The heat slowly pushes northward, from the Simi Valley to the Redwoods, across the Rogue River to the Mighty Columbia, and finally to Olympia, capitol of Washington and home to new, and faded, dreamers. Pushing the envelope, they say, record temps they say, an oddity for sure, clouds and heat, oppressive by mid-morning on this twelfth of June, a dog day afternoon approaching, thunder heads forming on the horizon, and time slows for us all.
Colors are muted in the heat. Voices are quieter, movements slower, and chores cut short. Children race through sprinklers or slide down sheets of plastic, road crews battle dust, visions of an iced cold one waiting at the end of their shift, and the elderly shed their coats and prepare for a game of chess in the park under spreading maples and elms.
Dogs call a postponement of all games, their tongues lagging, bees rejoice in the flowering berry bushes, hummingbirds are oblivious, wings beating furiously, and chickens head under the shed, not to be seen again until the cooling evening. Streets shimmer, wisps of white hang suspended from the heavens, and somewhere in the distance Mungo Jerry sings about summertime and women on his mind.
Memories of long ago, flip flops and drive-in movies, snow cones and sizzling burgers, bike rides with friends, all convinced the sun would never set on our multi-act play, “Help” by the Fab Four playing on KJR, 950 on your dial but #1 in your hearts, long summer days, hot summer days, ball games and talking ‘bout girls, showing our plumage and not knowing a damned thing, clinging to a rapidly-fading innocence, hoping against hope, knowing it’s a fool’s game to do so, no chance at all of it all lasting.
Reminiscing plus a couple bucks will get you a cup of coffee, the truth of the matter, and yet the value of it is priceless as time grays the hair and shortens the stride. We are the summation of those memories, walking, talking time machines, straight out of Jules Verne, with a few more miles of tread left on those tires, and memories can soothe us, keep us company when the summer fades and the shortened nights of winter wrap around us, stealing the heat needed for survival. Those memories are peaceful now, their sharp edges worn smooth by time, and forgiveness, and they spread over me like my favorite toddler blanket of long ago.
Wishing for you all that same peacefulness!
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Aw, thank you, Bill, for your simple but beautiful wish for us all and same to you now!! Happy Tuesday once again, my friend 🙂
Thanks Janine! I hope you guys are actually enjoying some summer weather.
Those old memories can be a wealth of knowledge that future generations could find useful. I wish I would have listened closer to what my parents had to say about their past and wish they would have listened more closely with their parents past experiences.
You and me both, Donna! I really blew is by not asking more questions of my parents.
Winter is on the horizon. That is for sure. But we can all look forward to one more sweltering summer. A time of memories and a time for a cold lemonade in a glass that is sweating.
Mike, I got me a hankerin’ for some cold lemonade now, thank you very much.
You, my friend, are a masterful writer. Dang that’s some good stuff right there. The descriptions, the way it draws you in…it’s like the start of one of your novels. That at-once-familiar reminiscing so characteristic of a Bill Holland novel. 🙂
And I’m now staying with my parents and have some internet. I can do a little catching up betwixt visits, hiking, mountain biking and reading and writing and…and….I hope you have a great week! This time next week my travels will have ended, but I’ll be many more journal pages along, a few more mandala drawings rendered, and a few more thousand miles on the car of beautiful, sacred places to write about…and I’m looking forward to it. I love road trips, but I also love, love returning home.
Lil Sis, I’ll say this about you: You get the most out of your vacations! I am living vicariously through you. At one time, younger, I loved nothing more than hopping in the car and following a road to adventure. Now? Not so much! My adventure is in the backyard and at the farm. 🙂 Enjoy yourself, Lil Sis!
And thank you for the very kind words
hugs
Another beautiful reflection.
Thank you Lori!
Bill this is a profound piece of writing, so descriptive I could feel the heat and haze as the dust rose from roads and chickens headed under the shed.. To the cool of the water as children played in sprinklers systems and slid down plastic sheets..
Loved your muse my friend, and the memories you brought in the “colours muted in the heat!” ..
Our Spring was a heat wave our Summer is a wash out.. lol.. but the ground needed water just not so much in a short space of time. Two months worth in two days and it rained none stop day and night for 5 days..
So like some places in the USA, we have water logged fields, crops under water and homes flooded as rivers and waterways burst their banks..
Something that is seemingly happening more frequently now around our globe..
We are fine though and although the Potatoes are loving all the extra rain, some of our crops are not liking the wet. But you win some and lose some in the growing game..
Wishing you well dear Bill..
Take care..
Sue 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Sue. Word of your weather problems did not reach us. It has been a horrendous spring for those in the South. Here where I live, in the Northwest, we have had a brilliantly mild Spring…perfect weather overall. We shall see how long this lasts. I fear a hot one coming soon.
Take care, Sue, and thank you!
Hope our weather both sides of the pond finds the balance it needs ☔☀️💚
I have my doubts that will happen, Sue, but it’s a lovely hope.
Hey Bill, you are still inspiring writers and this post reflects your talent to do so. Love the images in my mind of summer that you sparked. Be blessed and at peace today.
You are too kind, Dee, but I thank you very much. Blessings always!
Bill, this is amazing! Wow, you’ve taken my breath away with this one, my friend. Brilliant example of superb writing!
Awww thanks, Sha! It’s nice to know I haven’t lost it. Finding the time to write a piece like this one is my greatest obstacle. I appreciate your warm words of affirmation, my friend.
This picture is great! I sense a new urgency within you to ensure folks understand how they can connect with others.
There is a new urgency, Shell. I feel cast adrift. I’m not sure what I want to be when I grow up, but I want to set my anchors somewhere soon…how’s that for mixing up metaphors? LOL Thank you!
I know this feeling well, Bill! Great use of mixing up metaphors!! Lol