That Which Goes On.....

In a way, it was almost easier when it was so blatant. When the temps were so high that everyone (except the ostriches with their heads in the air conditioners) FELT as wretched as the plants LOOKED. Maybe not EASIER, but at least simpler.

Now the temps have dropped a bit, the folks on the radio are back to identifying "a beautiful day" - bright sun, low humidity, NICE breeze. And if the plants' 'eyes' were vacant a month ago, they're GLAZED OVER now.......

We're growing used to brown lawns. These are not devastated lawns that were green just a week ago, these are just brown-ness under foot. Only the geese are visually frantic about the lack of lawns. They've moved their grazing to the apple orchard where they've never been before. The mice are moving back into my house already just like it was winter time. Same thing - nothing to eat outside.

Chance 'o Showers has become a meaningless phrase. It might as well read "Nyah, nyah, you can't HAVE any......"

I feel myself pulling in. Since I've come to the conclusion that I simply CANNOT take care of EVERYTHING anymore (I have DOZENS of acres under my horticultural care here) I find myself NEEDING to do SOMEthing very well. My high school intern and I just DOVE into the herb gardens the other day. (photo was taken LAST year at this time when the grass was green!) We deadheaded EVERYTHING that the bees would allow us to get to. (The Agastache [licorice mint/ anise hyssop] belongs to the BEES, they made that VERY clear.) She harvested Dill seeds, kicking up such a pleasant aroma of dill, to which she added the perfume of basil as she deadheaded every one of them. I had this overwhelming need to schmecker (I've decided that is a proper horticultural term). Schmeckering involves bizarre things like DEADHEADING creeping thyme. Sure, I could have taken the grass shears to it, but I NEEDED to schmecker - one tiny flower stalk at a time until I had a beautiful mat of glowing green, removed of all the faded, finished flowers.

And then we WATERED. By hand, right at the base of each and every plant. Didn't waste a drop, but we WATERED. SOMEthing needs to be comfortable or I'm going to lose my mind altogether here.

This morning (8/11) at 4am I realize I am no longer asleep because I am STRAINING to hear what sounds like a breeze turn into rain. The breeze does turn liquid for just a few moments.....and then stops. No. Then I realize I am straining to hear what sounds like a mouse in the bedroom.(sigh). OK, I give up.....I'm UP.

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