a bookend-ed day...

I was surprised it only took 23 minutes, from my drive way to the parking lot. On a weekday it would have taken at least ten minutes longer, but the world must have been sleeping in on Saturday...

The boardwalk was quiet.  No rumble of golf carts. No chatter of walkers passing by.  I dodged a couple of spider webs along the way, all worth it, because this path through the mangroves gives way to beautiful.

It never fails to take my breath away.
At the same time, though, it opens up my soul, creating breathing room.  Chatter of the birds, waves lapping up the shore line, and sea foam splashing up as I walk along.  Words come and go though my head, but mostly I am just in the moment, laughing at this snowy egret stalking the fishermen casting out their nets...

: :

Somewhere between loads of laundry and unloading the dishwasher I decided there was no better way to celebrate the first day of summer than to start and end my day with my toes in the sand. I decided on a different spot, one of my other favorites. Lot #3. Chipotle to-go only added to its charm.

I'm planning on making the most of the summer...

life lately...

I have had a bunch of things to say... but not the get-up-and-go to say them... so this is a catch up, and hopefully I can get my act back together soon!

in bloom!

It starts off as hushed as red-orange can be...

I see them here and there as I make my way through town... admiring the blooms surrounded by feathery green brush....

And before long, the buds have exploded and the trees are afire. Everywhere. Dancing and swaying in the wind, showing off their red finery.  I can't help but smile... and let the laughter come along, too.

Earth laughs in flowers.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

feels like a monday on tuesday...

It wasn't easy pulling myself out from under the warm blankets, the comfortable sleeping in of summer. School is finally out, my boy is officially a senior, and I am back on my summer work schedule... flip-flopping the balance of work days from four to three.  Perfection.  

But Monday still came... this week on a Tuesday.  Four people needing to be in four places at four different times, which might not be a problem unless you are down to two cars.  And someone heading out to drive his cousins to camp, forgetting that his truck tank was hovering just above empty.  Oh yes... and having to pull myself from beautiful, cozy sleep to wide awake and workout clothes.  Hours later I feel like we are all still just adjusting.

The actual Monday of our week? 
Morning errands, a college meetings and job applications... lunch for four {thank you Jason's Deli for making it easy for Eric to grab a quick sandwich!} We came home to a storm rolling in, which was the perfect excuse to curl up with a book and laze the afternoon away.  And since both kids wanted to accompany Eric to the grocery store, my afternoon stretched on into evening...

I live for summer like I live for the weekends.  And a Tuesday-Monday during summer hardly has a sting when it is only followed by two more work days!