Birthday roses fade and wither into pale pinkness...

...and the first garden roses of the summer appear among the lavendar.

It is a productive explosion of beauty outdoors now ... and the children run barefoot in the yard, hair wet from swimming, traces of ice cream across their round, happy cheeks. Sun shines on their warm heads and there is a place under the elder bush, just beside the blackberry canes, that is perfect for dreaming.

It will soon be time to make elder syrup! The blossoms alone would make the world's loveliest perfume; I think they're summer's version of lilacs.