This spring was unusually cool and full of rain. The result was a long period of spring bloom that seemed to stay fresh and picture perfect for a protracted period.
I knew I should grab a camera or at least my iPhone and take some photos.

Cherries galore this year
But I have this contrary quirk of wanting to bask in the moment, simply experiencing the beauty and fragrance, or the curious activity of birds, bees, and butterflies.
I think I did snap a few, but mostly not.
The gorgeous heirloom peonies bloomed and then flopped, as we reached close to the 90’s this past week. The viburnums came, bloomed gloriously, and then went.
The Diablo ninebark has very good bloom right now with my Therese Bugnet rose and some clematis.

June rose
How quickly hot temperatures and brisk breezes dry everything out, though.
Planting has momentarily ceased; and after the first pickings of radishes I fear that the remainder of the crop is now overly “done” and probably uncomfortably hot for my palate.
During those rainy, cold weeks of our Ohio spring, I took off for the South for a few weeks. You should have seen the weeds and the long grass when I returned! Some still standing, since I only had energy to work on the veggie garden area and the front “bulb lawn” isn’t quite ready for first cutting.
I blame that break in Florida and Georgia for putting me off my work schedule. (Not really, but that is my story). The truth is that this year I am going to work at whatever pace I can manage and refuse to feel guilty about how terrible this garden blogger’s yard looks! Instead I plan to just enjoy the process, rather like I do when I should be taking photos.
I just sit, or stand, stare up through the trees and gaze at clouds.
Sometimes I come back to earth and start making mental lists of all the garden chores stacking up. Right before I move on to all the household tasks that are waiting for me, as well…
Then I pull out my computer and write about it! LOL!
Thankfully, I have lots of film footage and photos taken from other seasons to provide fodder for my projects when that happens.
I’m not always so remiss in my RL work, but it looks like this will be a hot dry summer, and the best way to handle that is to focus on one job at a time.

Lychnis Chalcedonica – Common name:Maltese Cross
Hopefully, the heat will result in good tomatoes and peppers. And perhaps some organizing and writing while hiding inside in our one air conditioned room.
I can be optimistic, hopeful, and positive… or I can complain and feel defeated and guilty about all the things I haven’t done. Which will it be?
And for a topic of conversation … what’s with all the ticks this year? I can’t go outside without at least one dropping on me from somewhere…
Are they bad where you live?