Sixteen years ago...

June 29, 2013 Photo of the day: "First Date"

This is silly and embarrassing, but I found my planner/journal from 1997. The printing is Catholic school uniform and the writing is immature, but here is what I wrote on June 29, 1997 after my first date with Eric.  Our intention was to go sailing up north, but there wasn't enough wind that day. So we had a picnic, skipped stones, waded, and climbed the observation tower in Peninsula State Park. It was a sweet, lovely day.

Summer Reading

June 28, 2013 Photo of the day: "The Sun Also Rises"

I have been working my way through the Pewaukee High School 13 for '13 Summer Reading List. So far, I've read Inferno, Divergent, Insurgent, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Art of Racing in the Rain. The English major and Hemingway fan in me is excited to reread The Sun Also Rises. I haven't read this novel since graduate school, so it will be interesting to note whether my opinion changes twenty years later...

Delicate tenacity

June 26, 2013 Photo of the day: "Delicate tenacity"

Years ago, I planted a small flat of violas that preceded to take over my garden. They were very pretty, but they were everywhere. Last summer when we enlarged the garden beds, moved perennials, and replaced the mulch, I tore out handfuls of violas that were in the way and gave bunches to neighbors in an attempt to restore some order. Unfortunately, the tiny blossoms seemed to have been permanently eradicated. We were disappointed when the ones we strategically placed, withered and died. They didn't return all summer, and this spring, I eagerly searched for the first violas to pop up through the snow...nothing...until now: a few tiny and delicate, but strong and tenacious blossoms endured last year's draught and brutal winter, to return even more beautiful than I even remembered.

Stormy Weather

June 25, 2013 Photo of the day: "Stormy Weather"


Last summer, I lamented the +100° weather and the lack of rain throughout the month of June and most of July. So far this summer has been the exact opposite. I've even heard people can this "Juneuary." Actually, I really prefer the cooler weather, and when it does get hot and humid, like yesterday, we get a summer storm. If I can be home with a book and a cup of tea in the afternoon or snug in my bed at night, I quite enjoy a thunderstorm. My garden is much happier too. Last summer, I spent a couple of hours early each morning (with a cup of coffee) and another hour or so at dusk (with a glass of wine) watering the plants and shrubs. So far this summer, Mother Nature has taken care of that for me! All that being said, we are taking a mini-break next week, and I'm hoping for sunny skies, pleasant temperatures, and fair winds! Surely, that's not too much to ask :)