Intoxicating Aromas

The first evening of July, a day of intense heat, sitting of the porch, relaxing, cooling off, smell that wonderful aroma. Mmmmm! Only a very sunny day will convince the plants to release their volatile oils, that heady smell that intoxicates. I love that about summer. It's part of what keeps me gardening. So I'm sitting on the porch and look around, what plants are making themselves known this evening? Not the daisies, They look great, but have you gotten a nose full of their odor? God certainly has a sense of humor.
Yes this is it. The bells. They are a heirloom variety. Their aroma is very strong at night. Yum!
This is one of the porches we sit and relax. Soaking up July, sharing with family and friends.
I'll be gone, visiting family over the 4th. Barbecuing, watching the fire works being shot off a barge, laughing, and loving our friends and family. This is what it's about, July.

Turn the Page To July

July, for me, one of the intense months. By saying intense I'm thinking of several things. The intensity of the fire works on the forth, filling the sky, the sizzle, crackle, and booms. The smoke and sulfur, a thick haze floating to the ground like a blanket over everyone. The intensity at which we Americans are prone to play on our vacations. I don't do that, but it's all around me. The intensity of how fast and beautiful the plants are growing in the garden. The intensity of the sun. They intensity of the sky. I love to watch the sky change in the mornings and evenings, all the different shades of color. From midnight blues to clear light blues, with red, flaming orange, lavender and velvet purple in between. Enjoy it. Soak up the aura of July. Use it to be at your creative best and deepen your relationships. I'm looking forward to a full month, lots of family times. People coming and going. The laughter and sharing. Enjoying the intensity at a relaxed pace.