July 17th, 2017
Day 198
She is the Queen of the Catdom around here. After surviving who knows what, before showing up at our door pregnant and starving a few years ago, not much phases her. She had lost a tip of an ear before we knew her, and had 11 babies in a short time after we took her in (who knew a cat could get pregnant while she still had kittens... not I, I say...)
Every evening she rules the living room from her perch, keeping an eye on the lower classes of dog and human.
July 16, 2017
Day 197
She had been asking to paint her tree-fort and I had continued to say "no" for not any other reason than I wanted her help doing the miserable outdoor painting task we have ongoing.
As I painted above my head, paint and sweat dripping on me, I heard them say "For pete's sake, let her paint." I don't know if it was the voices of all the mothers and grandmothers that have gone before me who were collectively chastising me, or who it was, but I realized my stubbornness was silly. She is a child. It is summer. She is a creative. These are the experiences she needs.
We went into the basement and looked through the vast colors of paint (because Lord knows, we don't throw anything around here) and she found several suitable colors. Outfitted with some brushes, a paint stick, a paint key and her little brother in tow, she pulled a wagon off to her fort.
She never saw me ninja-sneak along the long grass to capture this moment. As I sat and watched them, I thanked the angels that set me straight today.
July 15, 2017
Day 196
He is between a boy and a young man. I am grateful he still hugs me and does not yet wear a permanent eye roll. I only have a half inch on him in height, and yet his feet are longer than mine. Next month he is a teenager, and yet I can recall the summer, I carried him inside me with great detail. I want this sweet between time to last a little longer...
July 14, 2017
Day 195
The vault is about all that remains of the First State Bank in the ghost town of Merricourt, ND. We traveled the back roads today on our way to the Whitestone Hill Battle Field (more like massacre field.) I wonder the dreams that were tied to the funds that this vault held at one time.
July 13, 2017
Day 194
One of my favorite things we inherited when we bought our home, was this clematis plant. Every year I can count on it to bloom large and full, creating an expanse of purple on the side of our deck. It blossoms regardless of its surrounding circumstances, because that is what it is meant to do. We should be all strive to be like this clematis.
July 12, 2017
193
"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have courage to lose sight of the shore."
-Andre Gide
So many times in our days together, the hubby and I have done this: stood on the edge of an unknown and leapt.
Relying on faith, trusting all will work out.
It has provided for a wonderful, wild ride so far.
July 11, 2017
Day 192
The storm built all day, and despite our desperate need for rain, we will get none. Areas east of us will be hit with its pent up energy. Prayers will continue for the skies to open up and quench the thirsty ground that is becoming parched.