Fireflies

Wildfire smoke has kept me indoors for three days now. The temperatures are perfect for opening windows and working in the garden. But alas, windows are closed and I’m sure the plants are trying to cope with the smoke as well. We are living in a world of hazy grey skies and the smell of a camp fire. It really feels like when you are sitting around a campfire and the smoke blows at you. There is no heat from the fire but the smoke is the same. On the first day of the smoke, I did pshaw the recommendation to stay inside and was rewarded with burning eyes and a cough.

I did go outside yesterday evening to water the potted plants on the deck. Lots of green tomatoes. I’ve been making caprese salads with CSA tomatoes and my own basil. Basil isn’t shy about letting you know when they need watering. The trumpet vines have covered the table where I placed the basil pots in spring so they are now on the table we eat on. Once this smoke clears it will be nice to eat among the fragrance of tomato and basi plants.

Fireflies have been magical. Twinkling lights in and around the edge of the forest. Having fireflies signifies a healthy ecosystem–no pesticides, dark skies, the right amount of humidity, and healthy forest. When I walked outside at night (before smoke) it was like walking through a starry sky. Looking out at the dancing light from my bedroom windows causes my mind and body to quiet. A perfect segue to sleep.

I’ve been pretty good about spreading and spraying deer and rabbit repellent. It has worked so far. The deer I have seen in early morning and evenings have been staying at the forest edge. We are expecting rain over the next few days so early next week I’ll be out again with deer repellent. Hopefully the air will be clean enough to get out and take care of some weeding. I think we are in for a summer of on-and-off smoke filled air. Hopefully rain makes it way to Canada soon.

So as I wait for the air to clear, I’ll be spending my indoor time reading, writing, maybe knitting. I’ll peruse my gardening books looking for plant combinations and design tips. All this inside time is helping me keep to my goal of reading a book a week. Jane Eyre is my current read. This is how I spend the winter months so it is a bit frustrating to be inside at the height of summer. I have learned, though, to appreciate clean air, dark skies, and fireflies.