The start of summer. I often think of summer as a season of nostalgia, made up of memories of summers past and re-created, and sometimes, summers as we wished they’d been. Admittedly, the heat of summer here makes it my least favorite season. And yet it holds some of the most joyful things I look forward to. When I was young, summer meant endless days stretched out with the pages of my beloved books, wandering the foggy redwoods and ducking under giant ferns while watching for centipedes to inch past, or the occasional family picnic on the windy beach, running from cold Pacific waves. Hhmmm…as I re-read that it sounds, well, very similar to my adult summers now. 😉
But nowadays summer also means seeing the chimpanzees’ immense joy over watermelon bowl season and frozen treats, watching them explore their outdoor habitats far and wide, languid afternoon moments spent sitting together companionably as we wait for a breeze, any breeze, through their open-air greenhouses. Foxie lazily passing her baby doll du jour back and forth, grooming quietly with Jamie until she remembers her burgeoning currant bush and adamantly gestures toward it requesting (well, demanding) a snack, Terry inspecting the tiniest of flowers with his enormous, yet mindbogglingly (is that a word? haha) gentle hands, Rayne, legs resting up the wall with feet crossed, holding her fingertips safely on the back of my hand through the caging…so many moments to cherish.
And with July we also get to celebrate Gordo and Betsy!
Gordo turns 37 on July 19th! Four years knowing this guy and he continues to delight us with his new (to us) enjoyment of games of chase, tickle, and probably his personal favorite (not so much ours), blasting the humans in the face with bucket size mouthfuls of water. 🙂
As many of you know, Gordo is a shy person and it’s really so wonderful to see him continuing to feel more and more himself as he bravely explores his groups’ outdoor habitat, the Bray, and engages with his caregivers in increasingly playful ways, all in his own time. Exactly what sanctuary is all about. Their own way, their own time.
And we will be celebrating Betsy who is unbelievably turning 18 on July 20th! I admire Betsy so much. She is really the epitome of mothering nature. Despite losing her beloved son, Nutmeg, last year, she continues to be her loving, protective, and often sassy self, as she looks over her long-time family and herd-mates, Honey, and Honey’s daughter, Meredith (who Betsy helped raise).
This is the time of year when we rarely see the cows outside of daily cattle care as they enjoy the freedom of their spring and summer pastures. Theirs are lives not typically provided for bovines and we are so very grateful to all of you for making their lovely lives together possible.
Betsy and her son, Nutmeg:
Another special day of celebration this month is July 14th, World Chimpanzee Day! Dr. Jane Goodall arrived in Gombe on this date in 1960, this year marking the 65th anniversary of her groundbreaking time spent studying the chimpanzees there.
And a special summertime moment bonus! One of our newest neighbors and their mama were enjoying the progress being made in the Memorial Garden early the other morning. Many thanks to Chad for kindly sharing these photos! As construction of the garden has continued over the past months, I’ve also spotted our resident Raven pair chatting while enjoying water here on hot days, and once, an entire family of Marmots sitting together along the benches.
A beautiful new bench and stones arrived this week and the custom statue of Jody that we’re having made by a local artist to help honor her legacy, and made possible by so many of you who generously donated to this special opportunity during Giving Tuesday last year, is nearing completion. I find it interesting that so many of our wild neighbors who also call the I think now 99+ acres of sanctuary home have been choosing to gather in this particular spot. It’s materializing into a very special space and I know we look forward to being able to share it with you all before long.
So precious!
Happy summer (or winter) days to you all! Thank you for being here with us! And especially for making here, and these cherished summer moments and memories possible.
“Their own way, their own time.” Perfect summation of sanctuary. Fabulous post, beautiful photos, especially gushing over the fawn and especially in that particular location. Thank you, Katelyn!
What a wonderful update Katelyn! It was like reading a fantasy book but low and behold, it’s all real and precious! The photos are all fantastic too. Thank you for such an uplifting read!
:blush:?
Katelyn, sounds like my childhood summer days, just substitute the redwoods with the lake below, the hammock on the terrace in between, and the open field with trails across the street! Days when I devoured books, one after another.
We’re getting more heat here, too, again. I feel June is too early for living on cucumber salad and tomato sandwiches, but here we are. I was surprised by a NE breeze one morning last week, and ran to unlock the door to the back deck, so that I could get more than the one kitchen window allows. I’ve added “check wind direction” to my list of things to do in the morning, to make the best of those days when the wind comes to me off the water, and not from the southern (street) side.
Little Gordo! Something about him, insecurities and all, make me root for the underdog. I love to see him lounging against a wall, legs splayed, and my fav comes from the same “Gordo in a box” series that you used above. I’ll try to link it here. I think it looks like he’s riding the subway! 🙂
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What are Gordo’s favs?
Happy summer, all!
Trying again
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I love that photo as well because Gordo looks like he’s riding a trolley car or open air bus. Pull the cord to notify driver you want to get off!
I enjoy your first of the moth posts more than I can say. Always a sweet way to kick off each month. While I find pleasure watching the chimps enjoy the treasures and the celebrations each month brings, seeing them (demanding!) and savoring summers fresh veggies and fruits is my favorite! There’s something special about Jamie seeing and requesting a handful of currants or Missy overseeing her tomato plants, hand outstretched in hopes a caregiver passing by will drop one or two into her hand. So many goodies growing right there in your garden! It’s makes summer all the more special.
I look forward to celebrating Betsy and Gordo and Dr. Jane Goodall for the incredible individuals they are. Where would we be without Jane Goodall?! Thanks to her endless determination and commitment we recognize and celebrate World Chimpanzee Day. But the 65th anniversary?! Wow!! Where does the time go? Jane, like Negra, continues to age in reverse.
Thank you. Katelyn, for this update on the chimps and bovines summer activities.Girdo boxsittong proves no space is too small. i have a June birthday so summer os definitely my favorite time of year. Watermelon bowls and sweet strawberries with a glass of cold tea, please. Thank you also for the update on the memorial garden, such a special place at the sanctuary.
Thank you. Katelyn, for this update on the chimps and bovines summer activities.Girdo boxsittong proves no space is too small. i have a June birthday so summer os definitely my favorite time of year. Watermelon bowls and sweet strawberries with a glass of cold tea, please. Thank you also for the update on the memorial garden, such a special place at the sanctuary.
Sorry about that. I said somethinh nice and it shpwed up twice.
That hapoens all the time, Gaynell. If you post a message abd you can’t see it, it’s bc you have to exit the system or refresh. What I do is post the message, then click on the “comments” right under the blogpost title (where it says “9 comments” or something). Then I can usually see it.
Thankyou, Katelyn, for sharing the July Celebrations and all that this month holds for everyone at CSNW; sweet Gordo and Betsy’s birthday’s coming up and an update on our beloved Jody’s statue. Your photo collection looks like a rural idyll. Over your way it’s sunshine and the heat of Summer while over here in Sydney, Australia it’s Christmas in July or our Yule Fest season where some of us, including myself being Welsh pretend it’s a proper wintry Christmas and celebrate accordingly (our Australian Christmases tend to be rather hot as we are well into Summer!). Enjoy this very special month and I’ll be hearing those pant hoots all the way to Australia.
That hapoens all the time, Gaynell. If you post a message abd you can’t see it, it’s bc you have to exit the system or refresh. What I do is post the message, then click on the “comments” right under the blogpost title (where it says “9 comments” or something). Then I can usually see it.
Dear Katelyn. your blog today was wonderful. a beautiful remembrance for all of your older supporters. Loved the one about Betsy. so wonderful to watch these blogs. I am 93 and still active and love animals