Farewell to Summer

Recently I threw away the dirty, torn remains of our plastic blow-up pool. Much to my kids dismay, we had a very low key summer and as a result spent many hours enjoying our own backyard beach. It is amazing the fun they can have with a $10 piece of plastic. I would sit under the umbrella and read, so as not to burn my delicate skin, and they would slide, splash and attempt to swim in the 3 foot circle. When the summer toys come on sale next spring, I’ll be the first in line to buy the blow-up pool.

A few weeks ago I was inspired by my friend Emily, (who happens to be my cousin-in-law) and her beautiful “perspective” on sleeping in their backyard. (Listen here) Who wouldn’t want to have their own Midsummer Night’s Dream? Unfortunately, our house doesn’t back up to a vineyard, but instead to a bird refuge that looks more like a 3^rd world refugee camp, only with strange squawking sounds. And we don’t have a trampoline, so we made do with a tent and tarp (should have just stuck with the tarp) and instead of overhearing the sounds of Shakespeare, we listened to the train and 24 hour road construction. Pretty much the white trash version of a beautiful event. BUT, it was a lot of fun and I regret not doing it more this summer. So next summer I hope to have plenty of swimming and sleeping under the stars.