Summer, Now and Then

Ah, sweet and steamy summer.... The air outside is still and dense, and the river below the dock and our wandering feet is as still as glass.  The old wood seems to float, and the water reflects trees and stones and swimming birds and all the comings and goings along its shores like a mirror - this summer for sure and perhaps all the summers that have ever been in this place.

In July, we spend as much time as we can by the river, but what does one do on hot summer nights when the air outside is still and dense and steamy, and the river is far away, but is lapping gently at our thoughts?.

Hoping to see the stars, we leave the draperies wide open, light a beeswax candle to the aestival deities (a very small one because of the heat), make tea and put on a little night music (Mozart of course), then pull out a good book and revisit the the golden seasons of other places and other times.

This week, I am reading (again and for the nth time) Michael Chabon's gorgeous enchanting Summerland and Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) fills the air with music that is airy and graceful.  Roger Norrington's recording is the perfect music for July nights, and Chabon stirs up a heady magical brew in which baseball, fairies, Old Man Coyote and mythology go together perfectly. Tofu hot dog anyone, iced tea, lemonade? A trip to the ball park or an outdoor concert? Calliope?

Happy July everyone!