Summer's bounty is upon us! The roses are in full bloom, with lilies, gladiolus and more summer flowering beauties producing such amazing color! The garden is becoming overgrown with massive tomato plants, peas reaching for anything to grab a hold of and melons and cucumbers running all over the place. Small tomatoes grow on branches, increasing in size daily. Green pea pods form revealing the delicious peas within.

Yet, perhaps the most anticipated is the arrival of sweet, succulent fruit in the yard. The early blueberries are just now turning blue, offering sweet fruit. The raspberries are red and soft, melting in your mouth. It seems that once I think I have picked all the ripe ones, I look back and there are more! We are to go pick cherries from the grandparents’ trees. Local farms boast u-pick berries and fruit and I eagerly fill bags ready to freeze and use in winter or for fruit shakes.

Yesterday was beautiful - warm and sunny! We spent most of the day in the yard, weeding, planting, shoveling and mowing. We woke up early and attended the early service at church. Waking up earlier made the day go by slower, feeling like we got much more done. I was able to plant a few new plants and tend to the garden.

I took a break, sitting under the plum tree in the backyard, in partial shade. It was so lovely and relaxing. I had my notebook with me, in order to do some writing. The sun was so bright it made the white paper gleam in my eyes, causing me to squint. I couldn't seem to think of anything to write. Sitting in the yard in the sun just mesmerized me. Spirit laid in the grass next to my chair, peacefully naping.

On Saturday, I took Spirit to the Jackson-Frazier Wetland area just down the street. It was an amazing place! Volunteers had built a 2/3 mile boardwalk through the marsh and swamp area. It was so beautiful, surrounded by birds and wildlife. I tried to take pictures but it did not do it justice. I will write an article about it later, so make sure to check it out.