Early Days

No entry last night. Short entry this morning. Thanks, Sol. Thanks, Sluggo.

All the windows open all night, the barely scented air barely moving, the walls hoarding heat so that the only relief is to go outdoors. The darkness is pale even before the waning moon rises. Summer creeps up, and nothing can be done about it. I walk across the lawn and the drying blades of grass crunch slightly. I can feel the moisture draining from everything. Too soon, light bleeds into the eastern sky. It's going to be a scorcher.

( Sunday Verse )

Odorama

I think the gardenias are blooming. I haven't been out to look at them, but I smell a dense, cloying perfume that is giving me a headache. That must be them.

Despite the heat, it has been a nice day, with lots of clouds of various types decorating the sky. None of them are rain clouds, though. Rain would be doubly welcome if the gardenias have bloomed. If they get wet, then tend to rot much faster, and then I wouldn't have to endure them for so long. I don't know why I find the scent of gardenias so offensive when it is really not much stronger or sweeter than the scent of jasmine, but for some reason I've never been able to abide the stuff. And it always gives me headaches. If it were my house, I'd rip them out and plant something else -- maybe some daphne. Anything that didn't stink so, really.

Watering season has definitely arrived. It's going to be irrigation for the next several months. I do like to feel the cool night breezes wafted across lawn sprinklers from which they pick up a hint of mist, but the water bills can be horrendous.

Still too hot in the house, and likely to remain so most of the night. I'm going out to watch the clouds turn pink with sunset.