False Fall

 We were visited by False Fall on Tuesday.

Morning temperatures in the 70s.  Highs only in the 80s.  Humidity below 50%.  Dew point below 70.
Yes - I opened my windows and turned off the AC.

I got outside and did yard work.

I looked at the tree that fell by the cottage a few weeks ago (it's about 45 feet long) and thought that OK, baby, time to start a fire and cut you up.

The prickly pear cactus is starting to take over that area - time to grub it up and also throw on the fire.

Most people know that false fall is a lie.  But I think of it more like a visit from a beloved friend, who will be here a day or two, before leaving for another 2-3 months.

That evening the euphoria faded.  I know it's fake - that tree isn't going to get cut up or that cactus evicted.  I'll be lucky to make myself do any absolutely necessary weed whacking.

I am worried about RedBug.  I'm trying to be pragmatic, but I haven't heard back yet whether or not the tumor is malignant.  Even if it is, we're at the wait-and-see point - just keep an eye on it and hope that it doesn't come back.  He goes in on Friday to get the big bandage taken off.

I was worried about Liam the opossum.  He's pinked up, but still low energy and still doesn't want to eat.  I'm feeding him by syringe four times a day (baby vegetables and chicken, formula), but I can still feel his spine and delicate little ribs, and he's lost a few grams (which doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot when you only weigh 3 ounces to start with).

Then all the cats, and I as well, jumped at the sound of a loud swish and thump that shook the house.  Another tree down - a small one, and just the top branches hit the house, so no damage.  But it will be in the way.  Sigh (and this didn't used to be my job).  Getting too dark to deal with it safely.

Wednesday morning we were still in false fall.  I was able to work on the farm at the museum without sluicing down water as fast I was was sweating it out, and pausing to gasp for breath.  Normally on my museum days I come home, have some lunch, and crash because it's just kind of exhausting.  But yesterday I rested for a bit, and then thought I should tackle that tree because who knows how long this weather will hold, and that's a heavy job.  Yeah - it's still hot by some standards.  86 degrees - but with a heat index of . . . 86 (not 98 or above).    Go for it - I got the tree cut up and stacked.

I'm glad I did.  I had thought about putting it off until today - but right now it's noon, I'm sitting quietly outside to type this, and getting hot and sticky.  False fall is over.  

Normally I blog in the evenings.  I opted to do it mid day because Bug is starting to act depressed about being locked up 24/7 (it's imperative that he move that leg as little as possible, so he's confined to the bedroom.  Only RiverSong is allowed in for visits because Noko and Hamish pick on him).  I thought that maybe getting outside would help, so I made some tea and am sitting outside to do this.  I opened the door from the bedroom to the deck and called him out.  Bug - he came outside for about 10 minutes, then went back in under the bed.

I tried.  Maybe he'll feel better when he gets that big bandage off.  Even if they have to rebandage it, maybe they can leave the paw uncovered.  It's really awkward for him to walk.

On the good news front, after my concerns of Tuesday night, Wednesday Liam started eating on his own, and his weight went up a couple of grams.  So I think he's in the clear, and it's just a matter of letting him grow up and eventually go back to the wild.

Now for lunch and to figure out the rest of my day.  I need to clean off my roof, and there is a lot of weed whacking to do - but I also might declare a day of rest because I'll probably be doing the farm again tomorrow.