I really don’t like to write the word August, as it means there is only one month of summer left. For many July was a misery and for others August will mean an empty nest, but at least it will be cooler.

Not much going on here as I don’t go out in the heat but here are two little happenings of interest. A neighbor keeps goats to “mow” down the weeds and brush on some acreage. Of course it is fenced and a smart doe has learned to jump that fence and have her babies as they will be safe from coyotes. My neighbor was sitting with his well-trained spaniel and watching a tiny fawn, still mottled, as she explored the fence and found a small opening which she used and landed on the grass near his feet. She then touched the dog’s nose! with no ill effects to either one.

Another neighbor had planted extra parsley in the hopes of attracting the black and yellow caterpillars that would become the Eastern Swallowtale butterfly. Day after day went by and the parsley stayed intact and then, of course, the day came when it was a chewed up mess and nine of the gaudy larva were crawling all over it. I found that she could also have planted fennel or dill. They are members of the carrot family as is, to my surprise, Queen Anne’s Lace. So, if you are strolling along a country road and see a lacy white flower, look carefully because that is the swallowtale’s favorite food and you might see one of those caterpillars.

Enjoy these days — don’t make the mistake of looking to see if the mornings are later and the evenings are sooner.

Sidney Tynan