Celebrations. Transitions. Hard stuff. Travel. Surprises. Where to find me when I don't appear in your inbox. And tons of books for you to sift through for your summertime reading joy.
Linda, what a wonderful weekend you must have had - a HS graduation, 1st birthday, AND your 50th. Huge reasons for celebration, and for stepping away from the computer. I'll be doing the same for the month of July when we have our annual Rowe Family Camp, where we'll be celebrating our 50th a couple months late when the extended family gathers. Please share pix when you return, and thanks for encouraging the rest of us to enjoy summer by forgoing some of our usual activities. Blessings (still) from the Land of the Midnight Sun!
Oh I bet you are having an awesome early summer overseas, Maggie! And then family camp and your 50th celebration and all those good things.
And believe it or not, I didn't pull out my phone once to take pictures during any of the celebrations. I was too busy soaking in every bit, enjoying the moments we've waited forever for, celebrating without thinking about capturing the moment.
Rare..
But yes, there are pictures of our little guy in action. They'll give us smiles and memories 'til we get to see him again - in 10 days!
So many joy-filled moments, Linda, both large and small - from anniversary and birthday celebrations to beachtime and ice cream. I hope and pray for a full and overflowing heart of love, joy, and peace for you and your family this summer. I'm currently traveling a lot to help children and grandchildren with their seasons of life. Audiobooks are great for listening in the car. Allen Levi's book led me to revisit Andy Andrews writings, and now I'm listening to E.B. White.
We have a grad party coming up next weekend for our youngest. I'm trying to get him to nail down a menu (it's only us plus his grandparents as he really didn't want anything, but I still like to know and plan ahead of time).
Your sentence "Long awaited visits with the great-grandboy (and the rest of the family, of course!) " is so funny. I certainly can relate! Yes, summer is here! Hooray!
And yes, the great-grandboy gave us so much joy with his antics and activities. I'm working hard to stop calling him 'the baby' because he's long passed that stage. Just too much fun.
Your upcoming weekend sounds wonderful, Linda. Happy 50th to the Stolls! I hope your whole summer is full of rest and peace and delight. So thankful for your appearance in my inbox, regular or not.
I think it is delightful to take a break from schedule and rest. The idea of popping in periodically without stress of every week sounds wonderful to me too. Often I will take a break in December but what a good idea for summer time too. I will pray about that and look forward to your summer treats like ice cream this summer.
Jean, thanks. I can't remember when I took the pleasant pressure off myself to publish on Thursday mornings. I was beginning to notice a bit of edginess about it all and knew it was time to ease back.
Thanks for the encouraging words. I hope you find a summer rhythm that works well for you, too, friend.
Erin, yes. Those likes and shares pull us in like a magnet. I'm continuing to try to find a healthy balance in it all. May Jesus Christ be praised by our online life as well as our devotional life, our interactions with people we will never meet on this side of heaven - and our focus on blessing the ones who are right in front of our faces day in and out.
I love the photo at the end! Bless! June for me is winter, I am rugged up here. However, we've got VIVID on so I've been running around at night in the city. It does make a difference for the mood! #TalkaboutitTuesday
Lydia, welcome! Your name is sounding very familiar to me, and I'm guessings we've rubbed shoulders in this online life before. Thanks for taking the time to stop and chat. And I do hope summer comes your way sooner than you expect!
"Playing to an audience of One instead of trying to people please." Amen to this, Linda. Congratulations on your 50th along with all your other important family milestones. We just had a granddaughter and a grandson graduate this year. Time flies! How can it be that one I still visualize as a small child is now this far?! Enjoy your summer and special family moments! Love and blessings to you!
Trudy, I've been having a whole lot of those 'how can it be' experiences this year. Time is galloping ahead. I'm trying to make it count, to enjoy the smallest of blessings, and the priceless hours with those I love.
I hope your body is gaining strength and healing well. May these first days of summer warm your heart and encourage your spirit, dear one.
I certainly doubt it's the Foster's. You know that I know that you know that God has spared your life far longer than you expected. Look at all the people you're impacting, the poems you're penning, the artifacts you're creating, the pups you're saving.
Happy Anniversary ❤️ and enjoy the summer. Sounds like you've got several fun things planned. I'm a big swimmer and always look forward to being at the city pool, friend's pools and when possible the beach. This summer my routine has drastically been changed due to a foot/ ankle surgery. Because of a "surprise" cartilage problem once they were in there, I'm now doing 6 weeks of non weight bearing instead of the 2 I had planned. It's been challenging to say the least. Everything changed from caregiving for my mom who is 92 to my daily self care. I have to elevate pretty much all day and am wearing the hugest & heaviest boot I've ever seen. Sigh. I never in a million years knew being non- weight bearing could be so difficult! It is!! I'd like to say I'm reading & journaling more but truthfully I'm not because I seem to have lost my concentration. I just got The Calamity Club though so maybe that's the spark I'll need. I'm very overwhelmed with the size of the book however. So we'll see. Some days its hard to feel positive: not swimming, not driving, not sleeping, nerve pain, not attending church in person, missing fun summer events and other days I'm so grateful for the people who've reached out, family & friends, remembering I'm 3 weeks in out of 6 weeks so far! This will be a long , long recovery. Obviously much longer than I anticipated. I haven't even started PT yet! But I'm strong and I'm alive and I'm blessed , so very blessed! The sun is shining. I can see it's glorious rays from my recliner and I hear birds chirping. Its going to be a good day. Enjoy your summers everyone and make the summer count!
Oh Kay, this has been quite a life changer for you. I am sorry for what you're experiencing and all the changes and losses you're navigating. Hard stuff, for sure.
And then I read all the blessings you're listing and am touched by your faith and perseverance and ability to see the good things that are coming your way. That is such a gift of grace - and a real example for those of us who would be under the pile if we experienced this kind of season.
Thanks for your honesty and taking the time to chat. I'm praying for you as I hit REPLY, girl.
We're too busy to sit around looking at each other. Except for a quiet hour here and there. But thanks for always encouraging me to do my thing, even as you do yours. I love that God has given us this season together.
What a lovely post. Happiest of anniversaries to you -- fifty years is pretty amazing. Each and every word and photo is truly lovely. I think finally realizing that audience of one is pretty important to our own authenticity is one of the greater gifts of aging. It doesn't mean being self centered, just taking care and making the most of every remaining moment. I hope you have a lovely summer!
I hear you! I have decided we need a spreadsheet to keep up with everything going on this year! Hope you enjoy every minute! Happy 50th - nowadays that is a phenomenal achievement! ❤️
Linda, what a wonderful weekend you must have had - a HS graduation, 1st birthday, AND your 50th. Huge reasons for celebration, and for stepping away from the computer. I'll be doing the same for the month of July when we have our annual Rowe Family Camp, where we'll be celebrating our 50th a couple months late when the extended family gathers. Please share pix when you return, and thanks for encouraging the rest of us to enjoy summer by forgoing some of our usual activities. Blessings (still) from the Land of the Midnight Sun!
Oh I bet you are having an awesome early summer overseas, Maggie! And then family camp and your 50th celebration and all those good things.
And believe it or not, I didn't pull out my phone once to take pictures during any of the celebrations. I was too busy soaking in every bit, enjoying the moments we've waited forever for, celebrating without thinking about capturing the moment.
Rare..
But yes, there are pictures of our little guy in action. They'll give us smiles and memories 'til we get to see him again - in 10 days!
The photo at the end! So precious! I will miss you and hope you have a wonderful, happy, healthy summer!!
Yep, the photo gives us a glimpse of more joys to come, friend. We are grateful and excited at this awesome news.
And not to worry, we'll reconnect here before long! It'll just be sporadic instead of carved in stone.
So many joy-filled moments, Linda, both large and small - from anniversary and birthday celebrations to beachtime and ice cream. I hope and pray for a full and overflowing heart of love, joy, and peace for you and your family this summer. I'm currently traveling a lot to help children and grandchildren with their seasons of life. Audiobooks are great for listening in the car. Allen Levi's book led me to revisit Andy Andrews writings, and now I'm listening to E.B. White.
Enjoy all that family time, Lisa. These are the moments we live for. These are the good old days. And take naps whenever you can!
We have a grad party coming up next weekend for our youngest. I'm trying to get him to nail down a menu (it's only us plus his grandparents as he really didn't want anything, but I still like to know and plan ahead of time).
Joanne, I hope that your menu has unfolded by now and that you'll have fun in the preparation as well as the actual party!
He picked the easiest choice possible-- take out pizza!
Works for me!
Your sentence "Long awaited visits with the great-grandboy (and the rest of the family, of course!) " is so funny. I certainly can relate! Yes, summer is here! Hooray!
And yes, the great-grandboy gave us so much joy with his antics and activities. I'm working hard to stop calling him 'the baby' because he's long passed that stage. Just too much fun.
Your upcoming weekend sounds wonderful, Linda. Happy 50th to the Stolls! I hope your whole summer is full of rest and peace and delight. So thankful for your appearance in my inbox, regular or not.
Lois, thanks! It was so lovely in so many ways. Surprises and joys and lots of love. I'm so grateful.
I think it is delightful to take a break from schedule and rest. The idea of popping in periodically without stress of every week sounds wonderful to me too. Often I will take a break in December but what a good idea for summer time too. I will pray about that and look forward to your summer treats like ice cream this summer.
Jean, thanks. I can't remember when I took the pleasant pressure off myself to publish on Thursday mornings. I was beginning to notice a bit of edginess about it all and knew it was time to ease back.
Thanks for the encouraging words. I hope you find a summer rhythm that works well for you, too, friend.
Linda, I love the reminder to perform for an audience of One - easy to forget in the online world of “likes” and “shares.” Thank you!
Erin, yes. Those likes and shares pull us in like a magnet. I'm continuing to try to find a healthy balance in it all. May Jesus Christ be praised by our online life as well as our devotional life, our interactions with people we will never meet on this side of heaven - and our focus on blessing the ones who are right in front of our faces day in and out.
May it be so. Amen. ❤️
I love the photo at the end! Bless! June for me is winter, I am rugged up here. However, we've got VIVID on so I've been running around at night in the city. It does make a difference for the mood! #TalkaboutitTuesday
Lydia, welcome! Your name is sounding very familiar to me, and I'm guessings we've rubbed shoulders in this online life before. Thanks for taking the time to stop and chat. And I do hope summer comes your way sooner than you expect!
"Playing to an audience of One instead of trying to people please." Amen to this, Linda. Congratulations on your 50th along with all your other important family milestones. We just had a granddaughter and a grandson graduate this year. Time flies! How can it be that one I still visualize as a small child is now this far?! Enjoy your summer and special family moments! Love and blessings to you!
Trudy, I've been having a whole lot of those 'how can it be' experiences this year. Time is galloping ahead. I'm trying to make it count, to enjoy the smallest of blessings, and the priceless hours with those I love.
I hope your body is gaining strength and healing well. May these first days of summer warm your heart and encourage your spirit, dear one.
The title of your post reminded me of the Beatles' song, and the lovely accompanying video.
I hope it's okay that I post the YouTube link?
https://youtu.be/FusIKjztap8?si=oy0CW-GIW8xASjNR
***
The sounds of dogs, the sounds of fans,
the hot blade of the sun
as Barb and I deepen our tans
and days slide from many to one,
for each day is an archetype
of what summer was meant to be,
borning fresh and coming ripe
for a grateful eye to see.
It will pass, yes, all too fast,
and maybe I won't see its end;
like summer, I'm not made to last,
and I can't see 'round that bend,
but if it happens, it's okay
to bow out on a summer day.
***
No idea how I'm still here. Maybe I've been pickled by all the Foster's, or maybe God has a plan.
I certainly doubt it's the Foster's. You know that I know that you know that God has spared your life far longer than you expected. Look at all the people you're impacting, the poems you're penning, the artifacts you're creating, the pups you're saving.
Happy Anniversary ❤️ and enjoy the summer. Sounds like you've got several fun things planned. I'm a big swimmer and always look forward to being at the city pool, friend's pools and when possible the beach. This summer my routine has drastically been changed due to a foot/ ankle surgery. Because of a "surprise" cartilage problem once they were in there, I'm now doing 6 weeks of non weight bearing instead of the 2 I had planned. It's been challenging to say the least. Everything changed from caregiving for my mom who is 92 to my daily self care. I have to elevate pretty much all day and am wearing the hugest & heaviest boot I've ever seen. Sigh. I never in a million years knew being non- weight bearing could be so difficult! It is!! I'd like to say I'm reading & journaling more but truthfully I'm not because I seem to have lost my concentration. I just got The Calamity Club though so maybe that's the spark I'll need. I'm very overwhelmed with the size of the book however. So we'll see. Some days its hard to feel positive: not swimming, not driving, not sleeping, nerve pain, not attending church in person, missing fun summer events and other days I'm so grateful for the people who've reached out, family & friends, remembering I'm 3 weeks in out of 6 weeks so far! This will be a long , long recovery. Obviously much longer than I anticipated. I haven't even started PT yet! But I'm strong and I'm alive and I'm blessed , so very blessed! The sun is shining. I can see it's glorious rays from my recliner and I hear birds chirping. Its going to be a good day. Enjoy your summers everyone and make the summer count!
Oh Kay, this has been quite a life changer for you. I am sorry for what you're experiencing and all the changes and losses you're navigating. Hard stuff, for sure.
And then I read all the blessings you're listing and am touched by your faith and perseverance and ability to see the good things that are coming your way. That is such a gift of grace - and a real example for those of us who would be under the pile if we experienced this kind of season.
Thanks for your honesty and taking the time to chat. I'm praying for you as I hit REPLY, girl.
I will miss seeing you write
We're too busy to sit around looking at each other. Except for a quiet hour here and there. But thanks for always encouraging me to do my thing, even as you do yours. I love that God has given us this season together.
xo
What a lovely post. Happiest of anniversaries to you -- fifty years is pretty amazing. Each and every word and photo is truly lovely. I think finally realizing that audience of one is pretty important to our own authenticity is one of the greater gifts of aging. It doesn't mean being self centered, just taking care and making the most of every remaining moment. I hope you have a lovely summer!
Thanks for your sweet anniversary wishes, Jeanie. I wish you the same kind of lovely summer in your delightful little haven by the water.
Such an awesome annual gift to savor!
I hear you! I have decided we need a spreadsheet to keep up with everything going on this year! Hope you enjoy every minute! Happy 50th - nowadays that is a phenomenal achievement! ❤️
It DOES feel phenomenal. So many people have told me what a big deal it really is. Thanks for being one of them, friend.
Happy 50th to both of you 🫶🩷💒 And what a joy to be a part of that first birthday celebration 🎉 Enjoy those lazy summer days, Linda ☕️
Ellen, thank you! I'm so grateful and ready to roll for this special weekend of milestones. Celebrating God's goodness every step of the way.