Everyone loves the bright yellow of the canola fields that bring in Summer here in the prairies. For me though, it wasn’t an instant crush. Having moved here from the ocean I missed the cool breeze and felt totally overwhelmed by the endless open space of yellow that was my new home. Hot, mosquito bitten, tick and leech wary, and ocean lonely, I did my best in my first Summer to cover every inch of ground here looking for something to love.
I found it in the fields.
I found it in the hay bales.
I found it near the fences.
I found it chillin’ with the goofy dragonflies.
It wasn’t my first love, but it was beautiful and the more I opened my eyes to really see it the more I found to appreciate. In the end it was its uniqueness from the sandy beaches and endless blue that endeared it to me. Instead of wide open water I came to find a peace in wide open sky and a gladness that I could see two totally different types of Summer in my lifetime.
I hope to indulge my wanderlust as I age and see many other types of Summers. What’s the landscape of your Summer? Does it happen near a glowing lake or a hot sidewalk? Show me!
I grew up in Manitoba, so I can totally relate to the canola fields and mosquito bites! My summer landscape is currently the playground across the street and a dozen little jam-eaters frolicking in a splash pad. Quite the departure from where I expected life to take me!
I think I’m a couple of provinces over from you (you’re in MB?) The skies – only redeeming feature on the prairies. The canola fields – pretty, but damn that rotten, farty cabbage smell. I love being able to see the weather hours before it arrives, and I especially love seeing that endless expanse of dark blue in every direction on summer mornings before the clouds start advancing from the west. I’m not a prairie girl, never will be, but I’m here for now, so, like you, I try to find the redeeming. Winter’s on her own ‘tho, I’m not even looking for reasons to like her.
ah i see we are kindred spirits have come to the fields and plains from the ocean.beautiful post, J! love that fence above the B&W one (which is one of your best ever, too).
I understand where you are coming from, as I have moved from the coast out to the desert country in Australia,but I find beauty where ever I go, really in life we have to keep an open mind.
Your images are really lovely and express the beauty and the feel of the area you are in.
Cheers Callie
Wonderful!