Friday, 10 July 2015

Lazing on a Summer Afternoon

"The time passed extremely slowly, as time should pass,
with the days lingering and long,
spacious and free as the summers of childhood
~ Edward Abbey

The sun beats down, tempered by a cooling breeze.  My companions, the sparrows, come to the pond to drink and bathe continuously cheeping and chirping as they fly off to squabble in the shrubs.


I watch ants scurrying at my feet, on seemingly important business, and a tiny red spider hurries across the page of my notebook.


 A small planes engine drones as it soars acrobatically across the sky and the voices of excited children carry on the air as they play in their gardens causing dogs to bark as they join in the games.


Hoverflies are attracted to the flowers on the garden table and I watch a bee bumbling from flower to flower on the borage.


Starlings screech as they fight and argue on the feeders and I hear contrast in the soft cooing of a pigeon sitting on the roof ridge.


But, even on this idyllic day, I still find that summer is not my favourite season.  The garden already looks tired and lacklustre through the absence of rain.  If it wasn't for the annuals in their containers there wouldn't be much colour at all.


Still - I am content to ignore the negative side of the season and sit happily in the shade - reading, writing and watching the garden  and all its visitors - appreciating and enjoying the everyday things that are going on all around me.  For each day is precious and should be looked at in wonder and awe.


 
'Til next time - enjoy the summer while it lasts
it is all too fleeting.
Elaine
p.s. This was an afternoon of respite after a busy and slightly stressful week and I haven't done as much blog visiting as I would like - sometimes it is hard to get round to see everyone - apologies. 

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57 comments:

  1. Janneke 10 July 2015 at 08:32

    Wonderful Elaine, when reading and watching your pictures I can imagine you sitting in the garden pondering about all the beauty of flora and fauna around you with your notebook at hand. I do the same when I have time, I´m afraid I take too little time to rest and enjoy.
    Have a nice summer in and around your garden!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 12 July 2015 at 20:47

      Thanks Janneke. Yes, sometimes it is hard to find time to take a break to appreciate the garden and even harder sometimes to get round to everyone's blogs each week!

      Delete
  2. Sandra10 July 2015 at 08:40

    Oh yes, we have to take advantage of the wonderful abundance of flowers during the summer months! I love your header with the cornflowers!

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    1. elaine 12 July 2015 at 20:52

      Everything is struggling at the moment though - we just haven't had enough rain to keep everything fresh looking - we gardeners are never satisfied! Glad you like the header picture - it was taken last year at a nature reserve.

      Delete
  3. Amy at love made my home10 July 2015 at 09:20

    It sounds like bliss!!! Looks as though you have some great plants and colour even if it isn't all quite as colourful as you might wish! xx

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    Replies
    1. elaine 12 July 2015 at 20:55

      I did enjoy my restful afternoon - I needed a bit of downtime!.

      Delete
  4. Sue Garrett10 July 2015 at 09:22

    The flower that looks like verbena could have been a painted design.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 12 July 2015 at 20:59

      Yes, it is rather lovely isn't it - I have a nice selection of verbenas in the mixed containers this year - I wonder if you can successfully take cuttings from them?

      Delete
  5. Bec10 July 2015 at 09:52

    lovely words & pictures

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  6. Blogoratti10 July 2015 at 10:40

    Wonderful thoughts indeed, and delightful photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 12 July 2015 at 22:13

      I visited your blog but was unable to leave a comment due to some glitch.

      Delete
  7. Jacqueline @ HOME10 July 2015 at 12:04

    A riot of colourful flora { and fauna !! } Elaine and so pretty.
    BUT ….. I know exactly what you mean about the Summer …. our garden has started to look a bit scorched and is never as nice as it is in the Spring.
    Hope that life returns to an even pace for you next week. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 12 July 2015 at 22:15

      Thanks Jackie - the garden is parched - we had a bit of rain overnight but not enough to do any good.

      Delete
  8. Susan McShannon-Monteith10 July 2015 at 13:16

    Love the Abbey quote and the stroll through your beautiful garden.
    A little piece of Heaven just through the gate...
    Susan x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lucys Cottage10 July 2015 at 13:27

    Love your photos and quote Elaine :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cheryl10 July 2015 at 14:19

    Lack of rain is indeed an issue Elaine. Everything is flowering here but quickly......so dry at the roots.
    My neighbours wildlife pond is the lowest I have seen it since living here.......
    As you rightly say, we learn to accept what we have, and the wonder of summer never ceases to amaze me.
    Bees, butterflies, birds and much more...........

    Despite lack of rain your garden looks so pretty. I can imagine you sitting there with your notepad and taking it all in.

    A lovely summer post, with some beautiful quotes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 12 July 2015 at 22:28

      Hi Cheryl
      I am so far behind reading blogs and answering comments. We had a little rain overnight - not that it did much good! You are spot on - everything is going over so quickly before I have had time to appreciate it. Thank goodness for my containers which seem to be thriving. Except for a camellia in a huge pot - we had a visit from a badger last night who dug a big hole in it - I think he found a bumble bee nest in the dry soil - there was just one bee wandering about where the nest had been - looking a little lost and forlorn.

      Have a good week.

      Delete
  11. Flighty10 July 2015 at 14:23

    A most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. This isn't my favourite time of year either with both the plot and me being rather frazzled.
    I hope that your weekend is more restful than your week has evidently been. Flighty xx

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    Replies
    1. elaine 12 July 2015 at 22:33

      Thanks Flighty - we had a bit of rain today but not enough unfortunately. Yes, thank you, everything is now back to its calm and peaceful state, thank goodness.

      Delete
  12. Rosemary10 July 2015 at 15:48

    I can almost feel the heat coming off the computer from your images - glad that you are sparing time to relax in the shade after your slightly stressful week - I know what you mean about everything beginning to fade, we really, really, do need some rain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 19:49

      It was a hot day, far too hot to do anything but sit and enjoy it.

      Delete
  13. artistfriend10 July 2015 at 16:33

    How I wish I could send you some of ours!! Rain that is....my annuals are a disaster this year.

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    Replies
    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 19:51

      We have had rain since I wrote this post but not nearly enough. Shame about your annuals perhaps they'll make a come back.

      Delete
  14. Annie Cholewa10 July 2015 at 19:19

    I'm another who finds July hot and tiring, and I resent the toll it often takes on the garden. If I had a display of annuals as gorgeous as yours though I would find that a huge consolation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 19:52

      I agre, not my favourite month you just have to take what comes and hope that the garden pulls through.

      Delete
  15. Rosie10 July 2015 at 19:41

    Our gardens do turn from lush to 'dusty' looking at this time of year don't they? We have just been out with watering cans as some of the plants have 'flopped' it is hard to keep them looking fresh. It is the time to sit and listen to the sounds of summer in the heat of the afternoon when all chores are done:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 20:01

      I do enjoy sitting out when all the chores are done and usually keep getting up to do a bit of weeding etc. this time I stayed put and it was lovely.

      Delete
  16. Catherine C.10 July 2015 at 19:50

    Beautiful :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. valerietilsten59.blogspot.com10 July 2015 at 21:27

    An enchanting post Elaine,
    When are you going to write a book. !!! Your garden compared to mine is magical. Such beautiful flowers
    Summer takes it out on the plants. We here have had such hot hot days. I now have the drip drip system going and its on now. I so enjoyed this post.. happy weekend to you Elaine. val

    ReplyDelete
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    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 20:04

      Thanks Val. You are very kind to think I could write a book which is very different from writing a blogpost ! I
      Realise that you have it a lot hotter than we do - here in theUk we are just not used to it. Have a lovely week.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous11 July 2015 at 08:40

    It looks like a lovely place to laze. Thank goodness for annuals!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 20:06

      I am thankful that they last all summer when everything else has gone over.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous12 July 2015 at 19:36

    Seems I wasn't getting email notifications for your posts, Elaine. No idea why, so I've re-registered. I know what you mean about summer - it's just too darn hot for working. I'm already looking forward to an autumn bonfire and clearing away. Call me an old curmudgeon. D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 20:08

      I wonder why that happened - we do get these blogging hitches don't we. No, don't wish summer away - we may not like it but I wouldn't wish the year away. You old curmudgeon.

      Delete
  20. Jane13 July 2015 at 03:58

    Your garden and your summer look just delicious to me Elaine.....cold and windy winter here at present. I love your descriptions as well as your photos. I feel as though I am there.....except for the howling gale outside my office window!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 20:10

      Thanks Jane. Brr I don't want to think about winter just yet.

      Delete
  21. Snowbird13 July 2015 at 18:01

    T hose containers certainly make up for a lack of colour elsewhere....gorgeous they are! There is nothing nicer than a long summer day in the garden with a good book....I could listen to the birds forever.
    A wonderful relaxing post....just what I needed!xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 13 July 2015 at 20:14

      Yes, thank goodness - I do love a good book out on the garden - I just get so distracted by what is going on around me. Glad you enjoyed the post.

      Delete
  22. Down by the sea14 July 2015 at 20:52

    Beautiful thank you for sharing those lazy moments with us. Your garden looks so colourful! Sarah x

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    Replies
    1. elaine 15 July 2015 at 19:47

      Thanks Sarah I do rely on the containers for summer colour I must admit I really should try to get more colour in the borders though.

      Delete
  23. Annie_H15 July 2015 at 11:19

    I love the Salvia, Pelargonium and Geum combination, so vibrant. Such a restful blog post, its good to finally relax and enjoy the garden at this time of year

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 15 July 2015 at 19:50

      Thanks Annie and welcome back to blogland.

      Delete
  24. Jennifer15 July 2015 at 14:12

    It has been very hot here, but today is lovely and has the cooling breeze you write of. Summer is fleeting and already there are hints of an early fall. I agree it is important to savour the moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 15 July 2015 at 19:54

      We have mixed weather this summer so I try to make the most of the good days, which is no hardship!

      Delete
  25. Lowcarb team member15 July 2015 at 15:37

    Ignore the negative and concentrate on the positive.
    Your photo's are positively wonderful and a joy to look at.
    Thanks for sharing them with us.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tessa~ Here there be musing15 July 2015 at 18:26

    I cam over from Sarah's lovely blog....

    And have thus, found your lovely blog. Simply delightful... Thank you for being here...

    Tessa
    (Upper NE of the US)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 15 July 2015 at 19:58

      Thanks Tessa nice of you to come over to leave a comment - and welcome to my blog.

      Delete
  27. Diane at My Cottage Garden16 July 2015 at 12:09

    Elaine, everything is just beautiful. I have a question about your dahlias. Growing them for the first time and they habrnto he many Blooms yet. I fertilized them yesterday and hope that will help. Do you fertilize yours ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. elaine 16 July 2015 at 14:08

      I usually feed them with tomato fertiliser once a week but not until the flowers are showing otherwise you might find more lush leaves than flowers.

      Delete
  28. My Garden Diaries17 July 2015 at 05:10

    So beautiful Elaine! Your words coupled with your glorious blooms made me so happy tonight! It looks like the most amazing place to take it all in! I have been away from blogging for a bit as I needed to disconnect. So glad to be by for a visit my friend! Nicole xo

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  29. elaine 17 July 2015 at 07:33

    Thank you Nicole. You are always so generous with your comments. Hope you enjoyed your 'down' time it helps to take a break from time to time.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Debbie Nolan19 July 2015 at 19:13

    Dear Elaine - lazing on a summer afternoon looks great at your place. I am so glad I stopped to visit. Always leave quite refreshed. Take care and have a super day.

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    Replies
    1. elaine 19 July 2015 at 20:23

      Dear Debbie
      Thanks - I did enjoy my lazy afternoon after a hard week - we all need one occasionally don't we.

      Delete

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