So much to savor
Dear Ones,
The summer solstice brought summer, real summer. 90F summer.
We’re all re-calibrated. The kids nap in the middle of the day and stay awake until 10pm, which feels like an extravagance we can only afford for a few months each year.
We try to get up in the cool mountains as much as possible.
And to water—lakes, creeks, rivers—where we marinate our hot bodies in shivery snowmelt.
The tall kid is Col and Rose's cousin Peter, who's been visiting this week, along with all of Dan's family, which has been so fun, I've felt like I'm on vacation in my own town.
The optimist in me is like: wow, summer’s just starting, let’s jump in the river like 73 more times and go camping with all our friends every weekend and ride bikes everywhere and eat insane amounts of garden salads and weep over each ripe strawberry and watch every little mountain flower shuck off its jacket.
marsh marigold at 10,000 feet: swoon!
And the realist in me is like: June has come and gone in a flash. I know where this summer is headed.
And so, I’m going to scale back the time I spend writing this blog, so I can be here more, in this short Colorado season of summer.
My friend Amy took me here on Sunday morning, at precisely the time I would have been writing Monday's blog post that never happened. Oops.
And here more, too, with these little people who are so wonderfully amazing, whose very selves ring the high notes of my heart everyday.
And I want to tell you exactly when I’ll be back here, in this virtual space, like, every Wednesday with your morning coffee, guaranteed. But I also want to turn my own inner boss loose—the one that thinks if I don’t post regularly that you might leave—and give her the summer off. So, we’ll see.
And of course I love this little blog, and not-writing seems as much an option as say, not-breathing. So, we’ll see.
I already have so much more to tell you. Like how Dan’s elk hide got softened by two brothers (who look so much alike that when Rose was two she called Cory “Uncle Daddy”).
Or, how the sugar snap peas are so sweet it’s hard to imagine why anyone invented candy (okay, not that hard).
Or how Rose learned to ride a 2-wheeler and is so proud of herself, though Col will often crinkle up his face somberly and say, “but she still needs to learn a few things, like, about going straight on hills and watching where she’s going.”
Or how I can’t stand how cute the green onions are, waving their grassy adolescent leaves at me.
And the broccoli! Just starting to head up.
Last night I opened Col’s bedroom window and saw Dan, the man I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to share my life with, shooting his bow between the peach tree and the potato patch, the chickens all gathered at their fence looking on curiously.
So very much to savor.
With love,
Rachel
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Do you have any sign of the fire up there? How is your air quality? Hope you don’t mind me asking, everyone here is trying to figure out how far to go!
love, Kiersten
Marginally smoky skies up here. Air quality doesn’t seem that bad so far – we spent the morning outside, happily. I hope it passes soon, Kiersten.
Carry your journal. When you feel inspired to write, write. Enjoy your summer with your beautiful family!!
What a beautiful post! Enjoy your summer, take whatever time off you feel like taking and write whenever you feel like doing so.
I second Tamara’s comment. Bring that journal and write when you can. We’ll be here when you return, looking forward to your words!
http://amysreallife.wordpress.com
Take as much time as you need. I can assure you that we’ll still be here. Just promise to come back. :-) I feel so greedy for your writing! And your pictures! And your observations! There really IS so much to savor.
XOXO
so glad you got all the time with the family! Sounds like you have your priorities straight…. you can placate your readers with just pics (we can make up our own captions). I love Uncle Daddy!
Oh thank goodness. I was trying to think of a way to take a break from your blog to spend more time outside. I took the laptop on the deck once, and it doesn’t fit.
So nice to be on the same page, Rachel. Enjoy!
Time to go watch the bats and finish last Sunday’s crossword (well, try to, anyway).
i just love your writing. it’s always a pleasure to come here.
Thanks for the inspiration to get out there and be a part of it all. I’ve noticed since starting to blog, that it’s hard not to frame some of life’s experiences in a “post” format… which has it’s benefits and drawbacks alike. However, living life savoring everything you can really is the gist of living well! I’ll miss any posts that fail to happen, and be so happy for you that you’re having summer, while here, it is raining and 54 degrees…. (Maybe if you’re really savoring the sun one bright day, you can have a little talk with him about making an appearance here in Humboldt, where he will be ever so appreciated and loved!)
Hi Rachel…Tim was in your neck of the woods fighting fires and I thought of you. Thank you for this post, for giving yourself permission to live where you are, with the loves of your life. I will still be here, no matter how much or little you post.:) with love, kris
Enjoy your time outdoors and with your family – that’s exactly what summer is for!
Wowza… just like I feel these days.
And the high notes. Amen.
Love the close with your window-peeking vision. Perfection.
Lovely garden photos, and I’m in love with the idea of snowmelt to cool a humid, sticky body.
It was warm here last week, warm and sunny like summer should be. This week, it’s grey and cloudy. Today Lucy said, “Summer last week was great. I had a lot of fun this summer. Now, I’m ready for snow and sledding and skiing and making snowmen.”
Well, everyone has their favorite season. Mine is summer — send it my way, please. I’ll show my middle gal that summer lasts a little longer than a week.
you go on and enjoy summer…i for one won’t leave, and will just appreciate your posts all the more. although i may need to find another source for experiencing summer vicariously, and having my heart uplifted by your achingly beautiful words.
happy summer rachel! and GO ROSE!! xo
Oh, good. We should all take a break from blogging in the summer. I for one have had a hard time keeping up with both my favorite blogs and my own. So let’s declare summer the one-post-per-week season! (Of course, that one post could be a longy.)
Yes, summer break!
Sometimes I can’t tell whether I love your readers or you the most–what a sweet, supportive community you are building here! Of course we will stick around!
And I actually *wrote down* a line from this post– about how the kids ring the high notes in your heart? Seriously dude. That’s exactly how I feel (and I suspect how most mamas feel) about my kids.
Now go enjoy! xo
Please, savor away! As much as I will miss your more frequent updates, I cannot help but give you a hearty standing ovation for “living in the now.”
Enjoy your summer building lovely memories!
Enjoy your family and the beautiful summer. I’ll still be checking in on Wednesdays!
Good for you for taking time, and I hope it’s a wonderful time :). See you on Wednesdays!!
i do believe you have quite the loyal following. not a soul will be missing when regular posting resumes. enjoy your fleeting summer days in that beautiful landscape with that beautiful family. peace.
The blue of the lake looks so refreshing and just begging for toes to be dipped in it.
Yep, I totally get it! Do what you need to do. We’ll be here (or out enjoying our own version of summer!) I’m not following as many blogs as I did in the winter. I don’t have time to read them all, and I am out doing more real life! But I always make time for yours. Enjoy this fleeting season.
Is that Lemon Reservoir above? Just curious…
Sounds perfect! We aren’t going anywhere as long as you ever feel drawn here to share your beautiful gifts and life. Enjoy the summer!!
I’ll be here lovin’ you the whole time!
Awe Dan!
I SO get this and say here here! I know you will bask in the joys your summer offers and I look forward to gulping down what you offer when you do.
You shower us with all that love you are seeing, hearing, tasting, watching, breathing. Give Thanks, it’s summertime : )
That marigold is swoon-worthy! Enjoy your summer vacation. I’ll expect an essay on the topic of just how you spent that vacation when you return. =>
afraid we might leave? hahahahahaha. yeah, right. :) enjoy, rachel! we will be here when you get back.
I’m curious to find out what blog system you’re using?
I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest website
and I’d like to find something more safeguarded.
Do you have any suggestions?