BS: What summer means to me

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 12:21 PM

This Summer? Some rain... followed by days too hot to work in the yard between 9AM and 8PM... which is just fine with the vines and other weeds that are trying to cover my house, my bushes and my driveway.

39 years here, and I have never seen so many vines grow so fast.... and in early Spring, I did chop everything back.
Reminds me of a little poem...

THE BIG NASTURTIUMS
—Robert Beverly Hale

All of a sudden the big nasturtiums
Rose in the night from the ocean's bed,
Rested a while in the light of the morning,
Turning the sand dunes tiger red.

They covered the statue of Abraham Lincoln,
They climbed to the top of our church's spire.
"Grandpa! Grandpa! Come to the window!
Come to the window! Our world's on fire!"

Big nasturtiums in the High Sierras,
Big nasturtiums in the lands below;
Our trains are late and our planes have fallen,
And out in the ocean the whistles blow.

Over the fields and over the forests,
Over the living and over the dead—
"I never expected the big nasturtiums
To come in my lifetime!" Grandpa said.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 11:32 AM

Last line superfluous. I bet Shakespeare didn't leave stuff hanging like that...

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 11:27 AM

Summer used to mean a week in Spain, a week in Italy and the rest of the time here in Cornwall avoiding crowds. These days it's just the latter.

Things that happen in summer:

The horseflies bite me to death (I'm lucky in that the itch wears off me in half an hour)

The sun blazes down, I dust off the barbecue and the clouds roll in

I can sit on my bench at the front of the house, wasting time on my iPad and turning brown, weather permitting (that's what I'm doing right now)

I can sit among all the masses of flowers I've planted, as I do every year, watch the butterflies, listen to the bees and enjoy the scents (I can't hear birdsong as well as I used to, but there's a chiffchaff out there right now calling out its own name)

I fret (needlessly) about the garden jobs that routinely overtake me (most things work out in the end)

I know that I have a four-foot grass snake in my compost heap (I've seen her) which has laid a healthy crop of white, leathery eggs. If I'm lucky I'll be able, as I was last year, to watch them hatch out into fiercely-independent little wriggly pencils. I've lent that part of the heap to the snakes for now but I want it back in September

Of course, the mundane and undesirable stuff still has to be done, but let's not dwell, for "summer’s lease hath all too short a date." I wish that bloody wood pigeon would shut up.


For "summer’s lease hath all too short a date."

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 11 Jul 21 - 09:30 AM

I know it's summer because the rain is warm.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Jul 21 - 07:58 PM

Yes, last summer was memorable for a lot of reasons,
some of them cringeworthy or worse.


Is this summer a better summer this year than last year?

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Jun 20 - 08:55 AM

On summer mornings the turtles line up Mambo style on a length of a log with their faces all pointed at the sunrise.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Jun 20 - 03:16 PM

This summer is decidedly different. I am one of those people who chooses to opt out of the current equation: I've been in lockdown since March 11, except for brief moments of time. Like taking a bag of trash to the chute right around the corner of my 2nd floor apartment. Since I'm wearing very few clothes I have done laundry only once since mid-April and am still well supplied

Until I lost my little dog in April I went outside with him for a a two block walk three or four times a day. Now, I don't go at all, although I am doing exercises once a day.

When lovely KT brings my curbside-pickup groceries once or twice a month I step outside for perhaps three minutes. My notion is that I am keeping myself out of any known scenario; if I end up getting the virus, people will have to rethink how it is transmitted. Because I do have all my windows open day and night.

Anyone else doing it my way?

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Charmion
Date: 25 Jun 20 - 11:16 AM

In a word, keberoxu, yes.

We don't own a swimming pool.

Perth County, Ontario, has a remarkably low incidence of COVID-19, but even here swimming in a public pool or at a lakeshore beach would be just daft.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 23 Jun 20 - 09:19 PM

Do people feel differently about swimming in summer this year,
what with
a virus that is both airborne and droplet-transmitted?

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Jun 20 - 11:31 AM

Time to refresh,
having passed the summer solstice this year.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 26 Jun 17 - 02:35 PM

A fan or refrigerated-air-conditioning running every night,
and higher electric bills.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Senoufou
Date: 25 Jun 17 - 04:24 PM

Unfortunately, summer also means a plethora of strange insects and other creatures finding their way into our house.

Two nights ago we were awakened at 2am by a humming and buzzing, to find our bedroom contained eleven crane flies, a cockchafer, two huge bluebottle flies, several fluttery moths and an enormous black spider.

I hastily fled to the kitchen while husband dealt with the lot by coaxing them back out through the window. But in the summer heat, and with windows wide open, like the Terminator, no doubt they'll be back!

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: JMB
Date: 25 Jun 17 - 03:56 PM

What summer means to me: The Highland Games, bonfires on the beach and BBQs.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Jun 17 - 01:27 PM

The schoolkids just finished taking their Advanced Placement tests, I guess that is like the English O-levels.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Jun 17 - 09:49 PM

Darned if we didn't have a cloudburst today, just like the one in the previous post.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 03:15 PM

Different than spring: the fast and furious cloudburst. We just had one in the past three hours.

Look out the window right this instant, and there is a clear dry blue sky with a few little puffy cloudlets, and a pleasant breeze nudging the trees around.

But about two hours ago, the stormclouds moved in, dark grey, the wind picked up, and for maybe fifteen minutes it poured rain, anybody who was caught outdoors in it would have gotten soaking wet. You would never know this by looking outside now.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Acorn4
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 04:24 AM

Why I Don't Like Summer

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Jun 16 - 03:16 PM

Have just re-read Mrs Duck's post above. My goodness, that brings back memories of when I was teaching. The end of term was always frantic. The first couple of days of the holidays I'd be shattered.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Jun 16 - 03:09 PM

It means I want to hide away all the shoes and boots that keep me warm and dry the rest of the year, even the rainboots -- I feel hot just looking at them.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 03:10 PM

Royal Norfolk Show, Sheringham Potty Festival and all the little village fetes round about here.
Watching water birds and the pair of red kites soaring overhead in the evening.
Seeing our three Siamese becoming three feet long stretched out on the lawn.
Having our ears split by the little wren's song (such a huge voice from a tiny body!)
Trying to find medication to help my poor husband as he gets hay fever every year and he really suffers. Nothing seems to work.
Visiting Open Gardens (and wishing ours was like them!)
Great linefuls of washing blowing in the warm breeze. (I wash everything I can lay my hands on in the summer)
Watching Morris dancing outside pretty country pubs around the Norfolk Broads.
Fish and chips at Cromer.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Jun 16 - 02:17 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 05:30 AM

Hayfever and kids that refuse to go to bed! Overhot classrooms with kids who have had enough and just want to get outside. Piles of paperwork to do once they do go home ready for sending on to next teacher. Suddenly those five weeks in August seem like a well earned rest!

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 02:27 AM

Getting double the duvet as Manitas throws it off and over onto me.

Watching tits bounce around the garden.

Watching various cats prowling round the garden after my tits.

Watching various cats take dust baths turning black cats into lighter ones... in the park, all cats are grey.

Going to work in the light, sunny morning and sitting in the sunshine at my desk. It only works for about 3 weeks a year, and then only for an hour or so. I sit in the inner corner of the north-east spur of a cross shaped building and my window faces east. The sun is blocked by the East spur which sticks out and obscures my window.

Getting confused by the light, into thinking it's earlier than it is and missing evening appointments.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 06:14 PM

Mostly cool, early mornings, sometimes with just the scent of rain in the high country wafting down the slopes to the valley, teasing us with false promises.

High, dry, hot sunshine, gallant pansies, geraniums, and others proudly standing up to it, relishing in the energy, but sometimes looking a bit bedraggled from the high heat.

Busy, busy birds, esp. when we fill their bath with fresh water. They run sortees, just skimming over the tops of our heads, scolding us to hurry to fill it, then move away so they can feel safe in getting a drink or taking a dip.

Fresh fruit and veggie stands opening early (I always forget it is a long growing season here) with luscious peaches, apricots, cherries, tomatoes, etc.

Brilliant sunsets, long, hot evenings, the hum of the swamp cooler all day and night, thrown off covers on the bed, the cool blessing of a tepid shower at the end of the day.

Did I mention hot and dry?**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 05:38 PM

I'll send ya some rain.
Yup, fire storms are the worst.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 04:37 PM

Forgot the fights, domestics, loose dog/dog fighting calls and fireworks. Folks tend not to behave very well when it's over 100 F. Get cranky. Me? Hell no, not ME! (lol)

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 04:31 PM

Please, what is 'rain'? Or 'canned dog food'? Otherwise, I'm with Rap on this one. Wait to see how bad the fires are, how close they come to town, pay the outrageous water bill, try to keep the house below 95 F....but, hey, there ain't no snow to shovel!

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Ythanside
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 03:55 PM

Two warm days in June and a slightly warmer weekend in July. Roll on global warming!

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 03:50 PM

Pretty moderate climate here year round..but in summer my car heater works...mg

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 03:47 PM

I'm with SINS.... summer is the time for work... to make ready for the winter, so one can enjoy the fall unfettered.

Oh, and, like kendall, time to watch the birds. The Hummers especially.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: HouseCat
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 12:03 PM

FESTIVALS! Getting to catch up with all my musical friends from both sides the pond.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: MMario
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 11:57 AM

TIME TRAVEL! weekends in 1585; visits with Her Most Gracious Majesty Elizabeth (Bess is good people!) and evenings around the campfire with friends.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: KB in Iowa
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 11:53 AM

After a torrential downpour the sudden appearance of a brilliant double rainbow, the lower glowing madly with color and both stretching unbroken from horizon to horizon. That is what happened in my backyard last night. Quite a number of folks were out looking and taking pictures.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: skipy
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 11:25 AM

An increase of activity on my graph!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Becca72
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 10:31 AM

Amen to that, Midchuck

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Midchuck
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 10:25 AM

In summer I wish I'd been a school teacher. The rest of the year I'm glad I wasn't.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 09:13 AM

Hey, Ebbie. I've been in Juneau when it was 90 F.!

To me: hot, dry days; wildfires; birds; cutting grass; higher water usage; worrying that we won't be going over budget at work; flowers; birds; golf balls mysteriously appearing in the back yard.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 09:08 AM

Countless species of birds all singing at once. The odor of new mown grass, and riding around in our antique car.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 10:16 PM

Beautifully written, Donuel. I'll be back with a contribution.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 09:29 PM

What we have in Juneau this time of year is what people 'down south' call spring. Temperatures in the upper 50s/lower 60s, bright flowers erupting everywhere, scented air wherever you walk, luxuriating in the smell of freshly turned earth- lovely.

I'm not sure what summer is, here.

Subject: RE: BS: What summer means to me
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 08:21 PM

Hot sticky days of torment while I anxiously await the first freeze.

Subject: BS: What summer means
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 10:17 AM

Summer is in the eye of the beholder
For me the dog food comes out of the can with ease, and the mornings offer fewer pains. The girls are wearing cut off jeans and swim suits and the garden jumps up after every rain. The sounds of kids playing Marco Polo and the cicadas scream. Delicious new drinks and warm ice cream. These are a few of the things that summer brings after the preview of Spring. Now the clouds grow more interesting and nights glow lavender and purple. Every breeze now blows to please. The smell of fishy ocean water and crash of waves and short sweet nights and long drawn days. Fawn come up to their mother's knee and the beaver blocks the stream. Picnic barbecue smoke, volleyballs, frisbees, music and happy shouts fill the air everywhere. The hornets guard the trash cans and the garbage stinks more. Trips are all of a sudden in a car as hot as the Earth's core. The storms are sudden and savage and the mornings are softer than down. Summer is king of the seasons yet always passes its crown. Every summer means something new and reminds me of every summer gone by. But right now I'll watch this cloud and lounge away from the crowd.
Summer arrives in a couple hours but feels like its always been here.