These long days of summer solstice,the roosters are weary. Nagging the hens to the roost, it’s nearly nine o’clock, and then up at four! Oh and up they are, trying to out doodledoo each other. Not even two pillows over the ears can keep the crowing out of my dreams.

These days have been the days of childhood summer remembered; days of pure blue, green and white. The clear blue of summer skies, the fluff of a little cloud…and the green, everywhere. Fifty years of fading childhood memories, but the joy of those summer days comes back so clearly every year…the meadows, the butterflies against those deep blue skies,birdsong…a shadey secret place…

The squash and cucumber seeds have lifted themselves out of the ground and yawned and stretched…two big fat leaves standing to soak in that sun…the peas are still racing each other up the trellis, and the carrots are starting to nudge each other out of the way…looks like that crowd will need some thinning.  Salad has new meaning when the lettuce has leaped from the garden to the plates, pausing only for a cold shower…lettuce really does have flavor, it’s a secret gardeners  know.

The puppies are starting to open their eyes and peak at the world….they give new meaning to cute!