water and cherries

The days are really lovely! The humidity is low, the sun is out, there are no mosquitoes. 

 

 

 

Perfect June weather, except that you just can't forget the fact that we haven't had any rain for a long, long time. Still, at least one part of you has to love this day of such incredible beauty.  As we walked across the farmette lands and Ed exclaimed in great delight a sighting of yet another dragon fly, Snowdrop said with a smile -- you two are really into nature! 

I had to laugh, but I told her that she is correct and that if you live on a farm, or a farmette, nature in one way or another is very much on your mind each time you step outside. Snowdrop proclaimed right then and there that she, too, would someday live on a farmette, with lots of cats. And a rabbit. They're her idea of perfect pets.

I'm glad she is feeling good about "lots of cats," because I was less than thrilled to come down this morning and find mice remains on the living room carpet.

Ed! (This must have happened after midnight, after my bedtime.)

He works hard to clean up the mess, reminding me that we do like it when the cats catch mice. I note that catching them and keeping them outside is significantly better than bringing them indoors.

Apart from the mouse event, our morning was predictable and uneventful. We ate on the porch (remember, it's really perfect weather, but for the absence of rain)...

Dance was with us, enjoying the daisies I had picked in the meadow...

And after? Well, also predictably, I watered a portion of the garden. Tomorrow I'll do another portion, then the next day I'll move on to yet another one. Most of the plants cannot thrive and some wont survive an extended drought and I do not know how long this dry spell will last.

In the afternoon, I am with Snowdrop. She really wants to go to the city pool with me (despite having had her daily swim lesson that morning). 

 

 

The city pool is open for recreational swim in the afternoon and that means all the water sprays, buckets and fountains are going full blast. And she loves all of it!

But, a big cloud comes and we get a little cool. It's a good moment to return to the farmhouse. And pick cherries!

The birds are already raiding the trees, but we find ones that are undamaged.

I can't say that we filled many buckets, but we certainly picked a good share for an afternoon snack.

(To be enjoyed along with multiple other favorites inside)

(Before returning home, she must have her moment with the tree...)

It's amazing how fast a day can go by if you're filling it with water and cherries. I drive her home in time for her supper. Anyone home? Yes! One boy post-nap, the other still sleeping.

And this little girl is home too. Just not in Wisconsin. Unfortunately. Still, over FaceTime, Primrose can watch me cook while she's eating her own supper.

It is tempting to go back to watering plants in the late evening, but I give it a rest. We have other things to work on: wild parsnip to pull out (did you know that stuff can seriously damage your skin?), chickens to chase, butterflies to watch. A monarch flew in today to check out what's blooming here. Come back with your mates, little one! Stay a while. It's going to be a fine summer!