When the Lights Go Down
These days I have to chase the sun further out into the yard to warm myself in the morning. There is barely a petal of purple left on my butterfly bush and my bare feet are covered with socks. I can’t tell the difference between cricket and grasshopper song, but I wonder when did they drown out the birdsong and what sound will I hear after they are silenced.
I find myself asking, ‘what did I do with my summer, how has it passed so fast without my full awareness?’ I’ve lost interest in keeping the bugs, weeds and critters out of the garden. The butterflies were scarce this year and I missed them. The zinnias were late and are only just now blooming. The sunflowers hung their heavy heads weeks ago.
I feel happy when I recall the few times I swung in the hammock at night and looked at the stars, even with the fear of the return of the bear that trashed a row of our corn. I’m proud of myself for canning two whole batches of Italian flat beans. I made an ice cube tray full of pesto and there is still time to make one more. But the deer ate the blossoms off most all our pumpkins and there are no second chances now.
August 19th, 2011 2:31 pm
I have the same thoughts as summer wanes. Missed opportunities but happiness at what I did accomplish. My summer has been filled with enough rain and more than enough relatives…not lonely and dry like last year. Oh well, each season is different and each year is growth.
August 19th, 2011 6:27 pm
oh…this is a very very good post. it hits me where I know it. good one Colleen!!!
August 19th, 2011 9:15 pm
beautiful shot!
August 20th, 2011 6:13 am
our summer only arrived 2 weeks ago and is just now in full swing. it will be gone by the first week in sept…shortest summer we have ever had.
how i love the pinks and peaches in your photograph!
did you see the bear that raided your garden? i am still dumbfounded that we saw so many black bears roadside in whistler (28!) chomping on clover. just read in the atlanta paper that there have been more sightings of black bears north of downtown atlanta this week in a bedroom community that is more developed than many US cities! one was hit by a car.
seems like bears are everywhere this year.
August 20th, 2011 9:06 am
We saw the footprints and could tell by the trashing. Later deer came too and we saw them. This is becasue our dog Jazzy died a few months back and she would usually bark them away.
August 21st, 2011 1:11 pm
I will miss summer, but I love the fall too! xo
August 21st, 2011 7:42 pm
Summer has a way of drifting off a little at a time. I can relate to this one.
August 22nd, 2011 10:44 am
Wonderful image. I love how you have perused through the summer, taking account of the things done as well as those missed.
This season does have a way of drifting off faster than we can expect.
August 23rd, 2011 6:48 am
Very nice scene and your photo, too.
Regards!
August 23rd, 2011 2:20 pm
This is “poetry” too, Colleen….So very visual, my dear—I see it all!!!
So sad about your possible pumpkins….!