Ever since arriving here in 2018, June has been a month of morning mist and spiderwebs, but so much is changing, who knows what next month will bring?
For the past three years or so, June has also brought wildfire smoke, turning the Sun a baleful red. My first experience with this disturbing phenomenon was in Seattle, a couple of years before I left. It helped to convince me that it was time to return east, although it seems there is no escape anywhere from smoke now.
During the 18 years I lived in Washington, I never wore a heavy coat in winter, nor did I use air-conditioning in summer, but in the latter years heat became uncomfortable for significant periods rather than the odd day or two here and there. The garden parched for weeks.
Coming to live in Upstate New York, we expected significant winter snow, but that year we would have seen more back in Washington where winter has become far more extreme, even while here it has appeared to moderate considerably…
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…although this past winter was bitter and prolonged, but not particularly snowy.
A one-off or a new trend?
We see alarmist headlines lately about failing ocean currents and super El Nino, but very few headlines hook my attention these days. If they contain truth, will my knowing help?
Not needing to worry about the future is a benefit of being a childless old cat-lady.
And here you thought there were none!
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Another benefit of being old is having the time and freedom to occupy oneself with interests that previously were pushed aside for more pressing concerns.
Like sky-gazing.
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The variations are fascinating and seemingly infinite.
Sky-gazing requires no effort at all. The worst that can happen is that sometimes I get a crick in my neck and while taking photos I am liable to trip over my own feet, but the ground is well padded with soft grass.
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At this time of year, an overcast sky enhances the greenery!
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What I have had to abandon is any attempt to keep the garden under control which requires a stronger back and fingers not afflicted with arthritis.
Two of the drawbacks of age.
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Grant however likes poking around outside and enjoys growing things, so it has become his domain. He keeps the invasive plants somewhat in check. The bushes above the groundhog burrow are becoming overtaken with honeysuckle, but the bees seem very happy about it and the sparrows haven’t yet lodged any complaints.
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Down the hill, chokecherry is in bloom. According to the internet it is a food source for wild animals, so I am happy for that, as well as for the flowers.
Perhaps I might wander out this afternoon and see what else is going on…
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Meanwhile, here’s a nice piece of music:
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I have been reading about El Niño and they say it will cause a heatwave in 2027. Our Winters here definitely seem to be getting warmer while the summers are getting hotter. Strange times. I hope you get respite from the smoke.
Thank you, Carolyn, for the beautiful photos, music and your thoughts on climate change. Here, temperatures are changing up and down, but as we are getting closer towards the summer, I am happy. To create a beautiful garden, it takes a long time.
Joanna
The cold start to the month here has been worrying, as I have not seen a single bee. They are so endangered here now that I find myself thinking about bees all the time. I have more or less given up on gardening, except for paying a man to cut the grass on the back lawn once a month, and deal with overgrown shrubs and hedges a couple of times a year. I like to watch the birds on the back lawn after I have fed them something nice, and that’s about it.
Best wishes, Pete.
Ah, staring at the sky! I hope it’s okay for a ‘middle-aged’ person to do that too 😉 … or what do you call someone in their early fifties? It’s wonderful how green it is where you are – it almost feels like I need to put on my sunglasses. Beautiful music.