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Cabeza Prieta Natural History Association
Recipe for Summer

 

 

Recipe for Summer
by Kate Garmise

The recipe for a successful summer in the Sonoran desert requires slow, careful, simmering at temperatures of 100 degrees or warmer, a little watering, and not too much activity.

Everything moves slowly, stays in the shade (or monitors its temperature carefully so it won't burn!) for the duration of the season.

Add various spices at intervals -- buzzing hum of cicada, lap of coyote tongue in tinaja, croak of red-spotted toad, and hoot of owl in the cool of the evening.

Add day after day of unrelenting heat and shimmering reflection off rock with humidity lower than low.

Simmer through nights while watching a variety of critters romp, a plethora of stars fall, and banks of clouds reflect the rising and setting sun.

A dash of lightning with nothing to show for it but flashes accompanied by cracks of thunder louder than sonic booms will add more spice to the mix.

Finally, add rain.

Simmer summer as long as possible to get the full effect of all the ingredients. When it's done, remove the heat and shorten each day remembering the sweet, lazy, richness of it all.

© Kate Garmise 2001

 

 

 

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Natural History of the Sonoran Desert and Refuge

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