Almost August??

We’re starting the next phase of summer – the hang out & see what happens phase and it’s been lovely so far (all two days). So many fewer obligations. Madelyn had a playdate today with a friend, and when they wanted to swim and have her stay later, that was fine. I called a friend and she/her kids & me/Owen went to the town beach and it was so much quieter because it wasn’t blazing hot. We got a little school in both days, too. Reading, a trip to the library, etc. Just so much more relaxed.

I got in the garden, too. I pulled the 50ish bulbs of garlic this afternoon, and put them in open-weave garden trays in the rafters of the shed. I also picked raspberries – of all the plants we grow, those are probably the most prolific, and certainly worth the most. Sometimes I easily pick $60 worth of raspberries. It’s crazy. This year I’ve noticed a lot of “twins” – never seen that before. It seemed like there were a lot of twins in the strawberry fields too. Please tell me you know what I mean!

I got some lobstah compost and organic fertilizer at our farmer’s store, so I can amend where the garlic was and plant kale, chard, beets, lettuce in whatever combination tomorrow.

The air already has that August fair/camping chill to it, especially in the morning and after 4pm. This is why I always misunderestimate when to plant fall crops, because we go from really friggin’ hot for a few days to chilly again. Not that we won’t have some more hot days/weeks, we will, but the air and the light are definitely starting to change. How is that even possible?? The afghan is back on the bed or within reach, and my trusty cardigan is hanging from my dining room chair again.

I’m reading a new book, 12×12, and it is connecting with the Schooling for Humanity book in interesting ways. I know there’s been a lot of writing about things mostly only interesting to me, but I like this space for writing quotes/thoughts about the books I read.

We had just-picked raspberries for dinner, with yogurt, and then some of us had leftover potato salad, with local eggs and potatoes from the farmstand and the last bit of last year’s garlic scape pesto; I had a big salad with lettuce from our garden and carrots from the farmstand and local eggs (plus tortilla chips and blue cheese and balsamic salad dressing). So good!

We had a very nice birthday celebration (mine, husband’s, FIL’s) on Sunday, with cake and candles for all of us, and presents, and a trip to the candlepin bowling alley. I’ve only been once before, years ago, and I won! Too funny.

Tomorrow Owen has his 8-year-old check-up and I know the doctor is going to mention his weight. I don’t really know what to do about it, but I’m aware of needing to keep an eye on it. He already doesn’t drink anything but water/skim milk/lemon water, and has SO much fruits and vegetables, so it’s not that. Yes, we have dessert, but not every meal or every day, and it’s usually homemade. I’ve been mindful of his portions, and that’s probably where we really need to watch. But it’s hard. He’s also super-active, so that’s not an easy solution either. UGH. Anyway, I like/trust/appreciate our doctor, so that’s good. I just know she’ll have something to say.

Looking forward to more days like this…