It’s good to be home, back to routine, back to work. In my book world it’s frigid, bitter-wind January. I realized I’d dived deep into book world when I set a scene at the ice rink in Central Park, started to research for some details and the web site said: Closed For The Season.
Well, I thought, baffled and annoyed, why in the hell would they close the ice rink in January? It’s a freaking ICE rink! Then I glanced out my office window, had a moment of disorientation before I remembered. Oh yeah, it’s August.
I like August better, in the real world. Some of the poplar trees are showing some yellow leaves, and I’m not ready for that, not ready for summer to wind down.
I like spending a good part of my weekends outside, gardening, wandering around with the dogs, sitting out with BW for a drink–most usually on the back patio so we can watch the hummingbirds come to feed. So I better appreciate those summer things while it lasts.
Everything got hit with deer repellent, again, as the deer–like the one I yelled at just the other day–continue to think of my garden as theirs. But I weeded yesterday without seeing a snake–that’s always a plus. And cut a pretty bouquet.
BW decided to grill steaks–not a summer thing for us as BW, much to my delight, grills year-round. But we don’t eat a lot of red meat, so steaks are a treat. And I used the potatoes we’d grown and harvested, with herbs from the garden for some spicy roasted potatoes. Add a salad–with some nasturtium from the garden–and we had the perfect meal to enjoy on our front deck. That’s a fine summer thing.
While it’s deep winter in book world, I’m going to hold on to summer as long as I can, enjoy the warm and the flowers and those evening drinks on the patio.
Do yourself a favor, take a walk in the warm, pick some flowers, look for a hummingbird, read a book in the sunshine. Those summer things only last so long.
Nora
thanks Nora I love to read your posts! our hot summer here in New Mexico is coming to an end, and fall will soon be here. The great thing about NM is that we have 10 months of perfect weather and two months of hot….Just finished reading the Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy again, and your potatoes and salad remind me of the meals Branna made for the group….come to think of it, Branna reminds me of YOU!! thanks again for all the hours of great entertainment you have given me all these years…
After the long, long,long winter you guys had last year, I know you’re not ready for it to get here just yet. I’m hoping it’s not too bad this year for you. needless to say I’m glad you’re writing it and not living it just yet. I hope you have a wonderful August. looking forward to the new books coming out in September.
For the first time, in a long time, I am not ready for summer to end. I start teaching tomorrow. Not ready. Stress, chaos, and long hours are not as exciting as they once were.
HOWEVER, since moving from Damascus, MD to Chapel Hill, NC, I do look forward to the fall for the serious drop in humidity that the fall ushers in.
Great reminder to enjoy the rest of summer. I can see some flowers getting restless and I just planted some nasturtiums and the are growing. My neighbour gave me some of hers and they filled my kitchen with the most beautiful fragrance. I had no idea the were edible. Thank you Nora.
I had the same feeling Saturday when I went into Costco & the huge mums were out. I thought, “wow, it’s early for mums” but being mid-August I bought a huge purple one for my front porch & later wished I’d picked up three! Then I looked at my window box & decided my alyssum looked tired so decided to mix a variety of heathers & grasses with my mini cypress & remove the annuals that have been blooming faithfully all summer. As ever, cherish each day for what it brings. I always love Nora’s notes & photos celebrating daily life for what it is!
Thanks for reminding me that in many parts of the world, summer in August has many gifts to share. In AZ,, it’s 114-117 degrees so I’m ready for it to move on. Being the dreamer that I am, I put out my Fall decorations during Labor Day weekend and dream of crunchy leaves and great boots! :-). Can’t wait for your new book! Be well
The heat in north Texas has me eagerly looking forward to fall. In fact, it can’t come too soon. Those potatoes look so yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Your annoyance with closed skating rink sites reminded me of Eve and her problem with time zones, which always make me grin. Thank you for your stories, which always make me forget what’s going on outdoors. Right now we’re having the heat, but have benefited from unusual rains, so my morning glories and tomatoes are rioting. Tried container corn this year, still waiting for results. Fall is fun!
Don’t know what I would do without your books and this blog. I need the wonderful escapism of your books but you also make us appreciate our surroundings. Be blessed, ML
How do you keep your beautiful shape, if you eat potatoes? Oh, wait- you work out all the time. I only do power walks – and as much as I love potatoes, I just skip them- the scale doesn’t like them. If that’s an ID book you’re working on – thanks and thanks a million again. I can’t wait for September and the next one-Devoted ID. There has never been a better or more fascinating couple- than Eve and Roarke. May you continue their story forever.
I’m absolutely willing to work out every day until I’m dripping sweat if it means I can eat potatoes!
We ,my Hubby and I , have lots of Buddleia aka butterfly bushes and sit and watch and try to identify the different butterflies. I don’t mind the heat but I prefer it with a breeze and low humidity ! I enjoy a glimpse into your day to day. Thanks.
Figure skating is near and dear to my heart. I have a regular full-time job but on the side have taught figure skating in our community learn to skate program and coach a few children and adults. If you had any technical questions regarding figure skating, ice dance, competing , Zambonis , and injuries – happy to help out.
Cheers!
2 great resources: usfsa.org & skateisi.com U.S. Figure Skating & the Ice Skating Institute.
It’s worrisome when someone or something messes with your method…especially, when you are writing a JD Robb book.
School starts Tuesday. Summer is over.
Sounds lovely!
Never could read out of season stories but for your stuff I do. 🙂 I wonder why you do not set the book you are writing with the season you are having. Love the meal and envy the grilling, my DH does not. We rarely eat red meat either and we are all the healthier for it. Nice touch on the herbs and flowers with the meal.
Well, the In Death series runs in a specific time line, and it’s January. For Roberts, the season or seasons I choose depends on the story.
Okay, makes sense.
I laughed at your anecdote about the ice rink. It is so easy to become immersed in what we are doing,lol. Here in Australia, I am hanging out for the warmer weather. Signs are there (today will be a balmy 21C) but it soon changes back. It has been a very cold winter, by our standards. But summer can often last for 9 months so I’m sure I will be sick of it after awhile. Love reading about your summer while it is so chilly here
Yes Nora, I agree…don’t want summer to end. No leaves turning yet here in Va, but acorns starting to fall on my deck, which I sweep do the shelties don’t get them.
Enjoy your last weeks of summer, & thank you for many hrs of escape while out on my deck…..
Our garden drowned early this year with all the flooding we had. Past years have seen me making homemade potato salad and roasted crispy potatoes and spicy zucchini and squash…with fresh tomatoes and herbs… *sigh* As a vegetarian, I miss having all those lovelies at my fingertips this summer. I intend to enjoy every second. I get funny looks when I walk out of the very air conditioned office building and just stand in the sun for a few moments.
Thanx for the chuckle!
While I enjoy summer. I am so ready for fall. Especially Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks. 🙂
We have a year round skating rink here in Colorado Springs. It is indoors so there is no reason for them to close it in the summer months.
Deer are abundant here also (the deer hunting capital of the USA) but are there no mosquitoes in your world? Buffalo gnats? Our beautiful spring has been altered for several years since the Department of Natural Resources introduced the buffalo gnat (A.K.A. black fly) to our area to combat something or another. From April to August, you are not safe outside your house. Period. I cannot walk to my mailbox without fear of attack and the usual repellents are not effective. People go to the ER if bitten around their throat area, but only if they want to continue to BREATH! Serious recounting and I find myself envious of your outdoor life – and deck happiness.
That’s HORRIBLE. We’ve just got your usual gnats, annoying, but no big dea. And the organic spray I use tends to keep them at bay. We have had those nasty stink bugs for several years, but they’re not nearly as awful as they once were.
In fact, I’m about to pour myself a glass of post-work and post-work-out wine, and go out to walk around with the dogs. So sorry you can’t enjoy a simple summer walk.
Earlier I forgot to say that I LOVE that you got so sucked into your own writing that you forgot what month it is. If it made you think it was January I’m sure it will make the rest of us think that too. 🙂
Can’t believe it’s August 19th! Where did summer go? Living in North Florida, we will have more months of summer like weather and of course winter is never harsh but we do have a winter and it does get cooler and you definitely know it’s now summer anymore. I am always sad to see summer go. We have deer that love to come and munch and crunch too…we had a family with 4 babies the other day strolling around the backyard. So I can relate! I don’t grow potatoes but I will try that recipe with store bought little potatoes! Thanks!
Catching up on the blog. The first two paragraphs made me laugh out loud! I’ve done that surfacing from a really good read.
This has nothing to do with summer other than the new Project Runway has started, and is it just me or does Tim Gunn make a perfect Summerset?! Not a slam to him cause he’s awesome but to me, he’s Summerset. No one is Roarke or Eve! Be well all. 🙂
I could totally see that!
I like summer, but I so look forward to Fall. I love everything about fall. Living in Kentucky, we get a lot of color from the trees. It just makes me happy. And of course it’s the start of the holidays. 🙂