Summer

There are times when I think how much I love my life. The walk the other night was one of those times -- thankfully followed by several more of those moments in quick succession. There is something so nice about living in a place where I can walk to do my “errands” and conversing. I cooked Marlin and Lula dinner -- to honor Marlin’s 88th birthday -- grilling chicken, sharing really healthy pasta salad and steaming fiddleheads I had blanched back in the Spring when one of my favorite co-workers sells me 5 pounds at a time. It was a nice dinner, as I had not cooked for them in a long time. After dinner Grampa shared homemade (by him) chocolate chip cookies, with a little Rocky Road ice cream and fresh strawberries on top (everyone is in the strawberry business lately -- I processed my 25 lbs weeks ago -- as I do every year). We ate, visited and did the dishes. I had a magazine to lend to Delia -- one that has an article about building a compost system -- and so I asked Jim if he wanted to go for a walk. We walked down to the garden -- I had not seen it in awhile (up close that is) and then walked the “big” field the length, across the temporary bridge and then around to Delia and Wayne’s house. We found them eating fresh strawberry shortcake (see what I mean about everyone being in the strawberry business?) sitting at the kitchen table talking. We sat down, had a second dessert (I stole four bites of Jim’s) and visited until dark. Then we walked back up to the house and watched the fireflies in the field for awhile, then read and went to sleep. And from those relaxed moments, I have had so many more. Mountain biking in the woods around where I grew up, mountain biking in Carrabassett Valley, hiking in the Bigelows (more on that later), hiking in Woodstock, visiting with family, taking care of the boy horses up the road, reading, swimming... Ah. And one of my favorite activities that has been a big part of the afternoons is haying. We are nearly done the first cut -- I have helped on two big afternoons where we put in over 700 bales once and 635 the next. The weather has been perfect for hay -- it is dry, light and smells so good. The rally race is in a couple of weeks so the pond road (the “back” way to my parents’) is pretty buffed out and I have been rattling back and forth on that road -- with my sister last night. Yes, life is good and I do appreciate it so much. Today promises to be really hot, so Jim and I will find a cool place to recreate and relax. He is a busy guy these days -- with the hay, the garden and building, so I will relish in this Sunday where he is acting like it is in fact, a full day off. Those are rare, and I am psyched. The goal is to keep it simple and chill. Please let it be a long and lazy.