Midsummer Day

the temps soared the day before the traditional Midsummer date. Oppressive heat even here in the mountains, reminiscent of those hot, hot summer days of my childhood. Not being able to sleep at night, tossing and turning, wishing sleep would visit. Woken before dawn with the cacophony of white cockatoos flying over head, too tired to even get up to see if they were destroying my apples.
I am not a lover of summer.
I got up early, after the sleepless night and went out into the garden to water - there was a slight coolness but I knew another scorcher was coming. Watering the garden, I felt a stillness - like something had peaked. Waiting. And then I remembered, that tomorrow we would be on the inward spiral once again towards winter. Even if only a nano of a second every day, at least summer had peaked. That is not to say our summer is over. No. Our hottest month is yet to come. And of course there is the exact moment of Midsummer whenever that is, but I follow the traditional dates. It suits me better.

above is a photo from Inglewood, taken in Midsummer 2009.

The Pixie is now sitting under the apple tree here at Avalon

on my early morning solstice walk, I spotted yellow flower growing from a crack. I am not sure if it is St. Johns wort but it made me think of the plant. perfect for midsummer! like a golden sun, coming into fullness.

I planted a miniature pear tree in our back garden and then in the late afternoon, Joe and I went to the local growers market where we bought eggs, duck fat, olives for Christmas & a slice of Tart au chocolate to share, sitting on the grass in the cool. I also bought a daisy for my garden.
then for dinner, we did go to Katoomba Falls lookout and enjoyed chicken and red wine with candle light and then came home for dessert of Midsummer fruit salad and icecream