Peonies for a Summer Evening

The Summer Solstice begins shortly after Midnight, ushering in the longest day of the year.  The official beginning of Summer is 12:24am Eastern Daylight Time, Wednesday, June 21st.  This year, I'm welcominig Summer with a celebration of peonies.  For those in the Southern Hemisphere, where Winter is just beginning, think of these as giant snowballs!

White peonies always remind me of a garden performance of the Swan Lake ballet, with ballerinas in feathery white tutus. Peonies are the Divas of the garden.  They love the spotlight (the sun), and need to stand out (don't plant them next to a big tree that will compete with them for nourishment).

Peonies are one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden.  The word, "breathtaking" is often used to describe them. These voluptuous, complex flowers are also fragrant.  Their rose-like scent will perfume a room.  In the garden, peonies are most fragrant in the early morning.  Their oils evaporate in the heat of the day.

Before clicking my camera, I gave each blossom a quick tap with my hand, to scatter any ants...and there are always ants sheltered in the petals.  Ants are a good thing.  They eat the bugs that chew on the young buds, and for that good deed, they dine on the flower's nectar.  When cutting blossoms to bring indoors, turn the blossoms upside down, and give them a light shake.

Welcome Summer!

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.

Little Black Purse

Somewhere, in almost every woman's closet, is an iconic "little black dress".  It may no longer fit, but it will never be cast aside (it knows too much!).  The real party girl though, is the best friend of the little black dress, the little black purse.  Many a secret is found tucked inside the pockets of that little black purse: theatre tickets, concert tickets, old wedding invitations.

Mum's vintage black beaded clutch carried no more than a small rectangular mirror, a comb, and lipstick (often in the same coral colour as the Peony in the photograph).  Sometimes the purse would make room for an invitation card, however, Dad usually carried that in the pocket of his suit.

After Dad died, Mum's little black purse sat in a dresser drawer for many years, until my youngest sister and I thought it needed to get out of the house.  That little black purse has enjoyed discos, dinners and receptions from Vancouver to Quebec City.  Counting the events with Mum and my sister, she's been out more than I have!  Long after the little black dress has cleared the dance floor, the little black purse is still twirling on someone's wrist.

If you've been waiting for me to reveal one of the secrets tucked inside the little black purse, my Soft Silver Rose number 430 Pearl lips are sealed!

Photographs copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.