Weekly Photo Challenge: Changing Seasons
I was born and grew up in a country that has been celebrating the four seasons for centuries! Spring was always beautiful with little flowers peeking from under the snow, and so was autumn with nostalgia of the falling leaves in Warsaw. Majestic winter, generously spreading its white fluffy blanket, could beautify anything. But my favorite season was summer! It represented freedom from school and a lot of fun with friends on the Baltic shore. The warmth of the sun was unforgettable.
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My life in this country started on Cape Cod where I settled for “quite a while” raising my two sons and working professionally. All four seasons marked the rhythm of our life there. Again, summer was my favorite and compensated for the grayness of winter.
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It was on the Cape that I defined the color of my parachute. And that is how I landed in Tucson, Arizona, a place where summer never ends…well, almost never. Actually, there are some changes of season here in Tucson. And that is the point of this photo essay.
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Southwest plants are blooming all year round – just different ones in different (calendar) seasons. With the flowers, the blue sky, and the warmth of the sun, every day seems like a summer day.
After the hottest days of June the monsoon season is greatly anticipated. Dark clouds signal its arrival. The heavy, warm rains are welcomed and celebrated.
Even in December the patio plants look as if it were summer.
I know it is winter when our neighbor, Joe, decorates his orange tree with large, colorful lights to celebrate the Holidays and keep the tree warm at night. That is the sign for me to be ready to cover our plants to protect them from the occasional touch of frost. It also is the time to hang the Holiday wreath and acknowledge the arrival of winter.
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Text and photos copyright © 2012 by Alicja Mann.
Explore posts in the same categories: Essays, Photo essays, Photo stories, Photography, Thoughts
Tags: bloom, flowers, monsoon, patio, postaday, seasons, Southwest, summer, Tucson, winter
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December 13, 2012 at 2:07 AM
Beautiful pictures, I really like the Potted flower, I would state the name if I knew it, my poor wife has spent over 32 years trying to teach me the names of plants and trees without success, she has now given up. The window one is also very pleasing. It was also interesting to see you get rain in the area. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Ian.
December 16, 2012 at 6:31 PM
Very kind words from an experienced photographer and traveler like you Ian – thank you! I am very flattered. The next time you are in the US, please try to visit Tucson.
Your dog is adorable – what a star!
Have a peaceful Holiday Season – Alicja
December 13, 2012 at 5:01 AM
Poetry in images…Wesołych Świąt !
December 16, 2012 at 6:35 PM
I am very happy that you understand me so well Vince, thank you!
Alicja
December 13, 2012 at 6:48 AM
Thank you for helping me pause to appreciate. It is far too easy to forget the beauty before us.
December 16, 2012 at 6:39 PM
Thank you Connie! It is also my turn to thank you for the photos of a flying peacock. Wow!
December 13, 2012 at 8:47 AM
beautiful!
December 16, 2012 at 6:40 PM
Thanks Marge!
December 18, 2012 at 11:37 PM
Absolutely beautiful! Nurturing to the soul and brought a smile. Thank you, Alicja, and Merry Christmas!
December 27, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Hello Marina,
I am late with this response, SORRY. Thank you for your very kind words – as always! What would I do without the readers like you?!
Hope your Christmas was nice. Have a really great New Year – a kind to you and your loved ones.
Yes, kindness – we need it more of it for everybody….
April 11, 2013 at 4:49 PM
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April 25, 2013 at 12:34 PM
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