Sunday, July 20, 2008

High Summer

Not what some of you might be thinking -- no Cheech and Chong goings on here. I'm talking about the height of the summer with sunflowers and garden produce and blackberries. Fleas and flies too, more's the pity. Hot, of course, and dry. So I try to get my watering and necessary garden work done before noon, then it's back to Miss Birdie's book and trying to find places to incorporate some of the thought and images of this time of year.

The rows of corn have a rhythm of their own, like soldiers marching. I imagine a swishing, rustling sort of tune and two bare-footed little girls playing hide and seek in the green maze.

The wide brown band on the woolly bear caterpillar -- the first I've seen this year -- promises a mild winter. (Good news with heating prices rising. We heat with wood and have a kerosene backup -- which we'll be using less and less, I have a feeling.) Of course, there's no scientific evidence to support this old wives' tale, but that doesn't mean Miss Birdie doesn't believe it.

So, along with the cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, and squash I picked this morning, I also harvested some ideas. I'll work them up, just like I do the beans and tomatoes and get them into a form that will keep --adding texture and depth to Birdie's book.

P.S. We're keeping two extra dogs for the weekend while my younger son and his girlfriend join her family at the beach. Ali Ali has made himself at home in my work room and though I'm pretty sure he's the cutest dog I've ever seen, I'm going on record here in this public forum to say that probably eight dogs in our house is too many. They're all well-behaved - it's just that they just don't leave much floor space.
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6 comments:

Susan M. Bell said...

With four indoor cats, I have trouble finding a spot to sit most of the time. I can't imagine having eight dogs to deal with. At least they all get along. :-)

Vicki Lane said...

Most of them will get off the sofa or chair if asked politely. Not Ali Ali, he has to be dragged by main force. And he has the astounding ability to suddenly quadruple his weight.

Maggie gets down but gives you such a look . . .!

Tammy said...

Loved the pictures and the 'fodder gathering' of pictures and Birdie material. What kind of dog is Ali Ali? I'm guessing some kind of bully breed mix, but not sure.... He is a beauty, and that expressive face!
Tammy

Vicki Lane said...

We guess that there's a fair amount of Boxer -- he uses his front paws the way they do -- and he has the jutting lower jaw. Maybe some Pit Bull too. He's a sweetie -- just terribly spoiled and I'm as guilty as anyone of doing it.

Anonymous said...

We call him "a box of chocolate pit" and it seems as though he is becoming a regular on your blog!

Vicki Lane said...

I fully expect that he will soon have his own blog.