Buzz of Summer

When it hits 4th of July weekend, there's always that point in my mind where I remember it feels like the mid-point of summer.  It's hot.  The air is thick.  Our skin is sticky and coated with layers of sunscreen and bug spray.  Hair sticks to the back of my neck.  Bathing suits and towels always feel damp.  We sit on the ground and eat popsicles and water mellon and crave root beer floats. And this is when I feel alive. Energized and busy like the bees in my garden.  Buzzing.  Following rituals. Constantly in motion. 

This holiday weekend was no disappointment.  We had the treat of staying home and parading and running through farmland and swimming in the intense splendor of summer.  I kept thinking all weekend about the power of rituals around seasons and holidays.  The importance of rituals.  And how what we do shapes ourselves and our children. There is a place and a rhythm where they exist or are created.  

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Sunday we found ourselves on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, landing at Jenny & George's house, playing with our extended family, the Wheatley's.  Jenny and George are surrounded by farmland, so their house was nestled among haystacks and corn fields.  

Alex ran into the corn field with Jack and within 6 rows, she was undetectable. 

They were just short enough to run through the rows without feeling the sharp edges of the corn husks.  I cannot say the same about my experience in the field.

Alex was in love with Jenny's 4 year old daughter Katie.  They ran in the fields, held hands, swung together, and loved picking flowers from Wayne's garden.

I enjoyed roaming through Wayne's plot.

 It was my first time seeing the massive scale of broccoli, cantaloupe, and zucchini.  Remember I am a virgin harvester this year.

Wayne explained to me how he designed the beds with irrigation and which bugs are affecting his harvest.  Still, he has a bounty.  And I am energized from seeing his harvest just like I am from studying other gardeners' perennial beds.

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We stayed on the boat over the weekend - call it a "boatcation" if you will.  It's 50 paces from home, but you feel hundreds of miles away from daily life.

Alex finally discovered the cool little nook/cave under the V-berth pillow.  It can't be any bigger than a few square feet, but it's perfect for her. She sat under there with a flashlight and her doll Sallie and belted out "Somewhere over the Rainbow."

We made some sugary sweet treats for friends.

 RC Treats are the one treat that fits every holiday.  Just add a shape and sprinkles and voila!

Yes, they disappeared quickly. Thank God.  We ate peaches so juicy that Alex stripped down to her skivvies.

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And then we paraded on the 4th.  Oh how we paraded.  Two times to be exact.

The first one was in Eastport at the first annual children's parade.  Children were encouraged to decorate and ride their bikes, but seeing that someone doesn't like to her Skuut, I opted to make a Statue of Liberty costume from 1 yard of white material and 1/2 yard of 1/2" foam.  Thank God Mom taught me to be resourceful.

More than 50 families attended, and we got to see fellow friends Nathan & Brock. The bonus: it was lead by Police escort and a fire truck!

It ended at the local playground and every child won an award.

I commend the mom's for getting a list together of each child's costume/entry, and for making sure that there were lollipops, water, and snacks for the kids.  What a treat. I can't wait to make this a tradition.


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The second parade was a bit more of an old-fashionned, Anytown USA, American Pie parade in Galesville, MD.  Ben drove the Faces of Valor car, which led the event this year.

It's what you think of a patriotic parade - old cars, ponies, marching bands, large wagons pulling local families, and candy being tossed at kids. Alex loved sitting in the car waving her flag at people as we drove down the route.  She had a grin ear-to-ear.

Here's Alex at the end of the Parade.  Exhausted, but still waiving strong.

I loved watching kids sitting on the side of the road, hot and sweaty but armed with buckets - just waiting for the moment to pounce on the treats being tossed from the parade vehicles.


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We ended the holiday surrounding ourselves with friends on the back lawn of the marina.  Splayed out on blankets, eating s'mores, playing corn hole, and holding littles who were waiting for fireworks.  

And when I closed my eyes I could hear the buzz of children, of excitement, of summer.  And I knew rituals were there and it was simple but oh so good.  It makes me excited for next year, but then again, I don't want to wish one day of my current summer away. Simply rejoicing and being content.