An Ode to Summer

 Hi everyone,

Depending on your location, I hope you all had a lovely summer or winter and are looking forward to a change in season.

Our summer was hot one with a few extremes. For example, one day the temperatures reached 100.8 F/38.22 C, and the next day it was 64.4 F/18C. First time, I've experienced 100F heat here in this part of the world.

                                  

Here, just now, gold, red, and orange colours are busy painting the treetops.

                                                                * * *

Time to say a few words about the Queen Elizabeth II. She has been a constant in the world for such a long time. I am grateful that she was with us for so long, and that she left us at this time and not in 2020 when she would not have had a proper send off. What a remarkable lady she was. And she certainly kept her promise to serve whether her life was long or short. RIP beautiful Queen Elizabeth. You will be sorely missed.

                                                       

                                                             Wonderful cloud formations. 

                       Pictures taken in Brockville in the 1000 Islands, along the St. Lawrence River.

Tall Ships Landing.

                                                                    Tall Ships Landing

 I think you can buy a condo there for a cool million or more. 

Unfortunately, hurricane Fiona has wreaked havoc the whole way along its track and has also decimated parts of the Maritimes. My relatives live in different parts of Nova Scotia. The storm brought heavy rain and 150K winds to Nova Scotia, but it swerved into a different track, and they were spared the brunt of it. But a state of emergency has been declared for other parts of the Maritimes, and the military has been sent to access the situation. The Maritimes have ridden out many a hurricane, but nothing of this magnitude has been seen for several generations. 

In Newfoundland several homes were washed way, and there's widespread damage throughout Cape Breton and PEI. There are hundreds of thousands of people without power; hard working crews have been working fast in N.S. and half of 500,000 customers without power are, as I type, back online. 

My thoughts and prayers and with the people.

Also praying for the people of Puerto Rico and other areas that were devastated along the storm's tract.

* * *

                                           

                                                     Pastels on Pastelmat Archival Paper

                                                            

Unison's Botanical Set.

     

My birthday was in August, and so I was gifted these lovely pastels. Because pastels are so pretty, it takes time for me to remove the wrappers, snap them in half and begin a painting. 

 A swatch of eighteen beautiful Botanicals and the three extra colours I received for good measure.

Abstract acrylics

                                    Sun print/Cyanotype, Watercolour/mixed media, and Sunflowers.

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. 

                                                   Thank you all for hosting.

                                  Until next time...Stay safe and sound and

       Cultivate Your Dreams

Different Directions

Hello lovely people!


 I hope you all had a great week. 

Sometimes people talk about the weather when there's not much to talk about. But the current temperatures are amazing and worth a few words.  30 C-33C, or 86F-91F.  The trees must be confused, but they are turning and many have already lost their leaves because of the cold nights.  Of course, these temps won't last but while they do hurray. But, then, when I think about it, it must be difficult for the kids at school. So it's probably better that temps return to normal soon.

 

Because they are available, I've been out buying pumpkins.

And this dapper foxy fellow dressed for fall was too cute to pass up.

* * *

Off road.

 

 

In case you don't know, dragon flies are accommodating. This one was flying around like mad, so I sweetly said, could you just stay still so I can take your picture and it did! My son just 👀 at me. 😉

Bee cause she's a worker. 

* * *

A little art.

 Mixed media on a wood panel.

* * * 
Stitching

Lately, I've been doing a little work on my cross stitch Shepherdess Sampler.

 One of these years it will be finished.

I've almost finished the large tree on this detailed final section.

 Enjoy the week. 

Cultivate a dream.