A Summer Afternoon!

In between thunderstorms these days, I’ve been going outside where the news is slow (Look, the gayfeather’s blooming in the meadow!), outside where I’m not worried what to do about the next thing coming from Washington, Raleigh or Europe, or now, I’ve noticed, China.

Outside, it’s July. The sun is high, there’s enough light in the day, deep shadows in the trees appear as cool as a breeze. The sound of birds’ wings, bursts of color in the constant round of blooms, a Luna Moth, a few butterflies, the taste of fresh berries, tomatoes and peppers. An owl if you’re lucky. It’s summer!

A misty summer morning. L to R:Cherry Bells, Black-Eyed Susans, red Crocosmia

If you live in town, take time to enjoy the front-yard gardens, quietly planted and weeded by your neighbors for the pleasure of passers-by. Let your senses soak up all you can. Keep it for comfort, for when the trees are bare.

Black-Eyed Susans, bright pink native Phlox.

White Coreopsis, pink Cosmos, Love-in-the-Mist

Daisies; Roseanne Geraniums

Dahlias!

It’s a good summer in the kitchen.

Clockwise top left: white Cone Flower, Balloon Flower, Sunflower, Fritillary on a pink Cone Flower.

Daisies, Alliums and the beautiful grounding of stone.

Monarda unfolding.

L to R: Gooseneck; Alliums; Butterfly Weed (alas, no Monarchs yet).

White Queen Anne’s Lace with light pink trim.

Go quietly, look closely.

Marigolds and the gardener take good care of summer squash.

“Come look, the gayfeather’s blooming in the meadow!”

Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.

— Henry James

All photos are by Deda Edney.