The Apocalyptic Summer? Flood, Fire, and Disruption--

Y'know, I had high hopes for this summer: sunshine, reading on the deck, going to the beach, wandering around Portsmouth to see the ships and eat seafood, hanging out in the pool, harvesting fresh veggies from my little garden, and so on. 

What the reality has been (and likely will be) is rain. And Canadian wildfire smoke. And floods. I've been kicking my feet and holding my breath-- mostly internally, but I admit, I've been a little petulant-- because what I wanted to do can't happen, due to so many things out of my control. It feels pretty petty to be annoyed about not being able to go to do things I wanted to, when so many people's homes, businesses, farms, and their whole lives are upended by the flooding and rains. 

So, I'll tell my inner whiny self to take a time-out. I had a wonderful week with friends, both old and new, at my poetry conference, I managed to not get picked for jury duty, and I have had the chance to be in the pool a bit, and today looks like it might be another good day for that. It is worrisome about the smoke-- my eyes are burning and my skin itches, and I've got a little cough. But that can be solved for the most part by the air conditioners and my inhaler if I need it. My garden is going wackadoodles, with little fruits yet but there's still time. I have to keep reminding myself it's only mid-July. I am sad and concerned for the people who need the rains to modulate so that their farms can produce enough to sell. I will buy from local sources as much as I can; yesterday, I scored four lovely hand-picked pints of organic blueberries.

Going and seeing and doing will have to wait; Portsmouth has had flood damage, there are literally sharks in the water off the coast, near where we usually like to go, and outdoor concerts have been victims of the incessant rain. Other outdoor activities have had to be postponed, but again, it's only mid-July, and we'll have time to do some of those things, even if they are local. Maybe. Either way, stamping my feet and holding my breath won't help. 

And nothing is really keeping me from reading except my own self-distraction. I need to recalibrate my activities, and really try to read more. I have the books and the time. 

Clinging to an image of "the perfect summer" should not ruin the chances of perfecting the one we have. And I think my inner child needs to re-learn how to play with what I have.

Have a good day,

C