« May 2021 | Main | July 2021 »
It feels like summer. Lo and behold...it is summer! There are a couple hot days happening and then maybe some storms and then a brief cool off. So far, although we've gotten into the 90's on occasion, this year doesn't feel as oppressively humid like last year. Well, at least not so far. I suppose there's time for that!
No thoughts today...just some images of the garden.
First off...let me just say...I had this idea that from the last new moon to the next, my blog posts would consist of "one photo, one thought". Clearly I suck at sticking to a plan. I've just got too much to share, and a mind filled with far too many thoughts (that being said, my writing is still a work in process, so don't expect anything profound).
The weather the past few days has been stunning. Humidity has dropped off, the sun is shining, the sky sporting sweet puffy clouds, the mornings are cool. At the same time, it's warm enough for the summer crops to keep doing their thing unencumbered by chilly temps.
On one of these days I took Avery for her walk earlier and went out later on my own with my trusty Lomo'Instant mini. I like this camera because I can carry it around easily and tuck the prints into my back pocket once I shoot a film off. So down to the river I went and the results are below.
Richmond is actually a lovely, moderately sized city. We have everything I could want, except for my family and maybe a grade A Asian market (what we have ranks, in my opinion, anywhere from B- to A-). Okay, so we don't have the Pacific ocean, but there's water and the James is a sweet river. I like the fact that DC is a short-ish drive away (everything is relative and I95 fickle), NYC a pleasant six hour ride on Amtrak, and numerous other destinations I've not even begun to explore. I feel fortunate I landed in my neighborhood, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is to be able to walk down to the river any time I please. I've seen the James rise and fall, in snow and in dry summer conditions, not to mention the banks decked out in autumn foliage as the sun angles to the south.
Life is full of trade offs. I never expected such a radical departure from all I knew, when I moved here seven years ago. While I can't say my heart has entirely mended or that I feel fully emotionally content, I'm still grateful to have this safe spot to keep working the kinks out.
out of which
in the morning...
we greet the day
check for bunnies
assess the weather
bring the garden inside
in the evening...
deer patrol
firefly viewing
thunderstorm watch
Monday morning, not too humid, coolish, birdsong, slight breeze
Milky, smokey, slightly sweet black tea
Candles and sage burning
Getting ready for the day...check in with neighbor, laundry, Zoom writing group
The rest of the day...warm temperatures, resting from overenthusiastic work in the yard on Sunday
Finessing the pieces from said writing group
We went to see the Sonya Clark exhibit, which was brilliant and fantastic. On our way out the security guard asked us if we knew what the building was originally. We said no and she said she'd take us outside and show us. We got out front and she told us to look up, at which point we saw a Masonic symbol. She told us how when she first went to work there she had to go in the basement, which was filled with a multitude of very small, mysterious rooms. After that, she said she didn't want to go down there any more! I love such interactions...hearing peoples' stories.
The oat seed I planted this spring, has yielded a nice crop of milky oats (picked before the grains get hard; when pressed they release a milk like liquid). There are now two jars of milky oat tincture, infusing on the counter. I look forward to the nerve calming and strengthening qualities of this herbal medicine.
Old Ebbitt's Grill in DC, on a warm, humid, June afternoon
Green Velvet seats
Tablecloths
A cocktail named "The Sicilian"
A crab cake sandwich
Tourists