daily haiku
ash and box elder
flame their way into the fall
equinox this week
Today there is a 20% chance of rain which is pretty low, so I am praying. This past week we had three mornings with light frost that took cucumbers, tomatoes and all tender plants. It also turned the some trees to gold,. and fall colors are creeping in. If we don't have a big wind I think the color in the valley will be spectacular this year.
Everything around the house looks so sad. The grass is dead; many leaves have fallen from the trees because they died from thirst not frost. Even my hardiest plant - mint - that I use for greenery in this arid climate is mostly dead. I water with the bad methane water hoping that it will preserve the roots so it will revive next spring.
As you can see from the photo we still have smoke around us coming from the many fires further away. But thank God not in the immediate vicinity at present. One thing for which to be thankful are the cooler daytime temperatures in the 70's and low 80's. I was able to sit outdoors and read one day. After I put down my book and just relaxed for a while, a bluebird flitted down and twittered at me from the fence. I asked him why he had not flown south yet, but he was silent about that. Later he and the missus were in front of the house and checking out the nest under the eaves , so evidently they are nestlings from this year's brood. I saw bluebirds on my daily walk too, so evidently warmer weather will continue for a while yet - bluebirds know for sure.
In contrast to the bluebirds, the herd of Elk are back at the Diamond Cross Ranch; they obviously sense fall and breeding time and sought out their favorite grazing in the alfalfa fields along the Tongue River. Soon there'll be reports of Bears. With the cool nights I can sleep without the air conditioner - such a joy - in the fall I swear the Bear in me comes out too. I sleep so deeply it's like hibernation!
Fall is definitely in the air here in Denver also. Yesterday's huge kettle of raptors headed south is clear proof. Kathy's tomatoes, which have been very stingy with their ripe fruit this year, have suddenly decided that fall is here and it's time to get rid of the last green ones on the vine. We were getting three or four at a time and now suddenly two dozen at once. A few weeks ago we had a peregrine falcon pass through at the plains center, a sure sign that fall is around the corner. I'm just glad that the bear in you is more of a Panda than a Yellowstone griz. ;-)
ReplyDeleteDear Chris, I was glad to see a new posting today on your blog. And glad also to learn that all is well there for you despite the drought killing off the vegetables. Cooler days must also mean that the firefighters have an easier time of it. And if there's little wind that would make their fight against the fires a little easier also. I surely hope so. Peace.
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