It was a chilly and rainy June - many days hovering in the low 60’s. Some evenings dropped into the 50’s found us craving a wood stove fire, and I’ve taken some evening walks with my favorite knit hat on my head.
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The surrounding hills and valleys are green and lush - like a rainforest. The hayfields are thick and abundant this year, with hay taller than Tim’s head (well over 6 ft)! Because of all of the rainfall, the farmer who hays our fields has been late in doing so - but that means we get to enjoy it’s soft, undulating beauty even longer! The bobolinks are having a "hay" day with all of these extra weeks to live in the tall grass. I enjoy my time at the top of the hill watching them swoop and listening to their cheerful calls. Mo enjoys our walks too, and even though his age is showing, he still runs down the hill to beat me home.
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Weeding duties are resuming (between raindrops) and I try to get in one row a day. Unfortunately, the weeds love all the rain as well and are growing steady and sure.
Our garden was late going in and we are behind a couple of weeks. Each year in the garden looks different, and the only thing we can count on is that: it is never the same two years in a row.
This year, our garlic is gorgeous, tall and sturdy and green. Our peas are coming in fast and furious, and lettuce is abundant. I love seeing the rows of green growing day by day, whatever it may be this year.
Our garden was late going in and we are behind a couple of weeks. Each year in the garden looks different, and the only thing we can count on is that: it is never the same two years in a row.
This year, our garlic is gorgeous, tall and sturdy and green. Our peas are coming in fast and furious, and lettuce is abundant. I love seeing the rows of green growing day by day, whatever it may be this year.
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The fireflies that are usually out early June and lighting up the fields like blinking strings of Christmas lights were late in arriving this year - and not as intense.
It is an “off” year, as some years are. And though I miss the heat and sultry Junes of past years, there are gifts that come with this particular weather. Last summer was dry (drought) and hot - this summer is (so far) wet and cool. Natures way of balancing out. We have to trust in that wisdom.
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One summer mainstay remains the same: my journal of days is non-existent: as always happens this time of year when the days are long and filled to the brim with good work, outside time, yard and garden care and animal tending (pigs and chickens this year!). I will save the contemplations for the cold and dark months of winter - for now it’s strawberry pie and porch sitting when the weeding is done!
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~ j
