A logic all their own
I can’t help but feel hopeful when I walk past this scene to the mailbox each day.
Our Alexandria neighborhood, May 2015
“Summers had a logic all their own and they always brought something out in me…they made me want to believe.” — Benjamin Alire Sáenz
As incredible as it seems to me, the summer is already beginning to wind down. The days are getting shorter and there have been a few touches of cool weather here and there that remind me it won’t always be hot, or even warm.
I always see the end of summer with mixed emotions, don’t you? I can’t remember a summer that didn’t seem unusually short. I don’t think of it as my favorite season, but the words quoted above definitely struck a chord with me. Summer does have its own agenda, and part of it shouts to me: “SLOW DOWN and take it easy!” no matter how much activity I try to cram into its three-month duration.
Summer makes me want to believe that good things are possible. Children are playing outside, the ice cream truck joins the birds in sending musical notes into the air, and the evenings find neighbors sitting on their porches or decks, or walking their dogs in the cool of those wonderfully shady hours just before the sunlight disappears altogether. Watering the plants, weeding and tending the lawn take precedence over staying indoors cooking, cleaning or working on homework with the kids. The exposure to daylight really does boost our moods, or at least it seems to do that for me.
What are your plans for the remainder of the summer? I hope that your travels and other urgent activities are mostly behind you, so you can take your time to relish the warm early mornings and cool evenings for a few more weeks. What does the summer bring out in you?
This post was first published seven years ago today. The original post, comments and photo are linked, along with two other related posts, below. These links to related posts, and their thumbnail photos, do not appear in the blog feed; they are only visible when viewing the individual posts by clicking on each one. I have no idea why, nor do I know how they choose the related posts. That’s just the way WordPress does things.
- Posted in: Uncategorized
- Tagged: belief, children, holidays, hope, joy, outdoors, recreation, relaxation, seasons, summer, walks, warmth
Defeat Despair 
Dear Julia, If I’m not mistaken I remember that some important reconstruction work was going to begin in August. It seemed so far away at the time, but like time, it marches or flies on and often plays tricks on us while doing so. I’m reading August 2013 posts from the archive and it’s been long enough that they seem anew. As I read these these posts when your family was in the throughs of dealing with cancer I pray for your present circumstances, consequences due to your fall. 🙏🏻 ch
Carol, thank you for remembering. Yes, the surgery was last Tuesday. Let’s just say I’m glad I had no idea how bad it would be, and how long the healing will be. I’m still in a lot of pain, and of course, since it’s all in my mouth, it effects so much– eating, breathing, talking…in any case, I appreciate your thinking of me! I’ve been feeling pretty sorry for myself. I’m so glad you are re-reading the posts! I myself have forgotten about most of them. And since I wrote them mostly to give myself pep talks, it’s kind of good for me to re-read them…though it often hurts, too, since so much more has been lost in the past 7 years. Thanks so much for your prayers, and for still being here with me! My longtime readers have a very special place in my heart. ❤
Hi, Julia I certainly relate to what I call “pity party’s.” It’s hard not to go there when were not feeling well which I know your aren’t. Hopefully you’re a bit better than when I first commented. I also don’t remember a lot of the previous posts. I’m doing 2013 on the day that matches the current day. As I scroll down the archives it’s a daily reminder of just how long you’ve been doing this…it doesn’t seem possible your beloved Jeff has been gone so many years. I would just like you to know I consider you a beacon in an often bleak world. Although, it is an altered version of lines from Lord Tennyson”s poem the phrase “Ours is not to reason why; ours is but to do and die” seems to fit…our penchant to wonder why we’re given such burdens to carry. We do simply have to go on as you have done.. To those of us who are looking from a distance, to by sure, and knowing the other losses you’re enduring, you’ve done and are doing a remarkably exceptional job. ♥️
Carol, though it has taken me nearly two weeks to reply to this, I want you to know that I read your comment some time ago and it meant so very much to me, in so many ways. I love Tennyson! (I’ve quoted him here at least a few times I think.) And we ALL need to feel as if someone is cheering us on. That’s what you gave me, at a time when I really needed it. I am so grateful you are reading back through those old posts. I didn’t realize how much of myself went into them until I started re-posting them. The Bible said that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. I think I understand that verse even better now: it’s a precious gift for someone to say something one really needs to hear, just when they need to hear it. Thank you for your encouragement!
Julia, I’m empathizing with you today as I believe it’s the day your beloved passed. I’m wishing you comfort and peace today especially and every day as you face these present challenges. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
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Thank you so much, Carol. Jeff’s aunt, Gloria, (who was only 8 years older than me and for many years was one of my closest friends) was always so good to let me know each year on this day that she was thinking of me. She, too, missed Jeff terribly and always got in touch on our anniversary, our shared birthday and other milestone days. You may recall I wrote about her dogs a couple of times on the blog. She died suddenly and unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago after falling and breaking her hip. Because Matthew and I were both having post-op complications, we were unable to go to her funeral. But her death was a shock and a loss to us. She had lived through so much with us, since before Jeff and I married up through the present. So for the first time, I miss both her and Jeff on this day of this year. Thank you for filling that gap by letting me know you are thinking of me! ❤
I’ve been thinking of you. As I read December 2013 posts I find you love “A Christmas Dream” sung by Perry Como. It’s one of my favorites as well. Sending you wishes for a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with Peace and Health above all.🎄♥️🎄
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Isn’t that just the greatest Christmas song? I’ve always wondered why it doesn’t get more airplay, especially with all the less-lovely songs that get played over and over (I don’t care if I never hear “Santa Baby” again). Best wishes to you too, for a wonderful year in 2023!
His morning, Julia! I am off to end the summer in New England, visiting the ocean and friends. I’m very excited about this trip, as it feels as if it’s been a long time since I’ve been there.
Another summer has come and gone, and I haven’t replaced my windows, since I’ve been considering moving. But now, if I don’t move out, I’ll have another cold winter with plastic covering the windows.
Summer whiz by too fast!
But just think, if you move south, your summers will be longer! 😀
Thanks for your subtle and persistent encouragement! 😘