Outside my window…it’s beautiful. Still in the 90s during the days, but the evenings have cooled off and it’s nice to have even a bit of a break from the heat…sure makes evening cross country meets almost bearable. (Do you want to hear my opinion on Texas and the cross country season? I doubt it. Let me just say that we really should march to the beat of our own drum…change the season to late September thru November…you know, when it’s beautiful running weather here…let the rest of the country follow our lead.)

I am remembering…our adventure at The Yard this past summer. Overpriced dessert (but I did get to keep the glass so there’s that) but fun to experience something so extravagantly out of the norm for us…and to experience colors like William’s and Katie’s that are clearly not found in nature.

I am thankful for…another photographer in the house to catch moments like these…

*Photos by Katie Satery

I am watching…Perfect Strangers. Why don’t they make shows like this anymore? Or is it nostalgia that makes me think this show is so fabulous? “Don’t be ridiculous.”

I am wondering…what’s the story here.

I am hoping…for a fall full of low humidity, perfect temps and open windows kind of days.

I am pondering…the complexities of sibling relationships. Sometimes these two get along brilliantly…other days, not even close. As in, I want to run from the room screaming when they’re near each other.

I am laughing…at this…I feel threatened by this tiny thing clearly indicating that she’s got her eyes on someone…the question is…did her opponent (who was Joseph) feel the heat?

I am planting…nothing. On the contrary, I am pulling every heat-stressed, dead plant from my garden and preparing the beds for fall.

I am reflecting…on this thought by William Martin…

Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.

Around the house…the usual (will this ever get more exciting?)…laundry, cooking, schooling.

In the schoolroom…we just wrapped up week 11 of the new school year (Joseph is a Junior, William is a Freshman, Andrew is in 7th and Katie in 5th) so beginning on Monday, we start our exam week. Curious to see how they do and how well they’ve retained what they’ve learned these last 11 weeks…it has been a full schedule and a busy term. While I was reluctant to let go of planning on my own, I’m enjoying The Alveary’s book choices and the ease of weekly planning.

I am wearing…a Frio River t-shirt (so, so soft cotton) with blue shorts. Blue on blue. I’m making a terrible fashion statement.

We are preparing for…adventure.

Someday I am going to miss…the early morning runs, waiting for the starting signal to go off while standing beneath the scorching Texas sun, the thrill of watching my kids cross the finish line, the overall busyness of cross country season.

I am reading…The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. I’ve been excited to read this one for awhile…it’s one of her less well known novels but it gets high praise from folks who love Anne of Green Gables.

One of my favorite things…hiking with this gang.

A peek into my day…

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