A bit of summer fun....

Dust on the furniture
Dirt on the floor
Clothes in the hamper
Need I say more?

Don't know why this verse popped into my head. Well, not all at once. I was making the bed and noticed a layer of dust on the dresser.
Aww - who wants to vacuum and dust in when the flowers are calling out to be watered; warm summer breezes are dancing in the leaves, whispering to come and play.

The last thing I want to do is be cooped up in the house. Passed the clothes hamper on my way outside to weed in the garden.
Geeze - can't clothes learn to wash and dry themselves?

Then the rest of this silly poem popped into my head and I thought I'd share it with you.
If anybody can add a verse or a line or two - please, be my guest!
Who knows what happens when we plant a seed together......

Everything is as it should be

Everything is as it should be.
Grrrrr..Grrr...Stomp...Stomp...
Everything is as it should be..
Grrr....Grrr....Stomp...Stomp.

Walking along the street, while glorious sunshine washes over me. Breathing in clean, sweet fresh air.
Birds sing as they fly overhead, busy with their busy-ness.
People working in their gardens, stop and wave (I live in a small town and everybody waves to everybody else).


Ahhhhhh- summer. Real summer. I've been waiting all winter for this.
June 20 - Summer Solstice was rainy.
Saturday, June 21 - was beautiful and sunny and not too hot. The absolutely perfect day.

So, why was I grumpy? Because I wanted to drive to Ottawa and visit my son, his wife and their 6 month old son (littlest grandchild). I had planned this visit and was looking forward to it.

But - Hubby is not feeling well. He asked me to stay home. So I am. Grumbling as I walk.
Chanting "everything is as it should be".

Thinking to myself: why are you spoiling a perfectly good day? Just because you can't make that visit? Don't you think Hubby is suffering more? Of course he is - not only is he sick, but he is feeling his neediness in having to ask me to stay with him. Selfish pig - thinking only of your own fun. O.K. - stop that right now!

"Who are you talking to?" A neighbour looks up from her weeding.
"Oh, hi Anna!" I avoid her question.

We take some time to chitchat. She tells me her son was recently diagnosed with Crohn's. I tell her my niece was diagnosed last year with Crohn's. She tells me she thinks her husband is seeing someone else. Good heavens - she's never said anything so personal to me. She must be really upset. A few more minutes of chitchat and I'm on my way.

Hmmm - I guess everyone has stuff to deal with. At least I don't have a cheating husband.

Continue on my walk. Saw a pileated woodpecker! They like to hide out in the woods; rarely do they come to people's yards.

A little girl wearing a bicycle helmet comes out of her driveway and hands me a bunch of buttercups.
"Why thank you, Kelly - aren't these for your Mom?"
"She's in the bathroom."
Tried not to laugh. I guess Mom was in the bathroom at the wrong time. Kelly couldn't wait that long to give her buttercups away.

Put some steak on the BBQ for supper. Hubby could barely eat any, but I made myself enjoy mine. Even had a little glass of wine.

At dusk, I went for a bike ride - properly dressed this time - no flip-flops.
Rounded a curve, passed a small wooded area and heard..................
an owl!!!
Wow! Strained and strained to see it, but of course the foliage was too dense.
Never mind. I really had a wonderful day after all.
I guess my visit wasn't meant to be. I can go another time.

Everything is as it should be.

Smells of Summer

Pheeeeeew! Eau-de-skunk!
I stepped outside for an evening stroll.
Yuk! I hope this skunk is a few streets over - not right under my back-deck or hiding in the culvert under the driveway just waiting to ambush me.

Yesterday was a scorcher. 86 degrees and tropical. That means hot, humid and heavy air. Definitely not good for Hubby.
So he stays inside - where it's cool.

My eyes swept the driveway as I made my way to the street. No skunks - good. Walking around the neighbourhood, I soaked up the warm evening air - inhaling the smells of summer; lilac blossoms, lily of the valley, and other fragrant flowers I couldn't identify. A smokey smell - was someone making a fire? Not allowed in our community.

Strange how the world works: just under 2 months ago, we were still buried in snow. Back then I was longing to see grassy lawns instead of all that cold white stuff.
Now the trees are full, leafy and shady; spring flowers brighten up front lawns and gardens. And it's hot, hot, hot.

Here in this part of the world we often skip spring and jump right into summer.
A crescent moon follows me as I walk.
A firefly winks at me through the neighbours trees. Firefly? It really must be summer, even though we're still two weeks away.

I madly look about for more fireflies. None.
I guess it really is too early. This one must have been a scout - sent forth to see if the time is really right for the rest of the firefly clan to come out of hiding.

Movement catches my eye and I look up to see a bat fly overhead. Yes, we have bats here. They're gentle creatures and just fly around in the dark. They don't bother anybody and fly high enough, out of reach.

Back home again. Did not meet Mr. or Mrs. Skunk - thank goodness, nor any raccoons or rabbits this time.
But I did enjoy my quiet evening walk.