Dispatches from the beach

I can hear the water lapping against the shores of the channel, can feel the breeze whisper against and across my shoulders as I rock slowly on the second floor porch. Some birds perch, others soar, boats and jet skis head home. The sun is setting, moving south as if through multiple filters. It is vivid orange. It is blinding yellow with rays bursting in all directions like a child's drawing. It is muted behind the prism of layers of clouds moving in various directions. Some are utterly static while others race. How is this? How do some freeze in the face of forceful currents?

Last night we celebrated my mother-in-law's 70th birthday, and today, she, my father-in-law, brother- and sister-in-law, and nieces headed home. It was a wonderful week- getting to see the kids together, see them truly love and delight in playing together is a treasure.

My crew decided to stay the day and are glad we did. I had peach apricot pie for breakfast (made this yesterday!), went for a run, we spent a last couple hours on the beach, and saw Wonder Woman. As have many, I cried in several spots, moved by her fierceness, wisdom, compassion, courage, and unabating morality. If only such sorts of people actually led our country right now. If only...

Instead, we have an ignorant, insecure, greedy, lying, fraud in the big seat, and innocent people like Philando Castile are murdered in cold blood for no reason other than their skin color and their killers are set free. This country is not moving forward, and it is utterly disheartening and enraging.

With a wink, a nod, and a clenched fist of hell yeah, I leave you with this. 

End-of-school blur

This past week has been such a blur. School ended, we caught up on doctor's appointments, the boys headed to the beach with Tom's parents (amazing; we had two nights just to ourselves and went to fabulous dinners on both), I got six hours of gardening in yesterday, and today we joined everyone in NC. This view never gets old.

I don't know if ever summer break has felt so welcome. It's lovely that we're all on the same page about that. The boys are loving every minute with their cousins, and we are grateful.

Tonight I can offer little beyond visual treats. Good enough!

One of the dahlias I started from bulb this year. Gorgeous! I love the parcel of petals you can see in the bottom bloom. 

One of the dahlias I started from bulb this year. Gorgeous! I love the parcel of petals you can see in the bottom bloom. 

Jack got a very cool chemistry set as an early birthday present.

Jack got a very cool chemistry set as an early birthday present.

Ol and I went out to lunch on his last day of school. He loves to make origami cranes.

Ol and I went out to lunch on his last day of school. He loves to make origami cranes.

I can never resist making an example sheet of all available crayons. 

I can never resist making an example sheet of all available crayons.