Early morning view — a little ritual of each day — to look and see the wonder of the sky first thing.
The sun comes up and washes the butterfly bush in light and they come and drink deeply.
And then, in the middle of the day, they come…having no shame, they come and taunt me with their presence, reminding me of the havoc they wrecked in the gardens through the night. Boldly lapping even the birds’ seed from the feeder. Huffing at my complaint. Think me mean if you will but I cannot love them.
Many years my older sister gifts me with a lovely perennial plant to try in my garden. Last year she found one with my name. How fun is that? The name of this beauty is “Dublin Elaine” which is rather a play on words as the flower itself is a double and it is also considered a re-bloomer – a double season. This daylily is now blooming after most of the others have finished so it is quite spectacular showing off its fancy ruffled edges in the mostly green border.
I caught this bloom today in early morning sun; so beautiful!
Such beauty for only a few hours and then gone. This year the day lilies have had quite a bloom season. Each day in the garden is so different. I have found it very difficult to photograph this red Pardon Me, but this light was about perfect for it. So many bloom stalks and buds this year will make it a joy for some time yet.
This blosson just looks so happy to be spending itself for its Creator’s pleasure.
The last of the Gentle Shepherd blooms for this year, so exquisite!
The common orange daylily. Common only because they are plentiful; this orange is always a welcome sight along the highways and I tuck some along the edges of the hedgerow here. One somehow got to be front and center in the daylily bed where it makes quite a statement and makes me smile.
The Stella D’Oro’s are finished for now. I hope they will re-bloom this year, they don’t always.
Consider how the wild flowers grow. they do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.Luke 12:27
Earth’s crammed with heaven,
and every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Recently I read this post by Chuck Summers on his need to take photographs. I felt a kindred spirit as I too can feel a need to step outside even just my kitchen door and capture something wonderful – a blossom, a darkening sky, a tendril, a bird or squirrel – reminders that one day is never the same as the one before nor is an hour or even a minute.
And bees do not always sleep in a hosta bloom.
Everything can change in an instant. Possibilities abound! Somehow, entering into the world of photography in my small way enables me to engage my whole day with different eyes. As Chuck Summers says, “There is something extremely therapeutic about spending time in the midst of God’s Creation.”
And at the end of day, I sense the words we sang at every campfire closing –
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh.
Amen
Summer holidays always take me back to the river shore places… sisters and brother and cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents…fishing, crabbing, floating, sunbathing, picnics, grilling, ice cream treats… Today I thought I would share some photos from the past before mine, in the good old summertime!
Getting out into the countryside…I can see the water in the background…well dressed for the day’s outing! And yes, those do look like mugs of beer!
I love this photo of Great Aunt Annie. I never knew her but everyone spoke so highly of her kindly disposition, I’m sure I would have liked her very much. I particularly enjoy this photo of her in a row boat, so erect and holding her beaded handbag!
Dramatic entertainment circa 1919 – the Ladies Bowling Club Outing.
One of my grandfathers had a shore place on the Bird River. Nothing fancy…two bedrooms, living room, outhouse and a separate summer kitchen. Need water? There was a pump. Who needed anything more? Friends and family filled the place every weekend.
Another favorite of mine – my dad on the left in the only beach attire I remember – fully dressed, including shoes! Going fishing, crabbing? We would push the rowboat up to the pier and he would step down into it and off we would go. Never mind my sister and I had bare feet while he dropped the crabs into the boat bottom. They would scurry into the corners or under the seats while we sat cross legged fearing for our toes!
Watermelon! Cantaloupe! Cherries! Peaches! Plums! Blueberries! Blackberries!
All in the good old summertime! Enjoy your summertime!