The little songs of summer are all gone today.
The little insect instruments are all packed away:
The bumblebee's snare drum, the grasshopper's guitar,
The katydid's banjo, the cricket's violin,
The dragonfly's cello have ceased their merry din.
Oh, where is the orchestra? From harpist down to drummer
They've all disappeared with the passing of the summer.
~ by Rowena Bennett
Labor Day is the first Monday in September this year, and traditionally
marks the end of the summer in the United States — but summer’s
end doesn’t really arrive until the equinox on the 22nd. So begins the
cycle of school buses rolling in and the long, hot summer days slowly
rolling out. The sun will shine softer, the brilliant colors will begin
to fade to sleepy orange and yellow and red, and the growl of the mower
will be replaced by the rhythmic combing of the rake. Personally I
will not be sad to see this summer go. I will happily send it off with
a fare-thee-well!
Like many parts of the country, Ohio was gripped
by merciless heat and tropical humidity for much of the summer
months. July 4th, a day usually marked by celebration of parades,
and picnics and family fun was instead the distinct hum of air
conditioners taking over the otherwise quiet streets. The laughter
of neighborhood children primarily only accompanied the sound
of water splashing in nearby backyard pools. Those without that
luxury stayed indoors as any other use of water to cool off with
was saved for the crisp brown grass just before sundown. No…I
won’t be sorry to see it go.
I’ve never really enjoyed summer anyway.
I’m a Northern girl at heart, preferring an oversized sweater to tank
tops, fuzzy slippers to flip flops and a crackling fire to an overworked
fan. I try to enjoy summer evenings with the serenade of cicadas and
the magically twinkle of the fireflies. The front porch with the swaying
porch swing is a favorite spot during a warm summer night, lounging
sleepily while hoping for the gift of a breeze. But of course that is
short lived as the mosquitoes always prefer my company to that of
others anyway.
I didn’t camp this year, or attend festivals or outdoor
concerts. I didn’t ride my bike or even have a backyard party. But not
all was lost. I do admit that I did spend a productive summer at home
and even though my house doesn’t have central air, thanks to a window
unit I was able to create many new pieces in the coolness of my closed
up art space while the waves of heat rolled back and forth outside my
window. Seldom did I step out unless it was to rush off to work and
return home again. Did I mention I don’t have a/c in my car? Now
I did do several outdoor shows this summer which honestly for me
were brutal and for every one of them I tried relentlessly to invent
ways to stay cool while spending those long hot hours in the dripping
and exhausting air.
So summer days, I happily bid you adieu. I
welcome with open arms of coming of autumn, I welcome back
my energy and spirit, the longer nights and the great big moon!
marks the end of the summer in the United States — but summer’s
end doesn’t really arrive until the equinox on the 22nd. So begins the
cycle of school buses rolling in and the long, hot summer days slowly
rolling out. The sun will shine softer, the brilliant colors will begin
to fade to sleepy orange and yellow and red, and the growl of the mower
will be replaced by the rhythmic combing of the rake. Personally I
will not be sad to see this summer go. I will happily send it off with
a fare-thee-well!
Like many parts of the country, Ohio was gripped
by merciless heat and tropical humidity for much of the summer
months. July 4th, a day usually marked by celebration of parades,
and picnics and family fun was instead the distinct hum of air
conditioners taking over the otherwise quiet streets. The laughter
of neighborhood children primarily only accompanied the sound
of water splashing in nearby backyard pools. Those without that
luxury stayed indoors as any other use of water to cool off with
was saved for the crisp brown grass just before sundown. No…I
won’t be sorry to see it go.
I’ve never really enjoyed summer anyway.
I’m a Northern girl at heart, preferring an oversized sweater to tank
tops, fuzzy slippers to flip flops and a crackling fire to an overworked
fan. I try to enjoy summer evenings with the serenade of cicadas and
the magically twinkle of the fireflies. The front porch with the swaying
porch swing is a favorite spot during a warm summer night, lounging
sleepily while hoping for the gift of a breeze. But of course that is
short lived as the mosquitoes always prefer my company to that of
others anyway.
I didn’t camp this year, or attend festivals or outdoor
concerts. I didn’t ride my bike or even have a backyard party. But not
all was lost. I do admit that I did spend a productive summer at home
and even though my house doesn’t have central air, thanks to a window
unit I was able to create many new pieces in the coolness of my closed
up art space while the waves of heat rolled back and forth outside my
window. Seldom did I step out unless it was to rush off to work and
return home again. Did I mention I don’t have a/c in my car? Now
I did do several outdoor shows this summer which honestly for me
were brutal and for every one of them I tried relentlessly to invent
ways to stay cool while spending those long hot hours in the dripping
and exhausting air.
So summer days, I happily bid you adieu. I
welcome with open arms of coming of autumn, I welcome back
my energy and spirit, the longer nights and the great big moon!
************************************************************************
Here are some of the pieces I worked on while in summer hibernation:
Two Little Bluebirds
I keep them separate. If I receive a friend request from someone I suspect is trying to fan my page I send them a note letting them know how to find my fan page. I appreciate all of my fans, but I need to have my personal space as well.