What Summer and I Have in Common

Tonight I did some quick math. If summer  lasts three months, and people live to be about 90 years old, then both summer and I are about one third over. Yes, I said to myself, and the new-ness of summer has worn off; in fact, it seems a little fatigued.  But we all know it still has a lot to offer. Sure, the grasses are mature, headed out, and turning golden; but the leaves aren't changing yet. Garden harvest is just beginning. And baskets full of green beans and juicy ripe tomatoes certainly don't speak "has been".  Same with me- I may be a little fatigued and starting to look mature, but I'm just getting into real production, so to speak. This is how my thoughts were rolling along as I emptied the scraps out to the chickens. And then I got back into the house and I started to share my line of thinking with Jay. He, bless his heart, said something like, "yeah, the beauty is pretty much over..." Yes, he really said that! And when I put my hands on my hips and started flashing daggers out of my eyes, he said, "I wasn't talking about you!" Well ok, but he was agreeing that summer and I are the same age, and he was going to elaborate on the similarities.... I forgave him. I'm feeling pretty comfortable in my skin, even though it's definitely not, y'know, twenty-five anymore. 

And, speaking of things that aren't new anymore- the swimming pool we bought for the girls two months ago has been well used. The inflatable ring at the top needs repairing; it won't stay inflated anymore. I've tried so hard to keep the water clean, but, alas, it's a full time job,and I have laundry and dishes to do too. But walking around in a circle, screening out pine needles and grass with a pool net is a very zen-ish thing to do. Just so you know.... If you ever need calming you're welcome to come take a turn at cleaning the pool.  

The girls have two more days of swimming lessons left. I hope ever so badly that they pass level one. They've worked hard at it, and have finally learned to go under the water and blow bubbles. I think that is the main requirement for level one. One day they were scared, and then suddenly it clicked, and now they're little fishes. :)

What's a blog post without pictures? I'll post a few that I'm particularly proud of. 

Jay helps Olivia rig up her new fishing pole after supper. I think this picture is really about the little boy in the background absorbing what happens in the lives of "big people."

Olivia works on her modeling career. Just kidding. I told her to act like I wasn't there. 

Maybe it's just little girl- I didn't teach them to pout for the camera! I always grin widely. 

There were a few forest fires mucking up our atmosphere. Makes for good color!

He looks regal. The truth is, he thinks he's a dog. He came with us on our walk and it wore him out. He plopped down and practiced his kingly airs every chance he got. 

There goes the storage (and my lovely shade plants). To be replaced with a non rotten, slightly larger model.  Hopefully it will house our stuff and a few woodworking tools. Tools to eventually help with a new addition on the house.  And tools to start a hobby adventure, called Bareroot Handcrafted. 

After the storm that put us out of power for three days. This photo is not edited. It was a stormy dusk, and the picture was taken through the windshield. 

Wildlife refuge. 

Daddy let me drive. 

You're welcome for the update. :)

House of God

This is the house with the dusty pulpit rooms that are full of old decrepit vacuum cleaners, a miscellaneous church bench, and a couple of dead forgotten house plants. This is the house with the stains on the pulpit, right where the preacher places his hands while he expostulates. This is the house with the tiny scraps of paper on the floor where the preschooler sat quietly in church, drawing strange animals or crooked houses with curly ink smoke coming out of their chimneys. She carefully ripped the page out of the notebook, folded the paper as neatly as she could, and printed her best friend's name while the tiny bits of paper fell to the floor. This is the house where there are animal cracker crumbs on the floor where the hungry toddler was hurriedly shushed. This is the house where the youths' benches are conspicuously clean, unspeaking of the text messages surreptitiously sent and received during worship.  This is the house where the older people receive God's Word and contemplate on what has been, and what is being now, and is likely to be. This is the house where the busy mother of schoolchildren and teenagers  hungrily soaks up comfort and strength from the Word and the hymns because she doesn't have the time during the week to soak it up like she wishes she could. Nobody who comes here is perfect. Some are not in good health. Some are in mourning. Some are complacent. Some are overwhelmed. Some are proud; some are down beaten. But every one of them needs Jesus. 

Few of the singers or speakers who sing or speak in this house are formally trained. But all can worship. 

There is no specific conclusion to my thoughts on this particular house of God. These are just thoughts that were rolling around in my head while I was vacuuming the carpet in the auditorium last weekend. Cleaning an empty sanctuary feels a little bit like walking through someone's home while they're gone. You sense their presence and absence all at once and it's just an odd feeling. 

May God bless and guide all who worship here. 

Everyday Catch

There are times when my mind takes a snapshot of something normal but precious to me, and I'm  also lucky enough to get a real picture. 

Diagnosis: bad alternator. So glad he takes care of stuff. And he looks good while doing so! :D

  

And while I was out walking around the place (after the cherry picking and supper) the girls were out fishing with Jay. Olivia caught the most fish. They also caught a few great photos. 

My (big) Baby

He's just so cute and he's growing up so fast. He makes my momma heart swell with love and pride so many times a day. 

He was mad because he just couldn't reach that truck. He could have crawled there, but he didn't quite know that yet. 

Everything was quiet when I was making breakfast the other morning. I found all three of them in a big cuddle. 

He looks like his big cousin, Cody, sometimes.

He hates his life jacket. 

He is cute from behind, too. 

And he can make funny faces. 

And he likes to chew on stuff. 

And it's time to put his mommy to bed. 

Summertime

Summertime, an' the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin', an' the cotton is high

Oh yo' Daddy's rich, an' yo' Ma is good lookin'

So hush, little baby, don' you cry. 

One of these mornin's, you're goin' to rise up singin'

Then you'll spread yo' wings, an' you'll take to the sky

But 'til that mornin', there's a-nothin' can harm you

With Mammy an' Daddy standin' by.