When summer smacks you in the face

I stepped outside for a break this afternoon and suddenly I was transported to another planet where the sun is warm on my skin and every plant and flower is in full bloom around me. Oh wait, I'm in the Northwest. Since the storms of the last weeks it never seemed like summer would find its way to our area. Just this last weekend it was cold enough in the morning that I noticed a T-shirt just wasn't going to cut it. But today was spectacular. Not a cloud in the sky, temperature somewhere in the sixties, and every single beautiful leaf and bloom virtually sang at the sight of blue skies. I actually love when the weather decides to serve up something different nearly every year. Although I'm sure not to remember exactly what previous year's weather patterns were I know that the thunder and lightning we recently received is abnormal. When I was a kid I paid enough attention to such storms that I know when they pass by. I often have to restrain myself from rekindling my love for finding shelter during a thunderbumper and counter the claps and flashes of thunder and lightning. Nevertheless, this year we've had some snow, some dry weather, now some storms, and now some stunning clear weather. I happily snapped away some photos during my walk and will likely do so in the days and weeks ahead. Enjoy!

Comments (5) | To Top

5/24/2005 @ 9:40pm

Pretty, pretty, pretty. Thanks for the nice reminder of spring and the worshiping of the sun. Wish I had a camera.

by Sherry

5/25/2005 @ 9:12am

Your funny-looking flowers are columbines, just in case you were wondering. They re-seed prolifically--I know from experience!

by Kathy Freitas

5/25/2005 @ 9:42am

Thanks for the ID, Mom. They just struck me as truly strange looking with that jester hat-like back side of the flower. Beautiful, though.

by KevinFreitas

5/27/2005 @ 1:59pm

I like the photo of the columbine's backside. Sassy! My favorite fact about this flower? "[Some] Native American tribes used columbine as an aphrodisiac, others used the crushed seeds to treat headaches and control lice." (From http://www.elkridgenatureworks.com/serv04.htm)

by Kelly May

5/28/2005 @ 7:56am

Very cool. I like that in some places it was called the "jack-in-trousers". I'd say Matt should make an animation surround something to do with this crazy looking flower but someone would have to get him some and, according to the article you linked above, "a gift of a wild columbine was considered an insult if presented to a woman and bad luck if given to a man."

by KevinFreitas