THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: seasons


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Fall

The fall season kicks off in about 9 hours here in the Eastern time zone of the U.S. I like fall till the leaves are gone, then I start to get depressed.

It’s nice being outside by a roaring fire in late afternoon or early evening. The colors of the season are wonderful while they last. It’s the season of our wedding anniversary and we have a nice number coming up this year.

We love getting to the beach in the offseason before it gets cold, we usually squeeze in a few days at the shore.

I don’t like the days getting much shorter on sunlight. And the intensity of the sun fades so what I do get doesn’t feel as strong as those summer days in the hammock.

The days I’ll be riding around with the top down are numbered. And the days it will sit under a cover will increase as the weather get sloppier.

The grass will still need mowing for a few more weeks and then I’ll winterize the equipment. Oh, and the most important aspects of winter. Getting the heating systems services soon and upgrading our attic insulation.

I have another 6-8 weeks before I go into my winter funk. This premature fall we had during summer weeks has already got me worried it might be a cold winter.

So, I’ll make the best of that remaining good weather and appreciate the coming color of the season.

Leaf me alone. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Sum Sum Summertime

What is your favorite season of year? Why? – The daily writing prompt with a softball question today.

Summer is my favorite season and the list of why is a long one. I’ll be as brief as possible.

Just being outdoors and comfortable. Be it in the convertible with the top down or wandering the local wooded paths along the Patapsco River. But best of all in the sands on the beach or in a lounge chair by a pool or just on my deck catching rays.

I love stepping outside in the morning before sunrise in shorts and listening to the birds sing and not shivering.

Both my daughter and daughter-in-law are teachers so the chance of seeing them more goes up. As well as some family get togethers. I can get out the squirt guns with the grandchildren.

I love to photograph during the summer months. And that means I like to explore during those times also.

It’s the time of year I can lay in my hammock and feel comfortable. Summer sunrises and sunsets are the best. Maryland crab season begins.

I can wash my car and its not covered in pollen the next day. The grill comes alive and charcoal bags arrive two by two.

Seeing the summer sweet corn growing, being harvested and the local produce stands coming alive. The fleet of fishing boats going out for the days catch or big tournaments.

The county and state fairs. The local car shows. and spirited drives unfold. The ethnic festivals and craft exhibits. Summer concerts at open pavilion style locations.

The wildlife that seems to come alive. For instance, the deer that was just born the other morning in my backyard. I like the sound the wind makes as it goes through leaves on the trees. Thunderstorms and rain on sunflowers as the sun shines.

If I thought about all my past summers with things I loved I could fill a book. I’m sure as soon as I post this, I’ll say crap, wish I had added this.

There are great things about all seasons. But nothing even comes close to summer for me.

Sunflowers in rain. Photo by Mike Hartley

View others replies to the question of the day here


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What a workout

The push mower, leaf blower and rake and trash can. In other words I hope I cut my lawn for the last time and got a good start on the leaves. The last cut might be wishful thinking with this nice weather.

Just like snow, I discovered doing things in increments makes them easier. My better half made sure I was taking breaks.

That was yesterday. Todays workout includes washing/detailing the car, some weights and lots of walking outside.

The Change of Season

Most of the leaves from the dogwood tree have dropped in the last few days. I caught these changing a few days ago.

Dogwood Tree in front yard. Photo by Mike Hartley

I believe this weekend is that dreaded and very unpopular with me time change where we lose and hour and darkness comes at the ungodly hour of mid afternoon. I wish it was just left alone.

If there is such a thing as seasonal depression I think I might get a touch of it each year around mid November. But that leaves me a few more warm days of light and time to ride.

Being a tad older now I sometimes think of how many more change of seasons I’ll be seeing. I’ve stopped this year several times to just look through leaves at the sun. Or feel the breeze in between laps with the lawnmower around the yard.

I’m trying to appreciate everything more now. The hug from my better half. Hearing my children’s or grandchild’s voices. The opportunity to photograph and blog. Time with friends.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Beware of moving sticks this time of year.
  • I’d like some ice cream today. I think I’ll try that new place, Brusters in Ellicott City.
  • The ride is clean and ready to cut through the wind.
  • Is there anything better than inspiring someone.


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Season Sensational

What is your favorite season of the year? Why? – Oh oh oh, Hand in the air to answer this Daily Writing prompt.

Sum Sum Summertime. Hell yeah, I can’t sing the praises of this season enough. Here in the mid-Atlantic state of Maryland that is mid-May to mid-September. So I’m in my sweet spot right now and looking forward to another great summer.

Getting outside again after a cold winter and cool spring is what I long for. The days of extended sunshine, warm nights with windows open. A good tan and that warm feeling that seems to unwind this body that gets so tight during the winter season.

And best of all the TOP-DOWN on the convertible and cruising with a tee shirt and shorts and being comfortable. Sometimes I think back to the motorcycle days and the summer rides.

Of course, there is the beach in the summer with the family. The highlight of my year. That along with a few day or overnight trips I might do on my own or with a friend. I’ve been going to the beach for many decades and it’s just this incredible internal draw that takes me there a few times a year.

But I can have a lot of fun right outside my doors. I love getting up and walking out to the porch or deck and just stretching out and enjoying nature coming to life.

After some long years at night shift, I figure I’m short a bit of sun so I’m doing my best in retirement to make up for the lost rays of light. And I see the sun out now so time for me to get out of this chair and outside. Have a great day all.

Bring on summer. Photo by Mike Hartley

Other replies to this question found here: https://wordpress.com/tag/dailyprompt-1966


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For those about to sneeze, I salute you

It might not feel like it this weekend but spring is about to explode and many of you will suffer. I still have some allergies but they are light compared to what I fought when I was younger. There are days that even the most resistant of us are affected by pollen.

Photos by Mike Hartley

I’ll have a few moments of short sneezing fits here and there but nothing I can’t work through. Mostly when the pollen is on the grass I’m cutting, the wind will come up and blow a cloud of it in my face.

I’ll curse that yellow layer of pollen on my car cover and then on my car because at peak it can recover it completely in 24 hours.

The anticipation is building for me as I see the first buds on the trees starting. The thought of the Cherry Blossoms out in the Tidal Basin in DC and the colors in our garden in my front yard provided by my green thumb better half. I’m the half responsible for keeping everything green, cut, and trimmed outside the garden.

Cherry Blossoms and Jefferson Memorial. Photo by Mike Hartley

I wish all of you a healthy spring and a box of Kleenex at hand.

More buds. Photo by Mike Hartley

My goal is to get out this spring like I’ve never before. And if I’m smart enough to take the cameras and time I’ll share it here for the next few months.


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Hold On

I feel like telling the couple below the same thing I’m telling myself. Hold on, spring is coming and summer is soon to follow. We made it through another winter and soon the warmth of the sun and the laughter of children outside again will be ours.

Wanting to be first in line for Skee Ball. Photo by Mike Hartley

A few important tasks were completed this morning and after an errand or two, I’ll have time to create and print. My photo paper stock has been replenished so life is good.

I have neglected to write my children the last few days so that is a priority today.

It’s a Super Tuesday and it has nothing to do with politics.

Maybe I have two desks in my office because I’m of at least two minds?

People are so smart with me nowadays, my own body is even giving me crap.

Time to stop making excuses and pick up the cameras today.


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Do I detect a chill coming?

Maybe not this cold tomorrow or the next day but it’s coming. And with it the feeling the body is encased in ice. I don’t even want to think about the battle of the thermostat. One of us is always hot and loves winter. The other is always cold and loves summer. Just so we are clear, I HATE WINTER.

No drip here. Photo by Mike Hartley

It’s hard to think about winter on this fine Monday afternoon at 75 degrees, but it’s coming. We are probably more likely to have the ice above, before another 70+ degree day. Weather plays a big part in life. For me, it can alter life.

I have to force myself outside when the temp is below 40 degrees. The top of my car must remain up. I’ve got to put on lots of clothes and I’m not comfortable in a lot of clothes.

But life must go on, so if you see someone shivering and cursing the cold, it might be me. I will do my best to keep it to a low mumble.

Sometimes I feel like I’m going

Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m having a hard time keeping positive lately but working on it each day. Little glimpses of light here and there. Trying to string more good than bad moments together. Keeping busy doing something like selecting my best beach work for prints. I even added a few to the Arlington National Cemetery wall I’ve been building.

That reminds me I need to get over there. This Sunday is out, but one visit in November will be made. I don’t have much winter work from ANC, and maybe I’ll use this season to build it out.

I’m also working on a family picture wall, which is a lot of fun. I can’t wait till this is done for the holidays.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • If you don’t open the window, how will success find you?
  • I have two beautiful old oaks out front that aren’t in good shape. This might be the last season for them. This bothers me because I’ve always viewed them as the strong pair that is outside our front door representing another strong pair inside. The summer shade they provide is nice. The nuts drop not so much when they hit you in the head.
  • Choosing what is important each day is critical to success. Sometimes that’s just taking care of yourself first. A lesson I often forget.
  • I wonder if, in retirement, the meaning of what day of the week it is will fade.


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Stacked and racked

Looks like a wrap for the summer season. I was hoping for another warm stretch but I’m just not seeing it. So the lifeguard chairs are all stored and the boats wrapped. I’m reflecting and smiling because I got to enjoy the shore a few times this year.

It’s sad when the lifeguard chairs aren’t on the beach. Photo by Mike Hartley

Who knows, maybe an off-season trip. Those are nice sometimes. You can still enjoy the outside on a sunny day and the beach is always there for walks. The last time I got in the water this year was October 4th. It will be another 8 months till it warms back up. Burr, what a chilling thought.

So what madness can I get into this fine but wet Sunday morning? I could rant about the late Saturday night drive home from watching my grandson. But that would send me back into a state of disbelief that I’d like to forget some drivers I saw who shouldn’t have a license.

I thought as I was sitting here listening to some music that I would pick a favorite tune and send that video to the kids and some background on why it’s important to me and what I find special about it. I’m going to do that weekly till I run out of music to send them which will be never. I would be doing them a disservice if I didn’t show them real music.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Thank goodness for headphones. My family would have lost years of sleep if not for them.
  • Ah, the sun returns. What a warm feeling.
  • This is an exercise in exercising my initiative.
  • I haven’t played ping pong in years. I miss it.
  • Feeling like I’m going to accomplish a lot today.