It is a dreary day, so we have come to Starbucks for WiFi. I have learned that my previous blog post went out without content, which I do not understand at all. But it is the Previous Post at the end of this short (spoiler alert : rather depressing) post. Or, you can try this as a link to it https://gallopingthrough.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=20783&action=edit
Last night, I learned of the death in August of Dr. Don Early, a veterinarian I worked with many years ago, who was a close friend in the 1970s. We drifted apart, as friends sometimes do, when he left the practice I worked in. I always meant to reconnect, but never did. I have no pictures of him, though my memory has many images of our times together when we were young and time was limitless. Don was intelligent and funny, a talented veterinarian, and I was glad to know that he had a happy and fulfilled life, through mutual friends. Whenever I drove past his vet clinic, I would think of stopping in, but I usually had a horse trailer and I was always in a rush. https://www.schrader.com/obituary/donald-early-dvm/print
While I am sad, I will mention that I have not seen a single Monarch butterfly at our home this year, despite milkweed and other beneficial plants. The farmers to our south and east have used chemicals on their fields. I know this, because I can smell it, when they apply them. Last year, wild asters were in abundance on the back hay field. Whatever the farmer used on it this year has prohibited asters. I saw only one in a far corner. No butterflies.
The Monarch butterfly has been placed on the endangered species list. I am feeling discouraged. At least I do have pictures of Monarchs on wild asters from last year…
Be safe, be well. Treasure your friends and this irreplaceable world. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
The buzzard shots are great. It was actually a deer we found dead the other day. Or at least, the other day we found just a leg which I found distressing. It seemed to have been butchered. Grant felt the carcass must have been dumped in the woods for wild animals to find. Two days later he could smell that the carcass was nearby and this morning down in the field the ribs and skull. Just a fawn which is so sad. These things upset me probably more than they should. I am a little troubles about how that little deer encountered death just up the hill, but there is no point in dwelling on that. You probably saw the story of our Monarchs and problems with the milkweed. I think our plants were affected by something being used up the hill where they now have a farm. I so hope at least one or two made it.
I am so sorry about your friend. I still think of long ago friends too.
Be well.
I too am saddened by the loss of the monarchs. I haven’t seen one all season. I’ve also noticed the lack of roadside wildflowers this year. Instead, there seems to an abundance of invasive grasses.
Thank you for this post, Anne. I am moved to respond. The older I get the deeper I feel how grief binds us ever closer to those we love and to this, as you say, irreplaceable world. We hate losing loved ones, and we hate what our industrial civilization and sheer human cupidity is doing to our fellow species. What can we do but love each other and embrace Mother Nature more fiercely than ever? And take care of whatever patch of the planet entrusted to us. Which you and Harry do with such love and commitment at the Bronze Fox Farm. Thank you!
Anne, I’m sorry for the loss of your dear friend. We hold onto the memories. I cannot say anything uplifting about the Monarchs. We are here in Northern Michigan on a small penisula situated between the harbor and bay leading out to the Lake. Any farms are far away. But just yesterday I was bemoaning the fact that, after the delight of seeing flowers covered with Monarchs here last year, we now barely see one or two flitting about. (And yes, I also saved my photos; is this what we are going to be left with? Sorry to add that note. But…..the sun comes out, and our hope is renewed.)