Summer

Summer is settling in slowly and quietly I've noticed. The birds who sing in the morning are shifting to a different mix of singers with different songs. Moving from the melodies to the chirps as we move out of mating and egg laying to feeding and survival mode. And the nights, while not warm, are no longer chilly.

We were out on the Potomac with a group of people yesterday in kayaks and the water plants are filling the shallow areas. The trees (all but the Chinese chestnut) are no longer blooming but have moved into full speed photosynthesis. Capturing the fullness of the June sun and storing up energy for later, leaner months.

People, too, are in summer mode. Moving slower. Picnicing. Traveling in their cars and motorbikes and buses here and there and back again. Crunching things to do into the "things-to-do" time of year. Sandals and shorts are the dress of choice in the hot middays. And floppy hats to shade the sun.

Maybe the rain that we've been getting in the area will slacken now. We've had twice the amount lately as is usual for this time of year. There are loads of mushrooms popping up in lawns and fields. Even those pristine, chemically bathed lawns harbor the fungi, it's been so wet. The molds will likely creep there way into the dark, damp places of the house, too, as summer takes hold a bit more each day.

But in another week, solstice will be passed and we'll be traveling toward the next season and all that it holds in store.