winding down

From: Caroline
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 7:52 AM
Subject: winding down

Well, I knew it would happen, but still I was not prepared for the great quiet of the early mornings that continues throughout the day. An occasional cat call from the gray catbird and little chirps from the gold finches as they fly across the fields in their bouncing ball manner in pursuit of thistle seeds. That's all. This lack is such a strong reminder that the world is turning us into winter - an almost unbearable thought. The back, marshy field is a pink blanket of five foot Joe Pyeweed --never more bountiful or beautiful--the front field a lacy white from the extraordinary flowering this year of Queen Anne's Lace and around the pond the Sweet Pepper Bush is so fragrant. But none of these really help.

As most of us Easterners know the weeds and the grass are growing at amazing rates, and that insidious inside plant known as mildew is climbing up walls, putting a gray bloom on the dark furniture and even speckling my little yellow kitchen chairs. I suspect that anything that has been spilled over the last year and not thoroughly cleaned up is now making its presence known. Ah well, its Clorox time. However, on the flip side, my orchids are delirious! Orchids that bloomed in the winter are sending out flower spikes now and when I get home I will be in for a treat. They know that this summer has been truly like being in an Amazonian forest. Even the little "Paphs"-- which like the cool of a Kashmiri forest floor -- are growing well.

I have an overseas account now which I can use while in France [-- address edited --]. I will try this out before I go to be sure it works. I leave on the 25th so this will probably be the last letter for a while. Stay well - get cooler - Love to all Caroline