Going outside in a desert environment 051926

 

Going outside in the desert environment

May 19, 2026

Both hubby and I were sick the entire weekend last week, but I’ve bounced back today, fortunately.   Hubby is recovering a little slower.   He’s also older than I am and he doesn’t get outside much.

Speaking of going outside, I awake every morning about 4:30/5:00.  I’ve always been an early riser.   I believe this is due to my maternal grandparents.   My grandfather was an old Midwest farmer, from Missouri/Kansas and my grandmother was from the same area.   Both were early risers and I spent many nights with them and learned many habits from them.   I’ve NEVER been a night owl, like my husband.

Therefore, I am “rearing to go” by 6 a.m. and now with it getting lighter earlier, I’m out puttering around in the front and back yards way before 9 a.m.  

And, there is MUCH TO DO.   I feed the birds, put out food for the visiting ducks, fill up the bird bath, water my plants, then I go out back and do the same thing (no ducks out back).   I did see 3 of them flying around in circles overhead the other morning and land in the yard of the people behind us who have unfortunately neglected their swimming pool and it is now a landing place for ducks.  From fall to just a few days ago I could hear the geese that winter down by the civic center park and its large ponds and who eat the grass at the local golfing center.  I haven’t heard them for about a week, so I guess they have moved on.

The desert environment is so different from most of the country, especially those areas with cold and snow.  Here we “hibernate” in summer.  I’m actually surprised that it is this cool here now (low 90’s and mid 90’s) because some years we would already be in triple digit temperatures by now.   This year has been unreliable weather-wise!

We survive summers here by going out EARLY in the mornings and then again in the evenings and staying inside during the daytime.   Really, who wants to go out to the mailbox when it is 110 degrees OR HIGHER?

I’m surprised the ducks are still here, but they DO get a morning and afternoon buffet and they do have 2 bowls of water, which they enjoy. I’ve also spotted a colorful Oriole who comes to visit the hummingbird feeders and the orange slices I put out for the finches and sparrows.

Soon, as the daytime temperatures hit triple digits, which won’t be for at least another week, I will only be going out in the early mornings and early evenings.  I’m enjoying our relatively “cool” Spring!

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