Happy December

 The mice are making merry in Mouseford Falls, making snowmice, sledding, hiking, buying presents and drinking hot chocolate. 

The cats love to cozy up in front of the fire on these cold December days.  

I’m hoping for snow, but just enough to make the forest look pretty, not enough to cause problems.  Although rain would be gratefully accepted, too.  It seems like the California mountains that I live in are in a perpetual, never ending drought.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful, happy December that’s filled with all the things you love!

October

 Malcolm says he’s ready to bypass Halloween and go straight to Thanksgiving.  He wants turkey!  Of course, he wants turkey every day.  And lots of other things that are only appropriate for him in very small amounts.  

Autumn is finally starting to get underway here in the San Bernardino mountains.  It’s arrival is very late this year, I think because it’s been so unseasonably warm.  This past summer was filled with brutal heat.  I hate it, but I suppose that’s the norm now in this time of Climate Change.

I hope everyone is having a joyous autumn, it’s my favorite time of the year.  

Late Summer

 There have been so many beautiful clouds around for the past two and a half weeks, but we’ve only had a few tiny drops of rain.  Big Bear and Forest Falls received so much rain some roads were washed out! 

I’m glad that some areas of the mountains I love so much got some much needed rain.  I’m hoping that the western end of the mountains where I live will get a good downpour soon.  

My hydrangeas did well this summer, although they have mostly lost all their color now and are just green.  

This has been the hottest summer I can remember, and I’ve lived in these mountains for most of my life.  It’s lovely to be out on the lake though.  

Charlie likes to climb trees to stay cool.  

The petunias appreciate a sprinkle from the garden hose once a day.  I didn’t buy many annuals this year to cut back on my water usage.  I’ve even stopped throwing out the water from the animals’ bowls when I give them fresh twice a day, instead pouring the old water into a watering can and using it on the plants.  It seems California is in a never-ending drought.  

But, the ducks are happy.  Lucky them, getting to paddle around in cool water all day!

Late Spring

 This has been a fairly dry spring and winter, too.  But Lake Gregory is looking beautiful anyway! 

My roses aren’t blooming yet, their buds are still forming.  Roses from the grocery store are sufficing for now.  

Down in Cleghorn Canyon, about 1,900 feet lower than where I live, the Bush Mallows are producing their delicate blooms.  

Here, the pink and white dogwoods are blooming…. 

    

Along with the lilacs.  There are lilacs all over the mountain valley where I live.  I’ve lived here since 1971,  and I often wonder who first planted all these lilacs.  In spring, if the day is warm enough, their scent perfumes the entire little valley, and to be outside on such a day is heavenly.  

And everywhere up here the wild Lunaria, or money plant, is blooming.  Spring is so beautiful, I wish it would last forever!  It’s over far too quickly though, and then we are left to endure the heat of summer and early fall.

Spring Lilacs

 Blogger is behaving in a way that makes me wonder if they really want people to post anymore.  It won’t recognize my iPad, so the only photos I can post are from a year ago.  However, this white lilac is in bloom right now.  

You can find me on Instagram at brushstrokes6400.  Hope to see you there!