What summer is to me...

As summer comes to its end, I find myself looking over these past few months, and really thinking about what has made this summer really feel like summer. And I've come up with a list of things that, for me, really make summer.

• Beach. Walking on the sand, playing in the waves, feeling the sand under your toes.
• Bonus is spending time on the board walk with friends, checking out the pier.
• Summer's Song. The symphony of cicadas in the evenings.
• Going to the pool. This really has become a summer treat for me.
• Farmer's Markets. Fresh veggies and supporting the locals. Love it.
• Vacation from schooling. Time off to enjoy the outdoors.
• Berries and cherries. Freshly picked.
• Picnics and dinning outdoors.
• Swimming. Be it in a pool or a lake, swimming outdoors in it - is summer.
• Cucumbers. Grown in my own backyard. 
• Flowers and butterflies.

Yes, these things mean summer to me. 

Welcome August

I knew it was coming. I could hear the symphony of cicadas singing of it. And here it is.

At first, I felt the pangs of loss for June and July. For they seemed to have breezed by, and there was more I wanted to do. And July contained gifts that were welcomed and those that were not. Gifts come in strange forms, but they are gifts none-the-less.

And now, with August here, I am diving in with a zest I wasn't aware of. I am making plans that I otherwise would not have. I feel inspired and giddy.
I am filled with delight at the possibilities. And the sure sense, that I can do this.

A Monthly Birthday Celebration

This weekend, I shall celebrate another birthday. Pook, ensures me that it will be the "best birthday ever", for in the eyes of a 7YO, each birthday is better than the next. And, I happen to agree with her. She is quite smart you see.

She also informed me that I should celebrate it the entire month. (I mentioned she was a smart one!) So, I decided that I would. I'm taking this month to relax and enjoy my family. I will not be formally homeschooling. I plan to spend time at a pool or two (there is something about water in the summer). Enjoy the summer breezes (it's been heavenly this week). Play lots of games (someone is learning checkers). Read for enjoyment as well as to learn. And to take the time to pause, breathe, and enjoy things like cooking and food prep.

Squeak has been having a lot of break throughs, so I want to make sure that we take the time to nurture and celebrate how far she's come, and how close she is. I want to give her attention as she works on her sensory issues. She's been inspired by a new friend, and I don't want to loose that. I also want to make sure Pook is getting her fair share of attention as well.

So, I'm listening to my heart and slowing down. I want to savor things - life, moments, food, and people for a while. I want to take the time to walk slowly, breathe slowly, do things without feeling like I "have to" or feeling rushed. I want to box this feeling of slowness up and give it to you my dear readers as a gift.

I want time to think, to be, to figure out what I want to do with my life and what is currently happening in my life. I don't know if changes will be made. I hope to make a few. I do know, that I'm treasuring this month. I'm looking at it with the wonder and joy that Pook does.

Happy Solstice!

Today is the longest day of the year. For some, it's the first day of summer, and for others it's mid summer (or reversed depending on where you live). For me, it's a new day, giving me the opportunity to reflect.

When you have light, those things that were hiding in the shadows are now able to be seen - if you choose to. Light presents awareness of those things you couldn't see in the dark. And, offers the opportunity to take a better look at things.

How many of you will take a good look, and allow yourself to be aware of what the light reveals? How many of you will remain unaware? What choice will you make?

Summer's Ending

In about 20 days, autumn will officially begin. Summer will officially be over. I'm already missing summer, and it's not quite gone yet.

Can I keep the bliss of Summer's sweetness? Will I rediscover my love for Autumn's preparation and release?

Until then, I'm holding on to summer (ironically as I'm holding on to a few other things in my life I'm unwilling to let go of). I'm not ready to part with the whispers of warm, sandy beaches (which, ironically I didn't get to this summer), the sweetness of fresh berries and tomatoes, and most of all, that crisp, clear, cooling, clarity of floating about in a summer pool.

And then, perhaps when Autumn does arrive, I'll be able to release those things I've been clinging to, as the trees release their leaves each year. Which, after all, grow back.

Delighting in the Simple Things

I've been delighting in summer: cool breezes, the swing on our back deck, in the summer's sun, the song of the birds in the backyard, and time to relax.

This summer is the first summer in a long time I've been able to slow down, that I've let myself slow down and just relax. I've found time to focus on simple things, and to just enjoy the dailiness. (I know, I'm weird, I've been finding comfort in laundry, cleaning, and organzing. But, we knew that, eh?)

I've also been taking up the challenge of using what we have full force. My sweet hubby and I measured out rooms and furniture this past weekend, and I've been having a blast arranging and rearranging to my heart's content (and his, as he doesn't have to move it!). I thought it would be a while before we did any serious moving of the furniture, but then, my amazing hubby announced that it was possible to do it this weekend.

First of all, I'm estatic because he WANTS to do this. Second, as of this weekend, we'll hopefully have a new playroom/family room in the basement, new guestroom (C&A - are you excited?), newish living room, and a rearranged masterbed room - practically a new house in a sense. Third, did I mention my hubby is amazing and wonderful?

Best of all? All it will cost us to do this is the time, and the new dehumidifier we'll need to get for the computers.

How's that for using what you have? Yay!

Have you stopped to smell the flowers today?

Summer's Calling

Summer's been calling me, with her tender breezes and sunny days. The shady back deck and swing tease me, whispering, begging for me to come out and sit in it. The birds sing for me. And tomorrow, I will. :) Well, maybe today too.

Lately, well, since I've returned from my two week sabatical to visit family, life has taken on a new pace. You know, that slow summer pace of summer's long ago when you could just sit back, relax, and enjoy a good pool day?

I've also been taking action on my goal to streamline my life in the physical sense. Another carload was deposited to Goodwill yesterday. All that is left in the basement, is hubby's Tool Bench, the clearing off of an old computer, a bag of books eagerly awaiting someone (ahem, some twins due to visit in August - hurrah!) to look through them and take a few before the rest are off to Goodwill, the rest of my desk and a few files. And then, it'll be done. Never, in all my life did I think I'd been in this space. The space where I'd walk into my basement and not be able to find anything to let go of because it's all loved or being used. Wow.

I have gone through Pook's room and toys. I've cleared through my own rooms. Hubby joined the bandwagon this weekend by finally going through boxes of stuff that he's planned to go through years ago and going through his desk. (I'm SO proud of him!!!) And, I can't find anything else to give away - because it's in use or I really, really like it! Now, 6 months or so from now, I'm sure I'll have things (when we eventually get a new bed, the old one will have to go), but for now, there's this feeling of peace and joy just knowing - it's gone.

I've found time to make collages, to add a few summery touches to the house, to swim in the pool. Life has been quiet - purposefully I might add - the last two weeks especially, so that Pook and I can sit back and relax, and enjoy. Eventually, it'll start up again, but for now - it's summer! And I forgot how I do love thee Summer's days!

And tomorrow, well, tomorrow, we plan to celebrate summer proper with a visit to the pool, hubby's herbed burgers, and a dear friend. It will be quiet (save for the surrounding fireworks), and the perfect way to celebrate - my birthday! Cause, y'all know - those fireworks are really just for me! ;) I'm just saying...

Summer's Sweet Solace

Sweet evening sunset in the summer's sensuous sky, I am humbled by your offer of soft serenity. My body, wearied from summer's playground and the intense joy of the three-year-old who holds my heart combined with fresh air, beckons me to comfort it with smooth cotton sheets. My head begs to be resting on a pillow of feathery solace. Who am I to differ?

Work is done. The sun is setting.

Tomorrow, a new day dawns, with not so much excitement as a park on a day of sunny bliss, but excitement enough.

For you see, somehow, somewhere, I've fallen in love. With my three-year-old blessing, who offers sweet kisses, baby blue-eyed blinks, and tender cuddles. With my fabulous husband, who chips in to shovel mulch or help clean up paint chips when my painting job to help him out went awry, and coddles me with cuddles and soft kisses when I need them. But most of all, lately, I've rediscovered and fallen head over heals with life itself.

Dancing to the rhythms, wearing glasses with rosey hues, I sing to the stars and walk, barefoot, upon dewy grass. Laundry, dusting, vacuuming... have become tender Buddhist meditations as I honor my home with cleanliness, fondly remember each spot I tenderly touch and wipe.

Is this bliss? Is this enlightenment? Who the hell cares? It matters not, cause it feels damn fine.

Sweet Summer

In a couple of weeks, summer will officially be here. I don't know when I lost track of Summer's arrival, but only recently have I been cherishing the soft hints of its return. The smell, the shift in the air, the various flowers blooming, the shift in the sun, the long days...

I am so filled with gratitude for summer right now. This morning, Pook and I went outside to garden. Okay, I gardened while she poked things with a stick. I cleared up the mint, made room for the mulch I need to order (thanks for the tip about that Ed - although I'm still not sure if 1 or 2 yards will be enough...), and weeded. It felt really good to get out there and clean up the place. I'm looking forward to the mulch.

Yesterday a friend painted the bottom portion of our house, and tomorrow or Saturday, we'll be putting the shutters back on. We've still got to paint the front door, do trim in the Pook's room and Fish bathroom, and maybe a few other touchs ups here and there.

They say that you should always leave a house as you'd like to find it. And, as I'm filled with a delightful sense of accomplishment, as well as a sense of amazement at what I've been capable of getting done these last few weeks, I feel really good. I am a bit sad that we're pretty-ying it up before we leave, but you know what? That's okay. Because I'm hoping I won't have to wait until the next house before prettying it up. Donations for Playful Garce's new house fund are willingly being accepted.

It's summer, my house is looking lovely, getting decluttered and organized... I love this feeling.

In other news, having all these activities during the week is causing me to get more done. Go figure. I'm enjoying it, loving the sense of accomplishment, and excited about recognizing my ablities through all this. Don't know if that makes sense. I think over the last 5 years, I've really let house things slide. Maybe it's just me, but there is an amazing feeling when you are putting your home in order. I guess I should be psyched that after this house, then, I'll get to work on the next at some point. Hmmm...