The summer monsoon weather pattern has set up over the southwest, a couple of weeks earlier than the average July 4th arrival. The clouds and storms have created some amazing skies but only scattered and intermittent rain. But enough precipitation has fallen to ‘green up’ the landscape and grow the early wildflowers and cactus blossoms.
    

    The relatively temperate and wet spring has produced an abundance of bugs, lizards, and birds: life forms most quickly influenced by seasonal variations of the weather. It is a good year. Not enough rain has fallen yet to wash away the ‘no-see-ums’, a miniscule but voracious local predator that leaves exceptionally itchy welts. I almost look forward to mosquito season.
   

     I stayed at home on the summer solstice, watching sun and shadow here at the ranch house. The ancient time-keepers carved into the canyon walls would silently track the season without me as a witness.  Cloud shadows floated across the prairie and distant hills, sunlight flowed through the windows. Seemed only appropriate: this place on that day.
    

 We still dance in the morning, biscuits and sunshine, recognizing the empty space Louie left behind. We dance because there is life. Some days there is little to be said, but a world to be seen and understood and appreciated. Because there is life, and souvenirs.