Happy August to my Sunday Letter readers.
Last week I was moaning about the heat and humidity. This week I can honestly say I don’t ever remember such a cool, wet beginning to August. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cooler weather, but I know our Arkansas farmers need a few more weeks of sunshine and heat to bring in those crops.
I suppose this crazy year will keep on being crazy.
Baby Bird
Oh, the best laid plans.
For a week or so, I’ve been watching two baby robins in the nest beside our back porch. On the very day we had a load of mulch delivered, (the day we planned to spread the mulch in the back beds), one of the fledglings left the nest. I don’t know if he fell from the nest during the morning rain or if it was Day One of his flying lesson. But for that entire day, we had to steer clear of the area as both robin parents guarded the area, threatening to dive bomb us if we got too close to their baby.
What a cutie. (I zoomed in for this close-up.)
John and I worked in the front yard instead. By late afternoon, the robins were no longer patrolling the back yard, and the baby was safe and sound, strong enough to join the ranks of the other birds that share our yard.
A happy ending.
Two long days later, we have finished spreading five cubic yards of mulch. That may not sound like much, but my achy body will tell you it is. (And we still have a load of mulch to spread at Momma’s house.)
And Now, Grasshoppers
One thing about spreading mulch on your hands and knees for hours at a time—you find out what critters are living in your garden. And right now, grasshoppers have hatched in Biblical proportions. (Yes, they are first cousins to the locust.) Mostly, they are hopping around in the grass doing no harm that I can tell.
Food for bluejays and blackbirds, raccoons and possum, we have a smorgasbord available for Sunday lunch.
They are rather interesting at this stage with their Sleestak eyes and limber legs.
But later, when they’ve grown as large as a man’s thumb and spit tobacco juice as a defense mechanism, they give me the heebie-jeebies.
I can only hope they will move on before then.
Liatris Blooming
Our liatris is blooming. It’s one of my summer favorites! Ours looks a bit Dr. Seuss-ish, the way it twists and turns. I planted it too far back, which makes it loop around, looking for the sun.
But I love it.
You want this plant in your butterfly garden.
This week, I gave it some support with a bamboo teepee. Next spring, I plan to move it to a better location.
Around the Corner
You know what I love most about August?
With the arrival of August, I know fall is just around the corner.
Don’t believe me?
Take a look at our maple.
While we fret and fuss and gnash our teeth over whether or not Dr. Fauci is friend or foe, whether food lines will be worse under Biden or Trump, whether schools and sports and church houses should be open, Mother Nature goes quietly about her business of getting us through the year.
We would be wise to follow her lead.
Things Momma Says:
I’m sorry to disappoint you again, but Momma was cranky when I saw her this week, and she didn’t have much to say. Nothing funny, anyway.
Maybe next time.
***
Stay safe, Sunday Letter friends.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
I am amazed by the temperature right now. Good thing since our air conditioner went out last night. As soon as it is fixed, I hope the farmers get their growing weather.
I hope you get your air conditioner fixed soon. That’s no fun! But yes, amazing August temps so far.
Momma cranky? I can’t imagine. I stepped outside a few minutes ago (8:00 pm) and it was downright chilly. I love it.
Your liatris is wonderful! My neighbor and I watched bluebird fledglings learning to fly. We were amazed at the way the community of adult bluebirds swooped back and forth in encouragement.