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September Summer

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by

Margaret

Some of you may be wondering how my annuals fared while I was gone in Ireland and how they’re doing now as we enter fall. The answer is…

Screenshot

It apparently doesn’t intend to be autumn quite yet!

Most of the flowers are still thriving.

The coleuses in particular have had an excellent season although they will be shriveled masses of death when we have our first frost.

Yet there is also evidence that the season is in the midst of changing. I like this time of year, especially the cool evenings and the increasing darkness. I sleep SO well when it’s not hot and bright. Perhaps I’m part mole?

I’ve been decorating in those free moments when I’m not wasting time in my recliner doing my word and geography games. Real life for me is a mix of relaxation/inertia and Granny Nannying. Yesterday I had a wonderful coffee date with a friend and then spent the rest of the day with a feverish 6-year-old lying against me. Tonight I’ll help Younger Daughter out at gymnastics class and Saturday will watch Sharky’s soccer game, as long as he stays healthy. Back to School can bring on all sorts of nasty bugs. I’ll be getting my flu shot soon!

I’m still working on the best place for these pumpkin lights; Anders loves them but they don’t really fit anywhere. This piano arrangement might work.

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Older Daughter is getting back into her painting and did this watercolor of Dolly Parton…which I stole from Instagram. She did NOT get this talent from me. Sometimes I feel like I’m not gifted at anything–not self-pity, just the reality.

Speaking of reality, laundry awaits, then shower, followed by a walk. Even in retirement, there is a limit to my laziness. 🙂

Comments

27 responses to “September Summer”

  1. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    My youngest daughter didn’t get her artistic talent from me either!

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      Patt’s aunt was a professional artist, and the talent came from that side. Patt himself was an excellent draftsman, drawing intricate designs (with measurements) of the custom stairways that he installed.

      Reply
  2. AC Avatar
    AC

    I have no gifts to speak of. Just an ordinary plod.

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      You must be kidding, John! You are a fabulous and gifted photographer. Don’t sell yourself short!

      Reply
  3. kayak woman Avatar
    kayak woman

    We have had only one 50-something degree morning so far. The few annuals I have (big pots of impatiens) are doing really well even though I ignore them at this time of year (we’re also getting adequate rain). I think the pumpkins look great on the piano!

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      Impatiens like the cooler weather; mine are doing well also! (for a change) I’m going to leave the pumpkin lights on the piano; Anders will love that.

      Reply
  4. Doug M Avatar
    Doug M

    Margaret, your flowerbed looks so colorful and vibrant, but I am knocked for a loop by ODs painting of Dolly! It’s beautiful and really captures her! She is very talented! 🙂❤️💙🤎

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      Thanks, Doug! OD probably should have gone into an art related field but instead she’s miserable working in state government. 🙁 However, she can still do her paintings on the side and I’m happy she’s getting back into that; she finds it fulfilling.

      Reply
  5. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    You still have lots of great color in your garden and the plants seemed to have doubled in size. Your new garden enclosures look great.
    Your grandsons must be excited about Halloween and choosing a costume and trick-or-treating will be fun. The pumpkins are adorable.
    Your daughter’s painting of Dolly is really good. It truly captures Dolly.

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      I love the color! As soon as these annuals die, I’ll buy my cyclamen and whatever other fall plants catch my eye. I never thought I would be into flowers, but they bring me such happiness. The older two grandsons are excited about Halloween costumes and are debating several options. Mutant Ninja Turtles or Pokemon? Their mother is a seamstress and artist and enjoys creating costumes whereas I never did!

      Reply
  6. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    Dear Margaret, I am also seeing both flowers and some tree leaves starting to change colour! Beautiful! I absolutely love the painting of Dolly Parton! It captures her in a beautiful, perfect way! She is very talented!

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      OD has been artistic since she was small and I’m so impressed with her gift for it since I have NONE. I couldn’t believe it when I saw all those red leaves!

      Reply
  7. Tonya Avatar
    Tonya

    I’m so happy that OD is back to doing watercolor! I’ve always loved her watercolors, even though she had mentioned she doesn’t enjoy doing them. Maybe she’s changed her mind! She sure does a wonderful job at it!

    My flowers are still shiny and bright, but I’m thinking they’ll be needing a good drink tomorrow. I dread when they start to go. The pots all look so depressing after such a splash of color all spring and summer.

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      She originally hated watercolor; it’s hard and unforgiving. She was more an oils person. But many subjects she likes to paint are better rendered with watercolor. Plus, she knows that I love that medium! My petunias are ready for the yard waste but most of my other flowers are going strong. Have you ever put cyclamen in your pots for fall? They are beautiful and do well in the cooler temperatures.

      Reply
  8. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    Gorgeous flowers – especially the larger coleus. This in between weather is really nice with elements of summer and fall in the same day.

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      That’s probably partly why I’m so fond of autumn; we sometimes get the warm sunny weather but 50s at night. I can sleep well while enjoying being outside during the day.

      Reply
  9. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    Hi Margaret, your gardens look wonderful! Our coleuses had a great year too. I LOVE your nighttime temps. We aren’t so lucky here yet. I sleep excellently in cooler, darker times too. We went from a cool, wet spring to a hot, dank summer. I have had enough of it. OD’s watercolour of Dolly is beautiful. Have a good day.💜

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      Thanks, Robin, OD has always been great at art, unlike me. I’m waiting for cooler weather to get some cyclamen. However, the summer is continuing this month, so far at least! I’m sleeping much better than I did in Ireland where the hotel rooms were very stuffy.

      Reply
  10. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Your older daughter’s painting of Dolly Parton is so good. What a talent! I cannot draw a straight line, so I always admire someone who has a talent like that. Our temperatures still get up into the mid to high 80s every day, so autumn isn’t quite here yet, though yesterday it was 57 degrees when I got up. I also like the darker days and cooler temperatures in the fall.

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      I have no eye or spatial ability whereas OD has those gifts in abundance. I like those cool mornings; I may even start turning on my fire. It’s supposed to get to 80 degrees today; I’m happy I’m retired. I still remember the outfits the students would wear and their behavior when it was warm and sunny out.

      Reply
  11. Pixie Avatar
    Pixie

    That is a beautiful painting that your daughter did. I am envious, even though I have never tried, I’m sure I would fail:)
    I’m sleeping much better with the darker evenings and cooler nights. Our government of provincial morons has decided that we will remain daylight saving time all year around so that the sun won’t rise until 10am in December. Can hardly wait. What’s wrong with just normal time?
    Hopefully you don’t get sick. I’m still coughing up the last dregs of phlegm. Yay.

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      Standard time is my preference if we stay on one; daylight savings time doesn’t fit our circadian rhythms. I trust the science but the government doesn’t seem to! 🙁 OD has done a lot with watercolor since the first painting she did for me (of my bearded irises) many years ago. On my old blog on Typepad, I had a photo album of her paintings. I have no clue how to set one up on WordPress. I don’t know how our bodies produce so much mucus; it’s too bad we can’t figure out a way to run our cars on it.

      Reply
  12. JT Twissel Avatar
    JT Twissel

    Lazy is something I don’t think you could ever legitimately be accused of! Lovely painting – watercolor is my absolute nemesis!

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      My mornings are lazy, then I usually get going–although I certainly could be more productive! OD told me when she started watercolor how unforgiving it is. Oil can be blended and fixed. Acrylic dries too fast and is hard to modify but sometimes is the most appropriate medium. Over the years, she’s gravitated to watercolor.

      Reply
  13. Midwest Mark Avatar
    Midwest Mark

    Funny, I saw your 10-day forecast and thought, “Great–they’re having fall weather!” At least we are now (finally!). Drizzly, foggy, and mid-60s today…and still quite dark in the basement, even though it’s nearly mid-afternoon. I love it!

    Reply
    1. Margaret Avatar
      Margaret

      Fall weather would be 50s-60s and rain. These are summer temps for our region; how quickly you’ve forgotten. LOL

      Reply
      1. Midwest Mark Avatar
        Midwest Mark

        Ha! I guess, after all our humid 80s and 90s this summer, those temps look downright cool!

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