Life At The Moment

We have been out taking walks. Not very long ones, but still plenty long enough to get a good look around at mid summer and see what's flying, blooming, fading, or gone to seed. This is our first full summer here, and surprise of all surprises, it's been mild. Well, mild for this part of the country, with temps in the high 80s during the day and mid 50s at night. We did have a few 90+ days, but not so many that it was unbearable, just enough to make us glad that we have air conditioning. We use it sparingly, and it really does take that crazy hot edge off the day.
Roger is recuperating quite well and making great progress. We've been to see the oncologist, and there is a plan in the works for him to start chemo. It's going to be some time this month, we're just not sure of the exact date yet. There a few things that need to be hammered out, like if he should have it administered at the hospital or at the doctor's office. It's a once every two weeks session (for the next six months!) that takes SIX HOURS. There is a pre-chemo visit the day before to check his blood, and a post chemo visit to the doctor for the third drug to be administered through the port.
We know you know how happy it makes us to be out and about watching the butterflies and dragonflies. We love these reminders that no matter what's going on in our personal lives, the bigger wild world goes on. The fox leaves its scat next to the bird feeder. (Our neighbors told us that the mama and her three kits live under their deck. Nice to know they're going to be around for a while longer.) We've seen a skunk prowling under the feeder in the almost dark night. The hawks have found that all the little birds gather to eat here, and so scare them out of sight a couple of times a day. The quail family comes everyday now to scratch through the wood chips looking for the scattered seed. The hummingbirds have gone through 45 pounds of sugar, and I've mixed all of it into nectar, two quarts a day.
This is all there is.

1. Top pic, an Acmon Blue (Piebejus acmon). I have always wanted to photograph a Blue like this, with those great orange spots. There were a lot flying around, but not many landing. It took a while to get this shot.

2. A Sulphur (of some sort). I have always wanted to photograph a yellow butterfly. We don't see very many Sulphurs, so this was quite an exciting find.

3. A Skipper (of some sort). I love the eyes on these butterflies. So very big for such a small thing.

4. A Blue-tailed Dragonfly. Always a thing of beauty. (UPDATE: THIS IS A WIDOW SKIMMER! THANKS TO JIM MCCULLOCH FOR THE INFO)

5. Roger's 68th birthday is this Tuesday, August 3rd. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, honey!!


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thanks to you all. i have been sustained and heartened through surgery and recuperation by such wonderful messages of support.

happy birthday to you sylvia. thanks for showing the way.