Friday, May 13, 2016

"It's Time For a Summertime Dream...."

There is recorded an early piece of folklore which boldly declares... "One swallow never made a summer." This statement merely challenges a commonly-held myth that the sighting of a first swallow heralds the arrival of summer. Common sense would more accurately support that many other factors... most notably, the solar system's configuration would have more to do with predicting that moment.

Yesterday, in our part of the world, it indeed felt wholly like summer and even the thermometer conspired to add credence to such a premature belief. Summer's official start here will be marked here by the Summer Solstice at 6:34 EDT on June 20th. As we all know, the path of the earth orbiting the sun in the sky actually dictates the changing of the seasons... and the rest of the natural observations that we draw upon are merely in response to that celestial change of the earth's axial position relative to the sun.

The word solstice is derived from the combination of two Latin words "sol" (sun) and "solstitium" (to stop). Together, the term means that the sun appears to stop higher and more directly overhead to create greater warmth and longer light. Logic and science are practical and predictable instruments to guide decisions for planting, vacationing and many other truly summer decisions.

However, there is something soothing... even romantically reassuring to simply formulate one's own forecast of summer's arrival based upon events that seem miraculously to reoccur within the space of only a few days each year. I take great pleasure and joy in recording these "happen-stances" in my personal journal... and look forward to welcoming summer... in my own fashion.

Deb hung our red hummingbird feeder during the last week of April... in a simple act of faith and kindness. As if by magic... one week later on May second, the first of our three resident ruby red throats fueled up for the first long drink of the summer season at her feeder. The other two have since arrived... and the aerial warfare is now well underway. Their annual pattern of arrival lies (predictably) within the same seven day window according to my records kept since arriving in Rockport.




This summer-for certain occurrence in our lives is added to a chain of other changes as winter' defeat n' retreat deepens and brief Spring leaps so suddenly into Summer. Skeins of overhead Canada Geese have taken to the ground... have paired up and are now preparing to nest. Barn swallows patrol the waterfront with their aerial antics in pursuit of the copious supply of recently hatched flies. Ants have invaded our kitchen... cuing our immediate need to place ant traps strategically to quell their assault. These are the predictable visual reminders in my own consciousness... that summer is on the way.




Summer's presence is in the air as well. My itchy eyes and throat provide ample enough evidence that Claritan is in order for a few weeks. The pollen sacs have exploded with the increased heat. Leaflets have replaced catkins and a varied palette of vivid greens paints the landscape and woodlands.


A trillium tribe... bivouacked in their spring solitude. Sheltered by the roots of a great and ancient oak at Pitch Pine Point. As I paused on my evening walk to acknowledge their welcome new presence... I thought; "Did their ancestors partake in this annual spring pageant of renewal and rebirth?"

I wonder...

The trillium and other Spring wildflowers carpet the forest floor and add color and life to the previous drabness and decay. On my evening walk... the wonderful aroma of raindrops kissing the dry pavement awakens sense within me... that date back even to my earliest childhood.

Tonight... I am witness to the human ritual of which I have been part for all of my life. It is a sacred and hallowed moment for "Summer Folk"... as we are referred to by locals. Quite frankly, even though we now reside in Rockport and conduct a legitimate business here... we remain and are viewed by most, as being "from away." We were not born here. But that matters little to either Deb and I. We know "who" we are and find solace in that reality.

On the dock below us... I watched several carloads of young men appear suddenly and then charge excitedly down to the dock where a boat tended by two young men waited. There was an immediate flailing of upraised arms and long embraces... a brief conversation, followed immediately by a rapid relay of backpacks, bags of groceries, briquettes, beer, personal pillows and sleeping bags into the boat. Without pause they embarked southward... a toute vitesse around Club Island.

The annual "Boys of Summer Reunion" for 2016 was underway. I knew... and understood as well... that "The Girls of Summer" would soon repeat this summer sacrament. That would be replaced by the gatherings of the island clans who now return to their family summer retreats on cue every July and August weekend to share time in the Thousand Islands. Summer is a special time for all River Folk... both young and old. "I" am... a "River Boy"!


"River Boy" - oil on canvas 24 x 30 inches

This painting was part of a solo show I created entitled "Summertime Dreams" back in 2002. It captures my son Andrew on one of our six annual week-long canoe trips into the islands. It now hangs in his home... where it rightfully belongs.

So Summer???... It does indeed arrive on a solar and EDT platform for most. But for me personally... summer arrives in a way that I understand and help create. And at The Paint Box Gallery in 2016... Summer will be met with the changes that Deb and I have teamed up to create. All is in place. The hard work has been accomplished. The Gallery is flush with new color and life. We are exceedingly proud of our combined efforts. 

Welcome Summer!... and Welcome to those visitors who pass through our doors!

Here's a shortened virtual tour for those of you... "from away"! HA HA!

Happy Painting!... and Sweet Summertime Dreams... to ALL!!








Here's a musical song sampling where my "Summertime Dream" theme originates from! Thank you... Canadian Folk icon Gordie Lightfoot. As pure... and richly Canadian as Maple Syrup! Enjoy!



10 comments:

  1. Good morning Bruce. I completely agree with you about the satisfaction of following Nature's seasonal rhythms. Having a calendar with official dates for the start of the seasons seems to make time pass too quickly for me, quite apart from the fact that the weather doesn't always seem to fit the pattern. It's far better to observe the changes around us and move seamlessly through the year. I wish we had Red Hummingbirds!

    The gallery is looking good, and it's nice to see some paintings I recognise on the walls, but I hope they won't be there for long!

    All the best,
    Keith

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  2. Good morning Keith!... The natural rhythm of the seasons is a less hurried and fretful master than the traditional "time pieces"... really just earlier relics of technology by which man created ... and has become enslaved.

    Shaping up the Gallery together at this time of the year is a mutual reward that Deb and I look forward to sharing throughout the cold and dark winter months.

    It is such a psychological and spiritual lift to stand..."at the ready" for summer visitors and business. Like each of the seasonal changes... our Summer Opening is about... renewal.

    Thanks for dropping by and commenting Keith. Good luck with your summer sales and exhibitions.

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. Greetings from Scotland Bruce! I was walking to my local hall where I run a weekly art class and I was thinking 'is it summer yet'? I then realised that it is indeed only the third week of May so it is still Spring. And at that very thought I walked past a shrub that was gently opening it's spring time blossom. Spring time is a very special time as new life is slowly unfolding. The rain falls and then warm sunlight comes and helps to bring this new life after a long cold winter. The blossom on our cherry tree now out in full bloom will only last a short time then the summer time leaves will start to appear but not yet! Let us have our very short and precious time of Spring while it is with us as soon the days of summer will start to appear. Your photos are lovely and your gallery does look very smart Bruce.

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  4. Good evening Lass!... Good to hear from you again! Yes... Spring is an exciting and uplifting time of rapid change. It is indeed wonderful to savor every second of this short season It is truly magical to watch new life unfold so rapidly before your eyes.

    We are ready for summer and now have the advantage of being able to enjoy a respite before the din commences. I hope to get out painting and catch some to these fleeting moments and scenes.

    Stay tuned...

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Your paintings are beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)

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  6. Hi there Linda!... Merci beaucoup... for your uplifting comment and visit!

    Warm greetings back from from Ontario to Montreal!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Hmmm...I put out my hummer feeder weeks ago and nothing...still nothing. I have changed the water, we have had frost and cold rain, and I'm still waiting for that first flicker of the hummer as he or she stops by. I'm sure it will come. Until then, the finches are breeding like there is no tomorrow!! Have a great spring and summer and many sales - the gallery looks great!

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  8. Hi there Rhonda!... We have two regular and returning resident ruby throats ... both vying for our feeder site. They too have have been acting strangely this season... exhibiting unusual feeding practices... often disappearing for a day or two??? Very unusual in our experience with them.

    We have a number of wild canaries who have moved in and bring great joy with their songs.

    WE enjoyed a VERY strong day in the Gallery today... the first day of our Victoria Day long weekend. Good sales and steady traffic all day! Many commented favorably upon our new layout... products and door signage! All good!

    Thanks for taking the time to drop by and comment Rhonda!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Good morning Bruce. I enjoyed reading your post, usually just skimming through but this one i had to keep on to the very end. :) You paint with words as well as a brush. Your Humming birds at the feeder were clear to me and rich in detail. The boys at the dock I could hear clearly. Our own summer seemed to have begun in early April, with flowers appearing a month or more before their normal time. It was encouraging for a while until we got snow this past week. Mother nature is a trickster. She had us fooled.
    Your gallery looks fabulous.
    Have a wonderful summer.
    Thank you for sharing with us.

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  10. Good afternoon... and a BIG MOOO... back to you Ross! Love your cow gals!! Thanks for your visit and gracious comments.

    I feel we share many commonalities in our approach to painting... and in living our lives fully with gratitude and grace. Life is such a blessing... brief though it may be. Being in tune with the Natural World process and our Creator adds further to that gift of life. Sharing ... is a way to pass it forward!

    Do have a wonderful summer yourself!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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