The temps here in the south are edging over 90 with about 80% humidity now that we’re getting to the middle of the year.  It’s about to be too hot to take the dog on her daily walk!

The summer is passing way too quickly for me.  How about you?  I just downloaded June’s pictures onto the “Big Mac,” and I’m already dreading scrapbooking the overwhelming number of pictures that I took.  I need to get my mom’s photos of our beach vacation from her phone, but I know she probably took two or three times the number of pictures that I took.  Mom, I just want the really, really, good ones, OK?

So, how are you spending your summer?  I anticipated an endless summer full of opportunities to host swim dates for various groups (the family, the homeschool gals, the “old” pal group from church, etc., etc.), but no. 

After graduation, we had Bible Quizzing State Finals in Tupelo (right after a quick getaway to visit Big Cedar Lodge in Memphis, Graceland, and IKEA), and then the beach vacay (I’m certainly not complaining about that one!). Last week was the doctors’ (yes, plural) week.  

The lookout at the top of the pyramid is pretty fabulous.
According to one of my most Southern neighbors, “Graceland is a sight to behold!”
Liz and her teammate, Laurel (named for the Mississippi town, which is now famous on HGTV) won second place in the Experienced Senior division.
I think Liz would spend the week on the floor at Sundog Books in Seaside if we let her.

This week, my daughter (and I) were blessed to get a dog-sitting job, a much-needed reason to get my daughter to practice her driving every day, multiple times each day, for her driving test, which is scheduled for the 13th.  Oh, and child #2 had oral surgery on Monday.  

I hope we’ll celebrate the 4th with a little pool time this weekend, and then my oldest comes home from a study-abroad trip in Oxford, England.  Then, poor guy, he will have only a week to recover before he gets his wisdom teeth taken out.  A few days later, we leave for Bible Quiz Nationals in Rogers, Arkansas.

Way back at the beginning of June, a friend asked for some dates this summer for me to host a gathering/painting party.  I gave her 7 or 8 possibilities, all falling within about a 10-day span.  Where, oh where, do the summer days go?

School starts the second weekend of August, and we are moving two kids to two different colleges on the same weekend.

In May, I was looking forward to free time in the summer; now I’m looking forward to free time this fall!

Please don’t get me wrong: I am so thankful for this American life.  We’re busy because we’re blessed with great healthcare, amazing opportunities to travel and expand our horizons, and beautiful freedom to pursue our dreams.  I refuse to listen to the naysayers!  I still believe in America and our flag and “the liberty for which it stands.” I hope you have a Happy 4th of July!

Last updated on July 1, 2021