Today gave an uneventful walk as I went early and it is a Sunday.  Few people were out and all was quiet.  I noticed that the ant hills that had been active were dormant once again.  The flowering cactus has finished its showy stage and the grass flowers have completely disappeared.  Most of the roses are finished.  Flowers now are mostly in boxes on people’s decks.  It has been so hot and dry.  I wonder what will happen if it rains?  A rebirth?  I hope we get the opportunity to see soon.

Today the shocking discovery was a pile of hair lying on the sidewalk next to the split rail fence. The hair was about five inches long and chestnut in color. How did it happen to be there? I can’t imagine.

Today is supposed to be somewhere between 90 and 95 degrees F (30 to 35 degrees C), so I walked early when the temperature was about 65 degrees F. It is a great time of day to be outside…except for the sprinklers. With no warning, water will spray out, often in my direction. It presents an obstacle course of dousing spouts. I managed to evade several sprinklers but finally was soaked at leg level less than a block from the house. No matter: come afternoon, I’ll be looking for anything cool and refreshing.

This morning I stopped to pull a few weeds and water my flower bed before I headed out for my walk.  It was so pleasant out, cooler than usual.  As I toured my trail, I saw four colonies of ants in turmoil, massed on the sidewalks.  Is this the season for them to move house?  I also noticed that most of the yellow flowers I saw the other day on the grasses had disappeared; they must be short-lived.  Two small boys were out biking on the trail.  The larger one passed me several times eying me intently; I spoke but didn’t strike up a conversation.  The smaller one called to a toddler on his deck with his mom and baby sibling.  The toddler’s mom encouraged him to call back.  Learning to be a big kid, one act at a time.

Did you know that grasses make flowers? I didn’t until my walk today. I looked at the tall stalks of grass and hanging from the developing seeds, I saw small yellow flowers. Isn’t that amazing? Not exactly right for a bouquet, but beautiful nevertheless.

Here’s a picture:

It’s always a surprise to see what I find on my walks when I pay attention.

Today was action packed.  First, there were three skateboarders that came rolling down the hill behind me at a fast clip.  I stepped off the path to avoid being run over.  Second, the boulevard was diverted into one lane going the wrong way while some work was done on the opposite sidewalk.  I asked the road crewman what was going on and he said, “Don’t know.  They’re digging a hole and I’m just rerouting traffic.”  Third, I stopped in at the veterinarian’s office that had its backyard area covered in artificial turf then surrounded by a very tall fence.  I was curious what was being constructed.  I walked in and was met at the door by the vet (named Lee).  He explained it was a dog run with fancy turf that allows drainage, and then he took me back for a tour.  I was greeted by twenty dogs barking, yipping, and yapping; impressive.  Fourth, I met Betty who was sanding a bench that had been placed in memorial for a woman who died ten years ago.  It faces an impressive view along my walking route.  I wished her well and headed home.

The crack in the sidewalk was lined with ants, millions of them it seemed, with two large knots, one on each side.  Were they warring factions?  Was it a mass exodus to a new home?  I have no idea, but it was awesome to see so many tiny bodies piled on top of one another.

Come to think of it, I’m really glad they were so small.

Our neighbor is involved with the Homeowner’s Association and when I passed her on Friday she was replacing four fence posts for that had rotted at ground level.  It was quite a project as the old posts had cement poured around them meaning the new posts had to be refitted into old holes.  Today I see that the job is done and the posts are firmly in place.  She must have a great sense of satisfaction to have that job done.  Some of that pleasure even spilled over onto me since I knew of her task.  Vicarious experiences can be pleasant.

This morning was cloudy and cool but still the cactus are abloom!  Flat leafed and prickly, the low-to-the-ground plants have spectacular yellow flowers.  I hadn’t noticed before that there were so many of these plants.  Nothing like a showy blossom to get noticed in a field.

As I opened the front door to leave the house, three blue jays flew from the railing of the deck screeching and cawing.  They left a small wad of something behind that I thought was a seed pod or blossom; it turned out to be a wasp nest.  One of the jays had plucked the papery abode that I’ve been eying and wondering how to handle from a cedar bush.  The three of them were arguing about who would get to devour the larvae nestled in the comb.  My initial oh-good-grief-why-are-you-eating-the-plants reaction quickly turned to thanks-guys! as I realized their snack had solved my problem.

About half way along my walking route, I passed a robin in a tussle with an enormous earth worm on the sidewalk.  Squirming in resistance, the earthworm didn’t seem thrilled to be on the menu.  I didn’t stay to watch, but I suspect that the robin won.

A policeman had pulled over a sports car.  The policeman sat in his patrol car behind the driver in his red vehicle and wrote out the ticket.  Not a great way to start the day.

The police set up the automatic radar machine in a white van on our street today.  It probably helps keep the speeders in check but feels rather like Big Brother.

One foot in front of the other…