Cool Morning

I must admit I'm relieved to be wrapped in a fuzzy shirt, sipping my cuppa this morning. A little moist coolness is a welcome change from the hot, dry days that have been...and will be coming again. Even the leaves on the trees look grateful for the sky's silver lining, after twisting in the heat yesterday. They're dancing in this morning's breeze, a moving frame for the incoming teal tide. The blackberry bushes don't wave so much, laden-down with their little green, tight-fisted fruit.

The birds seem happy for the cool morning too. The little hummers orbit around the purple butterfly bush and butter-yellow hollyhocks; goldfinches, black-headed grossbeaks, rosy-breasted nuthatches, juncos and chickadee-dee-dees squabble over the best seats on the swinging feeders. Jazzpurr the cat watches from the back of the recliner at the window, already stuffed with his proper breakfast.

It seems like forever since I've been able to write in the neighbourhood and share my little piece of paradise with you. We are under yet another upheaval about cable on the Key. Broadstripe has taken over and is in the middle of replacing useless, worn-out equipment. The service guys are working really hard and trying their best. The customer reps in Michigan are about as useless as a polka-dot dress on a bull...but talking about them will only rattle my peaceful morning. At least I am able to write a post...just have to stand on my head and wrap my butt in aluminum foil to send it in!

Yesterday afternoon, Rani the pup and I spent some time in the side garden. We call this Rani's playpen because it's the only part of the property that's fenced-in. We put a kiddie pool and chairs in the shade so I can cool my tootsies and Rani can tune-in to her water-dog side. She climbs in and puts her whole snout under the water, blowing bubbles as she tries to get those fishies painted on the bottom! After she's splashed herself wet and cool, she has a good roll around on the grass with that goofy grin.

The roses are as pale as old paper, the palm fronds rattle like dry old bones and the grass is prickly gold, like straw...but the purple clematis and honeysuckle cascade down the wooden fencing and busy bees are everywhere. The fruit trees seem to like this hot weather. We had a bumper crop of juicy, deep garnet-coloured cherries from two trees this year. Every morning when I took Rani out we'd head to those trees first, racing the crows and ravens. Looks like a good crop of apples coming too.

We have a new Bambi! One morning, a few weeks ago, a neighbour stopped his truck to tell me the exciting news. He had seen mama and fawn, right after the birth, in his garden and couldn't wait to tell me. Well, it wasn't long before they came visiting the Aerie...and stepping up to the buffet! I managed to get a picture one morning, after my hubby forgot to close the back gate to the playpen and they came in for the goodies.

The spring and first part of summer have been a bit of a struggle, health-wise, for both my daughter and myself...but we all struggle with something, while hoping for the best. Meanwhile, unusual weather or not, the natural world is still there for us to measure and balance ourselves. The gifts from the earth are many, if we will only take the time to look with different eyes and a quiet mind. Namaste good neighbours...may you dine on gratitude today.