It’s early… only 7:00 AM. As I sit at the computer with my morning coffee, Coco sits on my lap, his ears pressed back, his entire body trembling. Out of the corner of my eye and out the window to the left I see a flash of light fracture the dark sky… followed almost immediately by a thunderous crack. Coco’s body vibrates in response, his sad eyes questioning mine. I hold him close and whisper, “it’s only thunder… you’re ok.”
Another flash lights the sky. Another loud crack shakes the house. The rain begins and falls in sheets against the window. Coco trembles while Sadie slumbers at my feet.
Another moody Manitoba Monday.
Another rainy summers day… seeming to be our norm this year.
 rain drops on lilies rain drops on poppies |
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Ah… but not so yesterday.
Yesterday was a fleeting but generous reminder of what our summers can be like. Blue skies with a gentle breeze. Warmth.
The perfect day to finally get some gardening in. The only thing being that we have somehow already arrived at the time of year when the lettuce is done, and straggly remaining peas are close behind. The time of pulling is here.
“How can this be”, I heard myself say, for part of me is still in waiting mode for the summer that seems not to be. Time for acceptance, I suppose. Hopes for a long and extended fall are now in the works… an Indian Summer would be most welcomed.
The days are already noticeably shorter. By 9:00 last evening, the sun had set.
Still early in the night-time scheme of things, and with no moon visible to cast a glow, the dark blue sky stretched to the horizon with lighter tones reaching to the west. Two bright stars peeked out from the dark. One in the east (not blinking.. could it be a planet) and one almost directly over head and slightly to the north.
I love warm summer evenings. I love them even more this time of year when the sun has set, leaving the trees shimmering and taking on a golden hue under the hovering street lights. The perfect time to walk. And that is what we did. I grabbed the dog’s leashes and off we went.
Still early, the street was very much alive. A couple of times the dogs and I were caught off guard as a small gaggle of kids zoomed on by … some on bikes, one on a scooter. Their voices and laughter carried by the night air.
More than once we found we had to shift our path to the side of the street to let by a passing car.. radio blaring, turned up high. The teenage hours I assumed.
But for the most part it was a quiet stroll reminding me of how much I love these late evening walks. The sounds of summer still there, but with the crickets starting to build their chorus.
By the time we arrived back to our yard, the night sky was alive and dancing with stars.. so lovely and not witnessed enough this year.
More rain had been predicted for today… and looks like once more, they are on the money. But at least we had yesterday.. and last night.
Your word pictures are wonderful, Col. I’m sorry that you haven’t had the summer you hoped for, but I’m glad for the glimpses you’ve had.
“Another moody Manitoba Monday” sounds like a great song title.
Our summer days are all the same. I do love reading about summer days that have some variety and envying your rainy days.-
Col, I heard at the gym this morning that Mars is the closest to Earth these last few days, than it will be for the next 1,000 years! Maybe one of the bright stars you saw was Mars. The gal did mention that to us this close, it just looks like a really bright star. I believe you were in the shadow of Mars!
As usual, I love your descriptive posts…I was right there with you.
I see my day started similar to yours, but thankfully Bear was not on my lap. However, he was right behind me wherever I went. And in the event I didn’t know that, his drool on the floor on my barefeet was an unpleasant reminder. We had some pretty loud thunder and close lightening strikes (well, they seemed close) as well. Glad it was a short lived storm. Yesterday was a beautiful day to just be outdoors no matter what one was doing. Some BBQ’d steaks and eating out on the deck was the perfect way to end the day, and yes, it gets dark so soon!
There was a song Moody Manitoba in the late 60′s early 70′s. Fitting for a day like today. I got up 0630h to the rain and made a cup of tea & went back to bed to read for an hour. Best hour I spent. Later we got such a heavy down pour of rain with the thunder storm. Lost my power twice in the storm. Lucky not for long. I’m so tired of this rainy weather. I hoping for a long warm Indian Summer! What do you think the chances of that are? Love your blog Colleen. H
Poor Coco… Daisy is the same with storms… she shakes and trembles and pants and is so restless. Mr. Rhett hides under the blanket or his sleeping pad. No one else seems to mind the thunder at all. We had a 2 inch per hour rain on Saturday, not usual and as a result some street flooding. I just wish the humidity would go down.
Another fabulous post where you take your readers along with you. Love your froggy!
I love your little garden friend.
Isn’t it a shame that the gardens are starting to show signs of the changing seasons? I’m not tired of all those fresh veggies. But then, I’m never tired of them.
My grand dog, Bella, the Havanese, does the same as Coco when it thunders or even threatens thunder. She tenses up. She can hear the thunder way far away and she tucks her tail and starts to shake. Holding her does not comfort her.
Now that she has a sister dog, a rescue dog, Lila, part Jack Russell and part Chihuahua, maybe Bella will take a clue and calm down about the thunder.
At least, Colleen, you are getting rain. We could do with some here, but that seems not likely.
I am with Coco regarding thunder storms. On the few occasions, the dogs have repeatedly looked at me as if I am crazy taking them out. Then the lightning bolts explode far too close, and what to do – run!
I love the poppy but that’s one very peculiar frog.