a full July day

Sometime in that magic moment of predawn, yesterday's lilies fade and today's begin to unfurl. It very much reminds me of Grieg's Pier Gynt Morning Mood -- that melody that rolls out notes in a slow progression to welcome a new day. 

When I am up early -- today, for example -- the lilies are still just opening up. Only years of doing this allows me to see the spent ones for being what they are -- finished, while the new ones slowly take their place, moving toward their day of glory. 

This is when my "trumpets" really do look like trumpets!

(a slow, beautiful opening...)

By the time I am done snipping spent ones, the the faded ones look totally wilted and the new lilies are in full bloom.

I am very surprised at the total -- 677 lily blooms in the bucket today. I expect the number to now start to go down. Which will not be a terrible thing! I'm starting to feel snipped out for the year!

Photos are lovely because they catch the flowers in the very early morning light. Well, at least I think they're lovely!

Finally. Time for breakfast.

Then a rush to get the house in order for a lunch date. It'll be at the farmhouse, with a couple of friends. Mine, from the past. Ed is out of this one. 

A pause for a haircut -- I need one! -- then home, just as my two friends pull into the driveway. Welcome! So good to see you here!

Lunch...

 

 

... on the porch.

It's a beautiful few hours. I do have to shoo them out, however, at 2, because that's when I leave to pick up the kids. 

The two were swimming with their school today, so I get a tired and hungry bunch. They talk me into ice cream, I talk them into photos in different corners of the garden!

I wish I could say the day ends sweetly for them, but it doesn't. One of their cats -- the one who has been sick on and off for very many years now -- is finally too ill to move into yet another life and the news of having to put him down hits hard. I send them off for their final cat good byes. Many, many tears were shed.

My own evening is quiet. I tidy up the lunch dishes, I take a slow walk through the garden...

 

 

... and think about how lucky some animals are to have such caring protectors and how tough it is for those who struggle in less hospitable and friendly environments. Animals, people, all of life -- so much of it is a matter of luck! Those of us who have had their share of happy outcomes -- shouldn't we do a grateful jig at the end of each day? 

Yes we should.

with love...