What a wonderful time of year it is when the rhododendrons burst forth with their big blossoms, especially in a town where some of these bushes are 50, or even 100, years old, big and full and showing off like an aging movie star, more than ready for her close up. When the air is mild and the sky is blue and the trees all have tender young leaves, a drive in almost any but the newest developments is a pleasure. The big old lilac trees have just passed their prime and, like an aging spinster (now that is really a ridiculous terms in this day and age -- from a turn of the century (I mean 19th to 20th, not 20th to 21st) novel, the lilac and mauve of dying lilacs is sad, but they are replaced with the azeleas and those rowdy rhododendrons. Soon the hydranngeas will replace them, pink or blue, depending on the acidity of the soil -- there are riots of them just as big as the rhodies. And they will be followed after they have the three weeks of glory by the roses that will, in most cases, last the rest of the summer.
I am constantly amazed to find myself in such a beautiful environment. Today is my birthday and I am prone to contemplation about where I am -- which is to say where I have "washed ashore" (as is the description for those not born here. Okay, yes, I washed ashore, but I have a small portion of my family who are real Cape Codders, my grandchildren are natives (although Noah just happened to be born in Nova Scotia) and my great-grandchildren have not only been born right here but have the background and genes of one of the original Mayflower settlers. That amazes me. I have never planned my life, it has happened mostly by serendipity.
3 comments:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUNE! How can one really plan their life -- so many major occurrences in a life time -- sending us off on a side road -- a side road that can be either good or not so good. I think we dream of what we want to do but ultimately it is the unidentified that plans for us. My theory is to live each day well -- yes dream of what you want to do with your life too but be aware that there are unknowns out there. You are very fortunate to have family so close and such an area that has intellectual stimulation as well as beauty. Here's to you for another great year -- barbara
Thanks, Barbara. I don't think I ever had a firm determination what I wanted except to write and to see much of the world. I have done that and find myself surprised at this point. It's a nice surprise. I suppose I made it happen with various decisions but I'm not at all sure just what brought me to where I am. That's okay. I like it. I agree, it's the day by day choices.
Took a ride up the mountains Fathers Day and just started to notice the rhododendrons peeking out. Bears are out too. You would think no one every saw a bear before as the roads were crowded with a hopeful shoot via camera by all the tourists of a bear. Best time to go to the Smokies is really in September for it being less crowded. So happy to live on the Quiet side of the Smokies. Got the beauty not the traffic. By the way, yes, June is almost over and you are a year older, how nice. Happy Birthday again. Waiting for you to catch up to me.
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