Ode to summer

Summer 2015 has slipped away, almost overnight it seems. Two weeks ago we had 90 degree temperatures, but today it's about 48 degrees with winds and rain.

The good thing about this weather is that it forces one inside, something I haven't done in awhile. Every free moment when not working I was out in the garden or walking or on the deck. Working in an office 40+ hours a week does that to one. 

So on this rainy day I've been sorting through the photos I snapped throughout the summer weeks and revisited Photoshop while waiting for the laundry to finish. How exciting is that? Later today I'll throw a log or two on the fire and pull out my yarns and begin to sort out projects for the winter. 

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the garden -- I hope you enjoy!

hosta leaf

quiet

petals at dusk

vintage blossom

Digital Playtime

A Quiet Corner

Taking time off from gardening -- 4 glorious days of beautiful weather, sun, balmy breezes, raking, transplanting, sowing seeds, potting up flowers for the deck and front entrance -- these are the moments one waits for all winter as the snow and ice keep us somewhat trapped inside!

So, this afternoon, while waiting for laundry to finish and paying bills online (ugh), I pulled up some pics from my phone, played with some vintage textures and historical scripts.  This shot was actually taken at a hotel one morning while having my morning coffee.  I had been making notes to myself about something or other; the hydrangeas I had "stole" from the hotel garden the night before.  The light was perfect, so 'snap' went the phone. 

If I ever resurrect my writing blog on Wordpress, I will probably use this as my banner because, no matter how convenient the computer is for writing, there is something much more satisfying about writing with a pen or pencil on paper. 

And certainly there is the wonderful art of letter writing, which many of us have forgotten.  When was the last time you received a hand-written letter, not just a card or postcard?   I can't even recall, probably years . . . sigh.

Summer Postcards

Old Ferry Point

Summer reminds me of those old postcards

we sent and received over the years -- 

cryptic notes, smudged wishes, illegible names -- 

all crammed into 3 or 4 inches of space.

They always arrived on someone's doorstep

after we had been home for days, too.

Wychmere Harbor

And the choosing of just the right card for just the right person

always a tricky deal, wasn't it?

I remember sending postcards to my boyfriend (now my husband)

and hoping to strike the right tone -- not too mushy, not to trite,

how to let him know I missed him without committing myself ?

Grey Skies

They are usually scattered throughout one's house,

in drawers and small boxes labeled vacation 

or something like that,

wrapped in a ribbon or with a bit of yarn,

tucked next to old letters and

the children's school projects in a jewelry box or drawer.

Treasures of our past lives, mementos of fun times,

fragments of a well-navigated journey

(or not)

Provincetown View

Years from now, will my children find these artifacts of my life?

Will they care and cart them back to their homes

to be tucked back into another drawer?

I hope so.

And every time they lift them to find something else,

a drift of perfume, perhaps a grain of sand,

will tumble past them

and I'll be

there . . .

All images are available as real postcards and prints
at my site on Redbubble;
(background textures created by Ghostbones,
Skeletalmess, Telzey and Playingwithbrushes on Flickr;
Custom brushes and text by myself)