We had two big rains yesterday. The first was a big old thunderstorm that tested the strength of our gutters with torrents of water falling everywhere, claps of thunder, streaks of lightning, Scout barking. I love a summer thunderstorm. And boy, we needed it. A few hours later, more rain came, this time without all the fireworks but heavy and steady.
We still need a lot more, but this was a great start. I ventured outside early this morning to check out the garden. The hydrangea blossoms are heavy with water. My David phlox leaves are suddenly buoyant after drooping for the last two weeks. The birdbath is almost overflowing.
This time of year – the July garden – is tricky. At least in my garden. There’s not a whole lot blooming. The coneflowers are everywhere, the hydrangea is constant, my rose bush is sort of blooming (though I saw some dreaded spots on the leaves this morning,) and the hostas have flowers. But there are big chunks of the garden that are green without anything flowering. I have yet to master the art of planting a garden that always has something blooming. I tend to plant what I want to plant and I don’t necessarily think about the overall design of the space. Things just happen here, for better or worse.
Yesterday, Riley happily barked along with Scout during one of her extended ‘songs.’ Two different times. When he does that, he looks and sounds like the Riley of old. There’s life in him yet. I whispered in his ear the other night; telling him that we love him and if he needs to go, we will be okay. But he’s still here. So it’s not time.
The radio is quietly playing as I write this – Aaron Copland, Appalachian Spring, one of my favorites. I discovered this piece of music when I was in college and fell in love with it. So I bought the album and then I bought everything by Copland. I miss albums, don’t you? None of this small CD stuff – with albums you could hold the record album cover in your hands, easily read all the liner notes and actually see and admire the artwork on the cover. I had so many albums. Tons of them. But I digress, back to Appalachian Spring. During my senior year of college I lived in a house with 5 other women, all of us drama majors. I often had rehearsals at night. I would come home from classes every day and take a nap before I had to go to rehearsal. My ritual was to pull the shades down in my room, turn on the stereo, take my copy of Appalachian Spring out of its sleeve, put it on the turntable and let that beautiful music lull me to sleep. That’s such a vivid sense memory for me. Whenever I hear it, I am instantly back in my darkened attic bedroom, young and relatively carefree, surrounded by Copland’s glorious music. Music, more than anything, can immediately take me back to a certain place and time. Does it do that for you? What memories does it evoke for you?
Happy Monday.
So glad you DID get some lovely rain – we’re still waiting. Each day ‘a chance of thunderstorms’ but they haven’t arrived in a while now.
I have always loved Copland’s music too – although a Classical lover, his modern take is always a refreshing change and distinctly American in content.
I do love all types of music – well not so much heavy metal – but find I rarely play it when at home these days, preferring my quiet thoughts when in the house. In the car I play CD’s – usually Loreena McKennitt, Enya, Mary Black – I love songs with stories and words I can hear, a little Glenn Miller and jazz sometimes, and movie music from the amazing John Barry, the awesome British composer who has written so many beautiful themes., such as Out Of Africa of course! All these bring back good memories – life needs music and all it reminds us of in those days long gone.
Happy week dear – hope Riley boy does better. I’m thinking of him, and you of course.
Love, Mary
So glad that you got some rain. We had very little. It would rain hard for less than a minute and did that a couple more times. Very strange.
It is hard when our furry ones don’t feel well. He has to feel your love.
Hope your week is peaceful.
I love Appalachian Spring! And your photo is beautiful. Glad to hear that Riley has decided he needs to stick around a while longer. I have a very sick 11 1/2 yr. old Shepherd right now. I’m hoping it’s just a temporary thing, but you never know at this age, especially for a big dog.
Hope you have a peaceful day.
My black lab has rallied a bit and is moving about and eating a little more. I think about your Riley every day.
Music is a very strong connector for me to events in my past. A friend of mine and I play a game where we occasionally send each other song names and events from our teenage years and then laugh and talk abut the event. For example….
“Saturday in the Park” -your basement.
“Magic Carpet Ride” – Mikes Band
“I Can see Clearly Now” – Lake front
It’s fun to reminisce and see what we both remember.
Wonderful to hear that you have some rain, let’s hope for more.
Avalon by Roxy Music, it seems the sound track of my life. It’s not a song that’s heard too often now, but when it is, it’s memorable.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I am so happy to hear about Riley. Everyday when I see your little post picture on my sidebar I hope it is good new about him.
You are so lucky to have had all that rain we really need some.
Nothing can throw you back in time like music. It is amazing how a song can make you remember where you were and even how things felt and smelled. I love music and dancing, as you can see in my post yesterday.
Have a lovely day Claudia and hug the pups ( and Don too!),
Sue
I don’t listen to music often, only when I drive in my car and only in the mornings. I have my favourite radio programme, where they often play the music of my youth. Listening to it makes me both happy and sad thinking of the “old” times, the years gone. Music helps me to be emotional. ;-)
Hups, I almost forgot to tell you about my favourite: Joe Cocker. Now this man makes me cry. ;-)
What a nice memory to draw from. My summer garden is looking mighty drab! I pulled the rest of the poppies, and flowers that looked so choked and thirsty. I also pulled a lot of things in my garden that just couldn’t take the heat. As we enter the dog days of summer, I dream of Fall!!!!
: ) Kris
We had a quarter of an inch of much needed rain..We should be on water restrictions!!. We are 2 inches behind already and none in sight..This is the 3rd year the trees have been stressed and little by little they are dying..Nobody thinks to water them!! At least my rain barrels are full again..Enjoy your week..
sooo happy you got rain…I hope we do. I miss albums too. Am I old or was the music better 30/40 years ago? I used to put the stereo on low at night when I was going to bed and let music soothe me to sleep. Often Bryan Ferry – I forgot those days. Thanks for reminding me Claudia. J
It seems everyone is wishing for rain. We had brief afternoon showers all last week. Enough to make all fresh and green once again. The sound was music in itself. I’m happy you got some too. Hope you and the dogs had another restful afternoon. And yes, music is the best reminder of all good memories.
Central NJ got rain just like you did yesterday, and did we ever need it, too!
Funny you should mention evocative music. My husband and I went to see Roger Waters perform The Wall at Yankee Stadium on 7/7. I was a senior in high school again!
Absolutely amazing!
Lovely!
BShell
Happy to hear that Riley is still ‘okay’. :-)
I’m so glad you got some good rain! And I’m glad Riley is showing some of his normal spunk.
Brenda
We had a lovely soaking rain the other day and a few short storms since then. Things are starting to green up again. It is so wonderful to see the grass come back to life.
I love listening to songs from the 60s. they bring back do many fun memories for me.
Laura
Rain beautiful rain. How I miss it! Was so nice to see when we were in Sri Lanka. Music and smells can take me back in time. I’m glad to hear that Riley is still hanging in there. Your words brought tears to my eyes. Have a lovely week. Tammy
Hi Claudia, sorry I havnt been around in a wee while!
Poor Riley…..I am glad he was feeling brighter.
When we knew our old cat Jonesy was on the downward slope, I used to kiss him Goodbye before I went to bed each night and tell him that it was Okay if he wanted to go while we were asleep.xx