Ahh, those lazy, hazy, crazy dog days. According to Brady’s Clavis Calendaria, the Dog Days, running from July 24 to August 24, were believed to be an evil time when “the Sea boiled, the Wine turned sour, Dogs grew mad, and all other creatures became languid; causing to man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies.” (http://www.emmitsburg.net/nfs/articles/re/2012/clavis.htm) I’m glad to report the river isn’t boiling but when my new refrigerator bit the dust, the milk, and other sundries, certainly spoiled. Frenzied men, nope. Lazy dogs, check.
Sparky being lazy.
Here is it August 30 and ducklings are still appearing. A new hen has been a daily visitor, along with her five ducklings. They haven’t quite grown their wings yet, so flying is out of the question, and their quacks are more like high pitched peeps. However, they don’t take any BS from the older ducks, standing their ground to get at the bread and corn served daily at the Concord River Diner.
New members of the clan.
Their mom reminds me of Mama, having the same sweet disposition and trusting nature. She needs no coaxing to eat out of my hand, often leaving the ducklings on the other side of the lawn to stand at my feet.
Mom, waiting for her handout.
Hobby is MIA. I haven’t seen hide nor feather of him for the past four weeks. I’m beginning to wonder if he became dinner for the hawk that’s been terrorizing the ducks. Or, maybe the snapping turtle, having enjoyed his leg, came back for the rest of him. Such is the circle of life on the Concord River. He lives on in my YouTube video, though (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-8S5MTLl8E)
Right now, I have about thirty ducks who stop by on a daily basis. Chris wonders what will happen if they don’t migrate in October. I haven’t told him yet about my plan to install a door on the living room, so they can winter over in there. Why worry him, I’ll let it be a surprise.
Ahh, my son. The highs and lows of a teenager’s moods are more thrilling than Superman, the Ride of Steel, at Six Flags. Since he was in a good mood on Saturday, I coaxed him into helping me assemble the new patio swing I ordered from Hayneedle.com. The reviews on the website suggested four hours for assembly. When I told him that’s how long it might take us, his eyes glazed over. Luckly, it only took us two hours. His patience was beginning to run out and when a nineteen-year-old loses his patience, watch out!
“Where the @#$%$# is part C?”
While we were working on the chair, a red-tailed hawk serenaded us. Perhaps it was calling for its mate or offspring. Or, perhaps it was just sad. Whatever the reason, it sang a morose tune as it circled in the air.
Lonesome dove, oops, hawk.
Much to my delight, the Secret Garden discoveries are continuing. While weeding around the front steps I happened upon another flagstone pathway. It was buried five inches beneath the grass! I have to wonder if the original owners installed these paths and, if so, were they the last people to walk on them? That would make these walks over 70 years old! May the surprises keep coming (only the good ones though).
Revealing the front path.
Steps, too.
Voilà!
Three very dear friends let Chris and me borrow their canoe, which we eagerly took out for a spin. At first I was a little nervous being on the river, instead the shore. But, after a few minutes, I got the feel of the water being around me and began to enjoy myself. We paddled up river, toward the Route 3 bridge, then back home.
Heading up river.
As we rounded the bend, our little house came into view. So this is what the ducks and heron see! Way cool.
A view from the river.
All Creatures, Small and Moldy
Sparky must have thought I was crazy when I dropped onto my belly to get a picture of a skipper (daylight cousins to moths). It was tiny, about the size of a dime, with brilliant white wings. I wanted a good shot and it seemed to sense this, because it kept flying close to the camera. Obviously, related to the Kardashians.
“Riverlady, I’m ready for my close-up.”
Mother nature sent me a bouquet of fungi the other day. I’ve never seen a mushroom quite like this one (or is it many?) but memories of Body Snatchers keeps coming to mind.
Fungus bouquet or extraterrestrial being.
Hey, stop eating my plants!
The leaf eating culprit has been revealed. A little birdie told me.
Time to give a big welcome to my muse. She reacquainted herself this past summer and my creative river flows once again. I can’t think of a more wonderful place to paint then on my river. Thank you so very much.
A Summer’s Day
Blessed be. :}
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i installed the flagstone 1997 or thereabouts. when we bought the house the septic system had to be raised, which is why there is an ugly hole in the lawn near the driveway, to compensate for the hill. the town morons made us dig the giant hole, had to cut down a giant tree..made no sense to me, but we did like the hill because it gave us some dry land. when my ex sold the house they had to connect to sewer so i imagine thats when they dug up the hill again and buried my flagstone. we also put up the fence so the coyotes wouldn’t eat my little dog.
dont worry about the flooding until the retaining wall is completely under water. I put the furnace on the ceiling ..used to have to have to take out the motor on the old one when the basement flooded. Dont get caught adding loads of dirt to your yard, or you will be fined for filling in the wetlands.
Wow! Thank you for the info. I am just adding dirt to some of the gardens to improve the soil but I will be mindful. Wonderful to learn about the flagstone. I feel like I am on archaelogical digs whenever I find another path. My dogs love the fenced yard too. It’s a blessing when the weather is too inclement to take them for a walk. Looking forward to meeting you someday for a cup of tea by the river. Blessed be 🙂
i saw one of your comments on the ducks..i remember come fall there was always a lot of coming and going and squawking on the beach. I always thought they were talking to each other of their winter plans…”hey were going to hang out here a few more days until the water freezes over,,,what about you… when you guys going? , you want to fly together or wing it separately?. There seemed to be a lot going on in the duck world come the snow. And for the ones that stayed, come the snow, it sometimes it looked like a giant herd of web footed carribou had been back and forth to the bird feeder while I was at work, there would be a path ten feet wide .