Once more out on the back deck on this glorious evening. Today it hit around 82F, but it was a fine, lovely, non-sticky heat. Now it's getting cooler. I'm hearing a bird croaking away out here and I think it's a magpie. Sounds crow-like, but not quite as harsh. Still loud. Someone pointed out to me that the old cartoon characters, Heckle and Jeckle in fact are/were magpies! Of course I remember them from childhood, but never made the connection when I saw the first lovely black, white, and deep blue birds of that species flying around Calgary. (While I'm on the subject, magpies figured into a visit this week at the home of new friends. Some of the birds were making such a racket our host had to heave a stone at them...)

Across the way--the alley, to be specific--people have a big, magnificent bush with lots of bright yellow roses. It's something we noticed elsewhere while walking around the neighborhood yesterday. Actually, this is prime flower time in Calgary. Spring comes late--real late--so we're finally getting to see some of the color we've been missing.

Another biggie here are peonies. They're everywhere, and as a matter of fact, we've got some preternaturally large, fragrant, pink ones growing right in our front yard, next to the house. Perennials. Peonies, by the way, are sort of rose-like (and smell like roses) but about four times bigger. Absolutely gorgeous.

So here in Calgary, spring and summer and flowers and warmth do--really, truly, actually do--come: they just come late and they're quickly gone. You've gotta grab it while you can (which is exactly what I'm doing at this moment, sitting out here...).