Dream days in the desert are upon us.
From one day to the next, we went from unbearable heat to delicious cool air.
Funny how that can happen in the desert.
Snap.
Just like that.
Curious bizarre little place.
Where cactus and flower meet up.
And rain droplets change the mood.
Boy do they ever.
It's been pure fairy tale feelings around here the last couple of days.
Water droplets bounce on leaf edges…
As dark and light converge.
The mountains become misty…
As tiny streams trickle through my garden path.
I follow them barefooted of course.
Bark turns dark on fruit trees.
Quince look almost ready for jam.
How odd a thing indeed, for summer to shift just like that.
You suffer and suffer for days and months, and then poof.
The season shifts.
A few nights ago, when it was still hot and sweltering, a storm blew in.
I ran around my garden path over and over and over.
Cooling my exhausted summer feet as lightning guided my way.
It was glorious, like being in a dream state.
Monsoon rains are an afternoon and evening thing.
But the last couple days it's morning rain that lasts all day.
Hmm, curiouser and curiouser.
It's like…
Turning the page, the chapter becomes more exciting.
Greener.
Deeper into the fairy tale forest.
It's on these days I stroll through my garden path.
Dreaming up a storm of ideas.
Mesquite beans fall on my head, lining the path.
Tree limbs droop down to the ground.
Summer meets early Autumn.
I pretend I will meet up with the witch from Hansel and Gretel, or perhaps Little Red herself, right on my very garden path.
The landscape turns ever so green.
Our property gets quite overgrown.
Gourds twist and creep.
I follow the path round and round.
Watching trees sigh a huge sigh of relief.
The scraggly summer garden starts to look very very green again.
Pumpkin vines continue their climb.
Where they'll end up…
We'll know in time.
The beautiful days are upon us.
The weather tells tales doesn't it?
Sets the mood.
Plays the tune.
Piano keys slowly repeating an a flat, then c, then e flat.
I compose little song after song on these glorious days.
How can you not?
Droplets and paths and quince and clouds and dreams and moody weather.
Autumn teasing its way in.
Summer is a tiring time for me, wonderful but tiring..
Working out in the unbearable heat for months, keeping the garden alive.
Waking so early everyday.
Rain gives me a big break.
I take deep breaths that lead me into bliss sighs on these cooler days.
I come back to life.
Just like the roses and leaves of my garden.
Dogs play again, chasing each other madly.
It's good.
It's lovely.
It's time.
Time for a change, I feel it.
I like it.
A lot.
Do you?
Love, V
Oh yes! We’ve been hot, hot, hot here too. This morning it was so wonderfully cool, I planted collards in my little patio garden. I keep hoping for rain, but so far not much. Hopefully soon! I’m so ready for autumn. The farmers market had tons of pumpkins yesterday. I kept thinking “but it’s too early”. But I’ll probably go back next week and get at least one…okay maybe two, but three is my limit! 🙂
love & blessings
~*~
ps…hugs to Matty and Miles!
Oh my goodness it is the best!!! It sort of feels like the kind of rain we get in the winter, an all day sort of rain. It makes me so happy! love seeing all your gorgeous rain/garden photos, they calm the chaos of my life that is the process of moving right now. Thanks Miss V!
It’s still hot on the Gulf Coast. 95 degrees yesterday, but I still have flowers. I grew up on the Gulf Coast and spent three years in Costa Rica where it’s warm year round. We have a relatively nice autumn but it comes late. Like in November. I like the heat, it’s all I’ve ever know since I was born here. I dread the cold. We don’t have a severe cold, but what we do have is bone chilling damp cold. I like walking around in a tank top and shorts. I love your garden and obvious delight in it. You have done an amazing job. I always enjoy your post very much.
This cooler weather feels like a dream. Such a glorious change. Awe, love your collards, how fun. Oh you remind me, I should get to a farmer’s market. Hugs back from my boys xoxo
Alia, you’re moving? Where are you going? It is exactly like winter rain isn’t it? <3 <3
Jude, yes I agree, it’s easy to get spoiled in warm climated. I too hate the cold. We probably won’t fully shift until November as well. Right now the garden thinks it’s spring. This happens year to year & fascinates me. It’s a gift after debilitating heat. Our winter is mild but does drop to freezing a few times & we get snow once or twice that lasts a couple days. Just enough winter for me. Thank you for being kindred! <3 <3
I do feel the change! It’s subtle but it’s there. On the wonderful evening breezes that make you wear an extra layer, on the slight golden color that few by few the leaves of the huge plane trees by the beaches start to have, and the fewer people strolling around and sitting at the cafes by the sea. It’s all lovely here, summer but with a small but growing dose of autumn.
I ‘ve always adored big gardens like yours where you can have little paths surrounded by beautiful plants and get a little lost in whimsy 🙂
When the rain finds it’s way to Western Greece I will welcome it with open arms! And so will the plane and olive trees so abundant in our neck of the woods.
Many (still) sunny kisses and wishes my dear!
Dearest Vanessa, as I read this post, it conjures up a slurry of emotions from within. Summer is such an exhausting time for me as well. Waking up before sunrise everyday to keep the garden alive. Then, still working as the sun comes up. The hot hot sun. Even in the early hours it’s hot. Our drought has been so draining on me emotionally. Seeing everyone’s beautiful green gardens. It’s so disheartening. It saddens me deeply how our earth is changing for the worst. Not the CA I remember growing up. I’m curious. Whereabouts in CA did you live growing up?
Your photos are always beautiful and you have written beautiful words along with them. My youngest is injured and sad so I read this post to her and it was like reading a gorgeous picture book. She’s smiling again. Thank you for your beauty and heart and soul. xo Jen
Magic!
I know what you mean. I get up before 5 AM every day to prepare for my job, eat breakfast, and then get a 3 mile walk in before my work day starts. Even then, it’s hot and humid. It’s the price we Floridians pay for a glorious winter season. That said, I can’t wait for the fall season to arrive. We don’t have changing of the leaves like other Northern places. That is the only thing I really miss about it. I might have to take a road trip to Salem one day.
Looking beautiful, lush and GREEN Vanessa! I just love your magical gardens awakening and ready for Fall festivities!!! Its a bit slower here but I see the signs! Be well and enjoy your hikes for me!!! <3
You transported me to my inner fairy tale with your words and images. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
You deserve to have some rain after all those months of heat. Your path looks so inviting, into the fairy land of greenery.
Ah! The Misty Mountains! It sounds like a hobbit tale at best!
We were cooler here this week too, but no rain yet.
lots of love and hugs always!
Miss Teresa
When we lived in Arizona, I loved watching the monsoon roll across the desert toward our home. “Raindrops on roses….” now I have that song in my head and I can’t get it out! Lovely photos, Vanessa!
Why does your rain look prettier than ours? It is cloudy now. It might storm and it might not 🙂
How very refreshing, this end of summer rainstorm!! : ) Wishing you a splendid late summer there in your garden realm!!: )
Your garden photos are just a delight. Raindrops do make a garden look magical and clean.
Oh Yes I do! You express it so lovely for those of Us that don’t have Your gorgeous talent for poetry and prose. I’m always saying to Myself as I read Your post, “Yes Yes I agree, I know exactly what You mean, I feel the same,”but yet I am now 63 still My heart soars with Your post. Thank You for remaining My friend these 6 Years.I would love You to visit with Me on My blog,even though I can’t express the beauty of God’s gifts as You do with each post ,even if You don’t realize,I know God knows and You make Him so happy-ox Denise
I’ve felt like I’ve been missing something, these last few months, and realized I had stopped popping around to the blogs I love to read. I’m not sure when it happened, but I knew that I missed you and your words and your pictures… They’re a balm to me when I’m stressed or sad and another reason to be happy when I’m happy. ^_^
I hope all is well in your lovely Arizona, and I hope your Mister and pups are all doing well too. I’m glad the rain has eased your work load a bit! You’re one of the busiest ladies I know. ^___^
Lots of love & see you soon,
Xoxo