That spiky weed, that tall mullein described by Edna St. Vincent Millay as standing up so sturdy on its little seed, is growing to grand heights this summer. We see in those relentlessly sun-beaten and hardscrabble places where mullein takes root that the plants seem almost top heavy with mighty spikes of yellow flowers.
Thumbs up, then, to Mother Nature for giving on the one hand even as she takes away with the other. As we did last year, we notice, too, places where goldenrod is already in bloom.
Thumbs up to the unique and fabulous collections of vintage, rare and classic books available today at the Westfield Book and Paper Show at Eason Hall on Elm Street, Westfield. A benefit for the Chautauqua County Historical Society, the show also includes regional history books, maps, photographs and postcards.
This is not akin to summertime library booksales that are common across our area, but the two types of events do have something in common - they both scratch that itch you sometimes get to buy a book, to just simply buy a book.
Dealers and venders are coming in from all over for today's show, which gets under way at 9 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m.
Thumbs up to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation for supporting the Humane Society's efforts to find forever homes for abandoned animals. The foundation provides special support through a program that offers free or reduced adoptions as well as spaying and neutering.