The marvelous serrated symmetry of false dragon's-beard or obedient plant --- being part of the mint family, it's not very obedient in its growing habits, but I love it for that. Once it takes hold, it just surges forth every year, though it doesn't look like much till the end of the summer, when it flowers in beautiful mauve spikes, giving some color when many other things have already bloomed out.
It's been a busy day: dog walk, writing in the morning, then a good bit of house cleaning preparatory to hosting dinner tonight. This will be casual, just hamburgers with a side of sauteed squash and vidalia onions, my current go-to vegetable offering. They're bringing coleslaw, dessert, and some drinks. Before too much more time gets away, I should go out and cut mint to make iced tea.
We went out last night to a lecture, kind of unexpectedly --- a poet friend of mine, James Matthew Wilson, who directs the University of St. Thomas Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing, was lecturing on the role of poetry in education at a conference at the Abbey. I found out about it when a mutual friend emailed me yesterday afternoon, so after our own hasty supper we got ourselves together and went to hear him.
My evening outfit change for attending a lecture unexpectedly:
Yeah, I love that secondhand NPL Grape Wine Smock dress, with its v-neck modification. Once again, the jean jacket makes everything sharper. It was a fun night out, and I came away having promised to teach a poetry workshop for the MFA program in the spring, so all in all, I'm glad we bothered. The lecture was also quite good, and there were interesting people to talk to at the reception after. When in doubt, always go to the lecture.
Wearing today:
Only more so. Weird angular dynamic poses were so in, but here is my tamer approximation of them (also: I am not Twiggy).
*Wool& Sierra dress (XS) in Iris Blue, bought January 2025, last worn June 14. Wears in 2025: 30! Current cost-per-wear: $4.27.
*Secondhand Xero Z-Trek sandals, year 1 of wear
I was going to wear this all day and into the evening, but I have been cleaning the front and back porches, and am feeling sticky with cobwebs, even though no cobwebs are currently touching me. So I am going to rinse off and change for dinner. But I've stayed pretty cool when out walking. Now I'm sitting in the shade on the back patio while Dora sunbathes on the brick walk, and the temperature is quite pleasant. We're not yet to that moment in the summer when even the shade isn't cool anymore. I've set the dining-room table because we'll be eight people, total, and that's the table where eight people can sit together in comfort --- but I hope we'll move out onto the porch once the sun goes down. It should be beautiful out there tonight. Or if it decides to storm, we can watch the storm. Either way. Porch for the win.
LATER
I've made the mint/peppermint tea, with a splash of lemon juice and some honey, and I've floated lavender blossoms in it for garnish and more flavor.
I shall slice my two yellow squash closer to time, as well as a Vidalia onion and two peppers (removing ribs and seeds from the jalapeno). Those I'll saute in butter until the onion is transparent and the squash is lightly browned.
The husband is getting all the burger fixings, which I can just arrange on a plate for the table. I think I shall recline for a while in the meantime. The table is set (except for paper napkins, which I hope he's getting --- I did put them on the list), and the house is as clean as it's going to get.