Midsummer Mementos

It was chilly this morning, low 50s, having apparently hit 49 in the still-dark hours before I woke.

Not unpleasant chilly, just a little reminder that a month from now this will begin to be normal. Days like today with sunny skies feathered with wispy clouds and puffs of crisp wind will whisper, “Ready for autumn?”

But not yet. This midsummer morning is just a preview. And a reminder to soak up all that is vibrant about early August. The first sweetcorn harvested from our vegetable garden. So crisp, so sweet, so fresh.

A pausing butterfly, black and white wings opening and closing as if the fragile creature is inhaling, exhaling, inhaling. Resting beneath a blueberry bush.

The recently completed standing seam roof on the carriage barn, insurance against winters’ snowfalls and architectural parity with the ice house. At last.

A collection of sea glass and pottery fragments piled on the stone retaining wall by our boathouse. A gift from Lake Champlain.

The newest arrival in a parade of daylilies. A petite variety near the waterfront with centers as yellow as the sweetcorn, stretching decadently into the garnet petals.

This is the bittersweet romance of early August. As midsummer’s bounty reaches its extravagant apex, we glimpse brief hints of autumn flitting in the distance like a mirage.

I remember to take advantage of the present. Before it is gone.

More Midsummer Mementos

Here are a few additional midsummer mementos. I first typed, “Here are a few final midsummer mementos.” But I caught myself. Final? I suspect not… 😉

The newest addition to the 2013 Rosslyn daylily extravaganza.

I saw this tuxedo’ed butterfly resting beneath a blueberry bush.

The new standing seam roof on Rosslyn’s Carriage Barn is done at last. Hurray!