good morning, summer

Another flash of lightning illuminated the night outside his window, and he startled.

"Do you know what it is, Evan, when the lightning comes?"

"No," he whispered, sinking into his bed.

"It's mother nature squirting a flash of sky soap onto her brush. Then the thunder comes just after, and that's mother nature scrubbing the sky clean. It takes a lot of work, you know, to scrub the sky clean. It's a big sky. It's all over the world. And she doesn't just give it a rinse, when it thunders. She scrubs it until it squeaks. There's no cleaner sky than the sky after a storm, sweetie. Clean like sapphires."

"And the plants like that, mommy?"

"They do. A scrubbing storm gives them plenty to drink, and sunshine that's all crisp and delicious. When it's thundering and raining all the trees and all the flowers and the grass and the zucchinis and basils and peppers and blackberries stretch like this -- AAAHHHHHH! -- and they gulp and gulp and gulp and you'll never see anything so happy."

"Did mother nature make the earth?"

"She did. It was a lot of work but she's a good worker."

"Where did people live, before mother nature did her work? Did they live on Mars?"

(Because when you're five-and-a-half, every story must end with SPACEMEN.)

+++

This morning at 7:38 AM, spring gave a deep, gentlemanly bow to summer. Poor spring. He's earnest and lovely but really, he's the prep cook. He's in charge of underground awakenings. Then everything bursts up all full of pride and summer swishes in trailing the scent of wild roses and peonies.

This morning, I'm gulping the work of mother nature and her seasonal children. You should, too. Celebrate it with me today. Show me their scrubbing and tidying and birthing from where you are.

 +++

Congratulations to the winners of the Hello You contest:

The Grand Hello goes to Leslie/Emerson Simone Photography’s Pondering.

And the 2 runners up are Casie’s Me and Spencercasa’s Me too.

Thank you everyone for sharing yourselves with us…you are all beautiful! And thanks to Hello Canvas for the fab prizes!

Comments

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

I love that story, what a beautiful post. Thunderstorms always seem so refreshing, I'll be sure to look up and think of the sky being cleaned next time we have one.

[Misty]

The morning, heavy with dew, the sun just breaking above the trees to dry it all up. The daisy waiting, ready.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/4712623725/

[Ingrid]

Even without seeing who had written this post, I knew it was you, Kate! You have such a way with words and can describe things so beautifully. Gorgeous photo, too!

[Casie B.]

Thank you for choosing me as a runner up! Happy summer everyone!

[Jen at Cabin Fever]

I tried to capture some lightning photos yesterday, but only ended up in the middle of a horrible storm and was unable to get ahead of the rain. It was kind of cool to see trees down everywhere. It felt like I was somewhere dangerous, like the edge of a cliff peering down, where something bad could happen around every corner. Just wish I had some photos of that to share! Too bad New England doesn't get storms like the midwest. (or maybe that's a good thing?!)

http://www.cabinfeververmont.com

http://www.nekphotography.blogspot.com

[Vanessa]

here people are tentatively emerging from their homes, heading to the coast, letting their toes sink into the sand. some are even letting themselves get carried away with that delicious carefree feeling that comes with the sunshine and the warmth and the beautiful blue-sky backdrop.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/4708971014/
me? i'm just praying that the weeks i'll be taking off work this july and august for my irish staycation (the first in many years!) are nearly as fine as these lovely early summer days.

[Diane]

Kate, that is fantastic writing!

[Michel]

what a wonderful post. I love the way you write. beautiful.
thank-you spring
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/6/9/green-gratitude.html

& hello summer!
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/6/17/green-and-white-gratitude.html

[spencercasa]

very honored to be chosen as a runner up. thank you SO much!

[Marcie]

The conversation between you and your son is absolutely precious. One that needs to be recorded..and remembered.
This image speaks to the rain scrubbing the sky:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1208
Welcome summer!!!

[mosey]

Can I come over for storytime at your house? I love the magic you supply for your boys.

The softness of spring where I live has already waned and the eye-squinting blue sky and heat of summer are upon us...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7687752@N03/4698203177/

[xanthe]

you weave such beauty with your words kate, delicious post.

summer has taken a long time to reach us.... i'm enjoying all the blooms and the gorgeous light.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xantheberkeley/4704280978/

[AnnGeeDee]

Summer is fully upon us here in Houston and has been for awhile. The only time to get outside and shoot is first thing in morning before it gets too hot. Here's the pigeons looking awfully sweet on the wire above before I curse at them for defouling my car. http://www.flickr.com/photos/40070449@N08/4722505096/

[Amanda]

such an eloquent post, thank you~

Summer Solstice... such a poignant day for me.... and this year even moreso. Look... even the flowers are reaching for the season, embracing all it brings. ♥

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/4722827924_d805e69b0d_b.jpg

[Becky Sue]

In the past my kids would get so excited for the summer solstice, "I'm going to stay up until the end of daylight!" We would smile and agree since it is earlier than their required bedtime. This year, my 10-year-old caught on to the fact that here in New England the longest day of the year isn't quite as long as he thought. I would love to one day be somewhere where there is no dawn or sunset. I bet that room darkening shades are a big seller.

Our first day of summer supplied us with our first cucumber! http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/4722586749/

[Kate.S @ Little House]

Such a beautiful post.
I went for a stroll this evening to catch the end of the longest day of the year..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30297021@N02/sets/72157624204350341/

Happy Solstice all :)

[spread your wings]

embracing the cooler moments of a summer day
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4719078245/

[Jennifée]

Aw :) That is such a sweet story! I'm submerging myself in greens and blues these days, like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/4721803542/
and this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/4723750506/

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