Thursday 13: Summer Time...

The transition to summer is taking place on every level here in New England and here within myself.
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For example, this....

2. ...has become this:

3. Those rhubarb flowers that prevent the rhubarbs from healthy growth have found a decorative home at #9

The kitchen window is splashing color all over the place,

Does anyone recognize the fantastic artist who painted this sweet sentimental dog (haha)?

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5. And the garden is cleaned up and ready for six tomato plants and mounds of summer squash.
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6. Summer is my season to relax. I move into second, maybe third gear, and try to stay there. I think I wrote this poem last summer, but it could just as well been written two hours ago:

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The toilet’s fixed
The grasses cut back
The appointment’s made
The snacks are packed.
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The taxes aren’t done—
You can’t have it all—
But the trip’s been booked
& the garbage hauled.
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The work’s wrapped up
The car’s been serviced
The stoops are painted
& no one’s nervous.
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The time got spent
Finally put up the sign
Put the car in reverse
Put aside the divine.
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The garden’s weeded
New bulbs on their way
& detoured hearts
Have had their say.
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The weight’s been moved
To a straighter line
I might even be
Almost mostly fine.
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Still, I’ve got this loss
It’s a mile wide
I’m trying my best
To put it aside.
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I’m familiar with hope
I can wear it well
But do circles really close?
Only time can tell.
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7. It's no surprise that most of us have found enduring friendships through blogging. I am surprised though that most of us rarely mention our in-person, local, or long term friends. One of these days I am going to do a Thursday 13 on my friends (I'll have to include level two friends to get to 13). I'm more private than I probably sound, and I can count my close friends on one hand. Two are men. I am blessed by my friendships--they are filled with love and good people. Still, sometimes I wonder who I would call at 2 am if everything dear to me had fallen apart. I'm not sure, and I don't like how that feels.
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8. I'm not really a very neat person, but I like my kitchen to look organized. Except lately it hasn't been. Here is the freezer. If I took ten minutes I could have it stacked properly, but I don't seem to make it a priority. And that's alright with me. (See comment # 6).
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.9. I'm only including this shot of the kitchen cabinet near the stove because this post is called Thursday 13.
If it were Thursday 10, this would have been cut loose. Anyhow, I tend to keep my baking, spices and salad dressing supplies here.
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10. My little town is known for the Miss Florence Diner. The food is past prime time--I've only been once--but the neon sign is one-of-a-kind.
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.12. I remember how I felt when this picture was taken. I think my facial expression confirms I felt important and shy.

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13. I only recently discovered this pie chart on my blog's sitemeter. It shows where my friends and visitors live. Baino and Kate and Bimbimbie, look at that--12 % from Australia (did I leave any Aussies out?) I can tell you that one Australian in particular--ironically named 'Anonymous Bird' and affectionately called 'Anon' will be missed as long as I blog. She went on vacation one normal day and never returned. In my heart I believe something not-good happened because I don't think she would have just left in that fashion. And not knowing is one thing I do NOT like about the blogs. The truth is I still hope she will come back some day. And almost every day I think of her and wish her health and happiness.