The Pattern
We waited a long time for rain and now we seem to be in a pattern of it. The sun does its best, but can’t pull it off.
We have an awning on the west side of our home. When we put the front deck on the house, my old office chair is sheltered enough by the awning that the chair’s seat would stay dry during rain showers. In taking my breakfast cup of coffee out to the deck after a shower of rain, I have three of the decking planks that have remained dry so I can wear my slippers. Made to order.
In between the showers, there was a ballet of leaves that fluttered to the ground. With no wind, there was no hurry into their twisting and turning. The season is upon us of more such events. Though we now have rain that is soaking into the lawns and flower beds . . . for some the dry heat took away any chance of recovery. Famous last words, “There is always next year.”
This year I had cut back on what needed tending. Next year may be a repeat performance. My years of seeking and searching plants to fill out the flower beds is gone. I am finding joy is the smaller scene.
The area of he Russian Sage is a total wonder. The rain has tipped over the heavier stalks, giving way to some smaller ones closer to the house foundation. The pollinators don’t care. They are in the thick of it and they are on the top of the stalks as well as on the bottoms of the stalks. Don’t even think of messing with them. The sage is within three feet of our front deck and it is a marvel to take the activity in. The pollinators start early in the morning and are still going at it long past supper time. Even the wasps have been seen checking out the blossoms.
One thing I have not missed this summer is mosquitoes. I think we missed the gnat season as well. The black flies have made up for all of them. I would have a hard time counting how many fly swatters we have about the place. Nasty devils.
This noon Dennis walked the front yard to see if the toes of his shoes indicated if the grass was dry enough to mow. About that time, a hefty shower of rain fell. Maybe tomorrow the pattern of rain showers has moved on.