Reflections on Summer

Summer is drawing to a close, although this is not reflected in the temperature - yet.  The kids have gone back to school and once again I hear the boys shouting and the girls squealing about 4 times a day in the school playground beyond our backyard fence.  I remembered to move my glass solar bulrushes closer to the house dare I lose another one to the soccer balls and basketballs that come flying over the fence at random intervals. 
 The rainfall for the whole month of August came down in one day two days ago but the grass still looks parched from this year's drought.  As I look down on the garden from my kitchen loft window, I see that I have accomplished a lot this summer despite being busier than ever with the B and B (I am still waiting for it to slow down).  The new deck is a wonderful addition and will be used well into the Fall.  The new Japanese maple I planted is still alive.  The fire pit has been moved to a new location even though a fire ban this summer prevented us from using it much of the time.  My faux stained glass window continues to bear up even though the paint was not meant for the outdoors.  The tomato plants are still producing but I must remember to order more red ones from Vicki's Veggies next year since I have an abundance of yellow tomatoes.  The hanging baskets and planters are hanging on and look refreshed from the dose of fertilizer I gave them last week.  The hibiscus which are now just finishing were magnificent this year especially the pink one which produced blooms the size of a small dinner plate.  The grass (brown with green weeds) looks terrible but grass is highly overrated.  I'm sure it will recover nicely by next spring.  And the pond, which has remained green despite my best efforts is actually looking a bit clearer lately - ever since I decided to leave it alone!
 I will miss the garden as we move into winter but I love the Fall - cooler temperatures, fewer people on the Main Street and at the beaches, the changing of the leaves and the return of my neighbour and friend who is away for July and August every year.  Once my hubby retires, we will plan to travel a bit in the late Fall when business slows down.  We want to explore the area between Picton and Ottawa, cross the border to Sackets Harbour and spend some time in someone else's B and B.