The monsoon season in Ohio actually took an entire day off. The front of the property is still far too soggy to mow, but the meadow, wild area paths, orchard, back forty, rock garden--aka Swallow Land, was dry enough to deforest. Yes, the grass was high. But I love mowing. I know I say that all the time, but, to me, it has a sense of artistry. Not that I'm one of those every cut must be in a straight line persons--leaving the Acres in perfect symmetry, but there's just something serene about sitting on the green throne after the work is done and taking in the "newness" of the area. The wild area is more clearly defined, the paths enticing, the orchard trimmed, it just looks lovely to a proud old man.
The barn swallows--just one pair--were active today. Swishing all around the mower, feasting on the scattered insects. They must have a family in Dennis' outbuilding. Hope so. That means the aerial acrobats will grow in number as the year goes on. Such fearless blue beauty. May their tribe increase!
Color is being added to the daisies of the wild area. Orange, mauve, and bright yellow day lilies are joining the wind dance. Yellow poppies, black-eyed Susans everywhere. Queen Anne's Lace is starting to add her white to help the daisies. Dabs of pink laced bind weeds are everywhere--think wild morning glories. And swamp and meadow roses are ubiquitous; well, as close to omnipresent as a flower can be in the wild area. The daisies are still there as well, and, of course, white and red clover--honey bee favorites--are throughout the meadow area. And a batch of spider wort--blue blue--refuses to go away. Not that anyone is suggesting it should. My Gardening Angels' quilt is starting to display its splendor. Every day will be more colorful than the day before.
I had a fascinating encounter as I mowed the very back of the Acres: a doe and her twins. The little ones were still a little spotted and small enough that when one of them bolted away from mom and his (her?) twin and rushed into the wild area it disappeared. The height of the grass made it invisible. Mom and twin ran in the other direction in front of the mower a bit and stopped. I was surprised. Usually when I spook them, they runleap completely away. But she stopped in her tracks and just stared at me. As I mowed closer to her, she bolted again but not far. Another dead stop and stare. Finally, it dawned on me--in the middle of the afternoon--that she was worried about her other young'un who had fled in the other direction. Eventually, she must have spotted him in Aaron's pines and away she and her other fawn disappeared in that direction. Beauty in motion. I knew some deer were around because some day lilies in the wild area had been used for lunch on occasion. I don't mind contributing a little dessert now and then.
But that is the most traffic I've had while riding the Acres. I may need to put up a stop light. There's plenty of green, and more than enough yellow. I wonder what I can use for red. Duh. My lawn mower, of course. I'd hate to keep stopping though and take in all that beauty. Might take me a week to feed the swallows. Ahhh, well. Sacrifices must be made.
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