Premature Summer

The clouds have taken their summer position, hovering over the higher reaches of the mountains. From here, they are difficult to see, being screened by the tall timber. I catch glimpses of them from the rare open fields, or see small, enticing fragments of them through the branches. It seems as though we had but a few weeks of spring this year, and half of those in February. Now, the native wildflowers are wilting, and the brightest color along the roadsides is the yellow of exotic scotch broom. The afternoons already too hot for pleasant walks, I go out in the evenings. I remain discontented by the disruptions this year has brought, even though I know that this weather pattern is as much to be expected in this region as was that more pleasant pattern which prevailed for the two years previous.

Yesterday afternoon, as the strange bird I've been hearing was singing from across the street, I heard an answering call from up the block. The two engaged in call and response for a while, with the occasional duet thrown in, and then the other bird fell silent, or went away. The first continued to sing into the dim evening, once again the sole representative of his kind to be heard among the diverse avian chorus. I've been feeling a lot like that bird must feel, of late.

Sunday Ennui

My cat is staring at me. She's looking quite bedraggled, with the fur on her head somewhat spiked. The punked-out kitty look is usually the result of static electricity in the air, but there isn't much in the air today, so I don't know what's up with her. If she comes home with a nose ring, I'll start to worry.

There was some sort of event in town this weekend. Out for a walk yesterday evening, I saw hand-made signs by the side of the roads reading "Garden Tour." Little arrows pointed out turns. A few houses had signs in their front yards, too. There was nothing special that I could see about any of their gardens, and I didn't see anyone who looked as though they might be touring. Maybe it was too late in the evening. I have no idea what any of that was about, either. It's remarkable how out of touch I can be with everything that goes on around me. I'm much more familiar with the trees and deer and raccoons in this place than I am with the human population and its customs. I sort of bump up against the town now and then, but have very little to do with it. I'm a bad citizen.