Beating the heat

"Summer has set in with its usual severity"

~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge



The part of the U.S. where I live
(upper south, Mississippi River Valley)
is being gripped by intense heat,
"dangerous heat," as proclaimed by
the National Weather Service.
We have heat indecies in excess of 110 degrees.
My garden is parched,
despite efforts to keep it watered.
All I am craving right now is some coolness,
some relief to just keep me going.
Recent issues of Country Living feature
some lovely coastal cottages that evoke
simplicity and ease.
Rooms all in white,
with a smattering of texture and a cool palette
let the landscape beyond
take center stage.




Rooms that whisper, rather than shout,
with icy colors,
help me to feel cooler on an
emotional level.



Subtle pattern play adds sweetness.





Soothing shades of aquamarine
evoke the cooling waters of the sea.




Uncluttered spaces feel well-ordered,
a welcome contrast to the chaotic
nature of the heat outside.





A blue painted floor feels at home
beside the sea.




A pale palette is perfect for every room
of the house, especially ones that generate heat
when in use.

Today my hubby and our carpenter friend

begin to rebuild the damaged outer wall

of our dining room and hopefully

start framing in the floor joists as well.

Time is of the essence, as my husband has his first

teacher meeting of the year this Friday

(eariler than ever before).

Ordinarily he would have done all the work himself,

but he was injured last year, and it seems

he will never recover full use of his shoulder,

even after a major surgery and

a year of physical therapy.

Life continually offers lessons

in patience and adaptation.

Hope you find ways to beat the heat

and enjoy whatever time is left before

the seasons change.

Until next time...

Anne