#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
― Rachel Carson
The cardinal flower, one of my favorite wildflowers, an august blooming flower. How wonderful, today, August 1, to spot one growing in the wetlands of the bike trail where we rode for the second day in a row. Nature’s timing, so fascinating, how predictable. I passed my own fresh brook before the bike ride, walking Charlie and Suzi early. No cardinal flowers blooming in our wetlands yet, but I should spot them very soon. The brook has recovered from the flooding, is clearing itself, refreshing. As is the river. My daughters and I, both here all weekend, enjoyed the Upper Charles Rail Trail the past two days, entering in Holliston by the coffee shop and riding south to Milford. A gorgeous and exceptionally well maintained trail. A very summery vacation-like weekend, a kind of stay-cation, since normally at this time we are having a long stay on Martha’s Vineyard. I have to have a long, long nap today outdoors on the deck. A deep restore and refresh from much activity, all fun. Then, there are many growing things that are thirsty, and I do my watering in the late afternoon, and the vegetable garden needs some attention. So many tomatoes! The squash are passing, the cucumbers are unimpressive and I have one lovely eggplant to pick tomorrow. For the second night in a row I roasted the cherry tomatoes in garlic and olive oil and put them on pizza. Forty years ago today I was a bridesmaid at my younger sister’s wedding. Oh, my, I was so young, and so were they! She had our family’s first wedding, and I remember how happy my mother was to host this event on a sunny, August afternoon. Tonight, on Martha’s Vineyard, with their three children, spouses and grandchildren, they are renewing their vows in their family’s place of happiest vacations and memories. Oh, I am welcoming August, and grateful for July, such a splendid month. Here’s what I hope for August: that vaccinations around the country multiply so we can put this pandemic behind us for good.