klickjam

Couple of mummified squirrels on my route, one bit of flattened fur that I would call a woodchuck if it wasn't for the pale underside so it could have been a marten, a patch of feathers gray and white that I think was one of my standard mockingbirds. Or maybe a youngster from that family, operating on a student pilot's license . . .

Usual late summer flowers, tansy and goldenrod and chicory and Queen Anne's lace. City has mowed some milkweed, tough luck monarchs.

No interesting metal birds out at the airport/base. Only air traffic was a noisy light plane landing.

Got out on the bike, across town and back over the hills and dales. Air temperature either 77 or 82 F, depending on which thermometer you choose, excessive for elderly cyclists and gonna get worse. Did not die.

15.69 miles, 1:28:34

Air temperature 59 F, wind near calm, partly cloudy. With no rain in the forecast until next week (maybe), have hauled water to the salvia transplants out front. Walk later.

Chopped up an onion for the "Spanish" rice and my eyes still smart and my nose is running. Don't usually have this violent a reaction. Fresh spring harvest?

Air temperature 55 F, wind near calm, sunny. Air quality "good" with AQI 23. No rain in the ten-day forecast so I should water the replacement salvia out front. Bike ride on the morning schedule.

Looking out the window, saw a small upside-down bird-shape working its way down the trunk of an ash tree. Nuthatches are fun.

We have lost over an hour of daylight from the solstice. It was just around here somewhere . . .

Air temperature 59 F, wind near calm, hazy sun. Air quality "moderate" with AQI 61. Canadians still trying to suffocate us. Will probably get out for a walk in spite.

Air temperature 59 F, wind south about 6 mph, hazy sky. Air quality "good" with AQI 29, in spite of orange moon last night. Guess the Canadian pollution is maintaining altitude. Bike ride planned.

The firings will continue until morale improves.

I may have seen the first tiny white asters by the roadside. Since various dominions have been mowing those roadsides, this will remain uncertain. Burdock blooming, more thistles going to seed, cattail heads filling out. Lots of chicory and tansy and such.

No roadkill, not even a flattened squirrel. Did see a live chipmunk darting for cover. Appears that a bicyclist imitates a large chipmunk-eater in the rodent brain. Also, no geese or ducks in the cemetery pond. Wonder what that's about.

Out on the bike, up to the country club and over to the road through the bog and home. Did not die.

15.36 miles, 1:26:45