This month so far has been exactly what we needed, slow and relaxed. I was happy to see so much white space on our calendar and what was on there were fun things, like our annual 4th of July event at church and softball nights. I tried again to largely not think or work on school, though I did order books for next year, which took a few hours. Other than that, I’ve enjoyed being present and getting rest for the coming school year.
Tuesday, July 1
Today is an errands day. I run into town with my girls, they have check-ups at the doctor’s, and we hit the grocery store. When you live in a rural area, you try to line up your shopping with other errands so you only have to make the trek to town occasionally. I don’t like marathon days of all-day shopping though. With younger kids, that doesn’t work well. It’s always a balance between frugal gas usage and reasonable expectations for my kids.
I finished a fun fast fiction read today, called The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. I read another of her books earlier this year, but this one had more positive reviews from my online book communities. It was a nice pleasant summer read, scratching my itch for something light, even if it ends sad. I have many caveats about recommending this book to others. The swearing can be off-putting to some, though it’s not abundant. This is an adult book with adult themes and I will not be giving it to my oldest kid to read anytime soon. All in all though, I enjoyed it.
Wednesday, July 2
My Azure pick-up is today. It’s another trip ‘off the mountain’ for me but worth it. I take different kids with me for this run and it ends up being a fun time with them. It’s almost impossible to find time for one-on-one time for all my kids, but in small groups of two or three, it’s also fun.
Thursday, July 3
On my walk this morning, I see the entire Kildeer family. At first, I think I see the mom and dad alone, but then I realize there are more than two, and when they take flight away from my approach, I see three little kildeers along with the mom and dad. The air is filled with their distinct calls. I’m not sure how long the family stays together after the babies are flying, but for now, they are still around.
We head to the pool in the afternoon. We love playing and visiting this pool. It’s always busy with weekenders and my kids love chatting with many different people.
I’ve had a bit of a cold, so I spend the rest of my evening after kids are asleep swinging in my hammock reading a book. It’s the best way to recuperate.
Friday, July 4
Our church hosts an annual 4th of July event. It starts at 12:30 with a parade and ends with fireworks at dark. The whole day is fun and my kids love running around and seeing people. My favorite game of the day is Splash the Pastor where people are given a water balloon and a giant sling shot to try and hit the pastor and douse him. No one ever gets it, though this year, one of my sons almost makes it. His water balloon doesn’t burst, though, so it doesn’t count.
I enjoy working in the concession stand in the middle of the day. I make change for everyone and happily stay cool. There is a singing group that performs a lovely mix of worship music, hymns, and mountain music. Then the night wraps up with a fantastic fireworks display. It’s days like this that make me love our small town and send down deep roots.
Saturday, July 5
I try a new to me coffee shop in a renovated church not too far from my house. It’s a lovely place with friendly locals for staff. When the church building went up for sale my husband and I grieved for the loss of another community church in our rural area. But having a local family step up and turn it into a vibrant coffee shop and community center is almost just as good. Like church without walls, it’s a place to reach people and their hearts without preaching a word.
Sunday, July 6
My four older kids are all off to summer camp after church today. They will be away all week, and for at least two of them, this will be their first time away overnight. I’m uncertain what an entire week without big kids will look like, since they are usually my helpers around the house and with the younger kids.
Monday, July 7
As I walk around the cemetery this morning, I think I hear the kildeer but quickly realize it is the mockingbird. Kildeers are ground birds for the most part, so when I realize the sound is coming from midway up a high tree I stop to investigate. I see the mockingbird hiding and generally enjoying his mischief. He has been around the house since early spring, and his song gets longer and longer as the season stretches on. I can’t say I agree with the idea that mockingbirds sing sweetly. In fact, I wonder if writers or poets who say that have actually had a mockingbird in their yards for months. They border on annoying.
The last of our birthdays for birthday season is here. This birthday is a special one as my kid turns 7 on the 7th. Both sets of grandparents come up for this party, my in-laws staying overnight tonight. Even the big kids get an exception from camp and come home for the party in the afternoon. The cake is delicious and the presents are great.
Tuesday, July 8
My reduced family and my in-laws head out to the produce auction today. I bid on several lots but only end up getting one of tomatoes. I’m all out of chopped tomatoes and whole tomatoes, so I plan on using these tomatoes to replenish my supply. We go out to lunch and see my in-laws off while we continue shopping. My husband also takes me to a small Amish supply store that has all the fabric and craft supplies I could need for house projects. I’m so happy to find a supply for these items so I can avoid the big box store for my modest needs.
I finish A House Like A Lotus by Madeleine L’Engle tonight. This has been my favorite book in this omnibook collection. It’s decidedly not a middle grade novel though, due to some mature content. This doesn’t bother me while reading but gives me pause in letting my kids read it.
Wednesday, July 9
I can tomatoes today. I spend the whole morning in the kitchen, tackling a few other food-related projects that needed to be done as well. I blanch and peel and chop. I miss my big kid helpers, who usually make this process go so much faster. We have a lot of fun too. It’s a bit lonely canning by myself.
Tonight is our last choir practice for the summer. We will take a break until Labor day. I always have mixed feelings about this, as I enjoy a break like anyone else, but I miss singing. I love the comraderie of our choir. Friendships are long and relationships run deep. Even if I’m not fully acclimated to the community yet, spending time with them every week makes me feel just a wee bit closer to all that history.
Thursday, July 10
I have been surprised by how late my little guys are sleeping when their older siblings aren’t around to wake them up. I finished canning tomatoes this morning. I am done by lunch. After lunch, I run a few quick errands but am back in plenty of time for tea-time snack. I read aloud to my boys and enjoy having some quiet sitting time with just them.
One of my favorite summertime activities is softball on Thursday nights. Tonight is our first night and it’s a small turnout. I know that it increases as the summer progresses and people remember to come. I enjoy chatting with the people who don’t actively play, watching my kids play with the other kids. I especially enjoy watching the sky change to sunset and then dusk. There is something truly magical about the light as it shifts to night.
Friday, July 11
My kids come home from camp today. I get a few house projects done before they come home. Clean bathrooms, do a load of laundry. It’s been great having less people in the house and fewer dishes and laundry because of that. But I miss my big people so much, I’m happy to have the increase in chores and volume levels in the house again as they download about their week and divulge six days’ worth of laundry from their bags.
Saturday, July 12
I finish an art journal page today. I have been meditating on the psalms all month and in particular how often we can begin our prayers or talks with God with crying and tears and pain. Yet we move in faith from crying to praise when we remember who God is and trust Him in all our circumstances.
Sunday, July 13
There is a rain shower in the middle of golden hour this evening. I run out with my camera and try to capture the sparkling water droplets as they bounce off the car and pavement. There is even a rainbow, but so faint I can’t get it in pixels. The light is amazing as the sun is still shining, but coming through the water. Later, I go out on the porch and watch heat lightning flash across the sky with no real thunder behind it. It is unnaturally quiet, even the summer bugs are subdued. And then suddenly a single bird (maybe that annoying mockingbird) starts to sing a few single notes. It is haunting and sweet and a powerful reminder to me to sing in praise even when things feel dark and oppressive. Every once in a while, I see a real flash of lightning, and thunder chases it after I slowly count to 10. As the night progresses, the storm draws near, and eventually we get a downpour along with thunder and lightning.
Thank you for reading! I very much enjoy sharing my days with you all. I changed my business name at the beginning of the month. This was a change I have needed to make for a while. Ever since my voice shifted to the daily journal entries of this newsletter, I realized my focus was no longer on moms, but on a wider audience. My name needed to reflect that. Also, I’m trying to enter more of my art into shows and galleries, and I wanted a more professional channel name. Eventually, I hope to have a portfolio website to direct people to.
I look forward to my conference at the end of this month and spending time with other artists. I will be turning my school brain on for just this coming week as I try and square away a few of my tasks before next month begins. I look forward to having those last few tasks marked off my to-do list. Summer is slipping by quickly, but I know I have already received a great deal of rest and refreshment. I look back over what we have done this summer and I’m happy with the family memories created.