The rain is drumming on the roof. It’s a welcome break from the hot sky of the last two days. A sky the color of skim milk; the weakest, lousiest blue. The nearly unbreathable blue. I had to drive home from my Nashville musical work stint to Vermont as the eastern storms made air travel completely unreliable. I saw that sky for two days straight as I made my way through Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. It clung to everything. This mild breeze with a couple hummingbird visitors is most appreciated at this moment. They are poking holes in my accumulated pressure clench. (Thank you, wee birds!)
you asked, so here are the news: the hedgehogs families that we've been feeding for 4 years have had babies. we spotted 2 and have named them avocado and avogado. nature, and some bubbles, are the only thing keeping my soul alive - and, of course, your posts and voice.
Have your flowers ever been visited by a hummingbird moth? Quite something! They look a little scary at first, but are totally benign... and super-beneficial, too, of course. Enjoy the buzzes!!
I bought a house last fall - my first at 28!- and have let the backyard go. Fenced in with grapevines and wildflowers, but the weeds have started to choke out my few actual flowers. You’ve inspired me to take action and turn the yard into a pollinator garden. I listen to Middle Cyclone and Hell On while I work, motivated to have a little Lung of my own. Thanks for the motivation and musical companionship. xo Your Superfan in Detroit ;)
After I retired, I sold my house in Phoenix last year and moved to where I belong ~ Oceanside, CA. I swim in the Pacific a LOT.
Shortly before I moved, a hummingbird somehow got into my house. I was stunned. He was sitting on top of my ceiling fan. I opened the back door, which was close by, but he flew into another room and sat on the floor.
I gently scooped him up and walked outside. I felt my heart beating the same as the bird’s. I’ve released many animals in my life, but this felt different. I took a breath and opened my hands. He zoomed straight up into the sky, an arrow of light. What else was there for me to say but goodbye?
What's new here in Kansas? The bee balm is half bent over with chubby little bumblebees at every blossom. Storms took down our aspen tree, but the mountain mint is thriving now that it gets a little more sun. The squash and watermlon I planted is threatening to take over the entire backyard, and the three sisters plantings have survived four or five episodes of 70 mph thunderstorms, with a little help from strategically placed bamboo poles. The mosquitoes from the nearby Kaw are trying to steal all of my blood every time I venture outside if I don't douse myself in picaridin, and so every weeding stint involves a good scrubbing afterward. But it all looks glorious from inside the house, and passersby stop me as I'm weeding to say how much they love walking through the small immersive wildflower planting on both sides of the sidewalk - my neighbors have joined their landscape beds to mine so it's unbroken for half a block. Wildflower joy is exponential and keeps on giving. We are surviving.
Every year I forget that although the word haze is sorta pretty, the reality of haze is disgusting. At least here in Baltimore in July and August. And I feel like I am breathing through a wet sponge that's hooked up to a diesel truck's exhaust. That's what's new with me! 😂
I haven't seen any Monarch caterpillars yet but they should be turning up any day now. I love their muppety little bodies.
It’s lovely in Northern Michigan! The cherries are ripe and vegetables are beginning to be ready for harvest. I see a lot of jamming and baking in the near future😀
Hi Neko! Hate that we missed the New Pornographers when you guys hit Dallas (first NP tour I've missed 10 years or more). Dallas. It's stupid hot here like everywhere else in the south. Excited to hear you're working on a book, though, and we're always thrilled with the prospect of new music you're making! I'm going to send a contribution to the Vermont Studio Center, btw. They were hit hard with flooding.
lots of hummingbirds feeding on the agapanthus outside my Long Beach window.
currently in Yucca Valley (about four miles as the crow flies from Pappy and Harriet's) and there was a desert gecko under the doormat. cute little thing.
I was worried for your home in that inundation and I feel for the folks and critters affected. It is deep winter here and it is Friday morning on Kaurna land. I am paddling hard but sometimes the stream seems too strong, I need to find a nook or a beach tp pull up for a spell. Bones get weary but talking about mine is wearisome, thank you for the ride you are always so kind.
We’ve had our share of battering lately down here in western MA but nothing like y’all. Do keep us posted with any relief orgs that stand up to vetting.
Lobelia, lupine, Echinacea and Rudbeckia are abundant in the yard, so our pollinator and feathered (I know that’s a Venn diagram but that’s what I typed..)friends are hopefully happy. Indigo bunting! I’m so glad you enjoy these things and share them with others who do.
Speaking of which, your prose is gorgeous. A new stack post from you always brings a smile to my face. Colin Meloy is also capable of this feat, and some days, it is a feat.
Thanks and be well. Come visit us in the Happy Valley sometime? We have a few new venues...
you asked, so here are the news: the hedgehogs families that we've been feeding for 4 years have had babies. we spotted 2 and have named them avocado and avogado. nature, and some bubbles, are the only thing keeping my soul alive - and, of course, your posts and voice.
Have your flowers ever been visited by a hummingbird moth? Quite something! They look a little scary at first, but are totally benign... and super-beneficial, too, of course. Enjoy the buzzes!!
Hey Neko :)
I bought a house last fall - my first at 28!- and have let the backyard go. Fenced in with grapevines and wildflowers, but the weeds have started to choke out my few actual flowers. You’ve inspired me to take action and turn the yard into a pollinator garden. I listen to Middle Cyclone and Hell On while I work, motivated to have a little Lung of my own. Thanks for the motivation and musical companionship. xo Your Superfan in Detroit ;)
After I retired, I sold my house in Phoenix last year and moved to where I belong ~ Oceanside, CA. I swim in the Pacific a LOT.
Shortly before I moved, a hummingbird somehow got into my house. I was stunned. He was sitting on top of my ceiling fan. I opened the back door, which was close by, but he flew into another room and sat on the floor.
I gently scooped him up and walked outside. I felt my heart beating the same as the bird’s. I’ve released many animals in my life, but this felt different. I took a breath and opened my hands. He zoomed straight up into the sky, an arrow of light. What else was there for me to say but goodbye?
Peace out, Neko.
Pat
What's new here in Kansas? The bee balm is half bent over with chubby little bumblebees at every blossom. Storms took down our aspen tree, but the mountain mint is thriving now that it gets a little more sun. The squash and watermlon I planted is threatening to take over the entire backyard, and the three sisters plantings have survived four or five episodes of 70 mph thunderstorms, with a little help from strategically placed bamboo poles. The mosquitoes from the nearby Kaw are trying to steal all of my blood every time I venture outside if I don't douse myself in picaridin, and so every weeding stint involves a good scrubbing afterward. But it all looks glorious from inside the house, and passersby stop me as I'm weeding to say how much they love walking through the small immersive wildflower planting on both sides of the sidewalk - my neighbors have joined their landscape beds to mine so it's unbroken for half a block. Wildflower joy is exponential and keeps on giving. We are surviving.
Every year I forget that although the word haze is sorta pretty, the reality of haze is disgusting. At least here in Baltimore in July and August. And I feel like I am breathing through a wet sponge that's hooked up to a diesel truck's exhaust. That's what's new with me! 😂
I haven't seen any Monarch caterpillars yet but they should be turning up any day now. I love their muppety little bodies.
We don’t have hummingbirds here in Europe. Even just reading about them puts me in awe. They have eggs the size of tic tacs! Unbelievable nature.
It’s lovely in Northern Michigan! The cherries are ripe and vegetables are beginning to be ready for harvest. I see a lot of jamming and baking in the near future😀
Hi Neko! Hate that we missed the New Pornographers when you guys hit Dallas (first NP tour I've missed 10 years or more). Dallas. It's stupid hot here like everywhere else in the south. Excited to hear you're working on a book, though, and we're always thrilled with the prospect of new music you're making! I'm going to send a contribution to the Vermont Studio Center, btw. They were hit hard with flooding.
lots of hummingbirds feeding on the agapanthus outside my Long Beach window.
currently in Yucca Valley (about four miles as the crow flies from Pappy and Harriet's) and there was a desert gecko under the doormat. cute little thing.
Oppressive blue skies here too. But the bougainvillea are going insane and I befriended the spider in my shower.
My delphiniums are also super happy in San Francisco land.
Always look forward to your notes. Thank you, Ms Neko.
I was worried for your home in that inundation and I feel for the folks and critters affected. It is deep winter here and it is Friday morning on Kaurna land. I am paddling hard but sometimes the stream seems too strong, I need to find a nook or a beach tp pull up for a spell. Bones get weary but talking about mine is wearisome, thank you for the ride you are always so kind.
We’ve had our share of battering lately down here in western MA but nothing like y’all. Do keep us posted with any relief orgs that stand up to vetting.
Lobelia, lupine, Echinacea and Rudbeckia are abundant in the yard, so our pollinator and feathered (I know that’s a Venn diagram but that’s what I typed..)friends are hopefully happy. Indigo bunting! I’m so glad you enjoy these things and share them with others who do.
Speaking of which, your prose is gorgeous. A new stack post from you always brings a smile to my face. Colin Meloy is also capable of this feat, and some days, it is a feat.
Thanks and be well. Come visit us in the Happy Valley sometime? We have a few new venues...
🔷🟦🔵🐝