There is a magnificent simplicity to summer. Until the heat settles on you like a heavy wet blanket.
“Full many a glorious morning have I seen…” Shakespeare
“My delight and thy delight, walking like two angels white, in the gardens of the night.” – Robert Bridges
In the stores, I see shelves holding Halloween and Christmas finery. Making me feel as though I’ve stepped into a time warp of sorts.
“Sweets grown common lose their dear delight…” Shakespeare
I am being regaled with the whispery-winged dragonflies as the heat drones on.
But after a few minutes, I hurry inside to escape the heat.
“Everything that grows, holds in perfection but a little moment.” Shakespeare
“Tree at my window, window tree, my sash is lowered when night comes on. But let there never be a curtain drawn between you and me.” – Robert Frost
It is on these days that I love to stand and watch the little oceanic world inside my saltwater aquarium. It cools and soothes me to watch these fish swim lazily through the water and rocks.
“We are stardust, we are golden, and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.” (Woodstock) Joni Mitchell
Yes, come fall I think.
Photo of the dragonfly is awesome!
What a beautiful post and gorgeous photos! I absolutely love the dragonfly! Love the details of the flower in the third picture.
~ Tracy
Beautiful photos!!! And don’t rush fall, up my way at least, I can endure the heat better than the cold!
Kat
Your photos are always a treat and the dragonfly is amazing! I would love to put together something like you’ve done with the ships and lighthouses in my kitchen in Florida! Will you come over and help me decorate? HUGS! ♥
Stunning imagery! Bring on fall for sure. I prefer fall to any other season. I find it magical. Again, your photos are beautiful.
Hey sweetie…
Did I hear the word FALL????
Today is the second day of summer…we’ll have none of that now missy!Lol
Sent you a little somthing yesterday…and I mean little…
so keep your eyes pealed and keep cool girl.
Great summer shots and LOVE that porch of yours.
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings…
What beautiful pictures. The dragonfly is amazing. I don’t like the heat either. I am sure it’s alot hotter there.
But there is beauty from the summer months. Good thing for
A/C. Have a good week.
Your pictures are beautiful as usual. I love the dragonfly and the pretty foxglove.
I hope the heat lets up a bit for you. I am not enjoying our rainy, muggy weather, but I can wait for fall!!
xoxo
Jane
Beautiful photos, Brenda! I love your aquarium and how you decorated the top!
Beautiful pictures and quotes! Love the dragonfly pic!!
Keep cool!
Hot lazy days of summer nothing like it.
I wish ours would stay forever.
Love your pics today, gorgeous as usual.I expect nothing less from you!!!
Diane
LOVE the photos. They are stunning! Very neat post, thank you!
Nancy
Gorgeous images, Brenda… both in word an in photograph. Love the colors in your world.
I wish it were cooler here, too, but then, I like being inside in the air conditioning. It reminds me of library days in the cool, tall-ceilinged building of my youth when I felt I was inside a cool cave as the hot world passed by outside.
I’m sitting in my kichen window(s) watching as the world passes by today, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. I set up on my kitchen counter so I can watch several streets at once (we’re a very pedestrian city, and even in the heat, people walk). I can hear the fountain, and I can see the rain trees blowing in the breeze along with the pink tips of oleander blossoms. And I’m wondering if the people at the B&B nearby can see me in here seeing all of this???
XO,
Sheila
Oh yes, the Texas summer heat. . . only 92 more days until AUTUMN!
Lovely, lovely photo of the dragonfly. . . .
Stay cool! Stay inside! Thank God for air-conditioning!
I give you alot of credit for maintaining a salt water aquarium. I have always loved them, and I have kept many tropical and goldfish tanks…
When I started my first saltwater, it was such a pain in the behind “acclimating” the tank that I gave it up after a red tide, a swarm of unwanted anemone(not the good kind) and five cleaner crab deaths almost instantaneiously. Salt up, salt down, I gave up!!!
What bright bright colors, Brenda. The photo of that cute dragonfly is great.
O.K. a little less HOT is perfectly fine with me, Hooray for Summer!! xx
Your home an surroundings are so inviting. You have a great eye for capturing nature with your camera.
I didn’t know you had an aquarium! How cool! It must be so relaxing just watching the fish. Those colorful lighthouses are so cute!
I tried to sit outside early this morning and made it for about 15 minutes before I started sweating and had to go in (even with a ceiling fan on)! It’s too hot too early in the season!
Manuela
Absolutely stunning photos! Who knew that a foxglove was so fuzzy? And that is THE BEST shot of a dragonfly that I’ve ever seen. I’m definitely feeling like I’m wrapped in a heavy dripping wet blanket today, but these pictures are very cool!
Gorgeous photos, Brenda! I enjoyed them all.
We are at the lake with a couple of g’kids, enjoying simple summer days.
I know I’m one of those strange people that love the heat. As I’m typing this I’m seating in my office with a small heater going. The temp reads 78.1 and I’m just starting to feel good!
Love the pictures!
I love the dragonfly photo. I am using time on my computer to put off going outside to hang a load of clothes. Thermometer show 96 degrees. Actually, not too bad for the middle of the afternoon. It is also a little overcast. Maybe if I hang out the clothes, it will rain!
Blessings,
Lorilee
Wow! i love the dragon fly! We hardly ever see them in England.
Your display on top of the aquarium is simply delightful!!
Hi Brenda, your photos are just beautiful…Kathy
you’re so right about the heat! great shots
I love those blue dragonflies! You got a great close up of him.
I don’t know how you captured the photo of that butterfly, but wow! Just beautiful. So is the aquarium and all your lovely shells.
xo
Claudia
Beautiful photos! How do you get a picture of a dragonfly like that??? That is just wonderful! I am with you…..wishing for fall……
It sounds like your summers are very much like ours in Queensland – hot and humid. But I love summer, and wish it would hurry back, as I sit here on a chilly, grey winters’ day. Lovely pics as always Brenda, just gorgeous. K xx
Oh, the humidity that drenches us all this time of the year. Some days it’s almost unbearable even for the pups.
Di
Great bug shot!
Love the dragonfly photo. It’s hot here too so I spent most of the day inside painting.
Hugs,
Donna
What wonderful images Brenda. I love your old Singer sewing machine stand. It makes a wonderful little table. Great idea!
Came by to wish you congrats for being featured in Romantic Homes…way to go!
Love your sewing machine stand/island…love it! And the dragonfly photo is incredible. We get these flame red dragonflys…very cool.
Brenda, such stunning photos as usual. Love the dragonfly close up. I love your aquarium. I did not know you had one. That is really big an nice. We had a smaller one many years ago and I got tired of being the one to keep it clean. The saltwater one probably stays clean.
Your images always amaze me sweet one!!! thank you so so much for all the beauty you share. xoxox
Brenda, you may be sneaking out in the heat to take those pictures but they sure are beautiful! It is just now really feeling like summer here. I’m enjoying it…in the mornings.
Our beach pictures were Galveston. We hadn’t been there in 25 years and had a great time.
Beautiful pictures! Our heat is not like a wet blanket, more like living in a dryer. Mimi
Brenda, beautiful beautiful pictures!
I am actually becoming acclimated to the muggy Savannah weather after three days of being here. Was out tonight on a walking tour and with the breeze it was very nice! Hope you are managing to stay cool!
xx Suzanne
It feels like summer has only just started here, with reliable warmer temps. Don’t even make me think of Fall yet, I haven’t even got used to the warmth and have to have my first ‘skirt wearing’ day.
Lovely pics of your garden as ever.
Stunning photos! The dragonfly is really awesome…thanks so much for sharing.
Stay cool and have a blessed week ~
Pat
Holy cow, these photos are astounding!!!!
simply and utterly gorgeous…
great photos…great quotes…
well put together…
i really love coming here!
ciao bella
liked the porch party photos too!
creative carmelina
Hi dear Brenda! Summer is finally arrived also in Italy! Yes is hot and humid, but summer has also that taste of freedom that I love!!!
The dragonfly picture is amazing..how did you do it??
Hugs!
Mara
the pictures of your flowers are totally gorgeous!!! i love the dragonfly too…did you know that if you stick one finger up in the air, a dragonfly will land on it…i do that all the time when i am floating around the pool on my raft…they are very curious and will stay on your finger for a while…it’s really cute!!!
Your photos are so amazing!!! LOVE the dragon fly!
Thank you for stopping by.
Debbie@houseatthelake
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous photos as always my friend.
Oh my…I am so not ready to see Halloween in the stores. Please, someone put on the brakes!
Gorgeous flowers and love the quotes! Hope you are having a wonderful week.
My goodness these photo shots are really beautiful. I can see how you are spending your hot summer days.
Oh and your right when I read your comment about the mosquitos I cracked up …..yep just bite me!!!!
Hahaha
Maggie
Brenda,
Thank your for linking my daughter Heather’s story on your sidebar. I appreciate your help and kindness.
Hugs, Cathy
Brenda I love your house and your garden! Beautiful pictures!
hugs
Hi Brenda, your pictures are awesome. Awesome! I love, love the shells. The entire post makes me smile. Thanks for sharing with us.
Barb ♥
We have yet to have a hot spell. Kind of humid yesterday, we have only had a few days like that.
Do you have a humid or a dry heat?
Jen