Summer Passes By

As the calendar turns its page to the middle of September, the weather moves forward between two seasons. There are beautiful summer days and summer rains with damp weather but this past week in Northern Virginia widespread thunderstorms and cool weather were the norm. It was jacket and raincoat weather due to 60-degree weather. Then, all of a sudden the temperature climbed up and the humidity went down. It felt like a combo of the summer season and early fall. 

While summer knows its boundaries, nature decided to play between the two seasons. Summer days lessened. William Shakespeare stated, "Summer's lease hath all too short a date." Will Summer pass by us as Fall decides to make a grand entrance with her royal carpet of leave?  Will Summer hold on or graciously pass the baton to Autumn for the beginning of the Fall event? Here is my haiku sequence.

summer holds on

knowing what will come next

change approaches

summer pauses

feels the seasonal pressure

time is precious

summer steps in

a chance to shine is needed

fall winks takes its turn

©CVarsalona, 2025

As Summer transitions into Fall, I picture a gallery of artistic expressions created.

⇣

Invitation to All

Summering is a state of mind that brings feelings of joy and relaxation. It revolves around the best of summertime and the ability to savor those feelings year-round. 

I invite poets, writers, photographers, and educators to consider using this prompt to create an image poem, inspirational quote, or a photograpy on: How do you engage in summering during the summer season? Do you have a special photo, piece of artwork and/or poem to add to the Summering Mini-Gallery that I will create.

Thank you to Mary Lee Hahn and Janet Fagal for participating with their image poems on summering. You can send your offerings to cvarsalona@gmail.com by October 3, 2025. I  will gather the artistic expressions and create the mini-gallery. 

I am delighted to send this invitation forth to the fabulous book reviewer, baker,  and literary buff, Jama at Jama's Alphabet Soup.

Inquiry: Is anyone attending the NCTE Convention in Denver this November. I am interested in rooming with someone. Please let me know if your are going and planning on sharing a room. Thank you, friends and a special thank you to Matt Forrest Esenwine for asking me to present with his team of Georgia Heard  and Allan Wolf.

Summering on the Spiritual Journey

The art of summering is captured in the wonder of morning light, the darkness of a starry night, and the awe-inspiring beauty of nature. Poet Wallace Stevens stated, "The summer night is like a perfection of thought." I agree! 

My love for summer dates back to my early childhood when I summered with my Nonnie. Each week was full of small excursions such as walking to the library and church, running around the multiple flower beds and vegetable gardens, and pinning laundry on a rope as the breeze flipped and flopped our wash. Each activity was an uncomplicated, valuable memory of summertime. 

As an adult, the art of summering lifts my spirits. I wander through nature, finding ordinary items to dazzle me. Even a tiny dandelion, as simple as it is, brings joy. Now that June is here, with its kingdom of beautifully selected skies, beds of colorful flowers, and my magnolia trees, I can slow down with a more mindful approach. 

Yesterday, sunlight opened the day. I felt the pangs of loss more so than before, so I decided to go on my first walk in months. I breathed in June's fragrance of fresh-cut grass and hint of lilac and lavender. I listened to the sounds of birds and the swish-swash of the water pond. I paused for a short time, just to stare at the majesty of this summer-like environment. Knowing that June is "busting out all over, I need to renew my one word commitment to enjoy life.

"It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside."  - Maud Hart Lovelace 

Three reading women in a summer landscape by Johan Krouthen, 1908

So what is summering to me? It is savoring stilled golden moments (as seen above in the artwork), time to enjoy the sounds of nature and the ebb and flow of the ocean, and inhale the scent of flowers. It is also a time to relax, barbecue, and enjoy life with family and friends. 

Ecclesiastes 11: 7-8 reminds me to delight in the light of day, while acknowledging the limitations of life. (AI) On my spiritual journey, there will be stumbling and confusion but hope shall help me find a new path as summer blossoms unfold.

I wake from sleep

stumble to see the light

alone with thoughts

I feel confused

what was once is no longer

yet life moves on

seasons change

the sounds and sights

of June usher in renewal

©CVarsalona, June 2025

Thank you to book lover and writer, Ramona Behnke, for leading our Spiritual Journey community this June with the theme of Summering.

Since time is precious, I am also offering my blog post for Poetry Friday. Thank you to nature poet, author, and photographer, Buffy Silverman, for hosting today's Poetry Friday Roundup. She is reviewing two books: Flurry, Float, and Fly! by Laura Purdie Salas and Wonder Why by Lisa Varchol Perron. You will also see there are many other poets who are sharing their poetic goodness.

Summering Fun with the Grandgirls

It was a summer afternoon to remember, moderate temperatures, sunshine, and smiles. As we strolled through the streets of historic Clifton, Virginia, I imagined what it was like as a Civil War town. Was it the quaintness represented by the architecture, the charm of the old railroad and oxcart, or the trattoria and ice cream stop that lured us on? We strolled, ate dinner at a European-type garden setting while the grandgirls waited patiently for the next treat, homemade ice cream at one of their favorite stops. A walk to the park for birthday cake and playground fun rounded off the enjoyable late afternoon. Summer sunshine embraced us, making the quote by author Kellie Elmore a reality.    

“I love how summer just wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket.” 

family gathering

sweet summer day

giftwrapped in sunshine

filled with memories

from a different time of life

and contemporary delights for little ones.

©CV, 2021

We enjoyed a delicious Italian meal at Trattoria Villagio's outside garden.

A bit of history and fun delights the little girls at the historic Devereaux Station.

Who can resist an old train to climb?

A walk to Peterson's Ice Cream, one of Northern Virginia's favorite stops, is a favorite stop on the ice cream trail. The miniature ice cream truck delights everyone, especially the children.

The art of summering is leisurely enjoying summer days that create lasting family memories.

🌞

It's time to post my slice of life at Two Writing Teachers, "A Meeting Place for a World of Reflective Writers. Join me there.

Anticipation

"Poetry reading is up in America while reading books for pleasure is down slightly. So says the National Endowment for the Arts, which has published the result of a study, 'U.S. Trends in Arts Attendance and Literacy Reading: 2002-2017'... Poetry reading surged a remarkable 76 percent, to 28 million in 2017." 

I was excited to read the short article, Making Waves, Readers in America, in USA Today, 9.14.18, before heading out to the state education conference I was attending. After several days of cooler temperature and rain on Long Island, it was a pleasure to be greeted by the sun and warmer weather. I am still in summer mode and am enjoying reading poetry that has been sent to me for The Art of Summering Gallery.  After a short hiatus from   designing my summer gallery of artistic expressions, I am happy to return to the task.

ANTICIPATION

  Awaiting the arrival of the
  Newest addition to my global galleries,
  The Art of Summering. There will be
  Inspirational quotes,
  Photography blended with
  Artwork, and
  Technology. There will be digital art
  Image poems, a children's corner, and music.
  Open invitation to the
uNveiling.

Coming Soon!

For now, I am joining Amy Ludwig Vanderwater at The Poet Farm who is the host of Poetry Friday this week. Amy has a reflective post for students and teachers with a wonderful poem, a quiet boat. Please join me!

Summer Calls

The heat of sunkissed August days

lures Long Islanders to water's edge

practicing the art of summering.

Lingering at lunch with friends-

Watching boats pass on by-

Basking in sunshine-

Watching children frolic-

Listening to seagulls' shrillness

As they swoop down to grab lunch.

At the beach, even the gulls

reflect on the art of summering.

Finding life's balance is easier

at water's edge.

**************

Poetry Friday is hosted this week for the first time by my writing friend, fellow Wonder Lead Ambassador, and resident ornithophile, Christie Wyman. Christie offered a bird-related poem challenge for anyone who was willing to fly along with her. Since I am immersed in the collection of digital inspirations for my summer gallery, The Art of Summering, I wrote about the beach with its pensive seagulls who can be a raucous addition to the beach scene. You can see Christie's Padlet of fine feathered poetry here.