Six o’clock on an August morning at Winterpast is one of my favorite times of day. The baking Nevada sun hasn’t climbed high enough to remind us of the heat that will soon arrive. Instead, the garden seems to awaken slowly, refreshed by a night of cool darkness and ready for another day.
The roses are taking turns being the stars of the show. Their work is never finished. Fresh leaves appear almost overnight, followed by tightly wrapped buds that gradually unfold into beautiful blooms. Before long, those blossoms have given their best, waiting patiently for a quick snip from my clippers so they can begin the cycle all over again. Deadheading isn’t a chore to me. It’s simply making room for what comes next.
Nearby, the Chinese asters stretch toward the morning light, their cheerful pink and purple blossoms adding another splash of color to the garden beds. Every corner of Winterpast seems to be enjoying its own little performance.
Oliver and Tanner are convinced the yard belongs to them. The early morning is their favorite time to race through the grass, play tag, and investigate every scent carried on the gentle breeze.
While they’re busy entertaining themselves, HHH makes his rounds with the watering wand, checking plants and talking through plans for the coming week. Some plants are ready for a drink of Miracle-Gro to encourage new growth. Others need a dose of SuperThrive to help them recover from the summer heat. Every plant seems to ask for something a little different.
As the sunlight reaches the roof, the solar panels quietly come to life. Moments later, the fountains begin to bubble and splash, filling the yard with one of my favorite sounds. It is the signal that another day at Winterpast has officially begun.
August is a month of quiet transition. The annuals that faithfully bloomed all summer have nearly finished their work. One by one, they’ll be removed to make room for what comes next. The mornings grow just a little cooler. The shadows stretch a little longer. And even though summer still holds us tightly in its grip, the first whispers of autumn are beginning to arrive.
For now, I’ll savor these peaceful mornings with clippers in hand, grateful for another sunrise, another season, and another chance to watch new life unfold at Winterpast.
