July 1, 2024

As we turn the page of the calendar to July, we get a sense that we are entering the lazy hazy days of the real summer.  Sadly, in New England, we can call that about two months.   Today dawned cool and refreshing after last night’s thunderstorm. Ah …. Summer.  What a beautiful time to be alive in New England.  Crank out the umbrella and lay out on the lounge cushions. Bring out a cool drink and a good read.  Gaze out at the beauty of nature all around.  Listen to the bee buzz and bird song.   It is safe to bring the tropical houseplants outside so place some in your favorite viewpoints.  They will be safe as long as they aren’t subjected to the torrential downpours that seem to arrive most unexpectedly like the one last night.  “Was it supposed to rain today?   Don’t remember seeing that on the forecast” we mutter as we duck for cover.

 It was a welcome summer rain though, so cool and refreshing after the humidity and heat.  And, a bonus day off from watering for the gardener.   In the vegetable garden, the snap peas have just about given up, but the cucumber vines have grown a foot overnight it seems. In the flower beds, the echinacea volunteers are ready to burst into bloom.  The hydrangeas are blooming in spectacular ways, and even ones that have not blossomed in years are overladen with colors of blue and white.  The rain has finally washed away the pollen revealing the vibrant green and glossy leaves of shrubs and trees.  The lushness of spring lives on, and we seem a long way from the long hot days of summer.  But we know that just a few days of roasting sun can turn the ground to hard pan as we hopelessly watch the grass shrivel and dry to shades of brown.  We are off to a good start so maybe this year will be different.  Only time will tell.