Sunflowers

the unicorn above my crowded  mantel

field of sunflowers on my bike ride yesterday

interesting wildflower

rainbow

Allie sliding down the bouncy castle slide

Maya and Tessa

King Daniel on the birthday throne

The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last for ever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year – the days when summer is changing into autumn – the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.”

―E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web

(thank-you KH)

Fall is coming. I felt a rare chill in the air as I began my 33 mile bike ride much later than I did in June and July due to our disappearing sunlight. But  the cool air feels so good. I've done this route many times but the last time was the first week of July. How did I not notice two huge fields of sunflowers before? Several cars were stopped to photograph them. The heads all turned to face the eastern sun: girasole in Italian meaning turns towards the sun.

I tried to use up as many of  my tomatoes and squash in my ratatouille I made for the Moms Saturday night. We since have changed our name to The Chosen Sisters. All week we have had rains on and off driving us inside after we had wine and appetizers on my friend's pergola. Fortunately the final rain (knocking down many of my pots back at home) brought in a cold front which still remains. We were able to go outside after dinner in the dark watching my friend go through the complicated motions of making home made ice cream, which was delicious. Lots of interesting conversations; a good night.

Yesterday afternoon, Daniel's cousins and friends convened at a bouncy castle place to celebrate his birthday. The kids probably slept well last night as much energy was expelled jumping and climbing.

And later a friend came over to sit on the porch to watch the setting sun while drinking our mules and then some TV. Some neighbors tooled around in a stretch limousine waving to all they could find. Have no idea what the occasion was.

And I didn't need to run as soon as I got up as it is cool enough to wait for a bit though now the Eastern sun is so low, it gets in my eyes.