August progresses
Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 9:37PM 
Hi there. I wanted to stop in, to let you know I'm still here.
Absolutely unplanned, I've been caught up in this whole business of summer. Swimming and picnics, blackberries from the backyard and a drive to the farmstand for peaches. I have tiger stripes on my toes from too many days in sandals, and was forced to retire my favourite sunglasses for a whole week in an attempt to fade the sun-given tattoo they'd left across my nose and cheeks.
I think this is what summer's all about, tumbling headlong into a season that seems exceptionally fleeting. It is a time of frivolity and that second scoop of ice cream. Of watermelon and gingham checks.
Of the particular smell of a tomato stem when snapped, fragrant of yellow and green and as fresh as all get out. A scent I wish I could dab behind my ears in February to assure myself that summer does indeed exist.
The slip of soba on a night when chopsticks and cold noodles feel just about right.
The breeze that unfolds like a sigh in the evenings as August progresses.
There's lots to tell you. I'll be back soon and I'm looking forward to it.
Hope to see you then.
*******
The world is indeed an amazing place. It was through mutual friends that I came to know Tara Thayer - with whom I not only share a name, but who also lives in a town where I spent many fond days as a child. She's sincere and kind, and astonishingly talented - in both her words and her images. She was generous enough to gift me one of her pictures recently, and it sums up summer in a way that makes me gasp. I thought you'd like to see it too.
Thank you Tara, I just can't get over it.
Reader Comments (11)
Sigh. Tara Thayer's an absolute gem, I agree. Though it seems to be true of all Taras, come to think of it. Enjoy summer, every last bit.
"tumbling headlong into a season that seems exceptionally fleeting" - what a beautiful and perfectly accurate way to describe the feeling of summer!
I feel like so much of summer brings us back to being kids again - there's just something about living in the moment and an entitlement to have fun that I wish we listened to more throughout the rest of the year
Hello, dear Tara. So happy to hear that you're sun-kissed, and berry-stained, and diving right into what sounds like a perfect August. What a treat to see TT's photo here. She's so good.
This has been a near perfect summer. Long hot hazy days with the songs of heat bugs during the day and crickets at night. I want to capture the colours of summer for those dark days in February when everything is white, gray or black.
Thank you for the lovely picture.
I'm so glad you're enjoying summer to the fullest Tara. I was just out picking some of our tomatoes today thinking about that very aroma, of their stems, and how they stain my hands yellow and thinking soon it will be fall, then winter. Savor these summer days!
Lovely.
Just lovely.
Hi everyone!
Oh, thanks for the sweetnes, molly.
You are so right, Victoria. Perfectly said.
Hi Jess! Seeing your name makes me smile. Agreed on TT, she's tops.
Janet, it's lovely to hear that your summer is going well. It sounds like you're taking every opportunity to enjoy it.
hear, hear, heather!
Thanks Jason, as always.
Sweet Tara, I am so glad you're enjoying summer's pleasures! I just returned from Chincoteague, and that image reminds me of the view one sees at the crossing to Assateague. I wish I were still there...
Hi Tara, you have a beautiful blog with lots of yummy photos and recipes! I just started my own blog too and am sure I'll be able to to find lots of inspiration here. congratz! :)
ahhh your post just calmed me and reminded me to like summer again. i feel like it's just been too hot and humid to enjoy this year - i've been rushing in and out and in again to the haven of air conditioning and haven't had a chance to soak up this season. i cooked and baked yesterday (!!!) and was dreaming of February when I don't mind standing next to a warm oven. this is so out of character.
Aaaah cattails! I wish summer was never ending.