Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Cool Places, Shady Spaces


Our weatherman predicts 100 degrees today, that's what, about 38 C. It's not reached 70 yet this morning. The shade and cool of the backyard beckoned me early. My juicy nectarines were enjoyed, and a few photos snapped, during the coolness of the morning.

When my shirt begins to cling to my back, when trickles run their courses through the jungle of my hair, when my lungs breathe heat both in and out, and when the sidewalk burns my little tootsies, these images will remind that relief comes in the morning.


Not uncommon to find one of us settled into one of these welcoming crannies of Mother Nature's fingers, with a book in hand, soon lowered, head tilted back, eyes scanning the lush maple's greenery for flicking squirrel tails, and perching songbirds.







Suppose there will tree swings in heaven?














See the little squirrel silhouetted up on the fence? Sammy spied him there, too. Imagine the moment right after I photographed the hound and the rodent. Sammy stiffened and bayed, the squirrel bounced up into the tree, Sammy dove for the massive tree trunk and let loose his warning to the little fellow, who chittered his mocking cheets down from the swaying, leafy branches. And thus the morning took on new energy including my reluctant, "Hush, Sammy, hush. Too early for all of this."






Rocking in the log rocker, eating breakfast, drinking jasmine tea, the simple scent of this lavender relaxes muscles, opens the senses to an infant day, and God offering ripe grace to get it righter.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Perfect for the hot hot day we have here today. I'm going to gaze at your photos and let the sight of them cool me off. Thank you for another refreshing post Cherie

Anonymous said...

I think there will be swings in heaven... they are too much fun!

Cherie said...

You're welcome, Annie. Hope you are all cooled off!

Desiree, we shall have fun in heaven, then, you and me. ;-)

deanna said...

A lovely space you've got there.

Cherie said...

Be it ever so humble..........no place like home.

Thanks, Deanna!

IndianaJones said...

so lush and full of life, a welcome respite for this city dweller with not so much as a plant on my tiny balcony!

Wandering Coyote said...

Beautiful lavendar! I love that stuff. Looks like you have such nice places to cool off. 38C is just plain wrong.

Cherie said...

How right you are, WC. And the weatherman predicted a little low - it got up to 39C. Spent a lot of time in the cool, green, shady.

Summer, ah, but I see you bring colorful refreshment into your world in different ways. It's nice that there are parks around, huh.

Thanks to you both for your comments!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe that it ever gets to be 100 there! Really? But I bet it's not as humid as it is here. Sam got back around noon (only 10 hours after he was supposed to arrive) and I'm sure the heat will have made him feel right at home.

Cherie said...

Yes, Patti, really. I actually drove by the bank and was surprised to see the 100 degree digital readout bold as you please, and that was before the hottest part of the day. Whew.

You are right about the humidity, though. When we get the slightest little bit we all moan and groan, wipe our brows and despair over, 'the HUMIDITY!' I've been to St. Louis in the summer - ugh! I thought I would suffocate and had to talk myself out of it, like I do with claustrophobia.

Why was Sam late? Glad he made it okay, whatever the reason.

It's cooler now, high 80's. Had a sputtering of thunder and lightening, which probably made Sam roll his eyes in pity.....

Thanks for stopping by, Patti!

Deadmanshonda said...

Beautiful photos! I love how you write about them....

And how did the girls like the movie?

Cherie said...

Oh, Leisel, Leisel, Leisel, they LOVED it! They told all their friends about you seeing it early - being PAID to see it early - and got so many "No fairs!!!" :-)

Cassie and Caroline say, "It's AWESOME! One of the better of them all. Better than the book."

They spent a fun time line-sitting, seeing the movie at 12:01 A.M., and boy, did I have a swell time having the phone ring in my ear at 3:00 A.M. with, "Mommy. It's over. You can come and get us now."

I have never felt that odd feeling before - you know, driving while still 75% asleep. Good thing there were hardly any cars on the road.

Thanks for asking. Glad you like the pics!

cecily said...

Mmmmm, those nectarines you mention have me drooling. It's beetroot and turnip weather here!!!

Did you know that Tasmania has staked a tourist claim on Lavender? It's called the "Lavender State" sometimes. I love it. (The lavender - don't really care about the state bit!)

tshsmom said...

That's how I start my days off from work. I'm used to rising early, so I get up while L and Z are still sleeping. It's just me, my coffee, the dog, and nature coming awake around me. Mornings like that help put the coming day into perspective.

We're having beautiful fall-like weather with highs of 65F. It's such a relief after the week of 90F we just had!

Anonymous said...

I hope I get to meet you in heaven, your heaven is wonderful place.

Cherie said...

Beetroot and turnips, eh, Cecily. I wouldn't have minded some of your cooler temperatures this past week, I'll tell you that.

No, I had no idea that Tasmania has a tourist claim on Lavender. How very interesting! The things one learns in the blogosphere. I'll think of you when I drink in the scent of my lavender - thanks for the information, and the comment.

tshs: Fall like weather sounds terrific right about now. 90's is no fun. Like you, the mornings do bring me perspective. Glad you are having relief.

Sandy, a wonderful place, yes. How grand it would be for you and me to hang out there together, with all our friends and family, learning about all the things for which we so earnestly seek answers in this life, all in the presence of God.

Patti said...

Cherie, Beautiful photos of your yard.
Thanks for visiting my blog.

Patti said...

I noticed you know another Patti
;-)

Cherie said...

Hi Patti - glad you like the photos. Thanks for stopping by - and yep, got another blog friend named Patti. Her son and my son are going to the same college. Pretty cool.

You are always welcome here!

Patti said...

thanks, Cherie ~