We have reached true summer here in my hemisphere. Besides weeks of rain and thunderstorms we didn't have very much spring weather. It seemed to go from annoyingly cold to unnervingly hot. But I am reveling in the green-gold of this late June sunshine, and the pink-brown of my sun-kissed skin.
The vines covering my house may or may not be possessed by some nature-magic as in Spindle's End. They are certainly insistent, stubborn, and lively. I finally got around to hacking them away from my balcony door where they had completely barred my screen from closing, and tried to infiltrate my upstairs. They also tried to reach across my whole balcony, but that's another story. Fortunately today I found a spurt of energy and a break in foot-pain, and managed to tackle some of the garden that was most unruly.
My balcony is unblocked and my peonies dead-headed. There was such a short season for my favorites this year. Peonies and lily-of-the-valley are something I wait all year to experience again, and this year both of those beauties passed me by with only one jug each brought into my home with their heavenly scents!
I also got to the first spate of weeding today, and although not as beautiful or abundant as I had perhaps dreamed, my gardens are showing through. I'll take a hose to them once the sun goes down, I think. Try and bring them back to happiness in time for the more-abundant less-refined look of mid-summer. I've left vines snaking over a number of my windows. They block a few of the sun's rays, but in the peak of heat that is often a blessing. It allows a dappled green light through, like the best conservatories, and magical greenhouses. Very Woodwold, and Ivy Tree. It also lends a bit of privacy without cutting off my connection to the out-of-doors, since I've begrudgingly turned on the AirCon recently, as the indoor temperatures reached 80 degrees.
With July quickly approaching I am aware that I have missed a few "Book Recommendations by Month". So here are some favorites I love in the sultry heat of summer.
Summer of Storms acting and art, tasteful family intrigue, mystery and crime, a dash of romance
My Brother Michael historic Delphi, chance meetings, sudden danger, and a search for the truth
Over Sea Under Stone the Cornish coast, Arthurian legend, ancient clues, and very current threats
Dandelion Fire magic and menace, a pivotal undertaking, family ties, personal sacrifice, adventure
A New Song a stint on an island, new experiences, intrigue, growth, life's dramas and beauties
About a month ago I rolled my ankle, ending up with a major sprain and a minor fracture, which has been pretty good for my book-list and pretty hard on my gardens. Great on the napping agenda, and rough on the yoga and walking habits that had been going strong. After catching up on some much needed sleep, and some (apparently) necessary doing-nothing, I did manage to finish the class I was writing though. I've also painted a huge shelf, prepared for my new stove to arrive (unbroken this time thank you), worked on finishing my dining-room, and learned several new piano pieces I now play almost every time I pass the instrument.
This week feels like true summer to me finally. Possibly it has to do with the fact that over the weekend I got sunburned, and the AC also went out on my car just in time to drive two hours in over 100 degree heat. But mostly it's because I now can see the blue sky, the sun is dappled by a multiplicity of foliage, and I can finally wear shorts without getting cold. I visited the local library and in the window-bright stillness I glanced at every shelf and took home a light read that I curled up with all afternoon, and finished past my bedtime, summer after-light glowing through my curtains of vines and lace.
I make hummus veggie wraps and ginger switchel, listen to excellent audio-books, and try to decide if I need a new car. I'll wrap my ankle in a bit, and go for a bike-ride. Finish my spray-paint project. Put fresh sheets on my bed. Dream of Scotland. And think about how I want to live my 29th and 30th year.
