butterflies – Reflections Outside My Window

AUGUST HARVEST

I started picking grapes and sorting through them on August 2 and finished on August 3rd. I lost a lot of grapes to the heat when I was gone for almost two weeks, but still there are enough grapes to probably get 5 gallons when I press them off their skins. They were also reallyContinue reading “AUGUST HARVEST”

JULY FLEW BY

I’ve been out traveling and walking through the woods of Massachusetts and Maine. This was a pathway around the Housatonic River in Dalton, MA. A soft little pathway that winds next to the river. This fungi was one of many we saw. I couldn’t seem to identify it on my phone. The Housatonic River startsContinue reading “JULY FLEW BY”

NEW MOON IN ARIES

I finally went on a hike at nearby Wildwood Park. There is a small waterfall there that draws people as flowing water always does in Southern California. The waterfall is still flowing thanks to recent rains. In fact, the clouds on our way to the falls looked like we might get rain or even aContinue reading “NEW MOON IN ARIES”

AND JUST LIKE THAT, FEBRUARY ENDS

The rains started February 15th and rained through the 19th. We recorded another 3.25 inches of rain, bringing our rain year total to around 19 inches so far. The weather went from 80 degrees to low 50’s during the day and low 40’s at night. By late Thursday, the storm had moved east but weContinue reading “AND JUST LIKE THAT, FEBRUARY ENDS”

LATE JANUARY

To coin the phrase used with March, January came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. The weather was so glorious mid-January, I had to go for a walk on the beach. The slough at the end of the beach is a great place for seabirds. My friend and I were walkingContinue reading “LATE JANUARY”

THE BLUSTERY WINDS OF JANUARY

Last week week we had strong cold winds blowing on Saturday. I spotted this sun doggy showing the winds and residual moisture we had. It’s a little hard to see the rainbow effect in this shot. I can see it on my phone but it didn’t translate well. Now it is bone dry with humidityContinue reading “THE BLUSTERY WINDS OF JANUARY”

NOVEMBER TRANSITIONS

November switched quickly to darkness in the afternoon. Sure we have more light in the morning for awhile. Some people may prefer the coziness of staying home but I do not. I like spending hours out in my garden after work. This time of year, I am prepping the garden for spring, and planting aContinue reading “NOVEMBER TRANSITIONS”

OCTOBER’S SONG

In October I feel the need to rush, get up early, but not too early because its dark now. I rush to get things done in the garden; look it is 6 pm and you can see it’s getting dark. I feel the push to be home. In summer, even when it is dark, itsContinue reading “OCTOBER’S SONG”

WELCOME LAMMAS

Goodbye July, hello August. Hard to believe how quickly summer is leaving. Today we celebrate first harvest known as Lammas, and the quickening of the days getting shorter. I try to hold on to everyone of these longer days, refusing to come in until the sun starts its decline. This summer has been cooler andContinue reading “WELCOME LAMMAS”

FEBRUARY RAINS

The rains arrived in February, gently as first and then heavier downpours. In between the two storms we had, the wrens where absolutely singing the loudest songs I have every heard. They seemed filled with joy. My staghorn plant which looked close to death from the hot dry winds we had in November, December, andContinue reading “FEBRUARY RAINS”