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Nancy Parker Brummett

Nancy Parker Brummett

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A Satisfying Summer

August 28, 2020 by Nancy 21 Comments

Clematis '20So you read this title and thought: It’s happened. The woman is delusional or has been living in a cave. Doesn’t she know that a pandemic spread across the world cancelling life as we knew it? Doesn’t she know that violence is destroying some of America’s most renowned cities and wildfires are raging? Doesn’t she know that the political divide has never been deeper, and that the fate of our nation rests on the outcome of the next election? Yes, yes, and yes. I know all that.

But I’m also aware that while we’ve been distracted, concerned, confused, fearful, and maybe just plain mad about all the above, summer simply made her seasonal appearance. And, at least in our corner of the world, she did so in a spectacular and satisfying way.

Although September in Colorado brings many beautiful, warm days, summer always seem to be officially over when school starts—either in classrooms or virtually as this year. So I’m already reflecting on what was so special about a summer that may have slipped by unnoticed.Hummingbird '20

My husband and I had extra time on our hands which we chose to spend outside walking, swimming, or gardening whenever we could. We actually got tan through the sunblock this year! That’s summer.

After five years in this house, we finally had our own charm (the group name) of hummingbirds. One morning I counted five at the feeder at once! I know for some of you that’s still a paltry few, but since sightings have been so rare for us it was exciting enough for me to put up an extra feeder. Each morning and evening I’ve been charmed by their antics. That’s summer.Rob's Garden

Our flowers outdid themselves. The clematis and rose bush in our front yard bloomed not once but twice, and the pots of annuals on the deck performed profusely too. There’s just something about going out barefooted early each morning to water your plants. That’s summer.

The farmers’ market brought fresh green beans, peaches, and homegrown tomatoes, and my son’s vegetable garden produced a bountiful harvest, too. That’s summer.

Kite in TreeWe’re blessed to have two parks near us and though organized sports leagues were cancelled, the sound of children playing was reassuringly normal. We heard the crack of the bat from pick up baseball games, got to pet all the dogs on their way to the dog park, and even caught sight of a kite stuck in a tree. That’s summer.

Did you miss it? If so, it’s not too late. Set aside your worries about all the things you can’t do much about anyway and get outside so God’s gift of summer can speak to you. You’ll find her message quite soothing and satisfying.

Filed Under: Back Porch Break Tagged With: baseball, children, dogs, farmers markets, Hummingbirds, Kites, pandemic, parks, Summer, violence

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elizabeth H. Van Liere says

    August 29, 2020 at 11:40 am

    Thanks for putting the focus where it belongs, on God’s beautiful world instead of the ugliness of people and the sickness going on. Smiles from me to you, Nancy.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      August 29, 2020 at 2:21 pm

      Thank you, Betty. Hugs and smiles back to you!

      Reply
  2. Beth Lueders says

    August 29, 2020 at 11:52 am

    I loved hearing about your beauty-full summer, Nancy. On the calendar, we still have over three weeks of summer left, and you’ve motivated me to keep soaking it in. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      August 29, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      Something tells me we need every moment we can get!

      Reply
  3. Patricia L. Scott says

    August 29, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    And as you say goodbye to summer, you’ll have the gorgeous aspen gold to look forward to! There are things I miss about Colorado, but Kentucky, with all its majestic trees, is tough competition in the natural beauty contest!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      August 29, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      Knowing how close it is to TN, I agree, Pat! Missed my spring beauty trip to the South and may not have a fall one either. Stay well.

      Reply
  4. Phyllis Murphy says

    August 29, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    Nancy, dear friend Nancy. Loved reading your thoughts about summer. Summertime is my favorite time of the year and I don’t even mind when it really gets hot and humid. I will read your summer article again when the snow is piled around me. Any thoughts about winter? Thank you so much for sharing in words the wonders of summer. Hugs. Phyllis Murphy

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 3, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks, Phyllis! Hopefully we’ll have a wonderful fall to enjoy, too–then winter! Hugs.

      Reply
  5. Tanya Weston says

    August 29, 2020 at 5:52 pm

    Ah, yes! Loved these sweet words of great images that bring joy! Thanks for sharing! I hope you received a rather lengthy (emailed) letter from me a few months ago. I sure have enjoyed your writing and using your book with a group of dear ones in Fresno, California.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 3, 2020 at 2:00 pm

      Tanya, I didn’t get a letter from you! Please resend, and I’m happy my book is useful to you. Thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  6. Peggy Ellis says

    August 30, 2020 at 7:35 am

    Nancy, as always you gave us a thought-provoking message. Fall planting is in progress in my retirement community, so I can look forward to more flowers even as the summer blooms hang their heads and fade. As you enjoy Aspen gold (and whatever else), I’ll think of you while I enjoy the gold of oaks and the red of maples. Peggy

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 3, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      Peggy–I’m guessing there are some fall pansies in those plantings! Love ’em. I bought a few just to brighten up my summer pots before they all freeze. Thanks for writing.

      Reply
  7. Sue Finger says

    August 30, 2020 at 12:02 pm

    Thank you, Nancy. This summer I’ve taken walks almost every day, and each time I think “Why didn’t I do this every summer?!?”

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 3, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      Good for you, Sue. Guess that means you’ve got a good area for walking. Yay!

      Reply
  8. Jim says

    August 30, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Unique summer but fun spending so much time
    with you my dear. You huzzband

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 3, 2020 at 2:02 pm

      Yes, it has been. Glad we like so many of the same things (minus golf!)

      Reply
  9. Gay Hope says

    September 4, 2020 at 7:56 am

    I so loved reading this! We have had the most bountiful tomato plants in our raised garden this year and the tomatoes are bigger than we have ever grown! We planted a new honeysuckle that had beautiful blooms and have enjoyed the beautiful hanging baskets too. Thank you dear friend for your sweet words again!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 7, 2020 at 1:14 pm

      Gay Hope, my dad couldn’t believe that we plant honeysuckle out here but I love it, too! He spent most of his adult life trying to pull it out of bushes back in TN. The fragrance is a “homecoming” one for me though!

      Reply
  10. Alice Scott-Ferguson says

    September 4, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    Sweet, wholesome and anchoring affirmations for the soul!
    Than you for, as always, reminding us of the beauty of
    observation and gratitude.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 7, 2020 at 1:15 pm

      Alice, I’m just so glad that, in spite of everything, we can still see the beauty of creation around us.

      Reply
  11. Rob McConnell says

    September 8, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Good stuff, Mom! Thanks for the vegetable garden kudos! 🙂
    Happiness often begins with thankfulness, and we have much to be thankful for…(in spite of the circumstances!)

    Love you.

    Reply

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