Reckless abandon...............

It is hot! I won't bother with any cute descriptions, it's enough to say that I live in an oven. Every summer I wonder at the crazy people that settled this land. No wonder the unofficial motto is 'carpe manana'(for those a little behind in their languages it means, seize tomorrow)! It's just too darn hot to get worked up about very much. Which is why I am at this very moment rocking lazily on the porch swing. My kiddos, on the other hand, are using great amounts of energy swimming. I love watching the first takeoff, the first jump into the pool! Most often it is a race. Rarely will they all stand by the side of the pool and wait to see who is first. Today was one of those days. The pool is quite chilly and unheated, so the kids knew that the first time in the water would be a great shock to the body. Of course they also knew that it would feel amazing! My little one had her goggles on and a big floaty ring around her middle, all business. She took a long hard look at her brother, took a deep breath and jumped. Her arms were spread wide and an enormous smile on her face. Pure, innocent delight. It was a wonderment to behold. It was such a contrast to her friend, who was wading in an inch at a time. The poor kid was feeling every agonizing centimeter of ice water. It looked painful. Watching these two little girls, I learned a lesson. It reminded me of a quote from Elder Wirthlin, "Come what may, and love it!" My little one had accepted the fact of the cold water and she was willing to enjoy the ride. She came up gasping from the shock and laughing at the exhilarating feeling. I hope she keeps that memory with her, I know that I will.

The new summer............................

Summer, summer, summer, how I love thee! The slower pace, the popsicle, and the starry nights. It is hot, but that is usually something I am willing to overlook on those lazy summer evenings. All that is required is a chilled sweet watermelon, and a tall glass topped with ice. Children swim or play in the sprinklers while the adults rock slowly under the porch. Old country music plays softly in the background. I cherish those nights, they are precious and rare. A reminder to slow down and just 'be'.
Some of my strongest memories are from my summers, and I am pretty darn sure it is because those were some of the few times of the year, that we took the time to j enjoy one another. We would sit out on my grandparents deck and watch the street light slowly come to life. All the while consuming great amounts of peaches, apricots, and tomatoes from grandpa's garden. More often than not, someone was sunburned and happily tired from an excursion to the lake. Looking back, those nights seemed magical, and I miss them. Yet, I know they live on with each passing summer. Children are beautiful like that. They create the magic, and I feel blessed to be a part of another summer with memories dancing like fairies in the twilight just waiting to be caught.

City girl.......................

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I came to an inescapable conclusion; i am a small town type of girl. Don't get me wrong, 'sin' city was great. There was constant movement and the lights were continually blinking and displaying all kinds of images. And of course the casinos were a constant den of activity. Loud groups of college boys and girls roamed free, older couples rekindled their youth, desperate people stood on corners with haunted looks, grandmas with their cups of coins played the slots, and women traveled in packs determined to have a good time with their friends. It was a 'people' watcher's paradise. Yet amid all of this movement i felt lost. I longed for quiet and a slower pace. I've always wanted to be a city girl. You know the type, the kind of girl who takes on the urban jungle and survives. It takes nerve and plenty of guts, and it's just plain cool! Alas, i am just not cut out for city life. I need space! I enjoy looking into the sky without seeing a tall building and being able to search the midnight sky for the little dipper without fighting the neon lights. I appreciate simple. My first night home, i sat outside on the porch swing and took in the magnificence of the moonless starry night. I was calm and peaceful, and I was home.