Sensing summer

In these sunny, summer days here in Ireland I invite you to join me in sensing summer…

Seeing…Look up and see the blue of the sky with light, wispy, white clouds moving slowly…see the blue green of the sea…look down at the green of the grass…the pink, red, white, yellow of the flowers in bloom…the yellow of the corn and the wheat ripening the fields.

Look around see the pinks, lemons, lilacs, blues, oranges, whites and creams of summer dresses…see the colours of bunting and flags flying in the breeze inviting us to parties and festivals.

Yes, we see summer colour all around us…calling us to notice its presence…to stop, to look and let the colours lift our spirits today…

Hearing…Open your ears to sound of summer…hear the waves lapping on the sea-shore or crashing on the rocks in summer storms…

Listen to the sound of laughter…of screams from children enjoying the beach…the fairground rides…the bouncy castle…

Hear the buzz of the bees…the call of the sea gulls…the whirr of the lawn mower…

Listen to the sound of the bells…the ice cream van calling…the newly married couple coming out from the church…

Yes, listen to the sounds of summer…calling us to notice its presence…to pause, to listen, to enjoy…

Smelling…Open your nostrils…smell the arrival of summer…

Can you smell the burger, the steaks, the sausages sizzling on the barbecue…calling us to eat together…

Smell the salt of the sea air as you walk along the promenade…

As you see summer flowers blossoming…pause…bend down and take in their scent…

Take in the aroma of the new-mown grass…

Yes, stop let yourself be awakened by the scents of summer…

Tasting…As you take the first bite of food from the barbecue…savour the taste of freshly cooked meat and vegetables…the charred by the charcoal of the open fire…

Enjoy the taste of the whipped ice cream and its chocolate flake as you relish your first 99 of the summer season…

Appreciate the flavour of the strawberries and raspberries freshly picked from the bushes…

Take delight in the taste of the fresh salads…grown in your gardens…the crisp lettuce…the ripe red tomatoes…the crunch of the onions and peppers…accompanied by crusty home made bread…

Yes, pause and let your taste buds savour the flavours of summer…

Touching…Welcome the warmth of sun upon your skin…

Feel the grains of warm sand beneath your feet as you walk bare-foot on the beach…

Sense the coolness of light summer linen and cotton on your body as your wear lighter clothes…

Feel your skin as you massage oil into your arms, your legs, your face to protect you from the rays of the sun…

Love the coolness of the water as you swim in the warm sea…allowing the waves to wash over your body…

Feel the gentle  sea breeze cooling your skin in the heat of the sun…

Yes, pause and experience the touch of summer in your life…

Yes…let your senses be awakened to the beauty of summer all around us…

Karen OSU