Arrow has been dealing with allergies, and getting his meds straightened out has been tricky. Stomach upsets have been a problem. Last night was not a good night for him. At 3 AM he needed to go out. Not my favorite time to be up and outside in the cold. So imagine my delight at being rewarded with getting to see this!
All the while being serenaded by a Great Horned Owl in the background. Mother Nature, she sure is … Read More
It’s that time of year again when the kitchen fills with the sights and smells of freshly picked Asian pears. The baskets are overflowing, the counters are covered, and the rhythm of slice, core, and stir sets the pace for the afternoon. There’s something deeply satisfying about the simple ritual of putting up fruit.
This batch of pears will soon become pear butter. I’m thinking maybe some crisps for the next batch. Those make great holiday gifts. But for now, … Read More
Twice a day, for the past few weeks, the Canadian Geese have been flying overhead from the fields to the lake and back again, as they work to store up food.
Morning and evening, hundreds of them decorate the sky like fluid strands of necklaces. There are so many of them that I can hear the concussion of their wings beating the air like drums. They honk in chorus, flying in formation, getting ready to sing their way south.
The … Read More
Every year, I look forward to this exact moment. Walking out to the backyard and picking the first Asian pears off the trees I planted years ago. You’d think I was harvesting a rare delicacy from some secret orchard in the Himalayas. Nope. Just me, standing in the grass in my bare feet, grinning like I’ve won the produce lottery.
There’s something about that crisp snap when you bite into an Asian Pear that makes all the tending worthwhile. Sweet, … Read More
I wondered why my green bean production was so low this year. Now I know why. This little smarty pants figured out how to open the garden gate to let himself in anytime he felt like having a little snack.
Long-time readers know the night sky has my heart. And on July 30, it’s putting on a rare twin show!
The Southern Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids are hitting their peak at the same time. They may not be the brightest showers of summer, but two for the price of one? That’s a celestial bargain!
So mark your calendar, and then grab a blanket, find some dark sky, and look up. You’re bound to be rewarded with a shooting star … Read More
The cherries are ripe and ready for picking in the food forest, each one a small burst of sweetness and color. The mulberries are not far behind, still blushing their way toward deep purple perfection. Overhead, sunlight streams through slow-moving clouds.
This is the gentle unfolding of summer. Not a sudden arrival, but a gradual opening. A quiet reminder to savor what ripens in its own time.
Ripe—Cherries
Almost Ripe—Mulberries (with raspberries not far behind)
Magical—Summer Light… Read More
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