Day One: My peonies bloomed today. Summer is off to a vibrant start!
For those of you who were praying with us today, THANK YOU. It’s never easy for anyone to discover a mass or lump, but I think it’s especially scary when you’re 14. IZ and I are so grateful for your prayers—more than we can express. ~~Wende
Day Ninety-four: IZ isn’t so sure about summer ending.
Here we are. The last day of summer. Did you do something amazing, something summer worthy today? I spent the day as I usually do, attempting to restore order to the chaos around me. Despite my domestic slaying, Â I couldn’t escape the thought, “So, this was summer.” It wasn’t what I expected… and I didn’t do everything I set out to do. But then, that could be said of any day of the week, any week of the month. . .
I will tell you that I’ve throughly loved blogging every day. When I began this journey, I wasn’t really sure I would. In fact, I was a bit intimidated. What if I couldn’t come up with a photo each day? What if I got writer’s block? I was surprised how quickly I got over those hurdles, let go of the perfectionism, and emmersed myself in the process. Sure, not every photo was  newsworthy, nor was every post scintillating, but the process has kept me focused. I don’t feel like my summer just slipped away.
I will also tell you this has been a lonely process at times. Why is that people read but rarely comment? Or only leave comments on Facebook? Don’t get me wrong, commenting isn’t mandatory. I’ll love you just as much as I ever did if you only thumbs up my posts on facebook—but blogging everyday has put the commenting situation on Evidently in stark relief… and it’s something I’m evaluating. Â It certainly caused me to pause and look at my commenting habits! In an attempt to pry out the log in my own eye, I’ve redoubled my efforts to be present on blogs I’ve only lurked on in the past. I’m not drawing conclusions, just observing. I suppose I’ll have more to say when I can put my finger on the problem.
I do want to say, “Thank YOU!” to those of you who have traveled with me so faithfully. I appreciate your company more than I can say. It’s been an amazing 94 days and the fall has so much in store for us. I’m ready. Are you?
So! This is it. The end. I’m no fan of goodbyes, so I think I’ll let the final words on this summer be those of a beloved poet:
Lovely joy left blank, perhaps you are
the center of all my labors and my loves.
If I’ve wept for you so much, it’s because
I preferred you among so many outlined joys. ~~Rilke
Day Ninety-three: Penultimate
I spent the penultimate day of summer taking this dog to the vet. Miss Thing needed another cortisone shot. She kept me up last night, constantly getting out of her bed to scratch. Â With IZ snoring on the other side of me, I’m being assaulted in stereo. It’s not exactly what I had planned today but something had to give because I need some sleep. I refuse to spend the last day of summer being crabby.
Day Ninety-two: It’s all downhill from here.
Observing:
I can’t believe it took me all summer (year, I’ve had this for ages!) to notice that I’m not paying for grammar. And clearly, neither is Kirkland.
What’s with all the cars downtown? And what’s with nearly getting killed every time I drive downtown?
I miss Santa Barbara most this time of year.
It’s kinda pathetic, but I’m pretty excited that fall TV is back.
I’m probably too old to be watching Gossip Girl?
I’m definitely too old to be wearing jeggings.
I like starting sentences with a conjunction. It makes me feel connected to something before. And I like ending sentences with a preposition. I do it on purpose. Because I can.
Day Ninety-one: Oregon.
Day Ninety: I bought several bunches of Dahlias in soft summer pinks, in part because I needed to drop off a bouquet to the new neighbors. But  also because I wanted one last touch of summer.
