Not quite autumn? go figure!

Category: gardening among the rocks | Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:31 am

I'm sitting here in the quiet listening to the sound of a Washington State rainshower. It isn't a nasty rain, more like a gift washing down from the clouds, an offering of something much desired and wanted to the vines and leaves stretching gratefully up to receive it.
Now, my chickens on the other hand, they aren't quite so appreciative. They seem to have forgotten how to duck into the henhouse, out of the rain. They stand in it with feathers dripping, heads cocked sideways staring at the falling sparkles, clearly straining to remember what and why this is. It's been a long dry summer. So dry in fact that I forgot completely to put a bit of gutter on the tin roof over my lawnmower. The roof also shelters Tim the Bunny. And as I put an apple in his cage today, the dripping down my neck only punctuated the hazards inherent in my forgetfulness.
All my garden is rushing to put on a last hurrah of growth before chillier weather sets in, and the vines around my front door seem to be trying to come in through the windows with the cat! Even my miniature rose has put out a new bloom. Things just feel normal again, and word is we are in for a very wet winter. So glad I don't live in an area that floods, though my driveway does tend to get puddly.
There's been quite a bit on the news about coyotes attacking household pets. Don't know why people panic about this. It's rough, granted, but basic biology teaches that populations have peaks and valleys. Coyotes and raccoons seem to be at a peak right now, that's all. Could be frogs or beetles next year. Shrug. Personally, I'm rooting for a population spike for the meadowlarks!

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pondlady wrote on Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:54 pm:

Loved reading your words this morning. You make me feel as if I am there with you. Thanks.

muddybob wrote on Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:20 pm:

Isn't this great? I've been out mucking around in it myself.
Did you hear about the coyote that attacked the Bellevue child? On the news the child said it bit him on the butt.
I say more coyotes are needed to bite children on the butts and deter their families from moving their stupid housing developments further and further into their habitat!
Have you driven through the Kent valley lately. Even MORE warehouses are going up. All that gorgeous soil gone to waste. Remember when it was all farmland? I hope they don't ruin your area. I have noticed some new houses.
I'm sorry I ranted. I really enjoy your blog. Now I must go play outside.

muddy

glendann wrote on Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:55 pm:

When I take Oreo out at night you can hear the coyotes in the distant back on the creek that runs through .Their howls and yips make me lonely.People are building everywhere here in Texas.I hate to see all the land taken in by homes and warehouses .All our wildlife will have no place to go.
Fall is in the air critterp.
My plants are looking much better since our rain.It is overcast this morning and cool but is to get to 92 degrees today.

CritterPainter wrote on Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:06 am:

Thanks for your comments!
Muddy, I hate watching things building up. Fields where great-grandad grew corn and cows have been taken over by a walmart and a bunch of housing developments of McMansions. I love where I am, lots of preserve land, horses, sheep,& such. And of course my goaties!