Friday, August 12, 2022

Summer's Slippin' Away...




Summer is slipping away.  The signs are going up wherever we care to look.  The Orb Weavers are busy on every corner, and the birds have hushed their songs.  


Wilbur, in Charlotte's Web by E. B. White said, "I've got a new friend all right.  But what a gamble friendship is!  Charlotte is fierce, brutal, scheming, bloodthirsty - everything I don't like.  How can I learn to like her, even though she is pretty and, of course clever?"  








The hummingbirds have been on a feeding frenzy for the past couple of weeks or more.  They too are making ready for the big event.  Migration is not to be taken lightly. I was reminded of these pictures from last year's album of one little hummer's own feeding frenzy at the bee balm.  Of course, I just had to see what I could do with my little set of watercolor paints.  Can you tell which one is the imposter?  Ha Ha!











When the Summer Tanager went missing last week, I supposed it was migration that had taken him away.  But then yesterday, through the kitchen window, I saw him perched on the barbed wire fence.  I grabbed my camera, for one never knows when the last time will be just that...the last time.  I said aloud, "Oh please, just sing one more song."  But, in the next moment, he flew up into a tree and I saw him no more. 

Safe travels, Friend.  I'll see you next year, and maybe you will sing me one more song...



When I fell in love with these little water colored nine-patch blocks, they became another journal page.  I wonder what this is trying to tell me.  As I told a friend, when I have finished the next one hundred pages, maybe I will know what I want to be when I grow up.  







15 comments:

nookworm said...

Your creativity is awesome! The watercolors, the journal, the story telling. Love it ALL!

kathyinozarks said...

Good morning Mary, very awesome post I really loved it and your watercolors-wow you are an artist in every way, mine are more like child's play-yours need to be framed and hung on the walls to enjoy-hugs Those watercolor blocks are pretty cool too-great way to play with colors.
Your journal sounds amazing would make a nice gift back to your grand daughter that gifted it to you.
Happy Friday and weekend Hugs from the lake

Saundra said...

You're so incredibly talented and am enjoying your journal as much as you must enjoy keeping it. I too have seen an increase of the hummingbirds.

Granny Marigold said...

I can't tell which of the Bee Balm/Hummingbird photos are sketches. Girl, you have talent!!
I loved reading Charlotte's Web with my kids. I think it might be time to reread it. To M maybe but at 13 he might be too old to want to listen. He's the last grandchild.
You were lucky to get that last picture of the Tanager. No doubt he'll be back next spring. He must be such a beauty. Easy to spot with his bright feathers.

Hootin Anni said...

That summer tanager is bidding you a fond farewell perhaps!!
Loving the hummers.

TheCrankyCrow said...

Beautiful web...they have always fascinated me. I had a spider that took up residence off my front porch and shrubs once... She stayed several months. I was content to let her stay provided she kept to the outdoors. I think we had an understanding. Your watercolor is wonderful - you did an amazing job with the hummer rendition. Yes, summer is slipping away. Our high today has been 61º...and if one looks closely, they will see leaves turning colors here and there. ~Robin~

Quilting Babcia said...

I love to see your sketches and watercolors. I think Linnie Butts might need cozy 9-patch quilt with the upcoming cold winter months! We've noticed a drop-off in goldfinch traffic at their feeder, and many of the tomato vines are drying up as their fruit continues to ripen rapidly. Wondering if this winter will hit earlier than normal.

happyone said...

You did a wonderful job of painting the hummingbird. (Last one)

Magpie's Mumblings said...

You mean there's a chance we might figure out what we want to be when we grow up? Here I thought it would never happen.
It's always amazing to see the birds tanking up getting ready for their long migration. It astounds me that something so tiny as a hummingbird can fly that far.

GretchenJoanna said...

I love your hummingbird paintings. I have one or two faithful hummingbirds who feed at my syrup feeder. They are around all year. But for a month or so in summer the Hooded Orioles drink from the same feeder, a pair of them. And they drink it up fast! I've been refilling that thing every week.

Prims By The Water said...

I love seeing spider webs outside...just not inside. I enjoyed seeing the hummers at my moms this weekend. Janice

kcmrugs@gmail.com said...

I love your creative photos and watercolours. Don’t ever grow up!

Bonnie K said...

I had a little spider crawling around my desk on Friday. I finally caught up to her and saw she had a clutch of eggs around her belly. I carefully carried her outside and let her free. My hummingbird seems to have moved on. I have others wandering through. My tanagers left about a month ago. I miss them. Summer is slipping into fall. I enjoyed your post.

Debra said...

Oh LOVE this! I love the nine patch. Love th epainting of the hummer! I ca't wait to get to your previous post-I have been away from the computer-I can peek a bit of it here as I write. Love what you are doing in your journal!

Rose said...

You are talented!