"Morning glory... What's your story?"

A Garden Tale

I paused this morning as I passed alongside our lane side garden... now on its annual August descent out of bloom. Gone for another summer season are the the bright masses of day lily grandeur and colour... as are the daisy clumps and many other familiar summer faces. Their absence reminds me... along with the later sunrise that summer is waning quickly.

I am grateful though... for the unusual warmth of the River in August. More swimming time remains. I am grateful too for the wistfully vibrato call of loons that greet me each morning - excitedly talking long distance to each other up and down the still waters of the dawn. It is comforting in a bittersweet sort of way and reminds me... along with the human farewells that repeat each morning at Andress's dock... that Summer 2015 is drawing to a close.

I notice for the first time that ringlets of purple morning glories curl their way up ... along and through the entire garden and trellis... now abandoned by spent summer clematis. This morning, they truly do live up to the glory in their name. I paused for several minutes to examine more closely their previously unnoticed beauty. They now completely dominated the garden... along with their towering bluebell neighbours... offering solace and awe in the same breath.

I returned to the house and grabbed my camera to record these shots to share with you. I would paint them... in their rich purple robes were it remotely possible. But the camera records their truth best I think.

                                                                  Either horizontally...

.... or vertically

Their Friendly and unexpected purple presence resulted in these thoughts that I would like to share as well. The first line derives from a popular song:

Morning Glory... what's your story?

Why did you wait this long to trumpet your garden song?

You choose to take the stage unheralded.

Well behind the grand pageantry that summer warmth extols.

What is it in the cool of August nights and morns

That coaxes you from hiding and into the rapidly diminishing summer light?

Do you as I... seek morning solitude alone... to stretch our wings... to think and grow

When others choose to sleep?

I wonder what makes us so... what stirs our hearts

To seek out silence and a private space.

It is here... I think... in His Creation and alone... clinging to Him, 

That we truly know... and understand our place.

A Second Garden Tale

I had spoken earlier in the week to my long time Friend Frank Edwards to arrange another painting trek to add to our forty year plein air adventures. We decided to head out again to the nearby quaint village of Lyndhurst  to paint some more village subjects there.

We took many pictures there... but somehow we decided to try somewhere new WE headed further north into Rideau country... ending up finally in the pretty village of Newboro... located on the historic Rideau Canal. We had lunch first and then set to choosing a subject that appealed to us. We weren't long settling on a quiet side street with many historic homes with their gardens. Both of us chose to set up "side-by-each" and to paint... a garden.

Without further ado... I offer the jpeg of my view... and my impression. It was another occasion when I felt as "one" with Creation... even though on this occasion, I had company. What more does Life offer than the beauty of Creation... and a true Friend to share it with. Thanks Frank!

"Afternoon Delight, Newboro" - oil on birch cradle board panel 10x8 inches  SOLD

Admittedly... the result is a lot of dabs and dobs... too small a format. But I do like the light created and the simplification of forms within the composition. And to boot... we shared a great day together... "out there".

Enjoy what's left of your summer... wherever you are... and

Good Painting!... to ALL!!