Current Pool Status: waiting for a light bulb
Current Mood: pensive/resigned
Current weather: changeable, with a strong breeze
While we wait for the pool to reopen (originally planned for May, I figured it wouldn’t happen until the end of July – and quite frankly I’ve given up on it happening this summer so as to stave off any disappointment). Chalk it up to the wreck of this year of our Lord 2020.
To get us through these end-times, I’ve been meditating and reading and going to therapy, all of which have helped transform and reset my sense of self, and interior renovation of the soul that’s brought about a new sense of peace and contentment, while instilling a more genuine sense of self-confidence that previously had mostly been rather superficial. That’s the deep part of this post, the unseen machinations of what goes on beneath the placid surface of prettiness I like to put on display here.
That prettiness finds expression in this little bouquet of summer sweet from the front garden. It’s the ultimate summer flower, coming into bloom at this sultry time of the season when the days can be viciously hot. If given an ample dose of water they will spread almost invasively, and producing these subtle but potently-perfumed spires of bloom. Justifying their common name of summer sweet (scientifically known as Clethra), these blooms are powerfully fragrant with a sweet floral note that is reminiscent of a lily – rich and exotic and an absolute favorite of bees, who know a thing about sweet flowers.
This is the first time I’ve picked a stalk for an inside bouquet, which is strange given its natural perfume. Thus far, it’s taken well to being plucked – I would advise only cutting the green and tender parts of the stem – these can bloom close to older wood, and anything that has hardened will not be as amenable to taking in water. If the stem has hardened, you might try crushing or splitting it to allow for easier intake of water.
In a little bouquet like this, it’s also easily transported from room to room, so wherever you may be working or living can be instantly transformed into a fragrant window looking into a portal of summer sweet beauty.
