Early Bird

 

I'm not usually an early riser, but this morning it seemed like a good idea to try it. So after an early visit to the bathroom, I did not go back to bed as I usually would. Instead I had an early breakfast, and then went out for a walk already at 07:15. (My working days are so far back in history now that can't even remember when I was last out that early. Once upon a time I used to start work at that time, though, so must have been up and out even earlier!)

The reason today was of course just knowing that it's going to get too hot later (see yesterday's post). And already at this early hour, I found that I preferred to keep in the shadow for the most part.

Luckily, the old cemetery with its huge old trees is only a few minutes away. I did not go any further, but just strolled around there for about 40 minutes before returning home. It was me, the birds - and cemetery staff already busy with hoses and watering cans... 

 

I liked how the morning light fell on this old grave.

 

The little fountain near the funeral chapel adds a refreshing splashing sound - a good place to sit for a while on a hot day (I know since many summers before). 

 Not a cloud in the sky; and the hydrangea climbing on the cemetery wall was buzzing with what must have been hundreds of bumble bees, in the sunny spot next to this gate. (You probably won't be able to see the bees in this photo though - I can't!) 

The last photo, with the water sprinkler (and rainbow!), was taken on another day and at a somewhat later hour. But the sprinklers were on in the same spot when I passed there this morning too.

Casting a glance at the clock on the wall in my study just now, it says 11:15 (summer time). I can hardly believe that. Feels like a lot later in the day for me... Pretending to be an early bird for a change is really messing with my inner sense of time! 

 * * *

"An early bird" is an idiom that refers to a person who wakes up early in the morning, arrives before others, or acts ahead of schedule to gain an advantage.
The term originates from the classic proverb, "The early bird catches the worm".
(AI summary)

 

Summer in the City

 

The heat from further south in Europe is moving north (or north-east). So far, it seems that where I live (Borås), might only be just on the border to the "serious" heat warnings - as in we might get away with only a couple of days with over 30'C (86'F), rather than longer. (Yellow = over 30'C for several days; and orange = over 33'C for several days.) How good they are at predicting remains to be seen, though!

Not comparable to 40+ in areas further south in Europe, of course (and I try to keep that in mind); but 30+ is still too much for my liking. I never coped well with high temperatures, even when younger. So today I called to postpone my appointment with my optician in the city centre tomorrow - until the end of next week, when (according to my weather app) it will hopefully be a bit cooler again.

 

In my flat I've already been keeping curtains and blinds drawn for a few days, trying to keep out the heat. Nights still being cooler has helped a bit but now it will inevitably be getting hotter indoors as well over the next few days.

Today, I received a delivery of groceries from the supermarket. They had even put me first on the list rather than last for a change, so it arrived already at 10 am. So I have plenty of fresh food and drink, and won't have to go out for supplies. 

On Saturday I have the basement laundry room booked for the afternoon. I'm thinking I might refrain from using the hot air drying cabinet for a change... ;) 

 

For Whoever Needs It!

 

I don't recall where I got this from... ;)

Seeking Shadow

Nights are still "blissfully cool" here but the days sunny, and temperatures are predicted to keep increasing until and through next weekend. Still, from the latest prognosis it seems likely they may drop a bit again after that, so that we won't have to face the really extreme long-lasting heat that has been reigning further south in Europe. (I for one am keeping my fingers crossed...!)

Today I was up early to open the balcony door and windows to let some cooler air in before it got too warm. I also did my online order from the super/mega market (delivery on Thursday) while my study was still in shadow. Around 10:30 I went for a walk to the same supermarket, though. (About an hour there and back.) One thing they don't include in the online deliveries is flowers; and I wanted to buy two more pelargoniums (geraniums), for my balcony. (And that was my only purchase today - so just "in and out again"...) 

I think the two I got a few weeks ago will stay indoors, and these two new ones will be my only live balcony decoration this summer. I just don't feel I have the energy to "potter about" a lot now. But I have put these two in pots that can easily be moved around to either hang on the railing or just sit on the bench next to the wall. (Or taken indoors in a rainstorm, or if I go away for a few days.)

Midsummer Orchid

 

My white orchid is in bloom again - last time was back in winter, around Christmas/New Year; so not very long ago at all. It normally lives in my bedroom window, but I just moved it into the kitchen instead. The weather forecasts for the week ahead are now predicting hot temperatures - which may make me want to keep both blinds and "blackout" curtains in the bedroom closed more than just overnight... 

The Midsummer weekend so far has been a bit "mixed" weather-wise. A massive front of thunder and lightning passed in direction NE over Sweden on Midsummer Day. Just around here we escaped most of the drama, though. It also hasn't been really "hot" yet. But it has still been feeling "clammy", and  I've been having headaches + feeling tired - which I blame on a combination of weather, wind and high grass pollen count (to which I'm allergic). So I haven't been "doing" much. I've been out for short walks but not for very long at a time. 

For me personally, because of the allergy (since my teens), Midsummer was never really my favourite holiday. Wise from past experiences, nowadays I try to avoid making any big plans for it... 

Just staying home, in town, can actually have its own kind of quiet charm - as a lot of other other people prefer to escape to the countryside or the seaside!