Summer Rambles

just an old fart rambling on . . .

While much of the west/southwest broils in extreme heat, it's been refreshingly mild here on the central California coast. The damp marine layer cools the area down into the high 40's (9*C) every morning so it doesn't heat up until late afternoon. Only hot for a few hours . . . not hotter than low 90's (33*C), which is mild for Arroyo Seco summers.

First half of this summer, I saw no honeybees. Wasps and bumblebees are abundant, along with several varieties of big ugly hornets. The hornets have disappeared now and the many hummingbirds do a thorough job of dabbing pollen around since the honeybees have been hiding. Suddenly this past week, hundreds of honeybees discovered my garden out here in the wilderness and they’re now creating a loud buzz all around my garden every day.

Sometimes I hear a few pre-dawn coyote yips down by Piney Creek, just below my bluff, but last night around midnight a pack was circling the area, yipping and talking up a storm for more than a half hour. It's the longest I've heard them coming in so close and being so noisy. The dogs in the area returned the coyote conversation and it didn't chase the critters off!

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

It's such a pleasant place you describe, bordering on idyllic. (At least in my estimation) Such cool nights and mornings! My poor ac kicks on at all hours. The mention of no honey bees made realize that I've not seen any, either. I hope your life continues just is for many, many moons.

[barleygirl]

Thanks for a great response to my distracted rambling! Some months back, in an effort to get yourself writing & posting, you did a few of these kinds of uninhibited rambles, so I decided to follow suit since I have so little on my mind to write about, really! *wink! wink!* Thanks for motivating me to just be myself on the page & not worry if it's really a story at all! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Laz K.]

I might use this - with your permission - in one of my classes as an example of descriptive writing. Kids here (Taiwan) have a hard time giving a detailed description of their surroundings. Life is happening all around, all the time, even if it seems that nothing "important" is going on.

[barleygirl]

You are very welcome to use my writing as stated. When I first started living in the wilderness 10 years ago, I thought there was nothing happening out here & that there would be nothing to write about. After 10 years, now I see HOW MUCH is happening out here! *smile* You made my day by catching this point about life! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Christine Anne Shaw]

You live in an amazing place Margie. The heat and terrain so different from where I come from. However, I share your love of the natural environment and the inspiration it gives your magical pen. Observation is key. Some people can't see further than the end of their nose. You and I have better sight. Great stuff. I would love to see your hummingbirds.

Chris

[barleygirl]

This morning when I was hand-watering, a hummingbird came so close to put it's beak into the stream of water just beyond my hand. This went on for a minute or two. It happens often. This is why I forget there's covid out there killing people by the 1000's. Thanks for a great share (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

Sounds lovely Margie... I would love to have hummingbirds round these parts.. I have seen them many times and have always watched in awe... bees are of course essential and beautiful too and I try my best to protect and attract them... hornets are summat else tho aren't they.. please feel free to ramble on as the great Robert Plant has so oft said (HUMs) Nevly, Neville :)

[barleygirl]

When I first moved here, I thought my life was so barren of human interest, I wouldn't be able to come up with very much to write about. These ten years in the wilderness changed all that! Thanks for understanding (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

tis but my pleasure, treasure (GEMs) fondly :)

[Crowley]

Thanks for the front porch descriptions. Your place sounds amazing. It has just been plain miserable hot here in Phoenix..I am so over it. Thanks for sharing Margie.

[barleygirl]

The first few years I lived here, we'd have 105-100* for a month or two. But the last 2 summers have been unusually mild & I'm loving it, as I look at your furnace blast temps in AZ! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Beccy]

Better this than a ramble about dirty and dusty cities where the idyllic buzzing of honey bees is now forever drowned out by the hectic roar of the motor car; and I would far rather hear the sound of the Coyote, than the rapacious howl of those wolves of Wall Street. :))

Beccy.

[barleygirl]

WOW! You've turned this little scribble into a hard-hitting poetic expression! When I unplug from "out there" -- it's easy to forget all the strife! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Beccy]

I think the whole world could do with a bit of unplugging from the madness of 'out there.' :))

[R.E. Ray]

A nice deviation from poetry, Margie. Your summer reads ideal, except the coyotes. We have them here, and at least once a week we hear them take down a fresh meal, sometimes it’s a sheep from the nearby farm. It’s one of the most haunting sounds at night.

I could hate them, but I remind myself we live in their territory and they must eat. So, as long as they stay clear of my plot, they won’t know the super predator who lives here. :)

Vivid imagery and a love of nature in this short story.

[barleygirl]

Very interesting! I can always count on you to peruse any topic more deeply than most do! Thanks for sharing! We are having many coyote sessions nightly around here lately -- unusual for them to come so close, so often. There are many country newbies around that might be letting their pets outdoors at night. (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[R.E. Ray]

Always a pleasure to exchange with you, Margie. I'd suggest a rifle for protection, but I know you live in Cali, and would probably go to prison for a zillion years. :)

[John the Baptist]

Apparently, a new breed of big and aggressive Asian hornets has invaded the country and are destroying entire beehives. When you mentioned a scarcity of bees and then mentioned hornets, I thought the Mongol Horde had reached your area. Glad to see the bees survived.

[barleygirl]

We've newly had invasions by big black hornets that look like flying beetles & sound like helicopters when one is inside & buzzing my head (which can happen once or twice a day, earlier in the season, but they're gone now, thankfully!) Thanks for sharing that about the hornets. It makes total sense by what I've seen here! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[ThoughtsIBought]

I love the sound of "Arroyo Seco Summers" I love a lot of the phrases in this actually! "yipping and talking up a storm" It all feels so natural a flows. Like being told a story from a local (which I guess it is lol) but it's like porch light sweet tea conversation

[barleygirl]

I usually over-complicate & over-manicure, but this time I just left it in a more conversational way, so I really appreciate your comments (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Arroyo Seco summers”...just the sound of that entices me dear Margie. Wish I was there where the open spaces afford an existence with nature that is so serene and beautiful. You have such a talent for descriptive imagery my friend. Love this uplifting piece and thank you for it!

[barleygirl]

There are times when I so completely unplug from the world's strife, all I notice are these little kinds of observations that delight! Thank you for your uplifting appreciation (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[KWP]

this is nice. the sound of appreciation for where you are right now in this time and space. the fact you have taken the time to stop and take in the moments in front of you - it's almost a forgotten art.

Do you get scared of the Coyote's ? are they dangerous or just frisky? Im wondering if the are like our dingos.

This piece tells me that you are in a good place - if I am correct, then I must smile.

You take care X

[barleygirl]

A number of people I know have lost small dogs to the coyotes & I sure would not let pet bunnies go loose in the yard. I've lived here 10 years & this is the first time I've heard so much racket from the coyotes, as if they're really checking things out. More new people have moved out to the boondocks nearby & maybe they have cats wandering or other pets that might attract the coyotes? Sometimes I forget about the world's strife for days at a time! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie