Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Happy Solstice


The Summer Day
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?

Mary Oliver


Surface in progress above!  I think I need to join gardener's anonymous.  No time for anything but the great outdoors which is wholly appropriate in this northern clime!  Been working on a Japanese (style) garden out front and scrubbing the very dirty cedar siding with citra-solv.  Pictures at some point I'm sure.

But encouraging you to embrace the deliciousness of summer today and onward.  Eat strawberries, light an evening candle, eat your dinner outside.

And here is another sign of summer trotting around the woods, small spotted fawns, filled with curiousity about life.

Happy solstice!

15 comments:

  1. aaaahhhh, carole! happy solstice to you! this orange surface is perfect for today's post!

    i join you in raising a toast to summer!

    xoxo

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  2. Thank you and same to you! We have been eating outside every night. It makes up feel like we are on a vacation all week! Now that is paradise.

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  3. Happy Solstice to you too!! I adore this poem you've posted by Mary Oliver - thank you so much for sharing! It does feel like a day to let go of troubles and to just embrace the sunshine.

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  4. Ahhhh ~ Yes ~ Thanks to your post I *am* embracing the delightful rich colors of Aliveness in your painting and poem with my eyes! And loving the pictures of the deer. Wouldn't I love to wake up to them in the backyard! Happy Solstice to you as well...

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  5. Thank you and Happy Solstice to you and your garden. Just drove by the beach and it seems everyone is out in the sun enjoying the waves. I plan on floating in the neighborhood pool and eating waffles for dinner....outside!
    Grace to us all!

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  6. So much beauty in one post! Happy Solstice Carole!

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  7. That poem just blows me away! Thanks so much for sharing it. And that luminous yellow-orange painting definitely says solstice to me. Solstice blessings to you.

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  8. Oooo... Mary Oliver and orange hues! The deer and fawn match too. Happy Solstice, my friend. A day late but out there in space it's always the longest day!

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  9. What an airy and light, bright and beautiful blog post-- which perfectly describes our light summer days here in the Pacific NW- when the sun comes out it is a beautiful day.. Mary Oliver is one of my favorite poets- thanks for sharing.

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  10. Ah, Mary Oliver...she always ask the best questions! The days have been a great mix of warm sun and showers--we savor each for its own special offerings. Though we live coastly, we're heading to a lovely, ancient beach this weekend. It is a good place to pause, think and meditate...I look forward to it. It doesn't hurt either that there's an international food festival happening in the neighboring town either. ;o) LOVE all the fiery orange & yellow in your new work, Carole. Happy Summer!

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  11. Great mix of charming colours, insightfull words and touching philosophy. Thank You for sharing so fascinatincting and outstanding.

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  12. Your blog is beautiful and your description of summer makes me want to leave Australia now and search for summer :)) wonderful painting !!

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  13. Beautiful post. Mary Oliver's poem was a great momentary escape.It is wonderful you are honoring your gift of love for gardening.It appears you are in the perfect location for it.

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  14. Beautiful words by Mary Oliver.
    And the mother deer and faun are an incredible sight.
    I can see why you're spending much time outside now.
    I look forward to seeing pics of your Japanese garden.
    Beautiful work in progress. Your latest piece has the warmth of summer for sure.

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