Flag Waving Time

July 1, Wednesday:  If Memorial Day officially marks the start of the BBQ season for the warm months ahead, to me July marks the true beginning of the summer.  I do realize it starts in June.  Never mind.  We have milder temperatures in June as a rule, but July comes in with all the heat and humidity, gnats, flies, mosquitoes and pop-up rain showers or heat produced lightning and thunder that is characteristic of true summer here in the south.  Most of all, it is full on peach season. Farmers stands are filled with fresh produce that is truly fresh and locally grown.  

Suddenly I find myself thinking of sitting under the sprinkler on a hot afternoon, watching the droplets of water form rainbows and shivering delightfully as the cold-water hits hot skin.  Or spending an afternoon watching great fluffy cumulus clouds floating overhead. Cicadas lull me to sleep at night with their persistent rhythmic sound.  

Summer Sunshine and Cookies

 

Monday, June 22:  A few weeks ago, I asked Sam and Katie both what they'd like for their birthday gifts.  Katie's wishes were practical.  "I really need bras..."  Well, I bought her bras, but I asked again later if she'd like something more.  For her second wish, she sent me a photo of a set of crochet hooks.  "I've wanted this forever, but I can't bring myself to buy them for myself."  I know too well how it is to have something stuck on a wish list that somehow you can't bring yourself to purchase, even though you might have the money and know you will put it to good use.  

Finish Line

Monday, June 15:  I'm done.  I've done all I can possibly do to finish off the legal work, paperwork, transfers, etc. related to John's death.  I am awaiting one piece of paper that is going to come to me in about a week, one bit of legal proceeding that is entirely out of my hands before I have that piece of paper.  All I had to do is done.  

I am so relieved!

Oil Spills and Grown-up Pants

 

Tuesday, July 9:  Let's go back to yesterday when I took Millie out for the day.  The boys have gone to camp, and we went together to do an errand, eat lunch, do a little shopping and come back here.  The day went too quickly, but I personally found my day out with her a delight.  

First she confessed to me her worry that her Papa Pat was dead.  I told her he was not dead. "But he's old..."  "Yes, and one day he will die, but he knows Jesus as his Savior...He'll be in heaven with Grampa and one day you will be there, too."  Perhaps only a Southern child finds this line of thought logical and reassuring.  I don't know, not ever having dealt with any but Southern children!  However, Millie chatted happily after that and made me laugh out loud with several funny observations.

Lady Bugs and Sunshine

 

Monday, June 1:  As a reminder, that indeed, June is still Spring, the weather today was very mild.  There was a little breeze that carried a surprising coolness.  I've no idea from whence it came, but there it was, and since I spent midday doing an onerous task (washing the siding on the front of the house) I am here to say that it wasn't unpleasant to be outdoors at noon on the first day of June at all.  And the front of the house looks rather nice, if I do say so.

The only sad thing was that the tree frogs hiding about got sprayed too. I was terribly sorry but not able to do a thing to help them.  They seemed to recover well, and I did rinse them off with a spray of plain water, best I could.  They all climbed back up the wall again, so there we are.  I shall have to continue swinging open the screen door and waiting for the frog to drop before I step out!

May As Well

 

Wednesday, May 20:  I did it.  I finally took the plunge and went to a 'proper' salon and got a proper haircut.  Even though I had only a lot of pictures and vague ideas of what I wanted, I got a decent cut. I was flabbergasted at the cost, roughly 2.5 times what it costs at 'Gyp and Clip'.  But this experience includes the shampoo and styling...Making it an experience to enjoy.  I've contemplated over and over again whether it is genuinely worthwhile to spend such a sum getting hair washed and cut.

I've decided that yes, yes, it is.  Number one because they do include the extras, the things that makes one feel they are in a salon, the things which are all extra fees at 'Gyp and Clip' and would run their costs up nearer to what they charge in the proper salon.  Number two, I felt pampered and cared for.  Not rushed.  Number three, they suggested I not return for 8 weeks since I am still in the process of growing my hair out.  So, the extra cost is at least spread over 2 months and not a monthly charge as it is at the places I've gone to in the past.

May or May Not

 

Saturday, May 2:  I had a lovely day today, despite it being rainy and cool enough to warrant wearing a sweatshirt when we were out.  I was up early and ready to go out with Katie.  Then I sat down and folded the basket of clothing I'd left unfolded yesterday when I did sheets and towels.  I decided to put the linens in the trunk and that needed a good sorting out and neatening up so I did that.  Productive on a Saturday...What is the world coming to?

Sam and Katie both arrived at the same time.  Sam came to pick up the mower blades, reporting that the transmission on the mower had not leaked one drop of transmission fluid since he removed it from the mower and refilled it.  Then he left to go home.