Second week of June

The full "Strawberry Moon" rising over my neighborhood Wednesday night.

Another weekend is almost at an end. Sundays have lost some of their depressing feel now that we've been at home for so many weeks. The days all just seem to run together lately.

My husband is going back to work full time this coming week. I'm really uneasy about it. Positive Covid-19 cases are rising at a higher rate than ever in this state, but at some point I guess we have to try to resume a more normal life (with new precautions). After all, the virus isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I'm just going to have to deal with my anxiety about it all and hope for the best. Gregg promised me he'll be careful--standing several feet away from others, trying to avoid touching his face, frequent handwashing. Aside from his one risk factor, he's in good health, and if he should get sick he is assured of getting the very best care possible. The friend that undoubtedly saved his life when he had cancer is the very best pulmonologist in this area, and I know that he would do everything in his power to help if we needed him. So that's some comfort, too.

Our 14th wedding anniversary is coming up next week, on Friday. Since Fridays are one of Gregg's normal days off, we'll be able to spend it together, at least. Obviously with the virus out there we won't be going anywhere to celebrate. I'm hoping that next year we can rent a cottage somewhere on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We haven't been up there in years and years, since before we were married. It's beautiful and we've been wanting to go back and have a vacation there again. Maybe next year we can manage it.

The weather here continues to be nice. It's been humid and we've had lots of rain, but the pounding heat we usually have by now hasn't really shown up. The highs this coming week don't even hit 90F. Gardenias and magnolia flowers are blooming all around the neighborhood. Our Crepe Myrtle trees are just beginning to flower, too. It's a nice time of year (when it isn't too hot).

What's this time of year like where you live? Are you getting back to "normal" yet or are you still staying at home and trying to avoid Coronavirus? How is your summer going so far?

How the summer began

My 10 week summer vacation has begun, and I have no idea what to do with myself. I haven't had a whole summer off since I was a teenager. There are so many things I would like to accomplish in the next two or three months! I'm so glad I kept applying for jobs with the school district; it took three years, but getting this job has changed my life. Summer break feels like the biggest payoff so far.

I actually missed the last three days of school this year. I went in to work the morning after grandma died because I wasn't sure what else to do. As soon as I told someone what had happened, everyone started saying, "Why are you here? You need to go and be with your family." The secretary went ahead and scheduled me for paid days off (bereavement pay) for the rest of the week. I stayed long enough to call a couple of parent volunteers to come help answer phones, and  tie up a couple of loose ends, and then I went on home. Of course, I drove to my hometown that afternoon and sat with my dad for a few hours. It's tough to lose your mother.

The funeral was yesterday. My dad and aunt had arranged for a very simple service in the funeral parlor chapel followed by a procession to the cemetery. I had forgotten how a funeral procession still works in a small southern town: there are police escorts on either end, and police at every traffic light and intersection along the way so that all oncoming cars must yield. Most of the cars on the opposite side of the highway leading out of town will pull off the side of the road (or else stop right in the middle of it) out of respect while a funeral passes by. Gregg and I had both forgotten about those customs and marveled that they still exist.

Speaking of my husband, most of my dad's family had never met him before the funeral yesterday. He looked so handsome in his smart dark suit, and his manners were so nice, that I was proud of him. He's been really sweet and supportive during all this, and I feel like a fortunate woman.

Now that the funeral and other family responsibilities are over, I'm trying to wrap my head around the idea that I am off work.....for weeks and weeks! I don't want to waste a single day of savoring this new summer freedom.

A morning in June

It's a beautiful, warm, sunny morning. Everything is lush and green and full of life outside my window. The fledgling sparrows are all over the bird feeders, young squirrels are on tiptoe underneath snatching seed (with one wary eye on Ginger the whole while) and scores of bees are cavorting in lavender blossoms. The blueberries are hanging heavy on the bushes, and are just beginning to turn a pale, faint blue. The copious amounts of rain we've received this year are filling out the walnuts in our trees, and this may be the year we finally have a nut harvest. Another sunflower has bloomed next to one of the bird feeders, and stands a proud 5 feet tall, overlooking the herb patch. The neighborhood smells of lemony magnolia flowers, large as dinner plates and opening in dozens of trees; gardenias, and freshly cut grass.

  In short, it's a wonderful morning!

And best of all, GB has been feeling better and better. So much better, in fact, that he is off for the very first time this morning at one of his aquarium maintenance jobs. This is his first day going to work since December. I am so proud of him! And finally, there is the beginning of a feeling of hope inside me that finally, finally, things may be getting better and back to normal for us. 

Welcome, June!

Fiery daylilies blooming in the backyard this morning.