My new ritual, in monthly reviews, is to give thanks that my family and friends are well and safe, that my cats, my home, and husband are well and safe, and that we all continue to take seriously the precautions necessary to keep us this way. I am also thankful for the time and space of mind and thought that this pandemic and social awakening has afforded me. Each month I feel that I am trying to be mindful and thoughtful instead of just proceeding as nothing has happened. I am continually trying to rethink and realign my goals and priorities to lead more of the life that I want, a life that will make me joyful, relaxed, and mindful of others.
The garden was booming in June, and even got a bit too hot by the end of the month. We ate peas, lettuces, kale, blueberries, radishes and herbs in the beginning of the month. But now most of that has bolted, and we are trying to eat up the last of the lettuces, and such. We pluck the tips off of the herbs to keep them growing, but the radishes we let go to seed, to replant a new crop later in the season.
We have settled more into our routines for work, but has been hard to get used to an ever changing schedule and I for one, long for fall already. Every year around this time, I realize how much of summer I miss out on bc of my job and my natural aversion to people and crowds, but this year is more intense as many visitors are not caring to adhere to rules for face masks and social distancing. June was a big reminder that Local Summer is best.
In June we tried to continue our nightly walks as much as possible. We were even able to get away for a day, change up our perspective a bit. We don’t mind staying at home at all but leaving and traveling, even just a few extra miles, helped us be thankful for staying home again.
On our walks in June we saw so many #watchercats! In July, I suspect they will hide more from the heat. But this month, they lounged in the evening on porches and in windows. We also saw rabbits, deer, dogs, beetles, birds and other critters this month.
In some ways, from the beginning of June to the end, felt like many months. There were many ups and downs. And yet the time flew by and we are more than half way done with the year. We will have to be careful to balance ourselves in July, our work and our time, our creativity and our health, so that month is not gone before we know it.