Acair Fearann

For supper: Ham, green beans (pole beans mind you!), tomatoes, creamed corn (which is simply corn cut off the cob with butter), parsley for ‘garnish’, and peach pie.

The beans, tomatoes, parsley, and peaches from right here of course; the corn from down the road.

There is a reason to heed at a deep, instinctual level the calendar and the turning seasons; a connection that is re-acknowledged between life in the now and time’s inevitable passage. Food tends to do it remarkably well. Indeed, it would seem almost sacrilegious to have the same menu in April as tonight. Obviously, we bend the rules quite a bit: I have no intention of eating cabbage for five months nor of being so desperate that I will figure out how to cook milkweed in April. But there are certain things that just would not be right, no matter how we might want them, at certain times of the year. Probably these are different things and different times for each person; but breaking the ‘rule’ would cheapen them, permanently.

There is something fundamental to humanity about being able to accept and celebrate the passage of time; I am not sure what exactly, but it seems that it is there. Food apparently is a symbol of it. Odd thoughts!

2 Responses »

There is little kind that one can say about an over ambitious katydid in the middle of the night, somewhere in, on, near, the window of one’s room. Especially one sounding exactly like a fire alarm. At 3 am.

Now it was a nice cool, foggy night and the insects were in full song with enthusiasm, which I can understand. But I could have cheerfully removed that particular insect.  As it was the score was Katydid: One, Me: Zero. I went and found a different place to sleep!

Still, it is definitely nearing summer’s close; because the crickets and such are louder than ever. Not sure where the summer went, but it goes as it always does.

Comments Off on Really?

I didn’t see him, but it probably is a good thing that our latest guest came after all the others departed….  One black bear male (no ear tags, so likely male) ambling along the front porch mid afternoon.  Apparently he casually checked the toys, the chairs, the breakfast table…went in a civilized fashion down the stairs and inspected the peach tree (not ripe yet, apparently) and headed off to the vineyard for an afternoon snack, or possibly for a nap in our trees.

Something about this! They routinely come through at night, probably about twice a week. But the daytime visits, while not uncommon, are less frequent.

2 Responses »

A project that I worked on….

http://nhhs.mapxpress.net/

Sometimes modern technology is rather fun and useful. A comparison of photographs from August, 1955 and the Flood of ’55 ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_of_1955_%28Connecticut%29) and 2015 taken from the closest possible vantage points.

Comments Off on Links!

There is a Carolina Wren outside my window, staking his claim to the porch as only a wren can. This is the highpoint of summer, from now on the world turns towards the fall. But for this shining moment life runs hot and hard.

The Merlin flies, in swift silence, crossing towards the western river valleys.

And a thousand dragonflies dance in the meadow, glittering stars cast down in the sun on far fields.

One Response »

‘Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.’ BCP

One Response »