peonies...the sign of summer.

When the peonies are in full bloom - the smell in the air is undeniable, summer is on its way. Mimi, my maternal grandmother, loved peonies & corral bells. She planted them around her flower and vegetable gardens. When I stayed with my grandparents, I remember pretending I was a hurdle-jumper & spending hours in the yard running & jumping over the beautiful blooms of white, blush pink, and deep red. The smell was intoxicating & when I got tired I would find the perfect patch of plump green grass & simply listen to the birds sing & the crickets chirp. I was meditating back then and didn't know it. To this day, the vision & smell of peonies stop me in my tracks. They call me to pause & appreciate the goodness of my days.