I am floored. I have no idea where the Summer of 2016 has gone. It has been so hot, so humid (in the desert Southwest!), and there have been so many bugs! Mosquitos like never before! And grasshoppers that have eaten vegetable garden plants and dahlias, zinnias and even young trees down to a few lonely leaves on the spindly branch! It has been...in a word...BRUTAL! At last, as we near August's Summer Finale, the nights and early mornings are cool, as they should have been all Summer long. And we begin to harvest a few vegetables, from our
third planting attempts, after bunny rabbits and bugs and snails have eaten each new seedling or start. At long last we are harvesting a handful of tomatoes, eggplants, chiles, and tomatillos. Finally I can cut and arrange a bouquet of big, splashy Zinnias! (I planted them three (3!!!!) times!). We did not get our July monsoons, and, in fact, we have only had 2 or 3 nice, big rains in August. It has been.....WEIRD!! Also, I have not had the freedom to "get away" and spend time with our boys, their ladies, and our precious littles, since springtime. I have been the "fort holder-downer" this Summer. Soon, that will change, because Captain Tim is retiring from his 27 year military/uniformed service career THIS FALL! (What adventures we have had together!!!) He will return as "lord and master of Little Bird Farm! Our lives will become much more civilized, once again! Fred and I are verrrrry excited! We will have a BIG celebration come early October! In the meantime, I will pick the occasional novel eggplant, a few tomatoes, a handful of NM green chiles, and a bouquet of colorful Zinnias....and count our blessings. There are so, so, so many BLESSINGS! (These are Captain's Tim's ribbons, by the way,....from 27 years of 24/7/365 service to Uncle Sam! I'm so proud of him and all he has accomplished; and eager for the next phase of our life together! More
terrific adventures!)
We have had the most glorious Fall! It has lasted longer than I can ever recall, and the colors, the light, the birds, have been absolutely splendid! We were graced with a visit from our kids and grands in early October, and I can't even say how terrific that was - but it was super dooper terrific. Even some old friends came from far away to spend some time with us. Life IS GOOD!
Now, I need to go plant 200 daffodils that came in the mail Friday, just as we were heading up to Santa Fe for a weekend of rest and relaxation...and to see Joan Baez in concert at The Lensic. It is a fabulous old theater in downtown Santa Fe. The concert was....wonderful. Joan is a marvel! An important note about the picture above - the one with the garland of tiny Jack o'Lanterns". Our three amazing, adorable grands made that when they were all here! Isn't it so cute? We just love it and wish it would last forever! It won't. But the memory will! Love you grands!!! Your folks too! Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
