It Ain't Just the Heat

One hot day after another has me longing for fall. But it’s not just the heat and the fact that I’m tired of cowering inside my cool cave of “bought air.” The lure of a more organized schedule, the sense of excitement in the cool snap of morning air, the tantalizing aroma of wood smoke, the hope of the holidays—Halloween with its sense of fun and mystery, Thanksgiving and the opportunity to reflect and be grateful, Christmas with its sweetness and the overwhelming-but-delightful family gatherings...the anticipation for all these things have me pining for a new season. I can’t wait for the steamy hot days to melt into cooler nights and invigorating days. I love the rustle of leaves blowing in a breeze and the way they swirl around catching our dreams and carrying them aloft. I even love the really-chilly, murkier fall days that chase me inside—where I curl up on the couch and ponder the mysteries of life. Somehow these misty days create a sense of expectation, an inexplicable lure of hidden treasures right around the corner. We call them “Secret Garden Days” in our family. It seems perfect that my first book will come out in the fall, my favorite season. But for now, summer still holds more than a few pleasures. Cicadas sing and birds splash in the birdbath and teach their babies how to eat from the feeders. Long summer afternoons lure me out to the shady screen porch, ceiling fans on high, with a good book and a bowl of ripe watermelon. Grandkids splash in the pool, and me along with them ‘cause it’s too darn hot not to get wet. Maybe I’m not quite ready to be done with summer yet, now that I think about it. Still, a few days with the temperature under ninety degrees might be nice! What is your favorite season and why? I’d love to hear about it!

Just Sayin'

It seems like everyone is making lists these days on their blog. Top ten things to do this summer; top ten things NOT to do this summer; top ten things to see when you go to (fill in the blank), top ten recipes to try this summer, top ten things you need to take on summer vacation, top ten restaurants to go to while you’re traveling, or hotels to stay in, or parks to camp in, etc. They’re all fascinating and I feel the need to read every one of them, even if I’m not going on a road trip or to a restaurant or to a campground. Nor do I need advice with what to do with my summer—I have my own list which I have mostly ignored, thank you very much. Still, I can’t resist the lure to make my own list. But I think I’ll stick to five. So here goes. Five Things To Do In Your Life (Is that a BIG enough topic? Ha!) 1. Reach a goal: reaching one goal leads you to take risks, try harder, and learn more. Start small and work up. Dream Big and then share what you’ve learned. 2. Conquer a fear: doing something you are afraid of builds your confidence like nothing else. Picture yourself with arms outstretched flying high on the prow of a boat: I can conquer the world! Again, start small, and then take a leap of faith. Hold someone’s hand when they leap. 3. Nurture a child: if you’re not a mom or dad, get involved with children somehow—children slow us down and force us to notice the small stuff, teaching us about joy. Don’t worry about the messy house or serving leftovers--or even writing (did I just say that?). Consider the lilies of the field… 4. Learn to be grateful: for the bad days as well as the good. Each day teaches us something and appreciating and reflecting on lessons learned brings a sense of peace. Remember, sometimes God calms the storms; other times he lets the storms rage and calms His child. 5. Be rather than Do. Having a daily to-do list and checking things off gives us a sense of accomplishment. But, we need to be more concerned with who we are becoming rather than what we are doing each day. Sometimes, you gotta throw the list away and listen to a friend. (But not this list. Keep this list :-D) Now, if I could only say that I’ve truly accomplished all these things, I could sign off with a flourish. However, since I’m still living, I’m still learning. As soon as I make a little progress in one area, I slip up in another. Ah well, each new day brings opportunity! I’m just sayin’… Maybe the need to read Top Ten lists comes from our need to know what is important to someone, to know them a little better, part of our need to connect. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Have a need to share a list? Please, go for it!

Memories and Mayberry

Being a native born North Carolinian, I’ve been feeling sentimental since Andy Griffith died. I grew up with the Andy Griffith show and the days of my childhood weren’t so very different from the ones portrayed in the show, although I grew up in a much bigger town. It would be easy to say that those days were better times, but in many ways they were not. Mayberry was a delightful place, but the show didn’t delve very far into its shadows and dark corners. There was a lot of intolerance in the l960’s and ignorance that has finally, hopefully, been laid to rest. We have a ways to go, but we’re getting there. People say, “Those were friendlier times. People sat on their porches and talked to their neighbors more.” True; in my neighborhood we mostly go about our business until there’s a natural disaster or critical need and we all turn out and pull together. These days we have Facebook and social media where people find long lost friends and post things that make us laugh or cry or think hard. Sometimes they also post malicious rumors or lies, or scathing remarks when someone’s political or religious views differ with theirs. But back then, folks gossiped over the back fences and fed the rumor mill and shunned those that were “different” and that was just as hurtful. More so, because it was very personal. So we have to remember—I have to remember—that even though times have changed, and it’s tempting to think about how much we miss those times, there’s also much to be grateful for. We can feel sentimental and reminisce about the “good ol’ days” with friends who grew up in the same time period, while remembering the good things that have happened since 1960. We can, and should, hang on to our determination to teach our kids and grandkids the same good lessons Andy taught Opie about bein’ kind. Do you have a favorite memory of Andy and the Mayberry crowd? Well, Shezam! Please share!