Small Matters

Dear Maria,

Thank you for the picture of the Gambel’s quail, which was a new one to me. Take a look at the Eastern kingbird, which was a new one to me here. Two hung out on our fences in the evenings over a week or so, and then gone.

I am sorry, of course, to hear the length of your stay is now uncertain again. Frustrating for you, obviously. Maybe the kids can get out there again for the holidays—which must seem very far off and so I guess the notion is not so helpful. But, maybe.

How amazing that at Saguaro you should run into your friend from junior high days. And she, too, has two children. Sounds like that visit was good medicine.

My coincidences of late are pretty trivial. I mentioned to my parents that the goldfinches were all about the sunflowers among the apple trees in the mornings and evenings. The next week, I read Thoreau make the same observation in one of his journals—goldfinches and sunflowers. A small detail, but I found the shared experience kind of heartening across the years and miles.

The other moment happened last night. I have mentioned several times to folks that I am fortunate not to be stung given the number of bees around the lavender, milkweed, and Roses of Sharon. When I am sharing their space, I do tell them not to waste their energy coming after me—why not talk to them? Nothing lost one way or another. And so far, so good.

Except, except, wasps are also in the airspace. Last night, somehow, one managed to get underneath my t-shirt as I brought my stuff inside for night. I shook my t-shirt unaware of exactly what was under there, and then, pop! That electric pinprick. I pulled off my shirt and shook it and the little demon dropped down on the floor. Oh, yes, I stomped it into the oblivion.

Truth be told—and so no heroic spin—no swelling, not even a mark, and no soreness after 5 minutes or so.  Feel free to laugh, or at least chuckle.

The past week, more and more geese are overnighting on the lake—40-60 now. And more seem to be coming in for a break during the afternoon. Early in August, I know, but days shorten and the sun shifts a little more southward. So the shade says.

Of course, your summer is summering hard on. 

What awaits is hard to say. Do as well as you can. Many look forward to your return home.

Yours,

srk