After all the hot humid weather, the temperature finally broke this week into the upper 70’s and the humidity changed. During the heat, we could only lie low and hope for cooler days ahead. My cats were draped over the couch, and I too was resting more than usual. The air had felt like a hot blast even well into the evening hours, never cooling off in the evening at all. On Saturday over Labor Day weekend, we had a beautiful sunny day with high tropical clouds. We headed to the beach to enjoy a day in the ocean. The ocean waves and currents were wild from the tropical storm front. You could be standing up to your knees and a wave would come and the water would be up to your waist. The water was so warm for California, it was hard not to go in but you had to be mindful. The waves were cagey. Small but deceivingly strong, followed by close sets of big waves. The currents grabbed at your legs trying to pull you in. The next day by the morning, the sky clouded over and opened up midday raining nearly all day. It is unusual enough that we get rain in September, let alone .4 of an inch. After our big rain, the temperature dropped from 89 to 69. It just didn’t last. This little tropical storm off our coast was not happy with the one rain day but came back around two days later with a lighter rainfall. I had spotted a lot of unusual clouds that day. One that looked like a giant seahorse. I wasn’t able to get a picture as I was driving, but it felt like we were living under the sea. All last week we broiled with heat up to 101 degrees. I think all southern Californians breathed a sigh of relief when the humidity finally left.
Finally it was cool enough to be outside. This crow couple has been looking around for a nest. I’ve seen them in the top of my Chinese elm and now in my Eucalyptus tree. I’ll be keeping an eye out to see where they land. I have a fond relationship with the crows. I know a lot of people don’t like them, but really they are quite smart. I don’t find them scary, although when I was much younger, I was attacked by crow parents when I was standing almost under their nest at a bus stop. They dove down and pecked at me until I had to flee with visions of The Birds movie in my mind.
We have had an active spring/summer with wildlife. Neighbors have been posting pictures daily of bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, foxes and a few owl families. We seem to be sharing our yards with all the animals that used to stay in the mountains. Its exciting and also a little scary when you have pets.
Our nearly dead cactus is also blooming. It blooms at night and is very short lived. I happen to catch it open early one morning. I had noticed a small sprout about a week ago. So many have said I should get rid of this cactus, but how can I when it sends out beautiful fragrant blooms.
The rest of my garden has been scorched by the heat. The figs were drying on the tree. The leaves have dried and are falling off. Our grapevines sprouted new grape clusters. I will leave them to ripen for the birds.. The pomegranates came in early and with a very full crop. I started picking them to juice just as my juicer decided to give up. My front yard, which is shaded, has had the opposite happen. We still have clivia blooming. I have never had clivia past spring. Perhaps they like the humidity as ever week I see new flowers opening. My calla lilly plant is still blooming. Usually the hot, dry heat of late summer kills them off. I also noticed the cymbidium orchids have grown quite tall. I am hoping for a big bloom this winter. Again, I think the humidity has been a strong factor in their growth. So humidity is not bad for everything, just me.
Reflections Outside My Window 