July Front Porch

If the theme in my flowerbeds is lush and over grown (and it is), there there is no reason such a theme cannot be carried over to the front porch.  And so it does.

T gave me a flip flop flag and wreath and July is the perfect month for a woman loathe to wear shoes.

The ease of Summer is something I long for in the cold weather and never take for granted when the warm days settle around us.  I start my day on this front porch every day of the Summer and I never tire of the plant-fortified view that greets me in the morning.

Given the time, I’m out here in the afternoon with my iced tea and my books.  It’s my favorite room of the house this time of year and I spend so much time here that I can spy a new leaf on my plants the moment it first begins to bud.  Pandemic worries aside, the Summer is determined to fly right past.  I am making the most of it while it’s here.

July 1: Fairy Garden

The current dry air not withstanding, the last few weeks have brought on the warm and increasingly humid weather that fireflies enjoy.  Come the early evening hours, the fairy garden twinkles with fireflies.  I don’t have the photography skills or equipment to capture what it looks like but it’s magical, all the more so because the firefly season is fleeting.  A fairy garden is a perfect accompaniment for the flashes of light and I enjoy sitting on the back deck to watch my garden light up.

Things are pretty garden in the sunlight as well.

The peach tree branches are full of fruit and though the squirrels are enjoying a healthy share, I’m hopeful there will also be peaches for us to eat.  I’m already planning some homemade peach ice cream.

The arrival of July feels like summer is flying by, a development that is worrying because I have yet to reach my fill of relaxation.  For now, I’m reminding myself to live in the moment and enjoy the relaxed days.

Front Porch in July

My front porch is patriotic and decked out in red, white, and blue for the month of July.  It's starts with a wreath a friend of mine made.

I’ve been so frustrated and disappointed in my government of late that I considered taking a pass on a patriotic display.  But this is my nation, too.  And I am a patriot.  I’m a patriotic who believes that a nation of immigrants should have open doors for other immigrants and their families.  I’m a patriot who believes that equal justice for all means just that, all of us.  I believe that looking after the vulnerable makes us stronger and better.   I believe that liberty is more than a word, it’s pledge and promise we must maintain for everyone, not just those who are born here.  So I will celebrate the best of my nation with red, white, and blue on my front porch.  

I will relax here and enjoy the tranquility with my book, cold drinks, and iced tea.  And I won’t cede a bit of space to those who won’t bring tolerance and kindness to the celebration of our independence.  

Patriotic Porch for July

With July 4 on the horizon, I made plans for a new display for this month’s porch.  To be sure, the current political climate has me reluctant to express patriotism (more on that tomorrow).  There is a lot about my nation that I love; at our best, Americans can do some very good things. We are not at our best right now, but I haven’t given up hope.  This is as much my nation as it anyone else’s and I have no intention of giving up the battle on behalf of our better angels.   So I will celebrate our Declaration of Independence with some red, white, and blue and the enduring hope that we can do better.  

My front door wreath is a gift from my crafty friend daytime T.

The table has a red and white tablecloth and plenty of summer greenery and blooms to go with my charming white birdhouse.

The rocker is doing double duty as a place to relax and to dry out JT’s washed running gear.  Those double begonias are quite literally over the top..

The popsicle flag cheers my days and reminds me that simple pleasures make summer lovely.

This summer's flower baskets make me smile every day.  

That's happy!