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Only 3 more months until Fall

Here at “Heat wimps R us”….some of “us” have already had enough of hot weather!

Yes, I think we’ve had 5 days in the 80’s or at least the near 80’s and we (Bear and I!) are ready for Fall.

Mr. “I love to be outside keeping an eye on my domain”…

…maybe tomorrow…in the morning…when it is cool!

Meanwhile, a nap inside on the nice, cool, kitchen floor.

That leaves Bob on duty…

Stepping up. Watch Cat…only 3 more months until Fall (actually 4 months, but by mid-August I figure we are on the downhill run and I AM an optomist!)

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A year in the life of Bear

Monday, May 14, it was one year. May 14, 2011, Bob and I went in Wild Thing to Spokane, WA to get Bear. ( Bear in the Air ).

We have all learned a lot this past year. Even in the last month, Bear has changed in ways that suggest that he is still adjusting to being part of the Family Summers. I believe that he knows this is his home, that he is well loved and wanted, that Bob is his family. There are days when I see sadness in his eyes…missing his George? missing his first home? But those times are fewer and further between and short-lived.

I speak to Bear of Karl, Zack and Gus. I speak to him of my great love for him and gratitude that he is my dog. I speak to him of George and his first family and that I understand loss. I ask Bear about Karl, Zack and Gus. I tell Bear that he is a first-rate bear dog! I speak to both Bob and Bear about being kind to one another.

This past year is different than anything I imagined it would be. It has been a good year and I am grateful for every moment of it.

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Teaser

First bounty from my CSA share:

red leaf lettuce
spinach
spring greens
green onions
radishes WITH greens!!!
cilantro

Hopefully, I will be posting weekly how I use the bounty.

The plan for this week’s haul:

BLTs with the red leaf lettuce
Spinach-Ricotta cups (to freeze)
Cucumber-radish slaw (uses radishes and cilantro)
sauteed greens (radish, spinach and spring greens)
Spinach Gnocchi
Spinach Pasta
Spinach and Spring green “pesto” (to freeze)

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End of the week

Morning sun…

…after a hard freeze! But I covered rhubarb and lily-of-the-valley and all look fine. It was 21F on the valley floor this morning, though and I dearly hope all things survived.

Bob and I started in coziness, in the sunroom, with the heat ON.

And sunshine!

Bob in the sunroom, Bear on Beardog Point. Coffee for me with my boys in view – perfect.

And by 5:00…more perfection as Bear and I enjoyed the late afternoon.

End of the week.

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What was the name of Jacques Cousteau’s research vessel?

If you didn’t watch “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau”…BUT, you recognize the wildflower above…

No???

Calypso is the name of Monsieur Cousteau’s ship and the wildflower is a Calypso Orchid…one of my favorites and rare to find in my woods. This year I have found 5! And they survived last weekend’s snow.

Calypso – such a fun word to say. If you were fortunate to grow up with Jacques Cousteau and his grand passion for the undersea world, you are very fortunate!

Calypso was a sea nymph in the Odysseus myth. Additionally, the etomology of “calypso” is something hidden…to cover, to conceal: appropos to the ship as well as the wildflower :) !

The Calypso Orchid – so small and from the top…only a bit of purple leaf.

But, when you really look at what is hidden, what is concealed…

Incredible beauty. An orchid. An exotic. Calypso.

In honor of beauty, passion, exploration and the seeking of knowledge and understanding:

Lyrics | John Denver lyrics – Calypso lyrics