"For many people summer is a time of leisure: days at the beach, or picnics in parks and gardens; long, fair-weather country walks. Often it feels too brief, or comes in instalments: we pine for the six solid weeks of sunshine we believe we always had as a child. But in wanting to recapture those days we risk missing the days we still have - because what is that wish but a wish to be a child again, loosed from school, loosed from the house, and barefoot on the grass? Those elysian summers, polished to dazzling brightness by the flow of years, can never be recaptured; but we have this summer, however imperfect we as adults may deem it, and we can go out and seek it at every opportunity we can."
"Introduction" in Summer Anthology, editor Melissa Harrison, 2016
These portulacas with their eye-popping colours of orange and pink and yellow make me grin. How brilliant they are. They are like a jolt of joy when I come upon them around the corner by the garage. Did you know they are nature's fair-weather creatures and open their petals only when the sun shines on them? I took the photo a couple of days ago. On overcast mornings, the petals remain tightly curled and they look dismal. Can't say that I blame them, but a person does wonder if maybe they've bit the dust and are ready for the compost bin. Don't do thaaaat, you'll be sorry. Haha
Along with these bright petaled blossoms, here is a glimpse of what else is blooming in the garden right now... hope you enjoy.
Pink penstemon, variety unknown
"I have thousands of moments
in which to be happy and joyous."
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
The Last Dream of the Old Oak (A Christmas Story)
Pink lavatera, sometimes referred to as rose mallow
Captivating pink beauty,
one petal at a time.
UNKNOWN
Hydrangea getting ready to burst out
"The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth."
DOROTHY FRANCES GURNEY
Sedum
"Flowers are like friends, they
bring colour to your world."
UNKNOWN
"I come to the garden alone
while the dew is still on the roses"
C. AUSTIN MILES (1912)
Clematis 'Gillian Blades'
"Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants
as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas."
ELIZABETH MURRAY
"Amidst a sea of green,
pink flowers bloom as nature's delicate poetry."
UNKNOWN
❦
We have this summer, however imperfect it may be—
let us go and seek out its beauty at every opportunity we can.
Heart hugs,
Brenda
Photo credits:
Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life
