Monday, July 1, 2013

Crepe myrtles.


It's that time of the year in Florida when it's almost painful to go outside—when you try to run from your air-conditioned car to your air-conditioned office building/lunch destination/whatever as quickly as possible; when even the most seasoned Floridians—including the ones like me, who were born here—complain that they never get used to the heat. "It's hot as balls," I actually said to my mom yesterday morning, and it's a testament to how true that statement is that my normally prim mother, who would never say something like that herself, nodded and replied, "It really is."

Anyway, when it feels like you're melting the second you step outside, it's sometimes surprising to look around and notice that not everything else is, too. Thanks to the afternoon and evening thunderstorms we've been having lately—par for the course around these parts in the summer—most lawns are a brilliant green, and the crepe myrtle trees are practically throwing a party—their white, pink, fuchsia and lavender blooms waving cheerfully as you drive down the street. I love crepe myrtles; they're actually one of my favorite plants (we always had a tree or two in our back yard when I was growing up), but I tend to forget about them until this time of year.

I encountered the crepe myrtle above this weekend in Orlando, when I was out running errands with my mom, and something about the pink and the green and the light (oh, the light) felt so summery that I had to stop and take a picture. I'm glad I did, too: It's nice to take a minute to remember that there's beauty all around, even when it's, ahem, hot as balls outside.

Photo: My own. 

9 comments:

  1. Love love love crepe myrtles. I had never heard of them before moving to Texas and now they are such a treat for me. My neighbor lined his entire fence with crepe myrtles that now overhang and bloom in my yard. Lucky us!

    I laughed out loud about your prim mother agreeing with your comment. Hilarious!

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    1. Yay for a fellow crepe myrtle lover! Your neighbor's trees sound so pretty--the flowers really are so beautiful.

      Haha, and in my mother's defense, I should clarify that she herself is not all that prim, just her use of language. ;)

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  2. THIS: "crepe myrtle trees are practically throwing a party"

    All about it! We've yet to get the HOT HOT HOT weather Chicago had the last two summers (today is the low 70s!). Much as it makes for ideal outdoor exercising and strolling, I sort of low the hot heat of summer. Stunning photo, Megan!

    I thought of you when I passed by those flowering pink stalks (god knows what they are) coming out of an impromptu sidewalk garden on the street corner. I'm SO that girl who stops in her tracks to admire and snap away, too.

    eileen
    leaner by the lake

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    1. I love that you stop and snap away, too! I get frustrated with how connected we all are to our phones, social media, etc. sometimes, but then I also really love how apps like Instagram make us stop and appreciate little things we (well, I) might not otherwise. Those pink flowers you took a photo of were so beautiful...I just love your photos, always. xoxo

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  3. Great picture Megan! Our white crepe myrtle is in full bloom right now. I love them! We are actually going to be planting a red one in our backyard that has deep redish purple leaves and then red flowers.
    -- And I love the hot as balls comment! (And here in TX I can totally agree!!)

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    1. Oh, that sounds so pretty! And yes, I KNOW you feel the same in Texas! So warm...

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  4. I love crepe myrtle bushes! We have a whole bunch in Virginia and they do just light up the summer. Can't imagine how you're doing it in Florida- Chicago right now is bad enough, and we don't have anywhere near that heat and humidity!

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    1. I just keep telling myself that in November--when it's 75 degrees every day--it will all be worth it! ;) (And also, that reason is exactly why I shouldn't complain so much.) But thanks for the sympathy, friend. xo

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  5. I'm not sure I've ever seen a crepe myrtle, and I certainly never knew they existed, but how pretty they are! I always appreciate my fellow flora-admirers- I always make a point of stopping to smell roses, jasmine, and point out new blooms with my Saturday morning walking group (it's a good way to see who else feels the same about flowers, and enjoying life's small pleasures).

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