It seems like such a tease to post this on a Thursday, but it’s far better than posting it on a Monday, so let’s enjoy the relatively quick route to the weekend. This was taken last Sunday, on a perfectly beauteous day filled with sun, tempered with some bright happy clouds, and backed by the blue skies for which the best August days are rightly renowned. Things get more intense as the sun loosens its grip for the season. Gone is the hazy heat of July, dispelled by cooler nights and whispers of fall on the breeze. It was absolutely lovely, and I spent much of the day reclining on the patio and reading a book in between quick swims and dismantling a climbing hydrangea from our brick chimney. At some point beauty can’t be justified by threatening structural integrity, so it was time. We have several other specimens scattered throughout the yard to make up for it.

As for the backyard patio, it’s in fine form at last – after a stubborn and stilted start to the warm weather, everything has caught up. The hanging sweet potato vines are descending almost to the ground, while potted papyrus, elephant ears, and angel’s trumpets are in their glory. If only our season could extend beyond October – we need just a little more time for the figs to ripen. Well, we shall see if they can make a run for it before it’s time for their slumber. In the meantime, let’s have more beauty, more loveliness, more of these summer idylls…

Thanks to the quick shipping by Amazon Prime and any decent company these days, it’s no longer necessary to plan such lists that far in advance. Here, without further ado and bluster, is a fantastical wish list (because they are mostly expensive fantasies) for birthday gifts in the event that anyone wants to find something to mark the anniversary of my existence (hi Mom!)

Let’s begin with the more mundane and reasonable items, as found on my Amazon Wish list. Ho hum. Gift certificates from Sephora, Brooks Brothers, and/or the Mandarin Oriental Spa will always be appreciated and useful. But for the decadent and over-the-top dream items, let’s begin with this luscious fragrance from Penhaligon’s: Monsieur Beauregard. It’s available from Bloomingdales here, but I’ve also found it for a slightly cheaper price point on Amazon. Either way, it’s a doozy, both in sillage and cost. 

Next up is this pair of leopard-print shoes. Every fall and holiday season I promise to incorporate more leopard into my life, and every fall and holiday season I fail. I’m still on the hunt for a leopard calf hair tote, but have yet to find the right one. These shoes, available from Zappos, will have to do. (I’m a 9.5 in these puppies, FYI.)

Despite my penchant for flashy color and crazy patterns, some days require something quieter, such as these boxer briefs by Tom Ford. Please find them in size small (they run on the big side) and color Nude 1. 

Last and most certainly not least, is this exquisite robe by Missoni, available right now on a killer sale at Saks Off 5th – and it’s fortuitously only available in XL (which is what I require for this one). Isn’t it pretty? 

While it’s nice to dream, I’ve also grown a little more practical in my old(er) age, so failing all these pretty things I’d be more than happy for a little assistance in securing our Savannah trip or a hotel splurge in Boston or New York to see a show. Practically practical in every way. (And for all you wonderful non-family members, my birthday is August 24, so just send cards and cash by then.)

“I’m hosting a summer dinner for my ex-girlfriend and her family,” I said when asked what I was doing over the weekend. It sounded strange, but such is the strange world in which we live. I’ve been close to her and her family since middle school, so this was a natural thing, and a very happy reunion with some people we often see over the holidays. The menu was on the casual summery side, as seen below. 

The Menu ~ A Summer Gathering

– White Bean Dip with Herbs

– Fresh & Tangy Cucumber Bites

– White Peach Sangria

– Kick-ass Quinoa Salad (Cold)

– Bulghur Shrimp Salad (Warm)

– Andy’s Kickin’ Chicken (for Chillin’ & Grillin’)

– Hot dogs & hamburgers for the kids

– Carol’s Potato Salad

– Missy’s Veggie, Cracker & Pita Platter

– Carla’s Italian Pastries

Even better than the food was the company, and the two Abramo boys and their new addition Queenie made use of the pool space while we perused the gardens and settled in on the patio. It was the perfect summer gathering with some of my favorite people in the world. Hopefully we’ll get to do it again.

The importance of catching these moments is more apparent to me than ever now that kids are involved. They mark time better than any clock or calendar, and they remind me how quickly it’s going. Too quickly. 

Fall was in the wind the other day so let’s all just slow down a little and let summer have its say. Ease up on the full-throttle rush towards the end of the sunny season. Let’s come to a stand-still while the light is strong and the beauty is in bloom. Savor the sun through the leaves of a banana tree. Hell, let’s rewind and go back a bit… just to prolong these glorious days. A recap of the last week, as we do on Monday:

The race for the ripe figs has begun. 

Every limbo boy and girl, all around the limbo world. 

When my work world and my blog world collide. 

Make better choices, Albany.

The Beekman Boys know how to soothe sun-battered skin. 

Seen at the urinal.

The sky looked sick, twisted. 

I want you to have it all.

Crying Guncle. 

We are all critics. 

A Campari cocktail. 

Hunks of the Day included John Lloyd Young, Dominick Purnomo, Joshua Benoit, Tyler Cameron, Jericho Rosales, Preston Brock, and Tom Hetherington. 

Some skies are sick.

Dangerous.

Some whisper loudly of tornadoes.

Warnings. 

Some are simply queasy, eliciting vertigo when you look up into them.

Such was the sky last night.

Clouds swirled in opposite directions. Multiple layers of distinct shades, a darkly twisted ombre that would look better on paper or cloth than in the sky. There it swirled, ominously portending large, heavy raindrops, which fell soon enough, driving us indoors and under cover.

Summer has its own dangers.

This is not over yet.