Clouds, wonderful Clouds!

Two weeks ago, our Japanese Willow was beautiful (and green). I don’t know whether a disease did this or the heat scorched it. The branches are pliable but the leaves…

Day after day of oppressive, stifling heat makes me yearn for clouds. My scalp burns in the intense sun. Walking through waves of heat is like walking too closely to the outdoor grill. Heat waves get old. I can’t breathe. Yes, the weather affects me, possibly too much. Many people just accept the weather and go on - I wish I were like them. When I think of our troops in Iraq, I realize I am weak.

Yesterday's weather was a blessing for me. Overcast skies cooled us down. The high temperature was seventy-eight and breathing was easy. I hurried home from work, got out of my work clothes and couldn’t wait to visit the back yard. To feel coolness. To see without squinting. To feel a slight breeze that chilled my legs a bit.

I just stood there and enjoyed the darker view. My shoulders relaxed, fell low, and I took a sigh of relief several times. Before I started cooking dinner (I don’t know why I say "dinner" – I grew up referring to the evening meal as “supper”), I had some time to take a stroll around the house.

The Mockingbirds are building a new nest in a sturdy Pin Oak tree. I suspect this baby fell from their flimsy Crepe Myrtle during a windy storm on Saturday night and I didn’t know it perished until yesterday. I wonder where the others are and the true cause. I regret complaining about our Mockingbird over-population. It’s sad.

A bench near the pond would be great. My neighbors probably wonder why I stand for long periods of time and wonder if I am sane. Watching the pond life leaves me tranquil and lowers my blood pressure. I can feel the stress leave my body almost immediately. My Koi are still wary of me – probably wondering who will be netted next so I’ll wait a while before I do another dirty deed.

Welcome to Tadpole Town. Population: soon to be 1.5 million.

One of these days I’ll tire of dragonflies and stop the photos. The colors in this photo are outstanding, and surprisingly so, since it was taken in low light.

My dogs did not grow a tail and longer snouts! Two new dogs have moved in next door. The second one, who was barking inside his new house is a young boxer. They just set up an electric fence yesterday and I wish them luck with it. My dogs would break it in a heartbeat. For those who have an electric fence and own dogs that respect it, that’s wonderful! Does it provide protection for your dogs from outside visitors, though?

Meanwhile, Bel-Bel is busting her chubby gut to meet to her neighbors. Unfortunately, they will probably never meet on a daily basis as our properties are separated with a retaining wall containing dense shrubs and trees. She can hear them... She can smell them… “Mommy, I can’t S-S-SEE!”

“Will you p-p-please let me out of here to hunt down my n-n-neighbor? I want to show them m-m-my hula hoops.”


Yesterday was glorious! The sun peeked through at times today. Time to start dragging that blasted garden hose again...

Wilting...

For those who need to cool off, I wish you seventy-eight degrees.

For those who want to warm up, I wish warm sunshine on your back. For those who are knee-deep in water, I wish the rains to cease.

I’m having a network connection problem again. I lost internet and e-mail last night at 8pm and I was not in the mood for techie-talk because I felt evil. This morning the network was back(?) Calling the cable company or Dell is something I dread so I’m hoping for the best. If you don’t hear from me, this is why.

Happy Independence Day! I will proudly display Stars & Stripes. I hope you will, too.