Summer
Summer; that season when the air is redolent with the heady scent of flowers; the borders resplendent with the colour of geraniums, delphiniums, Canterbury bells and clematis. Summer; languid, mellow and indolent; a time for watching the world pass by under hazy blue skies, with fluffy white clouds and vapour trials. Summer is a time to reflect, while doing nothing in particular; a time for just being. Summer; the sound of far off lawn mowers mingle with the buzzing of the frenetic bumble bee as it works from one fragrant bloom to another. Summer; a time for idly watching the dancing dragonflies in their mating ritual, their jewelled colours flashing red, blue and green in warm dappled sunlight, reflecting on the still water of the garden pond.
An English garden in all its summer splendour is a haven for felines. The borders provide shade as does the bay tree and the shed. The lawn is a place to sprawl and be admired.
With summer comes the outdoors, garden furniture and gatherings, the smells of outdoor cooking – and the odd piece of stolen chicken may be had. During the hot afternoons, cats will find shady cool spots to pass the listless hours.
It is the early evening when crepuscular creatures gather. This is a time to watch what other cats are up to, a time to ensure that the territory remains unsullied by invaders. And, sometimes, a time for Thutmose to come along and see how his daughters are growing up.
Then there are the bugs. Bugs that buzz about in the warm evening air, dancing hither and thither, just begging to be chased and caught. Bugs make interesting things to chase – and there’s good eating to be had on a bug once it’s been caught. A bit crunchy sometimes, but tasty, nonetheless.
