So, August comes to a close, and the air is smokey and the ground is dry and I pray for rain. Right now, I am looking forward to Autumn like one looks forward to the first slice of bread from a fresh loaf.
We are in that cursed in-between time where the glow of summer is gone but the heat and sticky dryness linger on and on and on. I can taste the dust in my mouth. My zucchinis are not growing as quickly as I hoped.
Most of my August days have been spent sweating in my car (no A/C), organizing belongings, praying for wildfire victims, breathing in toxic fumes, and did I mention sweating??
Even still, I am blessed. My house is still standing, I survived a month by myself in my department, and we are almost done installing shelves in our home office, which will lead to a wondrous and glorious day where Sal and I finally combine our books. A lovely privilege to look ahead to.
Our honeymoon trip is also under a month away now, and it finally feels real since we have our flights booked, places to stay, and side quests established. I cannot wait to spend two weeks exploring with my most bestest friend and dearest of my heart. It will be delicious to rest and reset.
Right after we got married, as we drove the six-ish hours home, I felt we were in a little bubble of sunshine all our own. I understood then why couples leave for their honeymoon right after the wedding—that’s the best way to keep that bubble intact for as long as possible!
That said, I do not regret our plan. We still have our bubble. It’s my favorite place to be. It just sometimes involves a very persistent Labrador who thinks he is a lapdog.
Speaking of intrusive small beings, I was volunteering in the kids ministry at church today (K-1st), and if there is one thing that’s good for, it’s for flooding my body with relief that none of them are coming home with me. (Kidding. Mostly.)
Truly, it can be quite rewarding, but other times it’s more of a survive-if-you-can environment, especially today, as we were down a volunteer and I was alone with about 15 little girls. That’s too many girls. That’s when “Okay, forget small group, we’re all coloring” is the strategy and you pray no one shoves a crayon into their eye somehow.
But I digress…if there was anything really to digress from in the first place. Debatable.
My point is a gallivant across Europe sounds pretty great right about now.
But first! We are taking a quick weekend trip to Chicago, which is so great because I have been wanting to go there for years. I am going to see THE BEAN. THE BEEEEAAANN. At last!
Anyway, next month’s update will probably be posted from some tiny cafe in Edinburgh or something, so if you like travel content, circle back for that. I will try to encapsulate the wanderlust of my blossoming world-traveling spirit without sounding like an insane person. Stay tuned.
Thank you for reading!