Anticipating August

Like many of you, most likely, I am welcoming August this morning with happy delight in some cooler temperatures, at least for the first day or so.

July was not only very hot, but also quite robust for us.  Family time, and with true summer weather that opens us all the summer things to do.  Swimming, beach time, fun trips into Midland, ice cream at Picnic island, huge breakfasts and a lot of food just in general (with the dishes to go with).  

We had chipmunks to feed, and frogs to catch, and snakes to relocate.  We had cribbage to play, and rainy day forts to build (but only on one day which was perfect), and loft Lego and Plus Plus to keep us busy.

We also did a lot of work together in general cottage maintenance, and the 'other' project of reclaiming the property next door.  Good family conversations about it all.  

It was big, and busy, and summer in all it's humid glory.

Now comes a different phase.  Quieter and cooler for the most part.  And I'm ready for that.

Ready to celebrate the birthday of our youngest family member, Timothy, shown here doing his happy-day-at-the-beach dance.

August, however, also comes with not one, but two remembrances of Thai family members whose absence is perhaps more keenly felt as the anniversary of their deaths collide upon the end of the month.  Beloved son Bee, and beloved father Pat.  So there's that.  And the fact that this is the first summer in a long time that I haven't been there for a visit.  So I'm missing them even more than usual.

Overall though, I'm glad for first days of things; of the week, of the month, of a phase of summer.  Like a fresh start full of no end of potential.

So, a prayer that's good for any time, but not a bad way to begin an anticipated month of quieter reflection, and, for other reasons, came to mind today.

"May the words of my mouth, 

and the thoughts of my heart

be pleasing to You,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

Just In Time

 

"LORD, teach us to number our days

so we may apply our hearts to wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

It already feels a little too hot and the day has yet to rise to it's predicted heat potential.  

The heatwave forecast over the next few days is already upon us, as Ken and I make our way back to the Bay later this afternoon.  

First, worship with our peeps at Highview.  Oh so glad that this time back in the city can include this!

Then, home for a quick lunch, pack the coolers, and then on the road.

By tonight I'll be all settled down on the boat with my journal and a cup of iced tea.

Just in time.

This will begin a longer cottage stint, with two weeks just Ken and I and a whole lot of cottage projects to get to in around our not-yet-retired work status.  Then two weeks of family.  And after that more comings and goings, but no city visit again until the end of July.  

We're doing it.  This plan of here and there we've imagined for decades now, unfolding in this time and space in ways more or less as we hoped for, with just a few unforeseen but manageable variables thrown in to keep us suitably humble and on our toes.  

I take nothing for granted.  Especially now, right now, right here in this era of our lives where good health and strength are largely still our blessing, but reason and reality bring pause.  These days are fully embraced, absorbed wholly, appreciated deeply and intentionally.   Because we're here, now, and it's summer and we can go back and forth freely, and there are no end of good and wonderful things to do and be right now.

Just in time.

Time for this.  Time for now.

And They're Off!!

 

After two robust weeks of reveling in my blessings, I am now -- sitting down.

This after two loads of laundry are on the line, with more to come tomorrow. Front room and kitchen floors swept, and mostly everything put back to adult-mode. Mostly.

I'll find marbles hidden under things for at least three more sweeps. And a sock or too. And hopefully Timothy's wide-brimmed sunhat. And maybe, if I'm lucky, one of Jayden's many notes where he practiced writing one of this summer's most memorable events - if you're a six year old boy. "I saw a rattlesnake." (Don't worry. The snake was small and Jayden was accompanied by several adults. No reptiles, or children, were harmed in this encounter.)

We did it. All ten of us. And our building and reclaiming projects these past few years have really paid off in that it felt like we had just a little more room. Teens take up more room generally, and it really helps to have a second bathroom with ten people. It just does.

We did so much in just two weeks!!! My photo downloads will take a bit of time, I'm thinking. And really, it's going to be a strange time of reflecting and processing our family time at the cottage, because oh so soon we'll be on our way to Thailand. Good thing for the long plane ride.

So. Just two more days here before heading home.
Then just one day home before boarding our first flight.

Who planned this summer?
Oh yeah...me. :)
And I'm lovin' it.

And now that I'm sitting down...wondering about maybe a nap?

==

Oh Beloveds, thank you! For being here and being you and us being all together like this. My Gramma's heart, my Mama's heart is full. So grateful. This gift. I can't even!!!

Safe home, Lovelies.