Into the Wild Wood and Home Again

Another rainy start to the day, with showers predicted for the whole of it. This has been a very chilly/rainy start to "summer vacation," and I, for one, am more than ready for warm and sunny days. The pool has been up for almost two weeks, and the water is icy cold.  What do I want for my birthday? That was a question G asked me on Saturday, I think it was. Besides having my eyes feel better, and a host of world peace-related things? I'm now at an age (!) when stuff is not what I need, but yet, I like presents. I gave him the title of two books I want that won't be out until August, so he pre-ordered them for me. That's a win! Because by August, this teacher's meager summer money will be just about gone. And he brought home a pretty bouquet of flowers yesterday, which helps brighten up the inside of the house-- my roses are going bonkers outside, but it's too wet to go out and enjoy them.  What do I want for my birthday? I'd love to start with a warm,...

 Yesterday was just the way it ought to be, or, at least how I was hoping. The rains held off for the most part until later in the day (and what a boomer it was!), so we had good weather for most of the day. Church was good, we had a quick breakfast/coffee at Starbucks (everywhere else was mobbed), and G got the grass mowed. I got the pool situation assessed. And I spent some time on the deck reading while G hung out and watched whatever it was he was watching (Sox game, at one point, and they won). We got to see Meg and Holly a bit, too, which was super nice. And the hot buttered lobster rolls from the Frost Bar for dinner were so, so good.  Today is going to be busy, but I hope we can make it work relatively easily. Holly has art 8-10, but then swimming at 11:30. There will be time in between that I need to fill, so maybe the playground. Definitely looking for a snack in there somewhere--I am hoping for Wildflour.  We'll come home for lunch, rest time, then who knows? B...

Chilly, overcast, rain possible on and off all day-- it's a day, all right. Hope it's going to clear a bit. G wants to mow the grass. I would love to spend some time on the deck.  And it's Fathers' Day. It'd be nice to spend a quiet-ish day, just puttering on things. We'll see. It won't be warm, that's for sure (predicted highs in the 60s again), but less wet would be nice. The news has been full of water, specifically the reflecting pool (algae, peeling blue liner). Anyone who has ever installed a water feature in their garden, or even has a bird bath, knows that still water grows algae, and if the container is a dark one, and one that has no natural seepage/exchange of water, then the algae will take over rather quickly. And the peeling pool liner? Maybe it's the bleach. Maybe it's the rush job, and there's moisture under the barrier. One thing I do know: no one has vandalized or sabotaged this project that cost us far more than the project...

Chilly, rainy, and seems like it's going to stay that way for most of the weekend. Bleah.  I'll change the filter in the pool and add more chlorine, just to keep up with it, but that water is still dang cold, and no one is going in the pool until the sun comes out and the water is not ...therapeutic.  I'd like to say summer vacation is off to a slow start, and it is, as I count vacation time: little deck time, no pool time. But that's really a narrow view. I've finished a book. The garden looks good. And, despite the very cool temps and the rain, Holly and I have finally found a good rhythm for our days (I think), and we have survived the first week. Next week will be busier, but I think we'll get through it and she'll have a good time.  But today is Saturday, the weather is iffy, and I have not got a lot planned. Just groceries, attending to immediate pool stuff (and G will help me put the cover back on later, he says-- it blew off in the huge wind/rain sto...

Another chilly and overcast start to the day. Another day of taking Holly to swimming lessons. Another day of wanting to get things done outdoors, and hoping for sunshine to take over. Alexander Pope said it best: "Man never is, but always to be blessed."  I can honestly tell you that I'm quite tired. Yesterday was not the quiet and restful rainy day; it was busy, and I'm really wondering what I've gotten myself into. But we persevere. Maybe we can plant the new strawberries today. Holly is a busy, intellectually curious, and chatty child. All good things. But I am having a hard time trying to keep her entertained, as she is not as willing to just go play or draw or whatever by herself as I'd like (we'll work on that). Meg was a far different child, and I'm struggling to keep up. We'll get into a rhythm, I think, and that will help, but I'm really ready for the weekend! Yesterday was not a swimming lesson day, so she did a few things in her pri...

As predicted, it's raining. And also as predicted, I don't mind. Yes, I have some outdoor things to do, eventually, but I could use a quieter day. I hope Holly is up for a quieter day. At any rate, she won't be here for another 45 minutes, so I have my coffee, the dog is sleeping, and it's raining.  I've been busy, as I'm sure you can guess. Most summers (heck, all vacations from school) are packed with cleaning, projects, and running around. I wonder what it's like to just kick back. No one sets my off-time agenda but me, and I am a brutal scheduler. I trace this behavior back to my mother: we had to always, always be busy doing something productive. In fact, that was one of her favorite lines to say, "do something productive." Why must I always be producing results? I mean yes, the laundry is a thing, and the bathrooms, etc., but why can't I just sit and read or daydream without feeling guilty? I'm almost 60 years old, and I don't kno...