Summer Is Coming
Summer is coming, and what lies beyond the veil of winter, we’re just about to know.
I say that with my fur cape off, and a Game of Thrones vibe (for the drama of it, of course) but in reverse.
In a way I do feel a bit like I’m in a movie. With all the twists and turns we’ve all had this past year the next season feels almost like a new mini-series. What unknown monsters lie ahead? Will they manage to breach the borders or not? Will our heros and heroins seek out far lands and exotic adventures, or will they remain under siege in their own homes? No-one knows, but if you tune in every week right here you’ll be able to see the next thrilling installment….
Ah yes, I’m clearly in an odd mood today, but I feel a change coming which has set my imagination off on its own ride. The reality of it is of course far less dramatic.
Mostly it’s just the first inklings of heat.
After a colder-than-expected May, we had our first real burst of hot this week and the contrast of it made it particularly poignant. We’ve gone from blissful spring cool into that in-between time where the weather feels glorious one minute and just slightly-too-hot-and-uncomfortable the next. The morning starts beautifully, crisp and relaxed. And then the heat builds like an orchestra playing to a crescendo, with a heaviness and stickiness that weighs on your skin like a rubber coat. So far we’re still able to keep the French doors open, relieved by the breeze and bliss of occasional afternoon drizzle, but soon we’ll have to close up the shutters and hibernate in our AC-fueled dens. It’s just the way of SW life.
It’s the beginning of summer, the beginning of the big heat, of vacations and (possibly) travel abroad. So much potential, and yet still so much uncertainty. We’ll just have to see where it all goes.
Europe Still Can’t Make Up It’s Mind on COVID
Things continue to flip-flop back and forth in EU COVID-land.
This week France suddenly decided to impose mandatory quarantine on all visitors from the UK. Officially it’s to limit the spread of the highly contagious Indian variant, but unofficially it’s just part of a larger playground brawl. The UK, now no longer part of the cozy European Union, has France on it’s “amber” list which means French visitors to UK have to undergo mandatory 10-day quarantine and 2 expensive PCR tests if they want to enter. Not to be outdone, France decided to save face by imposing a tit-for-tat going the other way. Take that, you elderberry-smelling EU deserters!
But of course, it’s not that simple.
Europe still wants summer tourists, rather desperately and have claimed they will allow in all vaccinated foreigners starting next month (surely that includes Brits, no?). Certain countries like Greece, Italy & Portugal have even gone one step further, breaking free of EU restraints, and declaring they are open and ready for tourists right now. So much for EU cohesiveness, eh? So yeah the whole thing remains rather confusing with countries battling amongst themselves between control and the urgent need for visitors and economic recovery.
In meantime the good news is that COVID cases are still dropping throughout most of EU. Each week more and more countries are moving to “yellow” (which means case rates have dropped below 150 per 100,000 and positivity rates below 4%).That means more borders opening to no restrictions at all.
In France, we’re still officially in the red zone, but the curves continue to improve and {{drum roll}} vaccinations are finally (finally!!!) open to all. As of today, ~25 million French have received at least one dose and if the current rates keep going most of the population should be done by November. It’s not exactly Speedy Gonzalez, but at least the goalpost keeps getting closer.
Oh, and far as Denmark and it’s crazy you-have-to-be-vaxxed-inside-the-EU rules goes….no change there….at least not yet.
We’ll keep watching, and hoping.
Oh Ladybug, My Ladybug
I can finally say I’m officially a ladybug larvae fan!
Many weeks ago as we started to get infested with the annual Spring aphid onslaught, I sought expertise from my various Facebook gardening forums. Of course there were the usual tips of spraying with soapy water and such, but the more unusual idea that caught my eye was using ladybug larvae. Apparently these babies can consume up to 1,000 aphids per day, and all you need to do is let them loose and allow them to munch away. Coooool!
I sent off for my 80-full box of larvae a few weeks ago, got it within a few days and then carefully transferred the pin-prick-size larvae onto my infested apple tree with the end of a small stick.
To be honest, I really didn’t have high expectations.
The larvae were teeeeeeny, half the size of the aphids they were supposed to eliminate and very tricky to manipulate. But in just a few weeks later my little bugs have grown to finger-nail size and literally decimated the aphids on my tree. Call….me….impressed! I’ve now moved my growing babies onto our aphid-infested roses so they can do their handiwork there. And of course I can’t wait to see them transform into little pupae and…the grand finale….ladybugs.
Goooo ladybugs!
Our Best Girl Polly
Our only hickup these past few weeks has been our best girl Polly.
Some weeks back she got a tick bite. Not a big event in the grand scheme of things, but a smidgen annoying considering we do put anti-tick product on her regularly. Anyway I removed said tick and didn’t think much more about it until a few weeks later when I suddenly discovered sore on her side, and not just any sore but a massive red-rimmed circle around 10cm (~4 inches) in diameter. Whaaaaat????
We immediately e-mailed our wonderful French vet (yes, you can do that here in France) who thankfully got on the case right away. Turns out Polly-girl had an allergic reaction to the tick-bite (possibility Lyme too), so she was prescribed 2-weeks of doxy and a soothing/healing cream that we have to apply for the next several months while the skin recovers.
Thankfully our girl is fine, and handling it like the zen-Queen she is, but gah, I hate ticks!
Can someone tell me…do we really need ticks? Do they serve any evolutionary purpose??? Whyyyy must they exist?? This is not our first encounter with these little bastards, and I’m sure it will not be our last.
And Thus Another Evening Ends
The air feels fresh tonight.
Dark clouds are passing by the Pyrénées mountains, but I know they won’t make it here. Instead they hang like heavy blankets in the distance and reflect shards of light like a million stars in the night. As the light fades the sun bursts through for a brief finale, illuminating the fields in a neon green that seems almost manufactured. It’s a moment where the world stands still; the birds, bees, and insects all paused to view this unique act.
I breathe out and the light is gone.
The sounds of nature return and colors fade to dim. In a few hours twilight will envelop and the darkness will take its place, the natural result of the ever-constant movement of the earth around the sun, and the seasons in their place. It’s a miracle, yet it’s commonplace, and although I see it everyday I don’t always feel it.
Tonight at least I’m in synch, surfing the wave of nature that is all around me. What tomorrow brings, we’ll just have to see.
What are your plans for June, my friends? Are you heat-lovers? Or will you seek cooler temps? What’s your perfect summer temp? DO share and comment below!
That was a beautiful post. You guys are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place
We do have a particularly beautiful spot here. I do feel very lucky.
Nina
Our temperatures here in Southern Ontario have been up and down like a toilet seat these last few weeks. At one point we had to put the air conditioning on, and then two days ago, it was getting so cold that the heat had to come back on. Today, with a temp of 17 (Celsius, of course!) we’re mostly back to where we should be for the end of May.
Having outside/back yard visits therefor can be quite tricky, as one never knows just how one should bundle up, or casually strip down.
In answer to your question, I don’t terribly mind the heat, but when it’s so hot and humid I can almost chew the air, that gets to be just a wee bit too much.
Your missives are always a great way to spend a few minutes at the end of a Sunday. Carry on!
What a roller coaster of temps you’ve had ! It’s been quite variable here too, but trending more and more to the hot side. And I’m with you on high humidity…really don’t like it either hot or cold.
Nina
YAY! Ladybug larvae. How wonderful!
Nooooo to the tick and Polly’s issues with said beast.
Thank you for your beautiful photos.
I hate ticks too…why do we need them? I found two in sweet Lewis’s fuzzy top knot while we were at the lake,I couldn’t believe my fingers! Luckily he had no reaction from them and I was able to disengage the little devils relatively easily. Ugh.
You live in such a beautiful and peaceful place, I look forward to seeing what the summer brings for you.
We’ve pretty much unpacked our things and settled the “new” Wickenburg house and will take off for our summer in the PNW in a few weeks. Looking forward to seeing Jesse and Erin after a year and a half and just plain relaxing! It’s been a busy spring!
So darn excited for you…both for the new house and because you’re going to see Jesse and Erin soon. BEST of travels to you!
Nina
Sure hope Polly is OK.
I have tried many methods of controlling aphids in the greenhouse including both ladybugs and predatory nematodes. The ladybugs flew away and who knows what happened to the nematodes…… Finally used a sucrose based product called SucraShield. It works……and it gives me a good feeling when I think about how the aphids die (death by a million cuts as the sugar crystals form on their bodies). Whatever method used though, it really helps to not let them get out of control before going on the offensive.
The aphids are particularly bad this year. Not sure why, but it’s good to have an Arsenal of ideas to combat them.
Nina
That last photo of Paul on the patio overlooking the mountains was so perfect. I have also tried aphids and nematodes with the same flying away problem. Maybe yours will stay because you were smart enough to add them when there were plenty of aphids to eat! So hard to see Polly hurting…yeah…I hate ticks. And fleas. Even with flea and heartworm medicine I see a flea on Mattie sometimes. Makes me crazy. She lies around in the dry pasture that has a very large population of underground critters which I am sure contributes to the population. Heat lovers? Not exactly. I am a late spring mid 80’s sunny skies lover though…and that lasts a day or two here before the heat shows up. It was only in the 60’s on Friday and tomorrow is predicted for anywhere between 102 and 110 depending on which weather app I trust. Ugh. For some reason all the people we know tend to descend for visits in June. This year is especially nice since COVID is slowing and everyone visiting us has been vaccinated. We probably won’t get out camping in June with all the company company coming. But thanks for asking….
I can’t stand it above 100 either. That’s just too darn hot for me. I remember I was always so surprised it could get to those temps in Oregon. Stay cool….
Nina
You totally won the scenic beauty lottery when you moved to France. The mountains are just gorgeous, everything is. I wonder what function mosquitoes perform. Why did they evolve? Ticks are just evil.
Admittedly I have a hard time with mosquitoes too. Hard to see their benefit in any sense. Of course an old friend of mine caught Denge fever in the tropics from them (and I had to get him evacuated out) so that doesn’t exactly endear me to them.
Nina
As always so well written and a joy to read. This spring, in northern Colorado, we have had a lot of rain thus TICKS! I haven’t found any yet on my girl or in the house, but some people have.
North Idaho here. We do have lovely summers. Our evenings always cool down perfectly. No awful humidity issues. 82 to 86 is my perfect temp range. In 2015 we had a June from hell I wish never to repeat. Seemed like every day was in the 90’s. I had not experienced that before and never want it again. Your photos are beautiful. Hope your girl recovers swiftly.
I run a smidgen cooler than you and really love the mid 70’s, but I can handle higher. I’m totally with you on the 90’s though….way too hot for me! I just melt!
Nina
Ugh…just hate ticks with a passion, and have always done. Hope your girl stays tick free!
Nina
Again, another lovely post. Ticks, yuck, and the same for aphids. Glad for the report on the lady bugs as I will try them if I have a problem. I am new to my garden here in the PNW of Mt. Vernon, WA. My clematis are going nuts and I have three colors so far, stunning white, pink striped and now lavender and dark purple varieties. I have always wanted clematis and well, now I have em.
Travel plans, the first trip in our beast this year will be to go to the Lazy F Camp in Ellensburg, WA. We are NOMADs and will be meeting up with five other RV couples to do volunteer work for three weeks. We will fix up the camp by doing some painting, new floors and sewing some new curtains for the cabins. We have done this gig once before about four years ago and the location is wonderful, and the camp is just perfect.
Your clementis sounds gorgeous, and your travel plans fabulous! How wonderful to participate in NOMADs. You’re going to have a fab summer.
Nina
A photograph of Lars without a glass of red on the table in front of him It must’ve been taken before breakfast. The view does make an outstanding memorial to Karen.
She did good my mom. Very good.
Nina