Status Report: July

Eating…a roast beef, cheese, and avocado sandwich for lunch. 

Enjoying…summer. It was slow coming this year, and I’m very happy it finally made it. 

Anticipating…picking the first ripe tomatoes from my patio tumbler tomato plant.

Thinking…about the things I want to accomplish this summer. Our summer is so short, and I don’t want to use it all up doing the many chores I can do only in the summer. I’ve already cut way back on the gardening I’m doings. What else can I give up, at least for a year?

Reading… The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate, because I’m finally done with From Heaven He Came and Sought Her. I was afraid The Question of Canon might be a revisitation of Canon Revisited, but it’s not. 

Also reading…The House of Wittgenstein: A Family at War. It’s a whole lot of fun, especially for a book with so much suicide. I chalk this up to the way Alexander Waugh tells the story.

Thanking…God for his many provisions in answer to prayer. We (my family) have had so many lately, and I want to acknowledge them even though I can’t give more details than this.

Laughing…at these. You’ve probably seen them already, but it not, you might enjoy them, too. (I woudn’t have used one of the words included. In case you were wondering.)

Needing…to call a refrigerator repairman. My frost-free is not defrosting and the fan stops working when the ice builds up. 

Thinking…the dog must have fished the half-eaten bean burrito out of the garbage. 

Taking…him out for a walk.

Wishing…you a joyful July. And may you have more fireworks than we did.

Status Report: June

Sitting…in my favorite spot on the couch in the livingroom.

Drinking…my before bed cup of mint tea.

Feeling…tired after a full day spent with the grandchildren. We went to the pond, the park, played in the backyard, and ate our lunch outdoors. All three sat in the wagon on the way to the park, what one woman we passed called “a wagon full of cute.” Yep, that’s exactly what they are. 

Also feeling…disappointed I slept through the earthquake this morning. 

Enjoying…my blossoming May Day tree, although since the tree lost several big branches in a windstorm last year, it is not as glorious as it once was. Still, this is one of my favorite times of the year.

Waiting…for the seeds to sprout in the garden. I’ve scaled back on the gardening front this year and only planted about 1/4 of what I usually plant. A couple varieties of lettuce, spinach, carrots, kale and broccoli—and that’s it.

Hoping…to use the time saved on the gardening front to accomplish a few home painting projects. I’m also hoping for extra time to just relax and enjoy the summer.

Learning…about kefir. My son got some kefir grains from a friend and has been culturing (Is that the right word?) milk at my house. I’m not sure how I feel about the finished product. Perhaps it’s an acquired taste.

Still reading…this book, and I’ve been reading it for five months now, I think. At least I’m on the last chapter now. I hope to review it when I’m through, but I’m not even sure how to review such a long and complicated book.

Looking…at the sky. Two weeks and a few day until the longest day of the year, so the sun’s still above the mountains streaming in the westward windows, and the sky is bright blue with tall cumulus clouds. The late night sun is another reason this is a favorite time of the year. If only our summer weren’t so short … .

Reminding…myself of tonight’s frost warning. As soon as I post this I’ll go bring the potted tomato plants indoors for the night.

Wishing…you and yours a blessed June.

Status Report: May

Sitting…outside on the front stoop.

Eating…apple slices.

Watching…my granddaughter play. She’s pushing a bubbleless bubble mower around the front yard, singing, “Go this way! Walkie oh walkie…”

Also watching…the world go by.

Feeling…thankful for spring. I know some of you aren’t quite there yet (so sorry, Minnesotans), but we are, and I’m enjoying this blessing from God. I’m also thankful for my big front yard and the bush across the street, both good for exploring.

Happy…to be at the end (I hope) of the two illnesses that hit my family members, including me, over the last few week. Youngest son was the last one to get sick and he’s back to work today (finally!). I’m not sure how we managed to pick up two viruses causing in-bed sickness in one month, but we did. Easter weekend my oldest granddaughter came down with a case of pneumonia but thanks to a dose of antibiotics, she’s all better now. 

Leaving…for a minute to unstick a 2-year-old’s bubble mower.

Noting…that I saw the first crocuses of the year while walking the dog this afternoon.

Remembering…30 years ago today, when my youngest daughter was born. She was born with a full head of 4 or 5 inch long dark brown hair that stuck straight up on top.

Thirty years ago tonight it was was -25  and there was a bit of a blizzard. No crocuses out in 1984.

Hoping…you are enjoying spring. And if you don’t have it yet, here’s hoping you have it soon. 

Saying…goodbye.

Going…inside to start supper.