August Evening

See, a hand sweeps stars

    from the August sky,

as if my mother swept off the supper crumbs from the table at home.

Her apron, slipping now and then, smells of parsley

     and chives--

The sweet scent of her long-gone garden

     sending me to sleep beside you tonight again.

It's been such a busy summer that I haven't had much time for journals.  Kids are gone for a week and it is about to rain so I'm stuck indoors for a while.  Even so when I'm indoors I'm cleaning and sorting and getting rid of a lifetime collection of things I might need someday.  I have a lot of flowers in bloom right now and after the rain I'll try to get a few pictures and name them for my records.  While it rains I plan to catch up on my sleep though.  While the kids are gone I'm going up north for a couple days with friends, pull weeds especially around the air conditioner and try to mulch in some of the flower beds.  It's 89 degrees right now but I hate to turn on the air conditioner because then it stops feeling like summer.  I'm going to go buy a window fan or two.  Had the kids at story time at the library this morning and Hali crawled under one of the tables and fell asleep.  We went to the aquatic center yesterday and she really had a fun time and so did Owen.  Well gotta get going but I'll put on a few pictures first so I can save them.

Tags: Resch Aquatic Center, Green Bay Packers, Heritage Hill State Park

A Poem

Summer Storm

We stood on the rented patio
While the party went on inside.
You knew the groom from college.
I was a friend of the bride.

We hugged the brownstone wall behind us
To keep our dress clothes dry
And watched the sudden summer storm
Floodlit against the sky.

The rain was like a waterfall
Of brilliant beaded light,
Cool and silent as the stars
The storm hid from the night.

To my surprise, you took my arm–
A gesture you didn't explain–
And we spoke in whispers, as if we two
Might imitate the rain.

Then suddenly the storm receded
As swiftly as it came.
The doors behind us opened up.
The hostess called your name.

I watched you merge into the group,
Aloof and yet polite.
We didn't speak another word
Except to say goodnight.

Why does that evening's memory
Return with this night's storm–
A party twenty years ago,
Its disappointments warm?

There are so many might have beens,
What ifs that won't stay buried,
Other cities, other jobs,
Strangers we might have married.

And memory insists on pining
For places it never went,
As if life would be happier
Just by being different.
      Dana Gioia

After the rain

I managed to step out after the rain and before dark.  Was hoping to get to the store yet today but I may have to pass on that.  It's 72 degrees now and low humidity.  Have all the windows open for a change.

Busy Gardening

...not much time for journals.  If I get a chance before the rains come I'll get some pictures of what's in bloom.  Owen and Hali have been playing the the back yard in the pools most of the summer so far and are getting very tan.  Well Owen is anyway.  Hali is so light complected I try to keep her out of the sun.  Yesterday I took the kids to the Teddy Bear picnic at the library and they had a little parade too.  They have quite a few friends there now.  They are in the reading club and have finished all the requirements.  They give out prizes as they go along, little toys, passes to the Museum, Railroad Museum, Aquatic center and this week they got to pick out a book.  Well I have to get back outside and finish some of today's garden work.  The peas are all done, the scarlet runner beans are beginning to bloom as are the cucumbers.  No bugs on the potato plants so far and no wasps in the compost this year.  Grapes are little and green.  Very behind where they should be.  

It's been a wonderful summer so far.  Just enough rain and warm and sunshine to leave plenty of time to play outside.  Vegetables are growing very well.  Morning Glories got eaten by the baby rabbits this year.  I am glad I could provide a nice treat for them.  I have taken down my stick arbor as it's outlived it's life span.  I'm looking for something else to put there but haven't come across anything I like.  The kiddie pools are there temporarily.  I learned a new trick, if you spray vinegar around where you are the bugs don't come.  It's been working so far.  I picked a nice bowl of peas the other day and they were very good both fresh and cooked.  I got a new charcoal grill but haven't used it yet.  I'm really not much of a cook I guess.  It's a nice decoration though.  I planted a peach tree a couple days ago, so maybe someday I'll have my own peaches.  Now I have grapes, apples and peaches.  I would like a pear tree yet but I don't know if you need two of them for the pears to grow.  I'm continuing to clean out the nooks and crannies of this house and today I brought two large containers to the thrift store to share with others.  I can't believe how full you can stuff a wardrobe with odds and ends.  I found a dozen board games and the kids and I have been playing some of them.  They especially like Candyland.  Right now in the backyard there are squirrels, chipmonks, rabbits, mourning doves, cardinals, red winged blackbirds, golden finches, house finches, robins, sparrows, and blue jays.   God is putting on quite a show for me as I look out my computer window.  Went shopping with Jenny today (daughter) and out for a snack.  Chai Tea and muffins.  Just finished the book The Secret Life of Bees.  It was fun to read.  Does anyone have a recommendation for another easy to read summer story?  Well, enough chatter, have a great evening.  Don't you love the time between day and night...it's my favorite.

God Bless America

Peach Pie

Here's an old-fashioned recipe for peach cream pie. It's an easy recipe using sliced peaches, whipping cream, sugar, flour and a dash of almond extract. Once the pie comes out of the oven, it is topped with toasted almonds, making it a sweet and crunchy dessert and a great way to enjoy fresh summer peaches.

Servings: 6

Ingredients: Pie crust for a 9-inch pie pan 5 to 6 ripe peaches, peeled, sliced, pits removed (a little over 3 cups) 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3 rounded tablespoons of flour 2/3 cup heavy cream 3 drops almond extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup sliced, toasted almonds

Instructions: Line your pie pan with a pie crust and set aside. Now pack the pie pan with the prepared peaches. In a medium sized bowl combine the sugar, flour and a dash of salt. Add the cream and almond extract and stir until well blended. Pour the cream mixture over the peaches in the pie pan and bake in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until set. When the pie is done, the cream will be thick and smooth and will solidify even more as it cools. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the top and serve just barely warm. A Summer Poem There's a bright golden haze on the meadow There's a bright golden haze on the meadow The corn is as high as an elephant's eye, An' it looks like it's climbin' clear up to the sky. Oh, what a beautiful mornin', Oh, what a beautiful day. I got a beautiful feelin' Ev'rything's goin' my way. All the cattle are standin' like statues All the cattle are standin' like statues They don't turn their heads as they see me ride by, But a little brown mav'rick is winkin' her eye. Oh, what a beautiful mornin', Oh, what a beautiful day. I got a beautiful feelin' Ev'rything's goin' my way. All the sounds of the earth are like music All the sounds of the earth are like music The breeze is so busy it don't miss a tree, And a ol' weepin' willer is laughin' at me! Oh, what a beautiful mornin', Oh, what a beautiful day. I got a beautiful feelin' Ev'rything's goin' my way. Oh, what a beautiful day!

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