A Visit To A Bit of Paradise

 

“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”

SONNET 18, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

My goodness, I know the calendar says that we're nearly at the end of August, but surely it's too soon to be moving from summer to autumn already! As these last few days unfold, try as I might in my own mind, I can no longer hold onto the feeling that we are still in deep summer. There IS a definite shift in the air and in the lighting. And when it's not raining -- we've had a great deal over the summer -- the sun comes up of a morning casting its seasonal fiery orange across tree tops and roof ridges, hinting at the deep oranges, russets and golden leaves soon to follow suit.

Give me a few days and I won't mind at all that we're edging towards Autumn Equinox here in the northern hemisphere. After all, Autumn is my favourite time of year, as is Winter, Spring and Summer. 😊 I used to be able to say unequivocally that Autumn was my absolute favourite, but as I get older, I've come to truly love and appreciate each season in its turn, always sorry to see one season go even though I know I'll love the next one. So while we still have a few more days of summer, it makes me take out my gratitude 'butterfly net' to gather moments that still give me more time to sit on the deck, go for walks in the sunshine, listen to the kids still playing and hollering at the water park down the street. 

Yesterday was a proper sunny summer afternoon. Rick and I went to the greenhouse to look for fall bulbs -- he's been chomping at the bit the last week or so. It was a tad early as they were just getting in their shipments of bulbs. Our trip was not a waste as we took a stroll through their small but lovely botanic garden. So peaceful and soul-refreshing. We were the only ones there, except for the gardener who, though busy pruning junipers, stopped to chat awhile. The hydrangeas were especially lovely. And what a sweet pleasure to see the tiny apple orchard, several varieties laden with globes of red and golden fruit. Allowed to sample, I picked a Norland and enjoyed its sweet, juicy flesh.

Took some pictures as we walked -- with you in mind, of course. Isn't that why many of us take photos nowadays, to share them online? I wouldn't doubt if ninety percent of my photo-taking is with the idea of planning future blog and social media posts. And so, on this nearly last day of August, here are a few, just for you.......

"We might think we are nurturing our garden,
but of course it's our garden that is really nurturing us."
JENNY UGLOW

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful;

they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind."

LUTHER BURBANK

And so our little meander winds around and comes to the end.

Much like the meandering of this post and it's done too.

"...beauty is the homeland of the heart.

When it can dwell in beauty

the heart is home."

JOHN O'DONOHUE

Wishing you a pleasant weekend and a spot o' loveliness
where your heart feels 'at home'.

Hugs,

Brenda

xox