48 Comments
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Kathryn F's avatar

Love the way you describe July. Just reading about the month brought me a huge smile. But the first time I wrote the date today, I gasped — it’s already July. How did that happen? I don’t think we’re going to find a way to slow down the passing of these months. So I will enjoy the gusto of July!

Flowers are sooo gorgeous. Your garden?

Graciewilde's avatar

Me too! I will enjoy the gusto that is July!

The flowers are from the neighborhood. I take photos everyhwere I go, including on my daily neighborhood walks. I love that. I love noticing which blossoms are new today and which might be starting to fade. They are so beautiful and each one is a jewel.

Kathryn F's avatar

Your photos are really beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Kind of like taking the walk with you😊

Graciewilde's avatar

I love that idea!

Raye Scott's avatar

Like a deep whiff of summer - beautiful!

Graciewilde's avatar

Thank you, Raye!

Kim Selby's avatar

Love this. Let's pay attention to the essence of what July feels like and carry it into the rest of the year. You captured it so beautifully.

Graciewilde's avatar

Thank you, Kim. I like doing those little posts to send off one month and welcome the next. It reminds me that there is always something good in the world.

Charles Robin Marrs's avatar

Love your flowers! Very inspirational.

Graciewilde's avatar

Thank you! There’s so much beauty right around us. I love looking for it!

Roy Freedman's avatar

Gorgeous photos of flowers

Graciewilde's avatar

Thanks, Roy! They are in the neighborhood, begging to be seen and appreciated!

Roy Freedman's avatar

Well, their prayers are being answered courtesy of you--hundreds, maybe thousands of people are enjoying them. I am having trouble smelling their fragrances, though.

Graciewilde's avatar

Close your eyes and tune out everything else. Maybe the fragrance will show up.

Roy Freedman's avatar

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try--but I won't tune you out.

Shari's avatar

Yes, it's all about paying attention!

Graciewilde's avatar

We can keep reminding each other, right? Glad you are back home safely.

Sue Cauhape's avatar

At the end of the day, the lawn swing calls me to sit and enjoy the wildflower garden I've so arduously weeded for the past two months.

Graciewilde's avatar

I bet they are beautiful right now, Sue.

Sue Cauhape's avatar

Every day, they surprise me with something new.

Paula Higgins's avatar

Thanks for the pictures of the beautiful flowers

Graciewilde's avatar

You’re welcome!

heydave56's avatar

Zounds! Great botanical photos!

Graciewilde's avatar

Thanks, Dave! I LOVE the flowers in the neighborhood!

Kathleen De Silva's avatar

Great way to begin my day. Your thoughts and garden delights really hit the mark. Thank you.

Graciewilde's avatar

You are so welcome! Your kind comment made my evening!

Patricia Harrelson's avatar

Love a peek at a Dahlia. They sing July to me after spending many 4ths on northern coast of California. I tried for years to grow them in my foothill location with no success. Turns out climate matters. Slipping into July here in recovery mode from health crises and the floral elements of this post were sweet. Thanks

Graciewilde's avatar

Yes! I will be up in Ft Bragg later this month and am excited to plan an excursion to the Me do I o Coast Botanical Gardens there. They have The Most Spectacular dahlia garden there!

Patricia Harrelson's avatar

Exactly. Never missed it over the 4th for about 10 years. But didn't make it this year.

Rita Swencionis's avatar

Stunning flowers, thank you! Unfortunately, the gaining and gaining of the speed of our lives is simply mathematical (fractions).

Graciewilde's avatar

So true - stunning flowers and passage of time. They are part of the same catastrophe that is life.

Linda Kliewer's avatar

I am older. Other than the exuberant garden and happy birds, I am exhausted by it. Don't care about fireworks, have no children around anymore, and can't eat ice cream or pie. Not even swimming interests me anymore. However, I love the warmth and richness of summer (not necessarily just July). The lazy warm afternoons and evenings. The crickets singing. There is much beauty and life around you. Why narrow it to just traditional social activities?

Graciewilde's avatar

100% agree, Linda. I’m all for embracing the beauty in the neighborhood, at the beach, outside anywhere. Beauty and joy exist everywhere and I’m glad you can find them in your days.

Charlotte Dinlt's avatar

Love your roses. July is a time to sit outside in the early morning enjoying a cup of tea and reading a good book. Dry wash out on the line. Work in the yard cutting back May/June growth that has bloomed and past. Taking longer walks and enjoying other peoples’ yards and watching the clouds over the ocean. Fourth of July can go either way - clear for fireworks over the bay or marine clouds that allow mainly the tops of the sparkles to appear, but always a wonderful patriotic and light Newport Symphony free Fourth of July concert. It is the time of lots of produce at our farmers’ markets. Visitors to connect with and lots more ice cream!!!

Graciewilde's avatar

You paint a lovely picture of July, Charlotte. I very much enjoy long neighborhood walks and I love to admire the gorgeous blooms everywhere. Thanks for sending those picturesque words.

Mary Lee Hahn's avatar

July arrived in my yard with the blooms of my first-ever hollyhock!

Graciewilde's avatar

Yay! Hollyhocks are so July!

Marianne's avatar

Thank you for the beautiful pictures. It reminded me to take time to look at the plants thriving this time of year.

Graciewilde's avatar

You are so welcome! Yes, July’s flowers can be spectacular!