This beautiful, mellow Summer yawns on in the manner of a sleepy cat, metaphorical paws
outstretched. Spider threads hang like washing lines across the garden path,
the dandelion seeds drift on the breeze; I still catch them and make wishes. But I find this time of year a little
poignant because I know it’s nearing its end.
The once vibrant colours are looking tired and sun-bleached now and the
daylight makes its exit so much earlier, as if it needs more sleep to renew itself
(much like I do). Plus I keep finding
dead things. Dead bumblebees mostly,
which are lovely to pick up because at least you can stroke their little furry
backs without fear of reprisal. Lately too
I’ve found masses of detached butterfly wings; it seemed a bit of a mystery as
to why there were so many, until I witnessed the quite remarkable spectacle of
a wasp catching a small tortoiseshell, turning it over whilst pinning it to the
ground and then flying off, somewhat heavily, with its prey. I think the wasps are having a feast this
year, what with the caterpillars’n’all.
And from the sublime to the ridiculous: much like Summer, my faithful
desktop PC, which I use for everything, is knackered and close to the end too. I’ve just had a clear-out and found the
receipt for it (from 2006!) which, by complete coincidence, is dated 4th September. Given the cynical
but credible notion of built-in obsolescence I think it’s done pretty well to
last this long but it really is arthritic now, limping and wheezing its way
through every task, its fan whirring in protest when I push it to work a little
harder, so I’m on the search for a new one.
I might be quiet on the blogging front for a short time while I get
myself organised. Just making a wish on
a dandelion seed won’t get it sorted….
Emiliana Torrini: Unemployed in Summertime
Just because it's such a perfect Summer song.
