The List

The Beginnings of a Blue Moon

The mornings are definitely cooler. So are the evenings. The phenomenon that I call “the turn” took place some time ago.  The turn? You know; when you wake up, walk outdoors and realize something has changed.  There is a different feel in the air. I was going to blog about that this summer, but the days slipped by so quickly, I never got around to it. Yes, once again, the days of summer simply slid by way too fast. This is sort of how my days went.

Mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, weed eat, mow, mow, mow, dinner at Sandpoint, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, trip to Bonners, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow…..

Splash of Joy

Well, you get the point.  It seems the only thing I did this summer was mow lawns. By this time, as I mow, I am literally telling myself…just one more section, just one more round, push through, you can do this. Oh, my!  If I ever see another lawn mower, it will be too soon!! Yesterday, I broke my 2^nd mower for the season. Both beyond repair, I am sure.  I will check the fall, "end-of-season" sales, though, to see if I can find a good buy to complete my season of mowing. But for now, I guess I get a break; somewhat anyway - at least at one house. It’s a good thing it’s the end of the season when the grass doesn’t grow quite as fast.

Better Days

Hayin'

Seriously though, I found myself making a little list the other day, of things that I did this summer.  I used to do that when Matt was little to relieve my guilt that we hadn’t done all the things we wanted to while the warm, sunny season was upon us.  It always seemed to slip by so quickly, so I started writing down the things that we had done; simply to reassure myself that we had indeed taken in some fun, summer activities.  The list only helped minimally; I often found there simply were not enough days at the beach, we had once again missed Art on the Green; and sometimes fishing and picnicking, had not made the list at all! So it was this year.

My WWII Hero!

When I think of summer, I think of things outside, so my list, this year, consists mostly of things outside. I'm not talking about things one does year around, or the things one does as normal obligations; I'm only thinking summer.

Below is my list in no particular chronological order; no order of importance; or degree of fun…only as it came to my mind, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow…  I mean, here is the list:

• Marched in two parades for a good cause bringing attention to our World War II vets
• Rathdrum Days
• North Idaho Fair and Rodeo - twice
• 3 or 4 Bar-b-ques at our house
• Trip to Bonners – only 1, I believe; twice if I count Memorial Day
• Bull Riding Competition
• Dinner at Sandpoint - twice
• Summer Wedding
• Sandpoint – 2-3 trips
• One Trip to the State Park
• Fireworks at Bayview and a few at home with friends.
• Art on the Green - briefly
• Walk through City Park and what we know as Dike Road…I’m finding they don’t call it that any more.
• Haying
• A fair amount of time with the horses
• Day trip to Oregon for a friend’s graduation
• Two or three trips over the mountain to dinner and shop – one of my favorite drives!
• High School Reunion – Boat Ride and Dinner
• Visit with friends from out of town - 2
• Lunch with old childhood friends - 2
• Gardening
• Yard-work - two homes
• Mounted Shoot – only once, and briefly at that
• Family care
• 1 or two Family Bar-b-que’s
• Company for an over-night
• Reading quietly on the deck – at least two or 3 times, I would say. I did read a few good books this summer. Yesterday, I actually fell asleep there…ha, ha…that reminds me: once, I fell asleep sitting in the sun at the picnic table. ;-) Isn’t that what old people do?
• Morning coffee, outside – 1 or twice
• Evening coffee outside visiting with a friend
• Dinner with my husband outside at a local restaurant – don’t know how in the world I talked him into sitting outside! Must have been a miracle – a “God Wink”.
• Helped pick out two cars (once with my husband, once with my son) after two cars reached their limits. That was actually fun on a summer day.
• Looking at the stars – plenty, but never enough.



Nephew's Birthday Party With Family!

And the “NO” list:

• No swimming
• No camping
• No huckleberryin’
• No vacation
• No picnics
• No fishing
• Swimming, nada ( I guess I already listed that! Must have missed it!)
• Beach days? You know, with the lawn chair the book and sun tan oil – zilch! But I guess those days have been gone for a while, now.

Hayin' with help from Matt's friends.

I know; my list of things that I have done is a fine list, and I’m sure it is not actually complete. There surely are things I have forgotten.  And I don’t mean to sound like I am complaining with my "No" list. I really don’t. Actually, I don’t even think I enjoy camping any more. I’ve out grown it, I think. I’d really rather just stay home. So, it’s all good….mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow…It has been a good mow, mow, mow, mow, summer…mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow….But I will look on the bright side; mowing is better than shoveling snow! Mow, mow, mow, Not so sure about that right now - snow is sounding pretty good this morning...mow, mow, mow………such a funny word…mow.



Old Friends

My Grade School - 50 (some) years later!

Haha...Ok, I guess I did get some reading in...just not enough outside!

Juliee, Skeeter, and Tobi
 

 

Well, my garden was mostly a bust this year, but I know I would have had "blue ribbon" grean beans and onions, if I would have had time to enter them in the fair as I usually do.
Oh and Mr. Jack, I miss you!