Sunday, July 3, 2016

Slipping Into Summer


On an ideal summer morning, I awaken at six to soft gray light leaking through the filmy white curtains on the french doors next to my side of the king size bed. Slipping out from under the cozy down comforter, I stand and stretch, assessing my body for aches and pains from the five mile hike the day before. Finding none, I grab the neatly folded pile of clothes from the ladder-back chair next to the dresser, step out into the hallway and silently close the door behind me.


I descend the stairs, avoiding all the squeaky spots I have discovered on previous early mornings. Making my way to the kitchen, I fill the electric tea pot with water from the kitchen tap, settle the pot on it's base and depress the start lever. During the five minutes it takes for the water to heat, I get dressed in the downstairs bathroom.


The hot water ready, I begin my morning tea ritual; measuring out a teaspoon of black leaf Cinnamon Roll tea from the clear glass mason jar, placing the tea into the floating tea filter nestled inside the Sleeping Bear Dunes mug I found in the cupboard, claiming it as my own for the week. Into the mug, I pour water from the tea pot and set the timer on my phone for three minutes to let the tea steep to its full potential. I gather the last of the things I need for my morning adventure: the pink and white checked blanket, my Canon dSLR, my journal and black sharpie pen. Carefully I place each of these items in the large canvas bag with the mallard green straps. The timer vibrates on my phone; the tea is done. I tap the screen to silence the vibration, slipping the phone into the bag as well.


Returning to the kitchen, I remove the tea filter and measure out a teaspoon of sweet clover honey from the plastic squeeze bear I brought from home, filled with honey from my dad's bees. I take the streaming mug into the dining room where the canvas bag awaits, reaching down I gently lift the bag, slipping the wide straps onto my left shoulder. I pause at the sliding glass door to slip my feet into my paisley rain boots, slide the door open and walk out onto the wooden deck.


I look across the dewy grass to my destination, the white dock surrounded by layers of morning fog. The dock where I will lay out the pink and white blanket, sit and drink my tea, journal my deepest thoughts, and capture the morning fog with my camera and my phone. All the while the rest of the world sleeps.


Why is it that perfect summer mornings only happen in our dreams.

11 comments:

Sandra said...

A wonderful description of all the morning rituals. I especially the the shot of the steep stairs with the wooden rail!

Beverly said...

It's beautiful morning! I adore the soft light through the curtain, and the stairs.

Donna Hopkins said...

Sarah, I wonder the same thing - why is that we only dream of these perfect summer morning and seldom live them? Your perfect morning matches mine to a T. Such a joy to see your photographs this morning.

Anonymous said...

Your "perfect summer morning" sounds...perfect. Thanks for this lovely glimpse into your world, even if it is only a dream.

Peggy said...

Wait was right there with you...waiting for the tea to steep, what a wonderful description of your early morning. Also such good moody pictures.

Cathy H. said...

Perfect dream! I'd love to join you out there on the dock, not to talk, but just to enjoy the morning and good company!

Unknown said...

To wake up every morning and be able to walk out on the dock or the beach or anywhere that is on or near the water is a true dream of mine. I love your description of this dream and hope that someday it will/can become a reality for you....and me as well!

Unknown said...

This post is dream! Those stairs are gorgeous.

Suburban Girl said...

Oh my, that is a dream. I would love that.

Nicki said...

Inevitably the best fog mornings are the ones where I am heading to work without a proper camera or time. Fabulous narrative.

Electric | Journal said...

What a wonderful description of your perfect morning ritual... we would all benefit from alone time in the early morning, some time for meditation and contemplation, to look upon the world with a camera in hand. Lovely, just lovely.