Summer's End

The blooms in my backyard start in March with the snowbells and end in September with these dwarf sunflowers. In between there are the daffodils, hyacinth, irises, poppies, red rockets, peonies, lilies, daisies, cutleaf cone flowers, penstemons, sunflowers, and others.  The personalities of the flowers track with the season. The snowbells awaken slowly and gently with their drooped flower; the irises grow quickly, seemingly in concert with the lengthening days. By the time September rolls around, the dwarf sunflowers mimic how I'm feeling after a long summer with their haphazardly growing petals. By September, I am grateful for the shortening days, the sunlight that comes from a more gentle angle, and the crisp air that cools the sunbaked ground. 

As I write this, it is early morning before the sun has risen, low clouds are brushing up against the top of Mt. Elden. A storm came through last night and I got to watch the lightning off in the distance silently light up the dark night. It is supposed to rain some more this morning. These are the gentle reminders it is time to slow down and take stock of the bounty that summer has brought. It is not vegetables that I have to harvest but personal growth I will be reflecting on. And although I may be starting to feel a bit like the sunflower with wonky petals, I will also spend the rest of the warm days face towards the sun.