Another week of heat

The Cone Flowers are finishing up early this year.

With no rain and temperatures in the upper 90's to 100 F their seeds are ripening.

The Gold Finches do not mind.

The Gold Finches and Cone Flowers are one of my favorite parts of Summer.

I love watching them get seed.

A few morning clouds blew over.

No rain.

A Black Swallowtail beckoned me into the sun.

A female Tiger Swallowtail made me forget the heat.

She magically appeared when I was getting ready to go inside.

She is another reason why I love Summer.

I cut out a summer nightgown.

It will sew up quickly.

I am looking forward to making a few silk pieces
for Autumn.
This outfit will be fun to make.

I found a new shop.
I think I will go through my fabric stash.
I am sure I have fabric I will never sew up.
They give store credit.

The Monarchs are starting to come to the Butterfly bush.

I always enjoy watching them.

I want to stay in love with Summer.
I am determined not to let the heat and dryness take away my joy.

There are 95 days from Summer Solstice
to Autumn Equinox. I have decided to find 95 loves.
I am making a list and taking photographs of all that I love about Summer.

I am gathering hearts.

I am finding the beauty in this heat.

We hung our new eggplant sheets
 out on the line.
Sun dried sheets are a luxury.

The Cicadas are singing.
A few Fireflies are still out at dusk.

Birds, butterflies and books

I took my coffee out to the deck this morning.

I wanted some bird time before it was too hot to be outside.

A little Tufted Titmouse was first to say, "Good Morning."

A male House Finch came right up too.

There has been little wind this past week.

The Wind Harp has been silent.

The Gold Finches have the prettiest song.

They are known as the Wild Canary.

I watched the moon cross the morning sky.

I looked through a few library books.

I like these bags.

I also looked through a pillow book.

I need a pillow for my yoga practice.

Something for when I sit in zan-zen.

I think the pincushions are darling.

It would be fun to make a kimono.
I have a few Japanese things and do love wearing them.

Another inspiring way to use paper.

Once the sun was high I had to go inside.
It is so very hot this July.
Yet when I saw the Giant in the Mimosa tree I grabbed the camera
and stood in the sun for a few minutes.
Mimosas and Giant Swallowtails are so tropical.
Makes 100 degrees seem normal.

On the way back to the house I spotted a Chick-a-dee
staying cool.

A caterpillar came in with me.
My husband took it back out.

I brought out our caterpillar field guide.
It is that time of year again.
Our caterpillar is a Large Yellow Underwing.

There have been other cat sightings.

This is a Milkweed Tussock Caterpillar.

My husband is great at finding cats.
I will need to get my habitats set up again.
It is fun to watch them spin their cocoons.

I am leaving the sewing machine open.
I want to get back to my sewing.
I still have some mending to finish
before I start a project.
This straw hat needs an inside band.
It is uncomfortable without one.

I found a pretty piece of cotton
in my fabric stash.
I need a new summer nightgown.
I think I will go to the fabric store and buy a pattern.
It has been many years since I cut out a pattern
and sewed up a garment.
A nightgown will be a good place to start.

I brought up a red silk skirt and blouse.
I like the skirt but not with the blouse.
I think I will restyle the blouse.
I am wanting to work up a cute red outfit
to wear in September.

While on vacation I bought a few wooden puzzles.
I think tonight I will put one together
and see how it turns out.
I'd like to spray paint a few little things tomorrow.
They will dry quickly outside.

The mini wooden boxes
are very cute.
I think I will use one in my handbag.
Perhaps it would look good in red.

Life in a painting

We walked last night as storms gathered.

I felt the energy of the wind.

I felt as if I was in another world.

 I awoke this morning and the air was full of dancing lights.

Butterflies greeted me in the garden.

I harvested mint for winter teas.

I finished my car blanket.

My husband fixed my magnifing glass.

I will decorate my blanket with Myrtle-wood buttons.

Sometimes I feel far, far away.