Summer In Wisconsin Steamy Hot But Beautiful!

A Perfect Summer, Brings Expulsions Of Bloom

Almost middle of July, a sign of summer well into its prime.  Heat in mid 80's is tolerable.  Humidity high and steamy but also tolerable.  That's what Wisconsin is all about.  Although I hated to say good by to our beautiful Spring weather, mid summer has its fantastic draw also.  This morning we had downpours of rain but no Lightening and only slight distant sound of thunder.  I hate scary storms, which can bring Wisconsin threats of tornadoes.  This summer has so far been a delight.  Cool enough in the morning to get some work done with horses, chickens and the gardens.  Enough rain to bless us and the creation of God's Power and might in sunshine and warmth.  

The clematis blossoms this year nearly cover their exuberant growth of leaves.  Here on this double one, I think is called Blue Light, the stunning design, and colors make me smile every time I go past it.  It is amazing what the modern world has done to bring our little modest clematis of the past into these glorious specimens of doubles so lavish, extravagant, and breathtaking!

Pony Ginger and Hawk a 36 yr. old Morgan enjoy the lush pastures.

     Flowers and gardens aren't the only Blessings we behold here on our little paradise.  Our horses  are also in their prime with the lush pastures, many natural baths from the gentle rains we are having.  We allow them the freedom to leave their stalls at night, in the summer if violent storms do not threaten us.  In bad weather the stalls are closed to the outside so they cannot get hit by lightening.  Their summer coats are shinny and so healthy this year.  We do have an abundance of insects so the horses are sprayed with fly spray for the mosquitoes. We also use the monthly program of Spalding Fly Predators //www.spalding-labs.com/?gclid 

This splendid company sends a batch of the fly predators in egg form.  We wait until the tiny predators hatch out.  Then they are sprinkled out in the area of horse manure to develop and eat the pesty flys that are growing in it. Because we had so few flys around one summer we decided to eliminate the program to save a few pennys one summer .  Wow!!  Did we ever find out the cost was well worth the coverage and protection.  That summer we fought flys until frost!  We also made the mistake of trying to discourage Swallows from nesting in our barn and again flys and mosquitoes pretty near drove us out!  This summer we hardly see a fly in the barn and the horses are not going nuts trying to get away from them.  

Coleus add a bright spot to a shade covered area and can tolerate some sun.
The steps take us down to the lower gardens and horse barns.
Antique Chicken coop is almost hidden in picture behind the horse pillars.

author unknown of this picture

Dotty one of our good egg layers is keeping cool under the weeping pine in their outside pen.  The white shelter in front is for protection also but keeps rain and the North wind off them.  The chickens also run free in the gardens and surrounding woods, pastures and lawn, as they devour oodles of bugs.  Wish they would learn how to weed!
We just cleaned their coop with all new pine wood chips in their inside nest boxes and flooring.  It gets pretty stinky in the heat so necessary to keep it fresh and clean.  They will avoid a dirty nest box and coop.  One day I found a nest in one of the lower gardens where a fussy hen layed four eggs.  That reminded us it was time to strip and refresh their dwelling.  Takes four packaged bails of wood chips at $5.00 a bail to replenish the chips but well worth it.  In one day they added one egg to the three we were getting each day in the nest boxes. .  Maybe today it will go up to five!
     Chicken books suggest cleaning the coop at least twice a year but we usually do it every three months to keep it fresh.  Penny pinching does not help in this area either.....

Catalpa tree is in full bloom right now.  It is an amazing tree with large blossoms which seed out into long graceful pods. Keeping the pods inside the house, after letting them dry completely after they fall, I save the papery looking seed and plant them in spring.  I have many Catalpa trees on our 21 acres now from doing that.  They are a nice size tree with heart shaped leaves which give a molted shade.  It is one of my loves in life to see it each day here in the country..

Up close view of the Catalpa flower and leaf.  It will drop to the ground but
with one mowing of the grass, it is gone.  No raking necessary.

As I took the path past where we have our raspberry bushes planted, I discovered that they were almost all gone at first glance.  But looking closer there were just a few starting to set up their fruit.  The rabbits or many deer must have ate the raspberry branches  off.  But then as I continued to go further down, the current bushes delighted me with an over abundance of fruit.  I do not make jelly anymore but it was such a treat to pull off the ripe ones puckering my lips and smiling,  remembering when I was a kid. Eating them off the bush was almost as much fun as experiencing the special taste they have.  With addition of sugar they cook up to a delicious jelly.  I will share the the currents with the birds this year,  With just the two of us, Dick and I find all that canning is too much.  Our land has many areas of wild raspberry's also, which we leave go for the birds and critters that happen to share our 21 acres.

Black eyed Stella de Ora Daylily are starting to bloom.

Pink Ornamental Lilly's open into a dazzling show of  regal splendor!

Do you break out into praising our Great Creator like I do
when you see these glorious gifts from God?

I don't have any fancy words or perfect prayers, but when I walk in His Glory of nature my being cannot help but to
sing out in "Glory to God in the highest"  !!

:)

In summer here in Wisconsin , it is easy to forget those blistery snow laden days.  My eyes rest on nature , giving me peace, well being, and so very much joy!



I wish you that Joy!
That splendor of happiness
in
whatever beholds you
whatever gives you
peace
joy
love




Kate