IN THE GARDEN, AFTER THE RAIN

For after all the best thing one can do when 
it is raining, is to let it rain.
 - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

But once it stops pull on your boots, grab your camera, and head out to the garden. Because this is what you might find . . .

 I hope you all have a moment today to spend time in a garden.

STUDY IN FALL: LINGERING ROSES

During early Autumn, a walk through my garden usually finds rose
hips and bare branches preparing for winter's assault.
But this year things are different.


Two September hurricanes brought inches of warm rain and days
of stifling humidity, leaving the grass greener than it had been in
weeks,

and my summer roses in both bud and bloom.
Instead of finding faded leaves and dried thorns, I filled a vase
and enjoyed the gift of color and grace,

along with the reminder that this warm-weather splendor is
just a reprieve.

So as the days shorten and the temperature drops, I cut as many
blooms as the children can carry, savoring the vintage scents
and velvet touch.
Because when winter arrives and the west wind blows, all we'll
have of summer is a lingering rose.

What is a "Study in . . ."? 

A visual record defined by a single element, such as color, texture, or type. Previous journal entries include Indian Summer, All is White, Family Reunion, and Walney Pond. 

STUDY IN FALL: INDIAN SUMMER

I don't know why I think that when school starts, time will slow down, the children will be happy with structured days after the laziness of summer,

and I'll get more accomplished when school starts.

We'll all wake earlier, be more organized, more focused. 

Every year when the fall flowers bloom, the mornings cool, and the days shorten, I believe this false truth.

And every year I'm disappointed.


The truth is that Autumn speeds up time to match the flutter of a wing,

droop of a petal,

fade of a leaf,

even a wink.
And every year I have to remind myself of why Fall is my favorite season.

And it's not all about the pumpkins. Or the color orange.


The shorter days make me more aware of Winter's approach,

that we should linger in the garden before snow's first fall. 

So we'll take more picnics,

even if we have to bring homework along.

We'll enjoy the garden's last stand,
watch the leaves turn,

and smile at fall's vibrant colors, as if this season is saying to Winter, "Come and get me."

May you enjoy these last days of warmth and beauty before the west winds blow, bringing cold air, long nights, and many mugs of hot chocolate.

What is a "Study in . . ."? 

A visual record defined by a single element, such as color, texture, or type. Previous journal entries include All is White, Family Reunion, and Walney Pond. 

STUDY IN SUMMER: ALL IS WHITE

In a few days, the children go back to school and life goes back to normal. While I always look forward to Autumn's colors and holidays, I know in a few weeks I'll find myself missing the quiet simplicity of Summer's white. 

This loss is a tradition I've never understood. If white is the absence of color, why does it evoke so much emotion, bring back such vivid memories? Could it be the stark contrast? 


The scent of climbing roses?

The velvet touch of a flower's petal?

Or the sound of waves on sand?

And yet I know white isn't just a memory of senses. So then why do I miss something defined by nothing? Maybe because, for me, white is weddings,

flowers in my mother-in-law's Charleston garden,

and sweet iced tea with my sisters on a veranda.

Then again, others may have a different view of white. For those who see the world through glasses, white has a hue. Pink, maybe?
Or yellow?

For those who just met, white is questions.  He loves me? He loves me not?

For those in love, white is promises carried in a bridal bouquet.

For those on a journey, no matter how far, white is a watchful friend. 

For those who serve, white is Duty,

Honor,

Country.

But white isn't always so noble or grand. For those who've lived through a storm's devastation, white is humbling. 

For those who grieve, white is fading.

For those who are lost, white is blurry.

For those seeking forgiveness, white is redemption.


And for those who are gone, white is remembrance. 

If this lack of color, hidden within the sun's rays, dries our tears, lifts us above ourselves, brings us peace, then white is nothing short of mercy. 

And since mercy is the only thing in this world that's free, its loss leaves a yearning in my heart vibrant reds and shimmering golds can't replace. Because when all is white, 
All is hope,
All is love, 
All is Grace.


May you find happiness and peace in summer's last embrace.

P.S. 

What is a "Study in . . ."? 

A visual record defined by a single element, such as color, texture, or type. Previous journal entries for Study in Summer include Hide and Seek, Sudley Manor, Red, White, and Blue, and Family Reunion, Time Spent with Butterflies, and Walney Pond.