For the earlier afternoon, I can spend a few minutes in the front yard and watch the birds playing in the birdbath across the street. They flutter their wings furiously, and the bright droplets of water spray out through the sunlight. At night, raccoons and stray cats come to drink from the birdbath, which is built close to the ground. But in the heat of the day, the birds have it to themselves, and make full use of it.
We have picked the last of the small crop of cherries. They were remarkably good this year. Had it not been for the shortage of bees, this would have been the best crop since I have been here. There were plenty of blossoms, and the weather turned out to be perfect for growing sweet, firm fruit, but most of the blossoms were never pollinated. Perhaps next year, the bees will return. Now, the florid spring draws to a close, and the heat of summer will descend to dry the land and drive all sensible creatures into the relieving shade.
