August’s End

Coming to the end of the photos I had of our last cabin adventure really brought it home to me that the summer is about done.  Two of our children have their birthdays and the end of things.  Our oldest turned seventeen today…the end of the summer while our youngest ushers out the end of the year in December.  I usually find a way to feel kind of melancholy during these times…I think those that have kids understand exactly what I mean. The evenings have been rather spectacular.  I expect this is because as the season changes the light does different things at different times.  The late summer sunsets seem different to me…certainly earlier then they’ve been.  The awful drought and heat we’ve had means that most thunderheads are high and dry and the lightning is a threat that often carries through with lightning strike fires.  Knowing the danger this particular cloud looked ominous and rather like a blood dipped piece of fabric of some sort.  Our salamander does all he can to avoid the heat…can you spot him hiding in the hole he dug for himself?  We’ve lost several plants to the heat and aphids this year but still the pansies seem content and always bring a smile to my face.  Have you ever noticed that in tough times the more annoying of creatures seem to thrive?  This is especially true here.  The wasps have been giving the honey bees a run for their money by enjoying the nectar on the wild plants in the prairie.  Not all is dry and barren.  Some unusual flowers seem to be getting ready to burst from their pods…you know I’ll capture it when they do!  These pods are not only good sizedbut also plenteous and seemingly unaffected by the relentless heat and lack of rain…note the difference between the green plant and the dry brown background.  There have also been some little yellow flowers that don’t care about the drought one bit.  They weren’t very pretty at first and were actually quite sticky with some kind of sap before they bloomed but now they are quite delightful to see.  Just look at them thrive!  Our little pond has been doing well enough because it survives by leeching water from the nearby irrigation ditch.  We have a whole new crop of cat tails.  My little girl (no not the seventeen year old) enjoys breaking them off and saying they are scepters that ever queen needs to rule her kingdom.  There are so many scepters to choose from…which shall we pick for her majesty?  Some of the cat tails were showing signs of the march of the season…note the one puffing out.  The harsh sunlight has managed to bleach some of them.  I once again was drawn to the honey bees and realized I’ve got some work to do.  My daughter is having some friends over and a special meal..time to head back home.  Passing the delicate lavender colored blossoms once again.  Look this bloom is bugged!  I’ll leave you all with the last shot of the day before coming back inside.  Blessings to you!