ANOTHER COLD JULY 4TH

The north side of the house and grounds

Son Yancey and his three (mostly) adult children arrived the evening of the Fourth, chauffeured to the farm from the Spokane airport by son Murray. Son Clinton joined us Saturday. It was a houseful for us, and we loved every minute.

After some unseasonably hot days – two of them “excessively” so – we were plunged into unseasonably low temps on the 4^th and 5^th. Oh well. It was at least conducive to baking, and bake I did – cookies, pecan bars, lemon bars, and lasagna. Rain was also in the forecast, but it didn’t happen here. And then it was excessively hot again for a few days.

As it happened, the cherries on the Lapins tree were ripe enough to pick, so I enlisted the help of our visitors. Mike suggested I instruct them to pick only the ripest cherries, but I chose to simply cull out the undesirables. I have eight quart bags of pitted cherries in the freezer now. The Lapins sweet cherries aren’t as flavorful as Bings, nor do they take the place of pie cherries, but we enjoy them. I suspect the birds are now pecking the tree clean.

On Sunday, Clint organized a 4-hour tubing float trip for Yancey and family on the Clearwater River between Greer and Orofino. It was granddaughter Emmy’s 17^th birthday, so I baked a cake and Mike made ice cream.

Monday morning, Yancey and family left as soon as they were up and around, again chauffeured by Murray to the Spokane airport by way of Waffles & More in Lewiston, a favorite of Emmy’s. They invited Mike and me, but we can’t just leave. We had chores – pitting cherries, watering plants, packing for town – and a bike ride for Mike.

The hummer population increased to at least eight. Visitors always enjoy watching them squabble over the feeders.

My raised beds seem to be thriving. I’m guardedly cautious in my hope for good tomatoes and summer squash. Gardening is a gamble as far as I’m concerned, and I wonder if the fluctuation in temperature is really conducive to a good harvest. I water twice on a hot day. If the cistern runs dry, I’ll just have to use well water. After all, we paid for it long ago.

Black raspberry bushes 

Some weeks back, Nick called our attention to black raspberry bushes on the perimeter of the north field, but we probably  won't pick them. Country berry bushes can be deceptive. They seem to be “right there,” while in fact, they are inaccessible. Once you’re over the bank and in the weeds, you can’t see what’s under foot, and often it’s nothing much. Falling in order to grab a few berries is unacceptable, however much we’d like to have the berries.

The house is so quiet after visitors leave. It was wonderful to have them with us, but we all have things to do. KW

From the western edge of the north field