A Monday ramble

Monarch butterfly

Black and orange butterfly —
Flying joyously.
Wings like a nun’s hands:
First folded in prayer,
Then open in offering.

~ Deng Ming-Dao, 365 Tao: Daily Meditations

Asters blooming at the edge of the woods.

How was your weekend?  Did you do anything exciting, or not so exciting but worth a mention?

Caliente

M and I worked around the ranch, sometimes indoors, sometimes outdoors.  The weather was hot and humid.  It’s a good thing we haven’t closed down the pool yet.  I think we’ll do that next week.  It’s going to be in the 80’s here toward the middle and end of the week so I will probably take a dip or two or three before we end the pool season.

One of many

I’ve been hearing gunshots in the distance.  Early hunting season is upon us.  Right now you can hunt Teals, Mourning Doves, Rails, and Squirrels.  Crows are in season, too, but only Wednesday through Saturday.  Our rabbit population is safe until November.

The roses are still blooming. (Processed and manipulated in Pixlr.)

I went for a long walk this morning.  The heat and humidity were swept out overnight.  Today and tomorrow look like the best hiking days this week.  After that we’ll get some rain and then it will heat up again.

Visiting the scrounger’s garden.

I saw a Monarch Butterfly in the scrounger’s garden.  It was only the second Monarch I’ve seen this year.  I had a look at a Monarch Butterfly migration map, and not many Monarchs have shown up in this area this year.  (You can find the maps and other information at Monarch Butterfly Journey North.)

Sitting on the dock

Out on the dock, the view and weather are more than fine.  I sat out there for a while listening to the wind in the grasses, and watching a Bald Eagle fly overhead as the tide came in.

Lemongrass

I reckon that’s it from the Wabi-Sabi Ranch on this last day of summer.  Thank you so much for visiting, and joining me on another walk.  Sunset is at 7:00 PM on the dot tonight.  Let’s meet out on the dock and watch the show.  It’s breezy and cool so bring a sweater or light jacket.

Mushrooms are popping up all over.

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

A-glow

Today’s joys:  Fresh, cool, clean air; windows wide open to let in the fresh, cool, clean air; laundry hanging out to dry; miso soup for breakfast; the subtle changes in the foliage announcing that autumn is almost here.

Bonus joy: A surprise Happy Autumn card arriving with the post today.  Thank you, Dawn!