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Native to Asia and originally brought to the US in the early 1900s as a forage plant, kudzu has become an invasive whose vines can completely cover its surroundings, eventually killing vegetation and trees. The late summer blooming flowers are lovely nonetheless and have a pleasant fragrance. Picture taken at Norris Dam on the Clinch River, Tennessee

While art, whether it be drawing or painting or creating in clay, was my first love all through my younger years, after high school I went into a secretarial course at college. The following year I left school altogether, married and started my family. As a stay-at-home-Mom I found my creative outlet in crafts of all descriptions, and in cake decorating and the 'confectionery arts' which I also taught for more than 25 years from my home. Many of my greatest friends today were introduced to me as they sat at my dining room table decades ago in those classes. About 2008, I set aside the icing bags and picked up the paint brushes again! At the same time I began taking pictures with the intent of using them as reference for future...