Hazy days of summer

It seems lame to complain about hot summer days in light of recent weather reports from Arizona or LA, but for northern Wisconsin, it’s been a hot July. While I totally appreciate air conditioning, it’s seems to defeat the purpose of summer to stay indoors huddled near an AC vent! Fortunately, this week, there has been a break in the weather with cooler temps, and I’m motivated to again pull weeds in the garden and take care of outdoor projects.

And it's been a week of new baby birds at our feeders. These days there is a continual waiting line of three or four immature orioles at the grape jelly feeder, and as of this morning, immature blue jays, cardinals, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and a baby Red-Headed Woodpecker are clambering for seeds at the shelf feeder in the yard. It's hard to get anything done with all the activity happening outside the front windows, but we are thankful to be able to share our land with these beautiful creatures! 

This hot weather prompts thoughts of cooler places and one of my favorite spots is enjoying the spectacular sights around Lake Superior. I hope that this week’s painting, Hidden Cove, 9”x12” Watercolor, invokes the sense of hiking along the shore of the lake and discovering this wonderful place – filled with warm sunshine, cool summer breezes, and the wonderful rhythm of waves splashing on the rocks.