weather

The hurricane came after the earthquake which was a few days after the hailstorm and violent rain. The winds were scary, even more than those of November or February. I was up most of the night visioning a protective cocoon around the house. We had no idea of the damage all around us, just trying to keep the house dry and the kids entertained and calm. We were quite fortunate.

This week has been beautiful summer – blue skies warm but not hot, though today is muggy.Thunderstorms might come and another hurricane or flooding.

People are weary, we are exhausted, the cat has left. Wish things were normal again, though, like the riverbanks, normal may never be the same.

Summer is moving on

the season is in full swing. Weeks of no rain and a week of almost 100 degree weather and days and nights of watering the garden. Finally a day of cool rain.
Tomatoes are ripening, sunflowers have just bloomed, lilies are done, weeds are everywhere.
Berries and more berries and yet it feels like the summer is slipping by.
Something in the air reminds me that autumn is coming.

the bird freed from the woodstove

Once upon a time they lived as always in this fine house.

There was a sound, loud like a spirit, from the room and then clearly from the woodstove, empty in the heat of Summer.

It seemed to be a mouse, then thought to be a bat and the large net was gathered to trap it for release.

All but one left the room.

The animal turned out to be a small bird, obviously traumatized from its attempt to escape back up the creosote coated flue.

Held for a while outdoors, gently preened it flew away leaving a small feather.

the end.

forgotten art

odd how creativity can fall off the path. A full year's cycle and so much has past. Back once again to the peas and the fences.
funny how in an instant transformation happens- the heat of a few days stretching lilies and filling out grasses. An afternoon's quick hail storm shaking everything loose.
Fruit and seeds grow. Flowers bloom again.