Celebrate Old-Time Summer Fun

Remember when summer months were filled with concerts, picnics, and lazy days? Time was spent outside enjoying life's moments. Growing up, I remember one event, the Fireman Field Days, that was the highlight of the summer in my neighborhood. Parents who belonged to the volunteer fire department prepared for the event months in advance. Anticipation came in bundles as the event neared. Children watched adults erect tents and prepare food. Everyone always expected good weather. As the years moved on so did the fashion of the times and the way that we as children participated. Older children were allowed to help prepare for the annual event.

During the hot, summer nights when the field days were held, children lined up in the streets waiting to feel the spritz of the fire hoses as water poured out during the competition. The food tents were crowded, especially the salt potato booth. Gobs of butter were placed all over the delicious small red potatoes that were created in honor of Syracuse's early salt mines. Cotton candy in a bubblegum pink color was piled high in paper cones and often spotted on the ferris wheel ride. Everyone played penny toss and other games as we moved from tent to tent. Shrieks and laughter were heard, evidence that everyone was relaxing and enjoying the nighttime event. Each night when we walked the few blocks home, conversation would center on coming back for one more night of fun. 

Photo from Hannibal, NY Fireman Field Days

When the field days were over, summer returned to a routine: playing in each other's yards, waiting to whiff the delicious smells of the next pies my friend's mom would bake, reading in the sun, and listening to the transistor radio. In contrast to growing up in Central New York, today's children on Long Island are often seen playing with their electronics, discussing video games, and going to beaches. The ever-popular tan is still being sported by many children. 

Today, I try to savor my summer days but I need to be intentional about them. Household tasks always seem to take away from leisure time, if I allow them to do so. On Wednesday night, my friends and I decided to attend the Picnic Pops at Old Westbury Gardens. This time there was a clear weather report and I did not have to worry about being caught in summer rains like the last time (you can read about that here). The weather was warm, the music soothing, and the picnic food delicious but it was the walk in the gardens that brought me to a place of peace. As I walked with my friend she recounted stories about Old Westbury Gardens the way it was at the turn of the 20th Century and thirty years ago when she came to Long Island. The grandeur of the land was evident on this night. I snapped some photos and found a couple that I decided to digitalize with the Mobile Monet to give them an impressionist-look. I think they capture the majesty of the gardens that last still today. 

It is time to Celebrate This Week with Ruth Ayres. I look forward to hearing the positives of my colleagues' week. 

Summer Rains

Summer's been rocking with high temperatures and lightning storms making me think it is trying to get the world's attention. Well, it has as far as I'm concerned. My family and I are often seen scrambling for patio chair pads, bringing them in and returning them after summer showers. 

I laugh now thinking that I was worried about my garden in the summer heat. In contrast to the visual of dying plants, my flowers and grass seem to be thriving from the heat and rainstorms. The black-eyed susans and lavender are bursting to breathe in the heat each day and I look forward to a quick downpour to cool down the evening. My grandmother's watering can has been a useful tool and a great reminder of the beautiful rose gardens that I use to stroll through on her property.

Last Wednesday, the temperatures were high so we decided to join our friends at Long Island's historic landmark Westbury Gardens for the Summer Pops series. It did not dawn on us to bring the umbrella out from the car as we walked the short distance to the great lawn. Chairs were laid out in front of the 19th Century Mansion and food tables were set up by picnic-goers. As we met our friends and placed our specialities on the table, we all settled down to listen to the music and have an old-fashioned outdoor summer picnic. 

During the break, many in the audience strolled to the mansion's gift shop and on to the huge patio and rose garden. Fireflies were blinking here and there and all seemed to be the perfect setting for a lovely summer evening stroll until...

the rains started to come down. Puzzled by what to do without an umbrella, I decided we should exit the mansion's gift shop and make a beeline to the porch area. I knew there was a huge tree that would become our umbrella. When we got to the tree it seemed so exciting to be on the majestic grounds in a rainstorm. I recalled the Great Gatsby and imagined the lawn filled with people all enjoying summertime. Since it continued to rain, many just sat admiring the grounds and the warm rain. Capturing the rainstorm settling on the historic site afforded me the opportunity to be creative

and so the night continued with the band singing in the rain until the rains passed. 

Memories...

Please visit Two Writing Teachers here where colleagues are offering their slices of life for all to read. 

Celebrating Nature

This was a week of observing, enjoying, and appreciating nature. It started with the build up to Mother's Day. On Long Island the day always signifies the start of the planting season so days leading up to the event are filled with anticipation. Where can I find the healthiest plants?  How do I want to design the garden?   What color choices would be available?  This year I set out to find the answers to my questions with eager anticipation so that my flowers could be chosen in time for Mother's Day planting.. 

I was not disappointed. East end growers brought a truckload of plants in brilliant hues of pinks, reds, purples, and oranges against a backdrop of lush greens to western Long Islanders ready to purchase and plant. Unfortunately, rain interrupted the planting and left a residue of mud and dirt that was tracked into the house. There was no complaining since friends on the west coast of the United States are suffering from a drought. 

With planting in place, I could step back to notice the pleasures of the different gardens we planted. The herb, vegetable, and meditation gardens were for the most part ready for spring so I had time to reflect on what had been accomplished. All seemed fine. 

The azaleas were just starting to show color when I found a gift from Mother Nature. My bright orange plant that I think is also an azalea bloomed. Each year I eagerly wait for this sight that signifies the start of the spring gardening season. I celebrate nature as it is reflected in my garden.

Mother's Day this year was celebrated with friends and family at Old Westbury Gardens, a 1906 Gatsby-like estate owned by John Phipps, heir to a U.S. Steel fortune. The majestic and well-manicured grounds are part of the National Register of Historic Places and a most appropriate spot to celebrate springtime and Mother Nature's gifts. As I walked the expansive grounds, I was in awe of the beauty of the land. The various colored tulips, the tallest I've ever seen, were glorious sights. 

The photos of the day are worth seeing 

and will become one of my cherished memories. 

I couldn't resist photographing what I called
wish flowers when I was a child. 

I celebrate nature because it is:

inviting

invigorating

peaceful

contemplative

a gift from above

Naturally Appealing Tranquil Refreshing Engaging

In what ways do you celebrate nature?

Join me as I continue to celebrate nature with the design of Spring's Symphony Gallery that will be unveiled at the end of the spring season. Information can be found at the May Blossom post here.

Now please visit Ruth Ayres Writes for Celebrate This Week.

There you will find many writers discussing their week as a celebration of life.