Monday, July 30, 2012

Random Thoughts


 A strange little circular breeze blew overhead at dusk. It ruffled the leaves of the birches on the front lawn, raced southward to set the leaves dancing on the maples, left them abruptly to tickle the ash trees west of the house, then headed north to make the pine boughs sway. In a moment all was again still, except for the bats galloping about the darkening sky, gulping mosquitoes.

I tried to capture the rising moon with my camera. All around me the summer bugs were making a racket. Katydids rubbed their forewings together and crickets (from the French word criquer, meaning "little creaker") chirped their mating calls. Did you know that when the male cricket chirps, he's actually lifting his wings and pulling the file of one wing across the scraper of the other? The sound is amplified when the thin, papery portions of the wings vibrate. I think I would have called the cricket violinista poco - Spanish for little violinist.

Wednesday begins the last month of summer. The humidity has broken temporarily though the temperatures are supposed to climb a bit during the week.  We've had some much needed rain and the garden is showing its appreciation by drowning me in cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. I show my appreciation by savoring both.


I celebrated Monday by baking a rustic blueberry/peach tart. Come, I'll put the kettle on and we'll have tea and dessert while we watch the day end.








15 comments:

Brian Miller said...

nice...that pie looks awesome...and thanks for the peek outside as well...love all the sounds...we used to throw rocks to the bats as kids...ha...probably not good for them...

Out on the prairie said...

I just picked my first tomatoes today. I am looking forward to BLT's, having one for breakfast.The tart looks like heaven, we made a cheesecake at work today for National cheesecake Day.

Steve Reed said...

That tart looks terrific! I can almost hear the buzzy night insects...I miss those sounds here in the city.

Marion said...

Oh! I wish I was there to have a piece of that pie and a lovely cup of tea with you. I love watching bats swoop through the evening skies.

Wonderful post, Pauline...I could almost feel your strange little breeze! xx

Tabor said...

Love desserts but have been trying to avoid them. I really want to bake, but must be good. Lovely description of a mild weather change. Still waiting for rain here.

molly said...

If I get on my bike now will there still be some tart when I get there??

Pauline said...

Brian - rocks at bats! For shame. Bet you never hit one though. They're quick little buggers.

OOTP - I'm being inundated with tomatoes :)

Steve - they're summer sounds for sure. I love the katydids.

Marion - we just plain live too far apart!

Tabor - the rain has been lovely, though still not enough. We are well below our annual level. I don't bake often but when I do, I want it to be good too. This tart was!

Molly - I waited and waited...

Anonymous said...

I wish I could just step through the monitor and enjoy that tart with you! YUM! I love your description of dusk - it has become my favorite time of day, and mine is so similar to yours. I just did a quick catch up of the last week, too. Love that little cradle and can't wait to see your finished closet!

Gary said...

For some reason last night I became aware of all the sounds from the insects outside and it was distracting. They are LOUD! And comforting and reminiscent of childhood days.

That tart looks delicious and and so are your words.

Kerry said...

I bet I'm too late for some of that tart. That looks really wonderful.

I love the sounds of summer bugs. I hadn't known the origin of the word "cricket" but it makes sense, like they are novice violinists, creaking away...

Friko said...

Thank you, don't mind if I do.
I like summer evenings with a friend and a nice slice of pie.

Friko said...

Thank you, don't mind if I do.
I like summer evenings with a friend and a nice slice of pie.

Pauline said...

Barbara - wouldn't it be fun to be able to step through the monitor! Closet is on hold for a few weeks. Carpenter has another job.

Thanks, Gary - summer bugs are my favorite! (Well, outside, anyhow. When they get in the house they creep me out!)

Kerry - that pie was GOOD! I can always make another :)

Friko - me, too! Wish you were close enough to stop by for tea and a chat!

Judith said...

Love the new banner photo ---
And it sounds like you are feeling MUCH better than the poison-whatever-itchies.
Wish I could take up the offer pie!
Savor this end-of-summer like Frederick the Mouse, so you'll have it available to comfort us with when it's wintertime.

Pauline said...

J - pies are easy. We will meet and have pie one day soon. I'm storing summer up. All too soon it will be just a memory!