Wednesday, June 20, 2012

I have a love/hate relationship with Summer. I really, really, dislike the heat - it makes me feel sick, and sweaty, and cranky and I don't like being any of those things. But I love how my garden looks. I love sitting in the yard in the early evenings, watching the hummingbirds come to feed, smelling the remains of the hot day being cooled off by the water as I soak the drooping plants. The pond fountain makes music, accompanied by the frogs, that soothes my soul. I love the sound of the neighbor kids playing in their pool, and love the smell of BBQ their dad makes most nights. I love watching my dogs enjoy the mud and the fresh air. The cats enjoy it, too, if they sneak out. They love rolling on the warm patio.

Some of my best memories of Summer include playing in the water at the One Mile Dam in Chico while visiting my grandparents, eating the apricots that had fallen from Granny's trees and into the cool grass. We lived close to the San Francisco, so it would often cool off nicely in the evenings. I love that my dad would line soda bottles up along the base of the screen door so the we could keep it open at night without the fear of burglars coming in (theory was that they would be scared away by the crashing bottles if they tried to open the screen door). Back then that was all it took for us to feel safe and well-cared for. Simple times.

I think Summer, in general, is simpler - slower paced, less hustle and bustle. Maybe it's just too hot to move fast, but it's better.  I like slow.

12 comments:

  1. Your blog made me slowdown for a moment en enjoy the sweet smell of ripe apricots and the sound of hummingbirds coming from the memories you shared. Thanks Neighbour.

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  2. Thank you so much, dear friend! I appreciate all the encouragement you've always given me!
    Liefs!
    M.

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  3. very beautiful blog Mary-la... Tom and I have not been able to do any gardening for two yrs now and the last one we did was such a flop everything died on us.. :/ so this yr we have compromised to let our grass grow as wild as it wants to to live out its full life without being cut down and killing it or any insects that live in it and enjoying the wildlife that has been venturing down closer to our back porch since the grass is higher.. although our neighbors i'm sure are saying our property is an eyesore with our high grass and dilapidated buildings, I say its going back to nature the way it should be..I am allergic to cut grass for one thing we found out a few yrs ago when I was cutting the grass.. and i now think mowed lawns or fields are and eye sore.. it is not natural to cut grass... grass was meant to live its life from when it grows in the spring till it dies off naturally in the winter.. we are going to get a bunch of wildflower seeds and spread them all over the yards so next yr we will have flowers mixed in with our high grass..

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    1. Thank you, Tina - I'm glad you enjoyed it! I like the sound of your 'natural yard' - letting all the insects live and encouraging the wildlife to visit! i like the wildflower idea a lot - that'll be beautiful! Enjoy your nature park!

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  4. Dang Mary, I want to say something like "you're a hooker sister" or "don't forget that I'm the smart neighbor", but your eloquently written thoughts stopped me. Great job Mary, I love the reminiscing, takes me back...to a time I've tried for years to forget...thanks. Seriously, loved it!

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    1. It says 'Anonymous' but I know who you are!! LOL! Thanks, Debbie, you are too kind. But that doesn't surprise me - you're the 'nice sister'!

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  5. This was wonderful, Mary. Such vivid use of words, I felt I was there too. I'm putting your blog into my Google Reader so I won't miss the next post1 Love to you, Toni

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    1. Thank you so much, Toni! Coming from you, I'm honored! :)

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  6. Wow, alot of comments. I just wanted to say......I like slow too. Or it likes me...Jill

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  7. Can I just say, WOW! Love the way you write! I remember when things were allot slower. Matter of fact my wife and I were just talking about that the other day. It made such an impack on me that we went horseback riding today. First time in years for both of us. It was quiet, slow and very calming. It was walking meditation but the horse was doing the walking for us. Thanks Mary for letting me know about your blogs...........

    HC

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    1. Thank you so much, Howie! I'm glad you enjoy my writing :) I enjoying putting words 'on paper' whether anyone else reads them or not, but it's especially nice to know when someone other than me likes it. The horseback ride sounds wonderful - I haven't done that since I was a kid. I'm so glad you and Teena did it!

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