So while I was prowling around way in the back of my garden, I found exactly four leaves on the Burning Bush that have turned red. My friend Christy has started her tomato canning/salsa liturgy. The annuals have now grown into magazine cover status and the birds are free to flit and sing throughout the garden, with no attendant worries of babies. You know what this means.
I have always loved Southern California because of my Grandma Belle ties; I loved that woman dearly even though I am a replica of the other grandma, that Timberlake Queen, Bula Grace. But it was in a distracted, spectator manner that I loved/love SoCal, despite those damn jacaranda trees, camellias and agapanthas, because I could never live in anyone or anywhere where the Four Seasons were unknown. I love the seasons and live deeply by them. But lately, I do think I could give an endless summer a try.
Is it because I love summer more? My days are now so different in summer; no racing to Seattle or Vancouver for the weekend with a Suburban full of soccer girls. No reload after reload for a hyper busy boy too curious and involved for his own good. No running back and forth to Coeur d'Alene on errands of mercy, exercises in frustration. No swim team practice, no art school classes, no pool parties, no firecracker shorts, no birthday cakes, no sunsets along a wide sky on the way home, no back to school sales.
None. Now that I devote myself to what holds my interest, the days do not seem long enough or satisfying enough to let go of and I love them/need them, the hours of exploration and contemplation, more than I ever have. A conundrum to be sure. Has life become something of an art form?
And my long ago Jewish heritage that I thought was a little later in my personal evolution that might make either of my grandmothers comfortable, seems much, much father away these days as I just do not like fall and the new year as I once did.
I'm changing again. As the tee shirt I bought in Seattle last weekend says,
It's all good.
JBelle
Bellemaison
The 'Kan EWA
6 comments:
I too found leaves turning orange and red. I was startled by that. Even though fall is my favorite season I want to hold on to summer and enjoy the last roses, the annuals now that they are really blooming, and the sunflowers. Today was tomato canning day and tomorrow we will put up some dilled green beans. Yes, it is all good!
Can I come to your house someday. . and see all the wonder? It sounds. . . perfect.
well except for the odd sunny day we have again not had a summer.... so next year Im coming to left of the staples to get a summer fix.....
made endless loaves of courgette bread/cake today with the glut of courgettes from me little garden.....
I so would find it difficult to live in a place without the 4 seasons.....
x
1) I want a t-shirt that says that! Where'd you find it in Seattle?
2) Do you like pizza? I first found the Orangette blog mentioned right here on your blog, and now Molly and her husband opened a pizza restaurant in Ballard last week. Let me know when you're in Seattle again without dinner plans and we'll go check it out -- my treat! (and if you don't like pizza, there's still Molly's great desserts to enjoy)
I love to read your prose. It relaxes and soothes. I, too, love the four seasons, although I think we get the short end when it comes to Spring and Fall. My tomatoes are red and juicy - an amazing miracle to happen in August and not at the end of September when frost is threatening every second. My roses are in their second flush. They are absolutely beautiful. Mechanic Man was pruning them and a little bud fell off. He placed it in a small juice glass and I have not ever received such a lovely bouquet.
Not THE change, one hopes. I lived in a real, true full 4 season climate, northern Minnesota. (Note it's not North Minnesota). Brutal winters. Way too short shoulder seasons. Glorious summer, but short. Frost in May and Sept.
AND, I lived in the paradise of So Cal for many years. You forgot the Birds of Paradise down there. The banana trees we had. The tomatoes, ripe from late April thru November, if you knew what you were doing, as my Mom did.
But I had to leave SoCal. Needed the four seasons, and the dichotomy of the ultra rich and the ultra poor there was revolting and seriously disturbing. Much more than the hideous 12 hour long bumper to bumper rush hours, on hiways designed for 70 mph.
Still, there's nothing like a good red tide (Ewwww) and a balmy day at the beach in December, looking back at the San Gabriel Mountains, snow covered, and just an hour or two drive away. Let's go, SNOW!
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