Wildflowers Press

Dragonfly on Red Door

Welcome to Summer 2024

I took this picture yesterday when visiting a friend. This beauty was locked onto her front door and I couldn’t help but snap a few pics. When I went into her home on the lakefront I glanced out her large picture window facing the park – a raccoon and cat were having a stand off. I watched as they circled one another – cautious… but curious. I’m sure this particular cat and raccoon have met before. But getting to observe their interaction under the cover of expansive oak trees as thunderheads rolled in was mesmerizing. These little moments of life likely go unnoticed to many, but are summertime sweets to me… just like this jewel-toned dragonfly.

Whether you’re at the beach this summer or hunkered down in the air-conditioned confines of an office or home, take a moment to look outside. There’s much to see and appreciate. My husband gave me an amazing Mother’s Day gift this year – the PUC. Maybe that doesn’t sound so amazing, but it is. It’s a device engineered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to capture bird songs. When I put it on my porch, it records all the bird calls in my area and provides me a list throughout the day of what’s singing nearby.

We took it to Folsom and I’m astonished at the diversity of birds we have. Just this week we’ve had blue birds wood thrush, pine warbler, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, blue jay, house sparrow, house finch – the usual birds one would expect. But then there’s barred owl, painted bunting, indigo bunting, both red-shouldered and red-tailed hawk, osprey, northern Parula, Seaside sparrow, anhinga, great and cattle egrets, nighthawk, hooded warbler… and I could go on. We’ve recorded over 60 species of birds in our backyard in Folsom since getting this micro-recorder.

I haven’t seen most of these animals. Just knowing they’re in the neck of my woods makes me happy. Our house in Folsom is called Clifford. My daughter named it because it’s big and red and full of dogs. I spend a lot of time on the back porch (when it’s not too stifling) writing or birdwatching, binocs always at my side. I also spend a lot of time in the garden. We’ve put in raised beds this year and have harvested lettuces, herbs, peppers and green beans. We’re waiting on the carrots, okra and eggplants.

It’s wonderful to eat a salad from the vegetables you’ve grown. We’ve also put in lots of pollinator plants and have seen the fruits of that labor in the number of butterflies and bees zipping around. My fennel plant, finally found by the swallowtail caterpillars, has been eaten up. That’s good news.

Book News: I just received the first layout for my novel, The Call. I’ve spent the last week proof reading and making edits It’s an exhaustive process but I’m thrilled to be this much closer to my book launch. Atmosphere Press has been good at keeping me on my toes during the process and I’ve enjoyed partnering with them in publishing my first novel.

Other writing: I competed in a few NYC Midnight writing contests recently: 1000 word flash fiction, and have made it to the second round for my 100 word microflach fiction piece. I’m including Dandelion Wishes here. My prompt was Romance; spraying something and the word Attempt. Let me know what you think. I encourage you to browse my website and make comments. I’d like to know what pieces speak to you or what makes no sense. Feedback is essential to this writing life. And I welcome it.

Dandelion Wishes

Pushing dark curls off my forehead, I blow, spraying seeds and wishes.  The stem withers.

Did it work? My third attempt.

Danny – dimples beneath moss-colored eyes. He likes science fiction too.

Chilling wind steals more wishes. Storm’s coming.

Daddy looms.  “Daisy, chickens need feeding.”  

Feed bucket in hand, birds scuttle and cluck.  Paper crinkling in my pocket, wakes me from the tedium.  

Meet at Thornton’s Bridge after school.  D

Skipping to school, I float. Maybe he likes me too.

Later…

Thornton’s Bridge – abandoned, stark.

Cruel laughter from nearby woods.  

Was I set up?  

Why, Danny?

Heart-heavy,  I droop home. 

Withered.

2024 Copyright Cathy Schieffelin

In the meantime, as I wait for the next round of edits and changes, I’ll enjoy my garden, watch my pack of dogs play and I’ll keep writing. Because mosquitos have been so terrible this summer, I recently made homemade citronella hurricane lanterns with fresh herbs, lemon slices and essential oils. If you find yourself in need of relief from pesky mosquitos, I recommend making a few of these. They’re pretty and easy to create.

Supplies for Citronella lantern:

Floating candles – (citronella ones are available too via Amazon), fresh rosemary, lemon or lime slices, essential oils: citronella, lavender, peppermint and water.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to join my subscriber base. I’m always appreciative!

Enjoy! And Happy Summer 2024!

Cathy Schieffelin