A Midsummer’s Dream

The mid-summer heat is upon us, bringing unusually high humidity, rainy days, 90+ temperatures, fog, and… beautiful flowers! These magical, colorful creatures usher us through the long, hot summer! But I’m already dreaming of cooler weather. 

Last summer, we invested in Iris. They bloomed purple and white and even a bronze one. We loved them! This year, they barely bloomed. “Lack of sunshine,” some said. “Too much rain,” said others. “And they need to be thinned out.” Ok, more work. 

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This year, we went for Dalias. They are in pots on our porch in various stages from full flowers to buds to bushy, leafy plants with no signs of flowering. We have loved them but are learning they require lots of care. Our greatest flowering successes have been the Mandevilla hanging pots. They haven’t stopped blooming and are climbing and reaching out in all directions. All with little effort on our part except for watering. 

It’s all been an experience in living and growing. I’m learning to live and grow in my new habitat in New England. Although I miss the west, I’m learning to like it here, embracing the seasons and dealing with the rest. Isn’t that what life is about? 

I hope you enjoy my books set in the West with Native American heroes, on sale now. SPEAK TO THE WIND deals with a devastating event all too common in the west — wildfire! RARE BREED is set in one of my favorite places on Earth, the Grand Canyon. Let your imagination go Westward! ​ Just click on the cover and enjoy a great read.

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Mary Tate Engels 
www.marytateengels.com