />

man today at the county shelter.<br />

FYI: franklincountydogs.com<br />

MEDICARE QUESTIONS?<br />

Learn more about your<br />

medicare options that you<br />

may qualify for.<br />

Too busy enjoying summer to think about Medicare?<br />

As a local neighborhood agent, help finding the right plan is<br />

closer than you THINK! Call or Text today 614-460-0601<br />

Call me Today $0 Consultation $0 Fee<br />

Terri Curcio 614-460-0601<br />

“Who do you call about Medicare when all the commercials are gone?<br />

A Local Licensed Agent!”<br />

I'm here all year long providing Medicare members with the plan options that fit their needs. Also, we could review if<br />

you qualify for extra help on your prescription copays, along with insulin coverage. Reviewing the plan information over<br />

the phone or in person, you need to be confident in your decision. Guiding you on the right path to Medicare.

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