july 17: in tune

I've been pondering our days of late and wondering if the substance -or lack thereof, as it sometimes seems- is a good thing.
We haven't done many science experiments, haven't met anyone new and cool in history, our timeline sits on our wall quiet and frozen.

And then I remember most often the rhythm and doing of our days is decided upon by Mama Nature and these two little children.
And so books are drug to the patio. Spoons are taken out to the garden. The first steps of the day usually go directly to the warming raspberry bush. The pool is espied and judged for its friendliness. It is remembered that there is still enough icecream for one or two more cones, and Mama remembers where she left her Things To Make or Things To Learn About stacks of books.

shrug.
It's summertime.
The natural rhythm is different from a while ago.
The rooms we play in are different.
Instead of sitting at the kitchen table, we sit at the patio to play and make.
Snacks are eaten while lying on the trampoline, waving one's feet in the air.
Rocks are turned over, hummingbird visits are counted, dragonflies are named, favorite lakes and ponds are discussed and planned for, and most everything we do -mundane or magic- first begins with Outside.

Yesterday (and today hopefully Mama will finish) cleaning house was on the agenda.
It's so hard! It's so hard to spend time shining something up that (desperately needs it, but that) you only see in passing through to Outside!
My stacks of herbal books call me.
A new color appears in the veggie garden that must be investigated!
A glass of iced tea clinks on the patio, demanding to be appreciated.

Such was our day yesterday.
Such is our life.

Last night we packed up a picnic dinner and headed to a favorite nearby park for Movie-in-the-Park-Friday.
We were meeting friends there. With giggles and running and pillows.

Life in the city isn't all bad.

And I ponder the things coming up in our next few days... a family barbecue, watching Hopi Native American Indian dancers, outdoor music concerts, nature investigations with Earth Scouts...

...and I'm left thinking,
Well? How else would you have it?
'Tis Summer's time.
Let Her Be.

sigh.
And so I shall.