Now That's A Puzzler

For years, I had one of the old style library cards.  A tan card, with no design, straightforward lettering, and it was literally held together with packing tape.  I had to hold it just right for the scanner to read my number but with a little finesse it worked and I refused to upgrade to the slick, shiny, bright new logo'd cards.

And then I lost it.

I've misplaced it before; I have a tendency to tuck it into my pants pocket and walk to the library, then forget to take it out of the pocket when I get home.  Or I do take it out of my pocket and leave it with a mound of crumpled receipts that inevitably get swept into the garbage.

This time it was lost lost.

I searched the entire house, de-cluttering, checking every single pocket of every single pocketed article of clothing I owned.  Finally I had to admit defeat.  I knew the last time I had it was when I rode my bike to the library, and since it was such a lovely summer evening, I kept riding.  I had to face facts that it probably fell out somewhere along my ride.

I can't live without a library card, so I had to get a new one.  It's okay, I guess.  It works.

Currently I am experiencing a summer flu.  It's been unpleasant, I've missed days of work, and just when I think I'm feeling better, I wake up coughing and miserable.  I drag myself out of bed and think tea sounds divine.  Not Lipton's, though, so I reach way into the back of the cupboard to find something zingy or fruity and as I pull out the dusty box of cranberry pomegranate green tea, it's upside down.  All the tea bags fall to the floor.

I heave a sigh, wipe my nose, and brace myself for bending down to pick up the envelopes and my old library card.

Yes.  The card I searched for was actually tucked into the tea box, hidden away for months.

Hmm......now that is a puzzler.

Today Is The Day

Today is the day.  It's finally arrived.  Today is the last Saturday morning that I will wake my daughter up for the summer.  Today she is off to France.

Her suitcase is packed, her back pack is stocked with books and snacks, everything is ready.

Except, not quite, me!

But I will act like I am and wave goodbye and cheer her on in this exceptional adventure she has been given. I'm so very proud of my brave, independent girl!

Those Dreaded Words

After my daughter listened to a long and mostly boring story involving me being unhappy that people I know saw me in my yard working clothes: my least flattering yoga pants (here my husband asks if any yoga pants are flattering?) and a ratty old shirt fit for nothing else but dirty yard work or the rag bin, after that story, my daughter responded with those dread words daughters everywhere fear:

"You sound just like Grandma."

What?  I am shocked!  I never!  I.....um......I agree.  

I remember listening to my mom fuss about being seen in her gardening clothes and it was so embarrassing for her.  But instead of being dismayed  that I sound just like my Mom, I thought of even worse words.

"She was right!"

Turning The Page

It is officially June.  I turned the calendar page.

It's not usually a momentous event; some months (like a birthday month) it is exciting to turn the page, but this time it was an event to stop and take notice of.

When I turned the page to June, a date three weeks from now is able to be seen, and on that day I will drive my daughter to the airport, see her off on a plane to France and not see her again until the end of summer.  It's a day I have known about and been planning towards for months, but it is now on the page of the current month.

It's shocking!  And exciting and a once in a life time opportunity and an adventure she will never forget.

Besides spending the next few weeks getting everything ready for travel, I'm going to spend some time getting fun in! I'm going to miss her like crazy all summer long.

It Was Epic

This might have been our best trip to Seaside.  Ever.  And that's saying a lot because it was like our 12th trip.  We started out with three sisters and two kids and we've morphed into three sisters, one mom, two husbands, one teenager and six kids.

In one house.

It was wonderful!  It's the stuff of legends!  It's the sort of trip our children will remember and tell the tales of to their children.  Where else could they hear the sounds of their Moms and Aunts and Dad and Uncle and Grandpa and Grandma talk and laugh long into the night; where morning was a feast of pancakes and bacon served up at the long table; where the beach was a short walk to reach and the sun was shining and the entire day was spent digging and kite flying and playing in the ocean.....

Epic!

Seaside

I hear the seaside call my name
The waves a chorus of enticement
The wind a song of promise
The gulls chime in with invitation

And I am helpless but to answer

A Recipe for Contentment

Sit on the sun baked porch steps,
Book forgotten next to me,
Face upturned catching every ray of warmth,
Glass of ice water making a wet ring at my feet,

I am languid with contentment.