This has been a strange heat wave. One or more days of 90-degree heat, 90-percent humidity, will be interrupted by nasty thunderstorms that don't cool or clear the air, and then suddenly a cool, clear night will just blow in, providing some relief. Last night I actually pulled the coverlet over me instead of the sheet! It felt very nice.
Flower not mentioned yesterday: for the first time in my life, I walked close enough to kudzu to see the blossoms. Kudzu has infested certain vacant lots for years, but this is the first time I've seen blossoms growing within reach of a public road.
If the blossoms are not within reach of a public road, and have not been sprayed with herbicides, they're edible. They are one local organic food that some people may actually pay you to harvest! Here's a recipe for kudzu blossom jelly, with photos showing blossoms on the vine, in a bowl, and cooked:
http://cricketbread.com/blog/2007/09/07/kudzu-blossom-jelly/
Digging up kudzu by the roots is quite a chore (the roots can be the size of your leg) but it may become worthwhile as more people explore the possibilities of dried kudzu root powder as an herb. It can be used like cornstarch or arrowroot in cooking, to thicken food. In combination with an overall anti-hypertension diet, other herbs like garlic and turmeric, exercise, and meditation, kudzu may also help control hypertension.
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