Flowers | Notes From the Hinterland

On Sunday, while Mike, Dee, and Clif were at the movies, Shannon joined me for a day that was utterly delightful. Nowadays, it is rare for me to have time alone with either daughter, and when I do, I enjoy it so much.

In the afternoon, we played six rousing games of Fantasy Forest, a much beloved board game from Shannon’s youth. (We had hoped to play cribbage, but, alas, my board was nowhere to be found. I will have to get another one.) Although the three movie amigos laughed at us when they heard how we spent our afternoon, we assured them that even though the game was geared for children, there was, in fact, a fair amount of strategy that could be employed. I don’t think they believed us. But Shannon and I had good silly fun, and that’s all that really matters.

After the game, Shannon helped me make stuffed bread, and while it was resting, we went to the patio for drinks and appetizers. I had a Maine mule, which tasted ever so good on a hot, muggy afternoon.

We spent quite a bit of time on the patio, and we ate our supper there, too. When the bugs drove us in, we had homemade strawberry ice cream and watched some of the Fellowship of the Ring. (Yes, we are fantasy geeks.)

Shannon, Mike, and their two dogs stayed overnight, and the next day, Shannon went to the movies, too. Then, it was just me and the dogs. After cleaning up from brunch, I headed outside, where I relaxed on the patio, and the dogs alternated between scouting the yard and lolling on the patio.

Somara at rest on the patio while Liam looks on. (Holly's ear is in the lower left corner.) — Somara at rest on the patio while Liam looks on. (Holly’s ear is in the lower left corner.)

Holly, with an expression that indicates, "Enough with the pictures, already.) — Holly, with an expression that indicates, “Enough with the pictures, already.”

Naturally, I found time not only to smell the flowers but to take pictures of them as well.

More bee balm. I just can't get enough of it. — More bee balm. I just can’t get enough of it.

This dwarf balloon flower—Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Fairy Snow’ —just came into bloom.

Oh, July!

I know. In yesterday’s post I stated that I wouldn’t be posting until Tuesday. But Clif and Dee left at 11:00 a.m. to go to the film festival, and they won’t be back until nearly midnight. The day is mine, and as usual, the outside beckoned. Inspired by my friend Dawna Leavitt, an accomplished photographer who likes to take very close shots of nature, I went out to see what I could get with my little camera. I, too, am fascinated by a closer look, and I took shots of flowers from underneath as well as from the more traditional head-on angle. Then, in the editing process, I cropped in close on a picture that was fairly crisp.

Here are the different aspects of bee balm.