Summer Nasturtiums

Sometimes life leaves very little room to breathe.

Between work, my kid's end-of-year activities, a few art markets, and trying to make time for exercise, the weeks seemed to disappear faster than I could keep up. The garden is mostly in place, but I missed one of my annual rituals.

I didn't plant nasturtiums.

Every summer I look forward to them. Their richly colored flowers seem to capture the season itself, while their round, lily pad-like leaves bring a quiet sense of coolness to the hottest days. I especially enjoy studying the remarkable range of velvety colors that often appear on a single plant.

Missing them this year was a disappointment.

Rather than dwelling on it, I decided to paint them instead.

As I prepared by drawing, I found myself studying photographs, remembering the graceful curves of the leaves and the surprising variations in their flowers. The painting became a way of reconnecting with a plant I hadn't made time to grow.

When I finished, I walked outside with a packet of Alaska Gold seeds and finally tucked them into the garden, hoping there was still enough summer ahead.

Whether they bloom this year or not, I'll be looking forward to seeing those familiar flowers again—and, as always, taking the time to admire them a little more closely.