Summer Friday #1

The thunderstorms hit yesterday evening leaving today sunny and warm. We headed to Lake Josephine with towels, beach toys and healthy snacks. The water was still a little too cold for all out swimming, but I have the feeling we'll be back for warmer days. Charlie's picture above shows how he entertained himself for almost two hours. Ellis needed a little more direction from me on things to do such as obstacle courses and timed races. I think we'll definitely get the hang of this summer thing.

Twelve Fridays

With the end of school last week, summer is here. This year, I will have just one weekday at home with the kids, but I have amassed enough knowledge of cool things to do in the last few years that rain or shine we will have a great summer. Here are my thoughts for 12 fun summer Fridays (dependent on the weather; repeats possible for most beloved places):
1. Eagle's Nest Indoor Playground (who cares if they are calling for thunderstorms?)
2. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3. Fourth of July weekend trip to Chicago
4. Swimming at Lake Josephine
5. Road Trip to Duluth (Edgewater water park, Lake Superior fun)
6. Chutes and Ladders Playground
7. Swimming at Lake Johanna
8. Vacation in Alaska
9. Jet lag recovery from Alaska Flight
10. Harriet Alexander Nature Center
11. Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
12. State Fair

Bee and Flower

Like veils and bridal gowns or crisp white sheets. The bumble bee is a welcome suitor. The prairie is the perfect marriage bed.

Insect and Plant

It moved so quickly to verdant and still far from the summer solstice. In June in Minnesota the creation of life is so prolific you can almost hear it vibrating at the height of its power. If you look closely, you can see the individual lives that are part of the teeming whole that is this growing season.

Small Things

"Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time." - Georgia O'Keeffe

The Library

I love long weekends for projects around the house. We tackled the porch this weekend (with much heroic effort by Josh) and added great new living space (well, for three seasons at least). From the vantage of our new library, we will be able to enjoy the fine weather, take a nap, watch the birds at the feeder or a passing thunder storm, and have a glass of wine and good conversation at the end of the day.

The other side of the porch is headed towards being a playroom. In just a few short weeks, those recycling bins will be replaced by a train table, which is Charlie's birthday present (Shh! Don't tell him.) I see hours and hours of summer fun on our porch ahead of us. Won't you join us?

Seen Today

Seen today:

• A dead fish
• A bird eating a dragon fly
• A funeral procession

Also seen:

• The bright orange flash of an oriole's wings
• Wildflowers bursting open
• The delight of my son watching a waterfall

These days are few and fleeting. Temperate and sunny. Unstructured and leisurely. Filled with the sweet sound of first-formed sentences. Lessons in being and how a moment's being slips away into memory. I want to hold each day in my hand, love it, and, without regret, let it go.