“Around us, life bursts with miracles – a glass of water,
a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

About now many of us are looking for a miracle; instead, look for the expected. Current-day circumstances have kept us closer to home. As days turned to months, the weather continued to ease the uncertainties of each day as sunshine dominated and the outdoors beckoned.

Normally “May Gray” and “June Gloom” spread across the inland valleys, keeping temperatures down. NOAA’s meteorologist in Oxnard says the early summer temperatures and clear skies we are experiencing are unprecedented. No complaints here as it means more pool-time. (A quick side-note: Brighton’s doggy swim-lessons went well!) Our garden is at it’s best; the tomato vines are healthy as they reach towards the clouds. Where’s Jack?

At any given moment, monarch butterflies may be seen fluttering about. I gave Mother Nature a helping hand and planted several milkweed plants (home to the butterfly caterpillars). A variety of flowers give food to the adults. But it’s only on the milkweed that they lay their eggs; then the hatched caterpillars gorge on the leaves. Also I provide transport to a netted safe-haven where they form a chrysalis until they metamorphose into a butterfly and take flight after 14 days. To participate in their world is to see a miracle as each wing is a work of art – a masterpiece.

The water year for California begins Oct. 1 and goes through Sept. 30. It makes sense as there’s a big natural break – the summer months when nary a raindrop falls. The old standard used for measuring the annual precipitation is from July 1 through June 30. Using this, our grand total for the 2019-20 rain season is 18.70 inches; average is 23-24 inches. As the likelihood of rain began to diminish, it came … just late!

Upcoming weather? Perfect! Monarch questions? Please email me.

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley
resident and Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick