The Flow of Now

This Sunday past local, organic blueberries showed up at the Sebastopol Farm Market. The following morning delicious blueberry muffins were devoured for breakfast here at MuRefuge.

Blueberry and Blue Corn Muffins

• 1 C. each organic sprouted spelt and organic blue cornmeal
• 1 T.  non aluminum baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Whisk together in a bowl and set aside.

• 1/2 C. organic maple sugar
• 2 free range duck eggs 
• 1/2 C. organic salt free butter
• 1 C. organic Greek yogurt

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and beat well. Add yogurt and mix well.

Add flour mixture and mix. Fold in 1 C. fresh, organic blueberries. Bake in

400 degree oven for 15" or until done. Remove from oven and let sit 

for 5" before removing from muffin tin. I use a cast iron one.

NOTE: blue corn is high in lysine and absent from the effects of genetic modification, not to mention much more delicious tasting than yellow corn meal. My stepfather Steve discovered blue corn meal so many years ago. He insisted my mom only use blue corn meal.

And BEing with the flow of now the first lavender has been harvested and delivered to Screamin' Mimi's. Lavender ice cream is now available for your enjoyment. Weekly harvesting will propably take place for another 3 to 4 weeks depending on the air temperature and amount of sunshine here at MuRefuge. 

Also at this Sunday past's Sebastopol Farm Market was the farmer from Grass Valley who brings fabulous organic peaches. From another vendor each of these past two weeks a box of Blenheim apricots has been purchased, canned and stored in the pantry.

An unsettling happening (for this self pres. and responsible One) is occurring in our "deer nursery," the open field just South of our property. For a week to ten days now I have observed a single fawn mostly alone. Since early April two does have been in evidence with twin fawns, with one of them delivering her twins right before my eyes during my morning sitting.  Since this fawn pictured below was delivered, there has been another first year doe who delivered a single fawn and that fawn is not in evidence by itself.

This fawn was seen in the middle of the field as the dried grass was baled.
The fawn seemed to run in circles at a pace in snyc. with the baler.

This picture depicts one of the infrequent occurrences of the fawn nursing.
The doe and fawn came together from different directions in the field
very slowly and what seemed to me cautiously. . . maybe just honoring one another?
m-m-m I wonder what the story is for this doe and fawn?
Will the fawn survive?
OR
Maybe this little tike, my Grandma Haynes frequently used that descriptor, and his (gender unclear really!) mom
just have a different relationship from the others observed.
This afternoon he is just sitting out in the middle of the field looking around, clearly alert.
AND I am open to anyone else with an insight? Similiar observation?

This Red Shouldered Hawk pictured below was a first at the cement watering bowl just off the patio. The distinquished bird's visit was greatly appreciated!

Yesterday while out pulling the spent pea plants I saw what I thought was a miniature Pipevine Swallowtail.  Upon checking our the butterfly books, I think perhaps the butterfly was a Great Purple Hairstreak whose caterpillar food is Common Mistletoe.  The books further indicate that this butterfly is found most often in the Southwest and in southern states, rarely in Northern California. Perhaps with the warming climate this gorgeous little butterfly will extend its range to regularly visit MuRefuge.

Butterflies are more in abundance this year here at MuRefuge. What are others' observations?

The peas were enjoyed for lunch with the extra abundance blanched, cooled and placed in our chest freezer located in the garage. No eating fresh peas until next Spring; I am unable to successfully grow Fall peas.

Not long ago Shasta alerted us with her barking: there was a possum just on the other side of our South fence. When we investigated, the possum was wounded and looked like it had been attacked. The possum the following late morning had slithering through the fence to sip water from one of the bird baths here at MuRefuge.

Then a week or so later as I was watering native aster and buckwheat starts along the East side of the house I noticed a possum skeleton.  The injured posssum died?  The possum flesh had been picked cleaned, probably by the Turkey Vultures?

Miz Cow is no longer present, having been slaughter for her meat.  On our morning walks Shasta still searches the pasture for her friend.

As you are in the flow of now may you