7.25.14 It All Feels Rather Luxurious

ng out with the new babe, while the older kids play and race about. And at our house , our evening times behind the house with cool water in glasses , talking over the day or being deliciously silent. 

deer, and bear, too- so that when you take your pup 

It all feels rather luxurious. Extravagant, even. No biting insects to be found anywhere. The days are not too hot ; nor too cool. Enough rain that all things are well-nourished. No drought in this area, unlike poor other areas. 

The woods are filled with the pungent summer loamy scents, 

and with the cone on his head, because he went on a really fun multi dog run and got bit by some insect and then went swimming in the pond, and got some kind of infection) , 

you walk up the mountain singing and saying all sorts of very odd LOUD things, as you know for a fact that you are warning away either the deer that the dog could run, or that bear that might be pretty unhappy with you, especially if they're accompanied by cubs. 

And, in mid-morning, you meander up the mossy path as the light flickers gently through the tall trees, and observe the evidence of all of the lives. 

The aged gnarled trees and the chipmunk homes beneath them. The homes of terribly industrious ants, and the remains of other small mammals who quietly live out their lives, as our neighbors, in verdant summer times and challenging times come deep winter. 

And so we all luxuriate here- the neighbors reading or sitting out with the new babe, while the older kids play and race about. And at our house , our evening times behind the house with cool water in glasses , talking over the day or being deliciously silent. Usually in late July, rain here becomes scarce, ponds grow shallow and streams dry up. Mosquitoes are conversely rampant and the gardens better be well mulched, because NOONE is going to survive the experience of lingering and weeding.

But this year we have both adequate rains for all growing things, the early and unusual appearance of various mycelium that usually appear come dew drenched fall mornings, and not a biting insect in sight.

When friends come by, why , we can stroll about the gardens talking plants; and then sit back and watch the wind rustle the silver backed leaves of the Aspen- and gaze at the trees that line the conservation field- and further, the distant blue hills in Amherst and Leverett. 

And as evening falls, we watch with delight as the bats fill themselves with moths and other small winged creatures. 

Two bats swooping by overhead,healthy enough, silent, sharing the neighborhood - as they awaken and we prepare for sleep.