Singing the blues and purples . . . . . .

Each day the clouds build and thunderheads appear late in the afternoons.

Huge drops of rain plop heavily on the back deck, and I run outside to toss the 

cushions into the gazebo. Lightning illuminates the darkening sky, thunder

 cracks sharply directly overhead making me jump and the neighbors' dogs

 bark, or booms in muffled rumbles off in the distance.

Thunderheads (cumulonimbus) are the most dramatic looking clouds with their

tall and imposing shape. They grow vertically instead of horizontally, forming

into dense towers that can reach 20,000 feet, sometimes even more.

Late Summer sky over Raleigh while driving home from the State Farmers' Market downtown on Sunday. 

Sunday, we took a drive to the market for fresh farm eggs and tomatoes, and

ended up also buying a few pretty purple eggplants - they come in all shades, 
shapes and sizes now.

Despite garden conditions being disappointing this Summer due to a

 crazy weather pattern, I was shocked when Bob pointed to "a purple thing in

 the back garden on the arbor." Looking closer I found not one but two

 'purple things' dangling from the arbor. . . . . . . very late blooming wisteria

racemes! None bloomed in Spring but it's lovely to see them now.

While singing the blues, I have to show you this beautiful piece of handmade glass

 from Colorado. It was a gift from my neighbor. His kitty is Ms. Nala whom I've

 shared with you often. . . . . and this Summer I did take care of her for several
 weeks. The blue vase is sitting on the lovely mosaic tray made some years ago
 by my dear friend Penny in the North Carolina mountains. 
You can find her here at Enjoying the Simple Things.