After a week of unbelievably steamy, hot weather which drove me back to my “indoor” desk… the past two mornings have been a welcome change. Cooler temps and the lack of humidity found me back on my porch… ahhh! (Never fear, that hot, oppressive weather is due back any second now!)
All week I have been contemplating what to post on Friday… with no inspiration at all! But!! I have not done a Friday RIFF in a while… so let’s get started!
Reflecting —
July is a very good month for me to do some reflecting! My word, time, continues to be an engaging word for me and a bit of review in my journal reminded me that there is a book I want to (re)read before the summer is over. I might have forgotten it had I not done some reflecting on where I have been! I did some honest reflection on my closet… (those things I was keeping because I might someday be able to wear them again… ) well, I am happy to say that all those things are making their way to new homes! I pulled out my knitting last night and found comfort in the familiar rhythm of making one stitch after another. It was a pleasant way to pass the evening watching something on CreateTV with Steve.
Immersing —
Last December, I began a weekly practice with Margaret Renkl’s The Comfort of Crows. Each week, I read her essay and then I write down my thoughts about my backyard. This practice has been such a life altering thing for me. I feel “in” the season and have spent almost no time wishing for the next thing to arrive. And I am really loving the things I am realizing simply by paying attention to my ‘backyard world’. Steve is not a reader, but he has loved hearing essays and our discussions about them has been equally fun! (I guess we are officially old as birding is THE THING in our lives! LOL) I was more than a little bit excited when I saw that Margaret has me covered for next year as well!
(epic) Failure —
As in the MSM’s “Pundit’s” failure in coverage of President Biden. (I’d also add in here the elected White Men and White Women who have also showed their hand as well!) If you are wondering what I am talking about, just Google Brokered Conventions and see the results (cliffs notes: we lost every election where this happened!) When all this nonsense started, I had this niggling thought in my brain that what this was really all about was VP Harris… and I fear I am right.
and finally, because I don’t want to end this on that low note…
Feast —
Today I am baking something with some amazing Michigan blueberries! (Yes, I think Michigan blueberries are THE best!) and I put the ice cream maker back in the freezer to make a second batch of peach ice cream! (the first batch was amazing!) So there will be some summer feasting going on here! And now I am going to start the dough recipe that Carole shared a few weeks ago! Pizza happy hour FTW!
That’s all from me, have a great weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
Enjoy your pizza happy hour! Peach ice cream sounds wonderful…my ice cream maker bowl lives in the freezer, so it is ready….we are finally receiving a needed break from the heat and humidity (which are due back by Sunday and all of next week). With a broken washer, I am headed to the laundromat shortly. I’ll take a book. Doesn’t Renkl’s forthcoming journal look nice??
I think our humidity was decreased for about eight hours but at least we’re supposed to get rain today with cooler temperatures. I’m glad to hear about Margaret Renkl’s new book but I think I will wait and look at a copy before purchasing. (There is a Goodreads giveaway in case you haven’t entered.) I can barely read about the Democratic party further imploding week after week; I just know that I’m voting against T****.
Love the essay reading, journaling and reflecting – sounds delightful! I loved yesterday’s weather but jeez, today going forward yikes!!
I’ll take a look at those books, they sound right up my alley!
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the political situation. Wholeheartedly.
And I have had Michigan blueberries, and they are good, but I must admit that I am EXTREMELY partial to New Jersey blueberries myself. 🙂 Having said that, I have never actually met a blueberry that I didn’t like …
Keep cool, however you can!
Your July reflections are very nice and prompt me to do some reflecting of my own. Homemade ice cream sounds like a treat on these hot days. We had a bit of a respite but the heat is bearing down this weekend. I have an ice cream bowl in the freezer but haven’t used it since last year. Hmmm.
No matter what happens, I absolutely can’t vote for Trump even when I think Biden is delusional about his abilities. However, there are checks and balances to rein him in if needed. Trump is a loose cannon.
I hope your ice cream was superb and that those blueberries were divine! It seems we missed the nicer weather while we were away and are back to sauna season, so ice cream seems like a necessity rather than a treat.