No more furnace coming on, no further use for the fireplace for now, summer has arrived. For the past week we've been sweltering in the sun, wallowing in its glory, and so have our gardens. We could use some rain, but that'll come eventually.

This absolute turnabout from what nature has treated us to since last fall, has reassured us that the universe is turning, as it should, at least at our micro-scale. Trees are suddenly leafing out, the garden perennials have been recalled to life, and we've been busying ourselves with spring garden chores. They don't feel quite like chores; they feel like a release from winter bondage, which they most certainly are. From feeling the sun kiss us as we go about indulging in early weeding, to the wonderful fragrance of turning over the garden soil to plant new additions, it's all relaxing and pleasant.

A little less relaxing, but necessary are other things, like turning over our Queen-sized mattress, and stripping our bed of all its cold-weather accoutrements. Even it now looks pleased with itself, lighter and brighter, and infinitely more comfortable. From there to hauling out all the garden pots, and filling those pots and urns with new soil, peat moss and aged sheep manure in preparation for planting. We have over forty garden containers, clay, ceramic and stone, all ready to cradle colourful annuals.

Sun streams through the large windows of this house, brightening the interior. With so many stained glass windows, it's necessary now to draw sheers over them to prevent the transmission of heat; it works very well. Jack and Jill now spend a lot more time outdoors -- in the early morning, then for our ravine jaunts, and again in the afternoon on the covered deck. We're all revelling in this new lease on life.