Midsummer

With it being midsummer, so far no monsoons have shown up-- although we eagerly await and hope for the rain. One night we saw lightning flares, but no strikes and no rain where we are. It is hot but so far no blackouts here and AC keeps the house pleasant.

This is a lush time for some of the birds as they gobble up the saguaro fruit. People harvest them also, especially for jelly. We leave ours for the birds and when they fall, to whatever below likes fruit-- bunnies, rodents and javelina most likely. The native peoples of this region have a right to all the fruits, but on private land, we could claim ours. Natives use a long stick with a basket / can attached to get them... can't imagine that. Nature needs them. They are sticky and full of seeds when first open and the competition for them is rapid.