Over the last week I’ve noticed the fullness of summer. Every where I look things are bursting with fruit, seed, nuts, and blooms.
Summer starts out slow and before you know it you’re living in a world of green which continues to grow and produce until it finally gives out—sort of like a bubble that enlarges until it finally ruptures.
This year’s summer has seemed slower than usual. I’m not sure if that’s because of the cool start we had or because we’ve been home more to notice it’s movement.
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I’ve noticed the subtle shift to autumn here. A few prematurely red or yellow leaves, some leaves drifting down, goldenrod and Joe Pye in bloom. The nights are cooler too, even after very hot days. It’s a welcome change in my view. In Celtic cultures, this is Loughnasadh, the arrival of the early harvest season.
Tipper,
We haven’t heard from B.Ruth and Roy for some time. Welcome! The first time I met them was at Paul’s school at one of their Concerts. The Gang hadn’t been going on long, when the back door flung open, and a Rollanator came in, with B. Ruth and Roy following it. She sat beside me and the first thing she said was “Where’s Tipper”? I told her “she’s hiding behind Paul”. After we got introduced, I asked Roy, “Did yo u bring me any of those Crappie that you’ve been catching.” (B.Ruth had been talking about those on Tipper’s Blog a bit earlier, and had me hungry.) He said, “No, but if I had known earlier, I could have brought some.” …Ken
As much as I love the seasons, I am always amazed how my mind can seemingly get caught up in the cares of the times and miss an entire couple of weeks of nature. I always thought my obsession with nature’s changes was my first teacher who spent a great deal of time teaching us about seasons.
This is first year we have missed our reunion, and I have been forced to stay onside more. At times like this I am so grateful for all I have learned in life. I can still go to the gardens, and I can still hear the birds and smell the fresh air.
Our present crisis has made me wonder more about how others dealt in the past with crisis, as nature unfolded no matter what was taking place. I am grateful as I can still hear the birds awaken me in the morning, and the lovely flowers still fill the air with fragrance. Hopefully soldiers were comforted in the great Civil war by the distractions of the beauty all around even in such troubled times.
It is summer here year round…
O Tipper, but ain’t every thing so beautiful and alive.
Seems like only yesterday I was so longing to see the green of spring and then when it finally came it was wonderful, I couldn’t look enough, and am still looking , .. it’s real hot and humid, but we are finally seeing some refreshing rain . Some days a bit of flash flooding. Thankful for all seasons too. Especially snow. Do any of you ever feel something down in your bones? Sometime you can seem to sense when a season has changed…way down deep inside.There’s a certain time of year, coolness, briskness, sunniness, that makes me think of school starting . Almost as if you can smell it in the air…. lots of confusion of voices going on around here…. as in ,mask on, mask off, no mask,.. go somewhere , don’t go, …school on or off or … lots of adjusting February onward…So thankful for the Faith ,Hope and Love we can have in our Lord, and the greatest of these is…… ♡. ” How do I know ,the Bible tells me so.. ( remember the song that line comes from ?) grew up hearing it.
Back in early June we were in a “dry spell” so I ordered a sprinkler and some new garden hose. The day after it arrived I set it up and got it adjusted. It ran for about 45 minutes while I was off doing something else. Then I noticed water drops hitting me. Thinking the sprinkler had somehow turned the wrong direction I started toward it to fix it. That’s when I heard the thunder. I looked up and the sky to the northwest was black. I had to run (if you can call it that) to shut off the water so the nosy neighbors wouldn’t think I was watering in a thunderstorm.
It proceeded to rain about 3″ in an hour. And it has rained, at least a little, every day since then. All around us people are complaining about the lack of rain while I complain because my grass is always too wet to mow.
I was smart enough to finally put wood chips between some of the rows in the garden and was able to walk without sinking as soon as the rain stopped. I was able to pull weeds that in previous years would have had to let grow. The cool start and the hot dry spell got my garden off to a bad start. But it caught up and now I can’t keep up.
People might think “He bought a sprinkler with as much rain as we are getting?” I got my garden watered didn’t I. All I had to do was buy a sprinkler. I didn’t really have to take it out of the box.
It has been a strange summer indeed. Kind of strange. I’m wondering what God has in mind for for us. Keep the faith. Psa 91.
Hi Tipper…..I so agree with you on the greenness and lushness of everything is such a joy to live in amongst it and watch everything bloom …flowers, garden and trees are at their peak! Enjoy your posts ….be safe during these ‘trying’ times.
Tipper,
Remember to start today and count the August fogs for snow amounts in your area…We didn’t have a fog here this morning..
It seems to me just the opposite not slow just gone! I look out and wonder where the Spring and Summer went hiding! A cool Spring, with very little sun, hot dry summer with no rain! Exception, until this week we got just a little water, in our neck of the woods. Our raised beds look like September. We grabbed what we could, while vegetables were small or they curled up. Hoping to get some greens of sorts planted since the ground may hold some moisture and the weather pattern appears to be changing for August…
Have a good day…Beautiful picture by the way!
b. Ruth
I was just thinking the same thing. It seems like the climbing vines that reach the top of the flag pole in mid July are only half way there as we start August. That’s OK with me. The longer I can hold on to spring and summer, the longer it takes for the depressing fall and winter to arrive.
I think summer has peaked here and has started down. Productivity of tomatoes and beans is declining. Corn and squash are gone. The apple tree has passed halfway thanks to the birds knocking them off. I am thinking of the fall garden.
But we are getting lots of pignut hickory nuts down in the yard, some whole and lots and lots of pieces thanks to the squirrels.
I agree with you about this year. Timing is out of kilter somehow, probably due to the virus? Even though the calendar says Aug. 1 it doesn’t seem it ought to be.
I must agree with all you’ve observed this summer. Here’s the sad part—- days are shortening, nights are cooling and then will come the crickets. Autumn will be upon us and winter before long. Of course, your family will be eating well out of the bounty you’ve preserved and I just “see” fresh, warm zucchini muffins smothered in butter and homemade preserves and a few eggs from Chitter’s chickens as you all gather ‘round the kitchen table!!! ( Karen Peck and New River have a song I like about life begins every morning ‘round the kitchen table…)Let’s make a PACT to enjoy and savor the rest of this summer! And here’s a rhetorical question- why does winter last so long and summer is shorter every year??? Lol and to all the blind pig club, have a great weekend filled with joy and peace in our Lord recalling what he’s already done for us, what he is doing behind the scenes, and what he’s going to do for us in the future!!!
It has seemed slower to me also. I feel a little as though I’m walking in water, You know, the way it slows you down. It has also been a hotter summer though we have a lovely cool morning today. I’m happy to live in an area that fully experiences all four seasons!