Summer gifts
August 25, 2015
Summer is not over yet but the extreme heat we had just a few weeks ago is gone. We are left with memories of hot, very hot days. Like during a late afternoon when the sun shone brightly through the window and reflected its rays in a mirror. How grateful I was to dear Dena who had sent me a beautiful and exotic fan for my birthday which, of course, was a delight to use !
Lawns were rather neglected this year but not all flowers. Here in front of our hospital a flowerbed was being watered. I was surprised to spot two unexpected plants… Will you find the odd ones out ? Fresh looking “intruders” indeed.
In the blue Summer sky, silent visitors flew along with a light wind they only seemed to feel and breathe. Underneath the heat was sometimes unbearable but what a lovely sight !
The pleasure of reading Amanda Enayati’s book in the shade : “Seeking Serenity”.
“In your world, mind and body,
Be present.
Use mindfulness to heal and transform the brain, and its ability to cope in stressful situations.”
One of the ten rules on your road map for health and happiness in the age of anxiety. A much-needed guide to these difficult times. I really enjoyed this book as well as the beautifully embroidered bookmark made with care by my friend, Janice. http://janiceheppenstall.com/blog
Barriers, fences, walls and other man-made obstacles are bound to be crossed, aren’t they ? Those were my thoughts as I looked at the clematis flowers meant to grow along the green metal fence. And yet, quite naturally, they went over… A Summer of crossing borders, deserts and seas for so many people.
Even my energetic Nino was affected by this particularly hot Season. He squatted my couch in the shade. We finally came to an agreement and each of us found its place.
Maybe you can feel the heat that had accumulated on the stones of this old house. It could be quite cool inside though because of the narrow windows and the width of the walls. I liked the plant and colored scarf that added a hint of freshness.
Summer, terraces, parasols, cool drinks and sometimes music in the streets, another pleasure of the Season.
My favorite time of the day was at sunset. The air was still warm from all the sun, even in the mountains but there was a touch of coolness and of course the brilliant light behind the Alps, the sun rays on the old wooden shutters made it a special moment. Every evening.
The flowers of my Summer
August 21, 2014
Before Fall arrives, let me show you the flowers of my Summer.
Flowers like sun just has much as they need rain. They got a lot of rain these past months, whether in the alpine meadows, like here, or in gardens, along forest paths, everywhere vegetation has been growing and blooming wildly.A bush heavy with rain and bending towards the countless petals its flowers just lost. Impernanence of all things and beings.
Like a flamenco dancer, the poppy is spinning its red dress in the early morning sun.
I like the late afternoon sun over these wild flowers, their pink shades glowing in the warm light..
The view I always enjoy : a garden shed surrounded by a shower of yellow wild flowers. They were preceded by long golden grasses and followed by small bushes in pink and blue shades. A patch of wilderness in the garden.
The beauty of natural amethysts on the terrace. Clematis flowers have bloomed and bloomed, never tired of unfolding their soft petals.
This gorgeous yellow bouquet was given to me for my birthday last June. Flowers that meant a lot and that brightened up my home for many days.
Summer flowers, colours of joy, colors in sad times. Friends passed in the recent months. An ancient chapel where we prayed, a rose bush growing in front of one of its windows, the touch of color that brings back warm memories.
I hope your Summer is full of flowers, colorful bushes, hedges where birds sing, woods with scented violets, natural meadows, paths bordered with sage, wild fennel and thyme. I hope you are enjoying Nature in all its beauty.
Summer heat (1)
July 22, 2010
Inside or outside the house, the Summer heat we are experiencing for almost a month is almost tangible. Trying to keep it outside is a job starting early in the morning. I or someone else in the family (but usually it’s me…) open shutters and windows widely. The cool air moves around three similar windows and refresh the whole ground floor. A real delight ! Then, as soon as the Eastern sun gets warmer, I half close the shutters and shut the doors. I left them open just to show you the palpable heat trying to sneak in 😉
This second picture was taken in Andalusia, in the Spring of 2009. The sun was so hot already, even at the end of the day. I liked the way the curtain caught sight of the golden disc and of the heat you could feel through the rough textures of the linen.
And well… there are others who feel the heat in spite of their never ending energy ! Our animal friends. Little Ninio is no longer himself… even if he is still full of mischief and hungry as ever. So thirsty too ! All of sudden, he gets tired and stops all activity.The only place he enjoys resting on these days are the cool tiles of the ground floor. And even there, he looks like thinking :”When is the snow falling again ?” 😉
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