Tuesday, July 08, 2008

A Slice of Summer

It’s time for summer dreams… Short and intense, as this summer is, or just languid, with the happy indolence of a grasshopper…

I often wish I could live in a place with endless summer. I think it’s uplifting, I think it’s a cure for the blue soul. But like the proverbial fox who, not being able to reach the grapes, pretends they are sour and thus not interesting, I invoke against it the dullness and the weariness coming from having a white sun pouring over your head the whole day, every day. Of course, secretly I still dream of trying it one day… I still believe I belong to California (but this is our little secret)…

In the mean time I entertain these lazy days with lazy thoughts…

Summer in the marsh… The all-powerful sun, somehow subdued, tamed by the fresh crystal water…



Someone’s giving a concert. Toong – my daughter chose the onomatopoeia – toong you can hear here, and right when you think you’ll find the artist, another toong calls for your attention to the side, and toong again, right in front of you. Ah, where are they? The reeds are dense, the glimmer on the water is treacherous… And there’s green, green, and more green everywhere…


Aha! There you are, Mister! This is one of the “culprits”. An enormous bullfrog… Watching us with wary eyes. No need for a prince to hide inside him. I think he’s just beautiful on his own…

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I spent so much time around marshes growing up. These pictures and thoughts took me back. Thanks, Vesper.

Sarah Hina said...

Oh, what pretty photos, Vesper! Your froggy is beautiful as is.

I, too, have entertained these thoughts you evoke so well. And I once belonged to California...but she never belonged to me. ;) It is sometimes difficult to find such unspoiled beauty there. Your corner of the world seems just lovely!

Unknown said...

I couldn't stand everlasting summer. I love winter.

Bernita said...

These are lovely photos of dream and reality.
And I am fond of frogs.

Akasha Savage. said...

What lovely photos. I'm still waiting for our summer to arrive. we had a few hot days, but now it's just rain, rain, and more rain!

BernardL said...

I liked the photos. When I settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, friends and relatives would constantly tell me I'd miss the four seasons. It's been thirty-five years, and I haven't missed them yet. The balmy weather here, year round, is the greatest. :)

Monique said...

Still no summer here. I love those photographs.

Jeff said...

Love the photos, Vesper. Warm weather at last! :)

Vesper said...

I'm glad they did, Jason. :-) You were lucky to spend a lot of time around marshes. I think they're fascinating.

Thanks, Sarah, maybe he's a cousin of yours... :-) Ah, California....

Ropi, winter has its beauty, too. :-)

I'm glad you liked the photos, Bernita. I love frogs!

Thanks, Akasha. Our summer has been quite rainy until now. But then there are days like the one when I took these photos that make up for the rest...

Bernard, I think you're right. The weather where you live is probably the best.

Monique, welcome and thank you for stopping by. Lately, summer has been a short fragile thing... :-)

Thanks, Jeff! Yeah, we have to enjoy every degree of it. :-)

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Great photos and commentary! I've missed coming here!

Jon M said...

Ace pics Vesper! Could do with some warm weather by us!

Mediterranean Views said...

Vesper,
Having different seasons or a lovely Spring/Summer all year round, is like having straight or curly hair. Those of us with straight hair spend lots on perms and curling devices,while those with curls spend lots on straightening and ironing devices.
Thus after a decade of 50-65F winters by the sea, I fantasize about spending at least 4 seasons in up-state New York, where the foilage and flowers are like those you share with us throughout the seasons, those of my childhood. The silence of snow, it's pureness when recently fallen, the bright birds against it, even the frigid cold and bundling clothes that go with it. Lilacs in Spring and thunderstorms, fireflies and a pallete of greens in summer, with red's yellow and oranges soon to follow. My summer palletes are of browns and tans,even the toad found in our yard was brown to your frog's green. Only hours of sprinkling provide a patch of green respite in our garden this time of year.
If only travelling to other parts was as cheap and easy as a curling iron!
Love Amy in Sunny Spain.

Unknown said...

Mist and fog, rain and drizzle - will summer never come?

Vesper said...

Thank you, Ello! :-)

Thanks Jon! We don't have much of that here either. :-)

You're so right, Amy! Thank you for reminding it to me in such a lovely and poetic way. :-)

Minx, I'm afraid it might already be gone... :-)

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

That is an awesome picture and a really big frog!

You definitely captured his best side.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore