With only a few days left...

   With only a few day left in the month of July, this summer seems to be moving right along... kinda! Many I have spoken with have made a somewhat similar comment...”When is summer finally going to get here with the hot muggy days and the warm uncomfortable nights?”

   For sure we have had some very picturesque days, clear blue skies, warm sunny days, but not too many breaking the 90 degree mark, perhaps just one or two.

   There have been several warm nights, but none that have required the air conditioner at full blast for extended periods of time.

   August 1^st seems to be a date, however, that signals a midpoint. Half way through the summer, only several  weeks before the new school year begins, kids  think about trading in their swim suits for textbooks and backpacks and become  eager for back to school shopping to see the latest in this year's 'must haves' styles and clothing trends.

   High school teams begin those dreaded 'two-a-day' practices. Parents are ready for the time when the house will be quiet during the day for at least a few minutes..

   Those families who haven't taken their vacations yet begin to panic. Can't we just squeeze in maybe a day or two away? Please?

   Even the mosquitoes and black flies seem a bit out of sorts this year. But the deer flies? They are in great form right now.

   Mid-summer is a time when people look forward to those few remaining warm days and trips to the beach, or maybe the last neighborhood barbecue.

    Is there still time to have one last yard sale, to clean out the garage in order to make room for the snow blower? Of course there is! In fact, I was able to pick up a really great lawn mower just the other day at a sale right down the street. And the price? Perfect. I'll take it. And by the way all you skeptics... it does work!

   But August 1^st, or there about, is a time to also look back. It's an opportunity to pat yourself on the back for the projects you were able to complete around the house this year, a bit of outdoor painting, working in the garden, finishing up on those indoor projects that didn't get done this past winter.

   And one can not forget the outdoor pizza and bread oven my wife and I recently finished, a project a bit larger and more challenging than we had anticipated, or at least more challenging than I had anticipated.. Who knew we would need so many rocks and sand!  Who knew our yard had so many rocks! (although the lawn mower knew) Who knew there were so many textures of sand? But the smell of the freshly cooked pizza and baking breads, it was well worth the work and the weather cooperated with no rain and cool temperatures.

    Normally, when we start a project like this, the temperatures soar well into the 90's. But now that it's done, I bet the neighbors are jealous as the smell of baking bread fills the neighborhood. (No. we am not going to trade a loaf of fresh bread for your very well used weed whacker. And besides, I know it doesn't work.)

   Summertime is suppose to be a time for fun and family, a break from the world events and tragic news. But the airways have remained filled with the news of shootings and killings, of the devastation caused by flooding and storms, of the world financial and political struggles and the seemingly endless wars and terrorist attacks.

   And speaking of politics...Come on folks, sixteen candidates and still counting and the election is still over a year away. Think of all the money that is being spent. Perhaps if there is that much money to be spent getting elected in this country, for almost any office these days it seems, the time has come to look for a better system. (Reminds me of the new 'golden rule.' He, or she, who has the gold... rules! Isn't that right Mr Trump??)

   And as for “politics' in Maine this summer, it's unfortunate  this is the new way of doing business "as usual" or maybe it's worse than usual. Well... at least some of the states' law attorneys have some work this year. Bet they're not on vacation right now. (Are the Koch Bros. really paying the legal bills?)

   Looking back on this year's summer projects, I would say that we were able to accomplish more than in the past years. Perhaps it was because I am not sharing that precious time with working or maybe we were better organized, or both. Are there more outdoor projects  to complete before the snow flies? Of course. But if we were to finish  everything, then there would be nothing to do or to complain about.

   Before long, September will be at the doorstep and that means Fall in Maine. It is my favorite season. The nights will be cooler and the weather forecasters will be soon warning of frost. The leaves on the trees will be turning from a rich green color to bright reds and gold and before long it will be time to break out the rake and... think about starting up the old snow blower, to see if it still runs of course. (I said 'only think about it'.)

   And the first night with a fire in the pellet stove to take the chill out of the air, we'll take a look at the pictures we took this summer on the cell phones, decide the ones to keep or delete, cut a steamy hot piece of pizza, tomato and fresh basil, freshly cooked in the outdoor oven and turn off the evening news. See...It's summer all over again. :)