BioArtGal: T Stands for the End of Summer

Monday, September 7, 2026

T Stands for the End of Summer

Hi everyone. Happy new week to you, and hello to everyone who stops by Bleubeard's and Elizabeth's blog for our weekly T Day.

Last week we had a lot of unsettled weather and days that looked unsettled but never rained. My long Labor Day weekend was great but not anything that exciting. The hubby and I had a Costco date, and we went mackerel fishing. (I caught 5 but I only take them home to eat ❤ if they don't survive in the wet well-otherwise they go back into the ocean.), and we did some chores around the house. As for my shoulder, physical therapy is helping, and it's gotten a lot better. I'm just trying not to overdue it until it is feeling 100%, or thereabouts.

As the post title says, today I'm looking back and celebrating what was a very good summer. I haven't traveled very far out of my regular area, but it's been a busy and fun season. Except for my shoulder, but that has made me relax a bit more and enjoy the summer weather. 😃

And yes, I know astronomical summer isn't exactly over, but it is meteorological autumn. Plus in my area Labor Day, Monday the 7th, marked the end of the usual summer tourist season. There's still tourists around, but now with all school back in session and the water temperature dropping off, it is definitely less crowded.

For T today I thought I'd share a few wrapping up summer photos and drinks from the last couple of weeks. Let me start with the lake at my mother-in-law's house on a beautiful day. I love the sun-ray coming through the trees.

A few weeks back the hubby and one of his brother-in-laws pulled out the swim raft.

Mr. Pete was probably sad the raft came out because I think he's now the only one who actually uses it. Well the ducks use it, and Pete likes to climb up the swim ladder and then roll in the duck poop. Meanwhile we all yell, "NO Pete." Not that it stops him. Grin. 😏 In reality we put it out there to keep boats from coming in too close to shore, but Pete does like to climb up on it (and roll in the poop too.)

Actually besides rolling in duck poop, Pete likes to "disappear"and hang out in the shade here.

It was a great gardening summer too. Well, maybe not exactly for this big garden in my yard. Once my shoulder was injured, I didn't get in it to do much work. I think from afar it looks good, but don't get too close or you'll see all the weeds. 😉

One day I did attempt to go in and do some one handed weeding. I managed to step into an invisible ant nest. They were all over the place, including on my ankles and shoes. That was it for my weeding that day. I hosed down my shoes and ankles to de-ant myself. 😮

But not all gardening was good this year. Here's my basil in early September. The seeds hardly grew this year. I'm wondering if I should have put them on my deck where it's warmer, as I know basil likes it warm.

I had also bought a bag of giant dahlia bulbs that never did anything. 😟 😖😭

But my cukes, zucchini, beans and tomatoes did very well. I've also picked 1 beet and (although small) some green sweet peppers.

I also dug up some mini potatoes too.

After 2 wet basement events (1 minor and 1 major), my husband built some new narrow shelves to hold the things that were sitting on the floor. He just finished the project this past weekend, and now we are finally getting the garage picked up since during the bigger flood a lot of things got moved out there.

All that work made me thirsty. Grin. Actually this next photo is from an afternoon at one of my friend's house when she had her annual "we don't have to go back to school" party in late August. (She has this party for a bunch of retired teachers and other retired school staff annually since retirement). This year's theme was lemon, so I had this lemon flavored drink.

There were also a few beautiful days boating on the ocean.

And a lunch out with my daughter and my husband. That was a half sized pistachio mud-slide that I tried. It was delicious. Like an alcoholic milkshake.