PAGASA has finally declared officially yesterday that we are now into summer. They say that we really don’t have summer because we only have two seasons of the year, the dry and the wet. People got used though to calling the dry days and months summer here. It would lasts until probably the last week of May when thunderstorms in the afternoon are regular occurrence. It is not yet that hot within the day but there are almost no clouds in the sky. For those of us who love the beach, it’s time for that much-needed dip. Just don’t forget to have sunblock in your bag. Days would be longer than nights.
Finally too, I am almost done with my gardening job – trimming the grass, weeding and replanting some of my ornamental plants. I haven’t touched anything outside our perimeter wall yet but I guess, the weeds outside our fence need to be uprooted too. They are growing tall and unmanageable. Our Santan plants need trimming too. That would have to be postponed for a while because they are presently in bloom. I love those red flowers, they are lovely under the sun.
I haven’t blogged for two days but I noticed the decline in my views yesterday. It’s down to a little over a hundred compared to the previous five days before that where it reached more than two hundred a day. I remember that those times when I blogged every day were the same days that my stats went up. Really, we are only good as our last post although I noticed that there are some posts that always stay at the top. I have some favorites but they are no longer viewed now. I guess participating in writing one post a day really helps. Back in 2011, I did that but it was never repeated. It was kind of taxing thinking of what to write about every day for the entire year. Maybe in the future I’ll do it again.
I’ve put aside reading for the last three days but I am trying to catch up again with Lang Leav’s poems and Mary Oliver’s thoughts mixed with my fiction books. It is always nice to get to know other people’s thoughts and dreams. I am inspired by their writings. Sometimes I wonder where they get all the inspirations to write those lovely texts. I am envious. I’ve been an admirer of Mary Oliver for so long but I only have two of her books. A friend bought me a copy of Upstream, (my 3rd one) her latest but we haven’t seen each other yet. I read the reviews of the book, read some excerpts from it and I am really looking forward to have that book on hand. I follow her on Facebook that is why I am updated. I like almost all of her poems but this one is a favorite. Would love to share it you. It’s called Wild Geese.
“You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.”
It is summer now, let me correct that, it’s the beginning of the dry season here. Would just love to enjoy the sun and reading.
That’s one of my favourite poems by her.
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You too? just love it.
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Enjoy your dry season while you can, Arlene. Gardening, the outdoors, and still enjoying your reading. The sun is out here this morning, and the forecast is for a dry weekend too!
Best wishes, Pete.
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I will, thanks Pete. Glad to know it is sunny in your area too.
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Do enjoy the sun and reading, and don’t feel obliged to keep up your stats 🙂
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I don’t Derrick, just always notice it when I blog.
Thank you 🙂
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Mary Oliver is a favorite of mine. She lived for most years in Massachusetts, the state next to mine. She got her inspiration being outdoors and paying close attention. A lot like your thoughts in your garden. Ordinary life closely observed makes for interesting writing.
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Another Mary Oliver fan, thanks Elizabeth. Yes, she loves nature and writes about it.
Done with the garden yesterday, thanks!
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My late mother-in-law, a master gardener, was delighted when I introduced her to Oliver’s writing.
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Really, that’s nice to know. Mary Oliver is the best.
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I have the feeling that if I blogged on a daily basis, my stats would go down. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to read my posts every day if I had nothing to say. People obviously get hooked on your writing.
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All of us have something to say, maybe it all depends on what we share. Blogging is sometimes quite addicting, don’t you think?
Thanks Anne.
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Truly addictive!!
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Yes 🙂
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Wild Geese is one of my favorite Oliver poems. Hope you are enjoying her other works as well!
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I do. I think wild Geese is one of her most popular poems. thank you so much for dr4opping by and sharing your appreciation of Mary Oliver.
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Beautiful poem, Arlene. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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You’re welcome Diana 🙂
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Happy reading on the beach, Arlene! 😎
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Wish I could go to the beach right now 🙂 Thanks Sabine!
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We have a dry season, too, but ours goes much longer. Typically, the rain cuts off sometime in May, and we don’t see another drop until late October.
It sounds odd to people from places other than California, but I was born here, and it’s part of the rhythm of my life.
Love the poem. 🙂
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Thank you Cathleen. It is getting hotter every day. I love the sun though.
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