Goldfinches and Grills

One wonderful thing right now is the fact that I have goldfinches by the dozen and hanging baskets of petunias.  Those two things I missed so ridiculously much when I moved away from the Midwest.  They signify summer to me and make all feel well somewhere in my soul.  Everything feels right with the world with those two things, plus the grill, and temps no warmer than 85*.  Lovely stuff!

Check out the smoke that's been hanging around all day in the background of the pictures.  I think it's from a fire in Ontario.

Lots of work in the big garden planned for this weekend/week.  I'll be sure to keep you posted on what's happening there.  I think everyone's due a walk through of this area.

The View Out Here

I must admit that I'm still adapting to the humidity.  It has a habit of sneaking up and biting me, I suppose because for so many years I got used to living without it.  It rained a lot last week.  I spent much of it out in the garden anyways trying to get things cleared and planted.  By Sunday it was a muddy mess and I finally had to admit to myself that it was time to stop around 2:00 in the afternoon when my mud boots were being sucked almost up to their tops in the cleared garden soil with every step--the tiller had been retired earlier that morning because it kept getting stuck.  I was thrilled to get out Monday in the newly blue sky and the already draining soil.  Around mid morning a haze formed on the skyline, and this should have been my first warning, but I carried on through late afternoon, and then it hit me that I was really hot, and had completely done myself in.  Even though I had tried my hardest to hydrate myself and keep my head covered, with 95% humidity I probably should have gone and jumped in a lake around midday.  I don't take heat well if I don't take proper precautions, namely keeping my head cool.  I always prepared for it down in the desert, and had a whole system of freezing bandannas and frog togg chilly pads.  Time to get back into that habit for sure, because I plan on being out in the sun all summer long, especially with this big house garden.

So, today was a day off.  When I get "overheated" like this it results in something like a migraine.  When the migraineishness goes away, I'm left feeling pretty good, but kind of weak, and if I push myself too hard, the headache comes back and I have to go back to laying around with an ice pack on my head.  Luckily this only lasts one day if I can keep myself cool and rested.  Right now I'm starting to feel pretty good and ready to get back at the big garden, which is almost done!

In the mean time, I'm going to post a few pictures of the area surrounding the garden, because it's absolutely beautiful.  It's just me out here right now.  The nearest neighbors are something like 1/2 mile away and I'm not that far off of a main road, but there's no traffic or people action in this little meadow.  Wild animals are everywhere, I'll have to try to get some shots of them with my new camera if I can get close enough or actually have it on me when I make contact.  This morning I was almost ran into by two trumpeter swans as I went out to the barn.  They were flying low for some reason and quickly veered up sharply when they realized I was walking in their flight path--me and my headache didn't realize we were on a collision course until they were about 5 feet in front of me.  There are several black bear roving around {one knocked over the shelves in my greenhouse last month}, wolves wander through about every other week, coyote sing just about every night, but luckily haven't frequented the barn area since last February, a bobcat also lives around here--although I haven't seen it since last winter I see its tracks all the time.  Of course the skunk that sprayed me last fall is most likely still around, but fortunately we haven't met since, and the deer are best friends with Gypsy and come through nightly.  I'm hoping they stay away from the garden, because I've decided not to fence it.

The tent is at the end of the garden closest to the forest.  I've been intermittently sleeping out there just because it is so wonderful.  This is also the spot the tiny house will go once it's done.

I'll be back at it tomorrow.  I'm thinking the humidity shouldn't be too bad, and really it's not that hot, but I'm going to be prepared this time.

Certainly Not Alone Out Here

So much wildlife today!  More sandhill cranes, many flying so low I could see their red heads and hear their wings swishing, lots of geese honking as they tour the countryside, and this morning I woke with a start to the sound of ducks and immediately thought that Quinn and Henry were out and running around under my bedroom window.  Luckily it was just a flock of ducks headed north flying over.  There have been a lot of young eagles without their bald heads showing up and I have to think they are hatchlings from previous years returning to their home turf {they were my main motivation for finally catching Stonewall}.  Then the swans are making themselves at home again.  It's impossible to sneak up on them for a picture, but they often fly over very low and when they're on their lake their honking and caring on is awesome entertainment.  There are two pairs right now and I wonder if both will end up staying the summer or just one.  Then, of course, there are the deer.  They bed down right outside of Gypsy's pasture almost nightly.  I love to see the gals come through each evening.

Why I Don't Want the Deck Cleared Off Yet

My wild rabbit who has resided underneath the bunny barn since the end of summer discovered the planters I left out on the deck.  It hops up the steps and makes its way to the far end of the deck, where it has burrowed out quite a cozy spot at the dead plant buffet.  I like this rabbit...although it will be my mission to keep it out of the garden, and I hope its not so bold when the plants on the deck are alive again!