It seems unfair. Indoor space is away from nature. It is the place where we reign. Though we're an inextricable part of nature's biology, we choose to isolate ourselves in buildings designed to provide us with safety from the elements. And truth to tell, separation from others of our kind. It is where we live our daily, intimate lives and have no wish to share them with strangers. And nor do we take kindly to the intrusion of other biological specimens that bear no resemblance to us.

 

Creatures that fly, squirm, wiggle, creep, and on occasion make their way into our sanctum sanctorum. They annoy us. Their presence is unwanted. Not only are they unsightly in an interior, they have the potential of destruction. Either of fabrics, or the materials of which our homes are constructed, or the food we store. Some are capable of carrying bacteria we would prefer to avoid. In some instances they can become a risk to health.

 

On the other  hand, when we are out-of-doors, particularly in a natural wild environment, or even, in this particular instance, in our gardens, coming into contact with creatures of the natural world can charm us as seeing chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, mice and others may do, while others can alarm us with their presence. And then there are insects; wasps build their nests in the most unexpected places, in one of your trees and  you hadn't noticed until you one day backed into it. Other creatures take a liking to the roots of the grass in the lawn you've painstakingly babied for years.

 

And now, to the crux of the matter; who knew that ants could be so destructive? In the house, yes, making a beeline and leaving a trail for others toward unprotected food. But in the garden? Yes, there too. Claiming a garden bed as their own kingdom, and demonstrating such by destroying all that you've so carefully planted. You've tolerated it as long as you intend to, but year by year the colony grows and destroys more of the garden. And you're fed up. So the solution is to dissuade them. Since they won't listen to lectures, they'll respond to something more powerful than the baking soda you've tried.

 

On a more cheerful note, yet another beautiful day with full sun, not too hot, not too cool and a moderating breeze. After the work of house cleaning it was time to take Jackie and Jillie and ourselves off to the ravine for our afternoon outing in the ravine. As natural and wild an environment that anyone could hope to access and find pleasure in, anywhere. And for us a leisurely stroll up the street takes us to the entrance of the ravine. The descent of the first slope takes us deep into the forest.

 

And there the well-scrubbed air fills our lungs, the sight of rampant wildflowers fills our eyes, the sound of robins, cardinals and chickadees, woodpeckers, crows and nattering squirrels fills our ears. There too the antics of two little black dogs in their perambulations and sniffing-fests here and here fills us with pleasure and occasionally laughter.

In the ravine, the sight of bees and dragonflies, butterflies and wasps informs us of a healthy natural environment. Imparting health to us as well, through exposure to its atmosphere and the opportunity to stride along its many trails, uphill and down, through the density of forest and the occasional bit of meadow.