Capturing the Best of Summer

Every day has been a rainy day this week.  The local streams have overflowed and caused all kinds of trouble for residents.  I will complain about the big hill I live on and have to walk up at the end of a walk but being on a big hill has its benefits.  As I sit in my kitchen typing, once again the clouds of doom are out and it feels like another stormy day.

Along with the storms, I have a dog that is now afraid of thunder and sits on my lap until the thunder is gone.  My dog groomer/trainer/the lady I babysit for says it's because he is old and his eyesight is not as good and that makes him unsure of where the noise is coming from. 

My babysitting schedule might be changing this fall.  Instead of two mornings a week, I will be doing one full day a week.  I'm excited about this change because when I work two mornings a week, nothing gets done in the afternoons, I'm exhausted.  One full day with a possible nap time (for her not me) would be appealing and free up another day.  

Holly has been watching Frodo from afar twice this week.  In the above photo, Frodo was up earlier than usual because of the thundering and Holly was trying to decide what to make of his freedom.

This morning, Frodo was NOT under the ottoman but Holly acted like he was and was inching closer and closer to his space, with bravery and a little fear mixed in.

After I stated that the chasing has vanished, someone has decided to start it up again.  Holly is a smart cat and is gone before Frodo has enough traction to get going. 

This week has been great, I've been home every day after the gym and some routine doctor visits.  I've been knitting and reading in the afternoons.  I missed that so much while I was in back recovery mode.  Knitting is my therapy.  I experience calmness and peace whenever I am engaged. 

There are only four more weeks left of my summer break and I feel like I didn't truly use my time wisely.  Where did the time go?  What do I have to show for it?  What would I like to accomplish before the new school year, new babysitting year starts?

As you know, I love a well-honed list of tasks but then being spontaneous has some whimsical benefits.  I try to keep my mornings on a schedule of sorts - I go to the gym, then run any errands for that day and try my best to be home for lunch.   

My afternoons are free and untethered.  I usually knit or read or both.  I take my camera for a walk about and capture the best of summer.  So far, I'm not wishing the summer away yet.  I made myself a promise to enjoy each season fully.  Summer is my least favorite yet I'm able to appreciate the gifts from Mother Nature.

One goal that I accomplished is my scaling back of social media.  My favorite way to consume the internet is reading blogs.  Not many people are blogging like they used to, they've switched to Instagram.  I'm on Instagram, but the algorithms they've implemented aren't to my liking.
I miss the old chronological way.  When I am on social media, I put myself on a time limit.

If you are blogging make sure your blog is linked to your profile when you comment so I can see it and visit.  If you are not blogging, you should, it's fun! 

I remember starting out and wishing for someone, anyone to read and comment on my blog.  Gah.  The insecurities that go with putting yourself out in the world. 

How are you capturing the best of summer?