A Summer's Day -

I'm spending a lazy weekend in the cottage per 'doctor's orders' - and it's

 enjoyable as it's far too hot to be outside today.

I'm playing this classical music which makes me think of England, the 

countryside, the history, MY history!

This is my favorite recorded version - click HERE to play.

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

 has to be one of Britain's best composers.

The focus is of course on the stunning music. Here, in the

magnificent Gloucester Cathedral, the cinematography, editing,

and lighting all come together to add an amazing visual atmosphere.

The way the orchestra is spread through the massive cathedral is

wonderful, can you imagine being there and hearing the music

surrounding you?

Fantasia On a Theme of Thomas Tallis

The BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Andrew Davis at

Gloucester Cathedral, where in 1910, it was played and conducted

for the first time by the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The 'magic of a summer's day' doesn't happen too often for me. 

I do not thrive in heat, humidity, blazing sun, glaring swimming pools, and 

hanging out around outdoor grills, slapping at mosquitoes.

Afternoon thunderstorms are often welcome. 

I am a winter person I came from damp, rain, clouds, winds, cool.

I love moorland, gorse and heather, wild ponies, quick showers from

overcast skies, river banks, chilly babbling brooks. 

Afternoon tea in a shady, ancient apple orchard on an August afternoon. 

Raincoats, umbrellas, even rubber boots were good. 

No need for air conditioning, ceiling fans, ice!

Noticed this past very hot week. . . . . . . 

Home builders around the neighborhood spread out under trees or across

 their truck seats eating lunch or taking naps - much-needed breaks from

building oversized million dollar-plus houses.

Near death among the garden pots - canna lilies, caladiums, the few herbs

 I was trying to keep going, all on their last legs.

Birds are few as we are not feeding for a while - they look untidy

with their tired feathers.

The baby bunny is now large, golden in color - its ears so long it 

resembles a hare. . . . .which we don't have here. It nibbles the now

 browned out grass and hides under the fading hydrangea bushes.

A chipmunk comes to the small fountain in front of the porch - do you 

know they will eat almost anything, including your tomatoes.

Figs, small, unripe, hard and green are dropping fast and furious, rolling

 down the driveway - perhaps not a good harvest this year due to weather.

This past week was busy. My car required a new windshield as it was

 cracked by a thrown up stone.  

I had the final part of the root canal completed. The dentist, and his staff,

were stellar in every way. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .and then on Friday I went to the pain

 clinic for another, my second, steroid injection into my worn out spine.

It was unbelievably painful this time and I will admit I screamed!

This is why I'm laying low this weekend in hopes I will get relief 

from the nerve pain down my right leg within 3-5 days.

Sunday afternoon now, 90F but no storms predicted.

The entire week ahead will bring even higher daily temperatures

and little if any rain.  From what you my dear readers share, wherever

you are in the northern hemisphere, you are also having a heatwave.

Stay calm, cool and hydrated and make the most of each day.