It's Not Easy Being Green

Turtles in Hanging Woman Creek - May

Black-headed Grosbeak Male

Mr. Bluebird

Lazuli Bunting

The Tongue River today - muddy from all the storms

View west towards Cook Creek - today

View east - today

Hanging Women Creek boat launch area at flood stage earlier this month

Choke Cherry Tree already bronzed

Honeysuckle sets on berries already

haiku

gas is fuel for cars
heavy rain is fuel for more
mosquitoes

 
heavy burden
severe thunderstorms forecast
spring and summer fight

 A long time since I had time to blog. I am still on the hill - many people interested in both my house and office but no-one has signed a contract of late. In the meantime we have rain almost every day and sometimes severe storms. On May 31 I had windows smashed, garage roof damaged and paint damage on almost all windows. All three skylights at my office were broken. So I am currently trying to find resources to repair all of this. But the green is wonderful - grass where I have not mowed about 18" tall. 

The bird life has been fascinating and with my new camera I can take fairly good shots even through the windows. I saw a Rosy-breasted Grosbeak the other day, but he was camera shy and flew off! 

The insect eaters must have their bellies full with all the mosquitoes that have hatched in the last two weeks. To walk I wear strange attire. Khakis with frayed legs, an old white Brooks Brothers' shirt which are all sprayed with insecticide, and on my head a hat that looks like I either joined the foreign legion or converted to Islam. However - they all protect me well for which I am grateful. 

In April I attended the WyoPoets' Workshop in Casper and in early June, the Wyoming Writer's Conference in Sheridan. I saw many friends and learned a lot from the poetry facilitator at both events - Echo Klaproth - the current Wyoming Poet Laureate. 

I can hardly believe it is close to July 4th. Fifty years ago I came to the USA - arrived at what was then Eidelwild Airport, in pouring rain.I'll finish with a poem I wrote this spring:

Being Here

 
The first time I stepped on the shore
Of America
It was pouring with rain.
Dressed in a white coat
Accompanied by navy blue
Bag, shoes,
And navy gloves,
I walked into
Immigration and Naturalization
With navy blue feet;
My old life bleeding into the new
Along with the dye from my shoes.

c. C. Valentine 2/14