July

It’s Saturday afternoon, nearing the end of July, and time to do a meander through the month. You may have noticed there wasn’t a post last week. I gave myself permission to finally take a week off. And I learned how easy it is to lose the momentum which reminds me of how the tenor of the summer is also slowing as we glide toward August.

The average temperature and humidity remain unusually high which may account for some of the slowing. But not all. There’s a more gentle energy. The bees are still in the blossoms, seeming to spend more time nuzzling the blooms. The hummers keep filling up on nectar from early morning to night. And the nights…ah, such sweetness. Here and there are a few bird calls after dark but the main event is the firefly show. Without the dog, I don’t venture out with regularity and spend time being wrapped in the velvety night as I gaze up at the stars and watch the tiny flickering lights above the ground. When I do, it’s worthwhile.

This year I have very little on the back deck. Some years there are strings of lights and spinners, certainly pots of flowers. On especially buggy nights, I might remain inside and look out through the large sliders.

During the day, there were small interesting visitors such as this handsome creature.

And this one who reminds me I haven’t yet seen a dragonfly even one time.

My dear friend in the Netherlands and I were having a catch-up this morning (my time). After hearing the news of her children and grandchildren, all of whom are spending holidays in Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey, we settled into a recurring theme of how our bodies are reminding us of the passage of time. It’s not at all depressing. We don’t so much lament our aches, pains, limps, impending procedures (certainly not cosmetic,,,hah!). It’s really about allowing the space for one another to drop the facade of sailing along through all kinds of weather with our more typical good (or at least wry) humor. It’s a kind of catharsis. Do you have people in your life who allow the same? I hope you do. Women often continue the care-taking/cheer leading role even as children become adults and have their own children and partners grow more dependent. I realize I’ve diverted from my intention of doing a July wrap-up. Sorry (not-sorry) but it was something I wanted to mention.

Anyway, back to July. I bought a pass for the next 5 months to a private park in a nearby town. It seems odd given that I live in an area of natural beauty with so much that is free but issues of personal safety have risen, specifically assaults on walking/bike paths in broad daylight. I wanted to have to minimize those concerns; the cost was worth it…mostly. Being one who ponders, I ask myself what it says about me that I want to be with people who also can afford such things. It certainly lends a ‘plain vanilla’ vibe to the experience. I think you know what I mean: people riding expensive bikes, families sitting in a meticulously kept little old-timey trains and at the end, buying ridiculously expensive ice cream treats from one of many stone refreshment houses, well-groomed dogs on leash. It’s just too-perfect.

I did make the acquaintance of an old character who had 6 English Angora rabbits in a pet stroller. Of course, each rabbit had a name (Lady Gaga was one) I wish I could recall them all. Yes, I’m still attracted to the quirky). Whew!

I should have taken more photos of the private park but instead, I’ll toss in some from my beloved Holland where parks begin with a Capital P.

Meals over the past month have been simple, relying on fresh produce. I’ve made pesto to have over pasta, an uncooked tomato sauce over pasta with ricotta and parmesan for creaminess and lots of basil, of course, frittatas, and a really good potato salad of roasted potatoes, French green beans, shallots and herbs in a vinaigarette (no mayo here). And lots of Greek salads. A cold rose or sauvignon blanc would be just the thing but I’m off alcohol for the time being.

I continue to read more than anything else right now and am about to begin Gillian Anderson’s “Want”, a compilation of women’s sexual fantasies submitted anonymously. Yes, Gillian Anderson, X-Files FBI Special Agent Dana Scully. I think this will be a thriller in its own right.

And music…the weather has me thinking about summers in Brazil. I’ve written about those days much earlier in the posts. Anyway, I’m listening to a lot of Bosssa Nova, mainly music from/by Antonia Carlos Jobim aka Tom Jobim. And I highly recommend him to you. I’ll leave you with a taste:

(double click and the link should work…fingers crossed)

Saudade is a uniquely Portuguese word with no real equivalent in English but the closest is a deep melancholy or yearning for someone or something absent. It’s very Brazilian.

As always, I’d love to hear your comments on how July has been for you.