The annual end-of-summer obligatory vine post

Every year around this time, I can't help but take pictures of and
write about the out-of-control Silver Lace vine in my garden.
Here is this year's edition.

***

Since I'm chained to my desk and computer for most of the day doing my paying job,

I make a very concerted effort to get out of my chair every hour and walk or jog

 to the end of the driveway and back. It's 475 steps and takes me about three minutes.

This is part Fitbit obsession and part knowing that sitting all day is bad for me.

My hourly treks take me through the garden, past the Russian sage

and the Silver Lace vine – the only two plants which seem to thrive here.

I pruned the vine last fall, hacking off just about everything but the main trunk.

It came back with a vengeance. In the few minutes it took me to return from 

the end of the driveway, this piece grew another foot.

You think I'm kidding. 

If you stand under it too long, it will wrap itself around you and not let go. 

If the vine itself doesn't get you, the tarantula hawk wasps will. 

It attracts all manner of bugs...

...and the occasional butterfly.

The vine will die off with the first frost and no longer pose
a threat to those who dare to enter here.

In the meantime, we'll just stand back and watch it grow.