It is mid summer here in the South, in the 90s, and of course we have the air conditioner on. It makes the house nice and comfortable for working, living, and sleeping. But early morning before it gets too hot, I am drawn outside - to take a walk, or sit on the deck, in the unconditioned air. The air smells and feels different outside, not too heavy yet with unbearable humidity, but with a fresh palpable feeling, an essence all its own.
Sitting in my porch rocker, the leaves overhead slowly dance in the summer breeze. The sun in the low eastern sky just peaks over the mountain. An occasional bird calls. There is the buzz and twitter of hummingbirds as they check out the feeders and flowers. And of course by being outside there is a better chance of seeing a deer or butterfly…
The only break in the peace and quiet is an occasional car on the road below, and of course that noisy air conditioner…
~photo - blue butterfly/orange impatiens, front deck, 8 July 2006
