Around Here

We're in the dog days of summer, but it's apparent the light is waning. The sun is not as high in the sky and the days are just a tad noticibly shorter. Next week August arrives and the countdown to back to school ensues. Between now and then, we have to move both kids out of their Madison apartments. Ted's done with school and starts his job after Labor Day. He's back in the nest. Lily will move to a new apartment first semester and then spend spring semester in Spain. Finally she caught a break after numerous disappointments at the over enrolled UW.

We're forgoing our week at Webb Lake this summer because Barcelona here we come. I'm sad because it is always the way we wrap up summer, but it's not cheap. In fact, we did the math and it costs almost as much as a European vacay. 

Lily has a big birthday on the horizon. My baby is turning twenty and I'm not sure how that's even possible. I'm not going down that rabbit hole today because it's a beautiful Saturday and we have plans just the two of us this evening. The boys are going to the Red Hot Chili Peppers tonight.

Last night my brother and sister in law came for an impromptu Friday night bbq. I finally found some

bone in skin on chicken breasts at the store. Ted suggested a brown butter sage paparadelle pairing that sounded so good and it was. Lily was home from the Brewer's game in time for dessert and games. Sometimes plans on the fly are the best plans especially when my peeps are around the table.

 

Weekendings

Last week was a bit of a blur. I was sucked in by the RNC, which was taking place in my own city. I stayed away because crowds and glued to the television because it was the first time I've felt hope in quite some time. The attempt on 45ths life was shocking and yet not unexpected. It was one of those moments that we'll talk about where we were when. I watched it live. We were an hour late to a neighbor's low country boil because I couldn't look away.

Oddly, the nation's evening's nadir did not come up as we gathered around the long table to break bread and crack claws and drink wine with friends new and old. I happen to know we were in the company of divergent beliefs, but it didn't put a damper on the lovely night because we are grown-ups. It's really quite a concept.

Sunday we headed to the lake because it was a perfect beach day and also one that called for getting off the grid. Lake Michigan cooperated. It was wavy and warm. Warm enough to get in and go under. To stay in. We spent the night on a whim and it was a good choice. I miss the lake house, but the tree house has a delightful deck that juts out into the pines and makes one feel as if we're in the middle of nowhere. Alone. Something about the weekend's unfurling made that comforting. 

 

I'm coming out of my cocoon...slowly, but surely. Candace and Jess came for an impromptu happy hour on Thursday. Happy it was especially because Ted joined we ladies for a game of Wavelength. It's a good one to add to the game closet and a great way to start the weekend...wine and cheese and kindreds too. 

The weekend was a real good one. We had a fun date with Ted and Meryl Saturday...a chill patio dinner at a nearby cantina, a stop for the flavor of the day and then a drive to see the almost full moon on the rise over the lake. After coffee and croissants the next morning, we had a doubles match that ended in a tie we were unable to break because Grandma and Grandpa were stopping by for a Sunday afternoon visit. Lucky for me and Mike since we were getting tired and poised to suffer defeat. It was finally nice enough to sit on the patio.  Lily was busy training, golfing and with friends all weekend, but she was able to join us for family dinner. It's my best loved weekend bookend.

And now I'm ready for the week ahead.

Not Just Looking, but Seeing

On my way to work the other day, I locked eyes with a doe who was stuck on the side of the highway. She was caught between 4 lanes of traffic (soon to be 6 or 8...I've lost track) and the ominous concrete sound walls that flank the adjacent neighborhood. I felt her fear in the second it took to pass her. It was palpable. She had nowhere to go. It was heartbreaking.

I no sooner settled in at work when Alan got a call that his wife hit a deer, or was hit by a deer. It ran into the side of her car. She watched her die. I cannot unsee my deer, or her deer. I cannot shake the feeling that they are harbingers of something heavy.

Heavy it is. My head, my heart, my spirit. The air. It's stagnant. Our walks the past couple nights have been battling through the thick of something oppressive, and yet getting out is never a regret.

Even if it means that I have to take two showers in one day, or do more laundry, or sit down for dinner at an hour some people consider bedtime. It was homemade pizzas last night. A pie for each of us. It's the way that everyone can have exactly what they want and leftovers too except for Ted who can polish his off STAT. We ate in front of the tv so we could watch The Firm. The kids hadn't seen it. I saw it once and I remember it being more captivating. I think that just speaks to how far we push limits now...more violence, sex, drama...faster, bigger, badder.

Speaking of boundaries, what about the dividing lines we as a country have created? We have a president who has clearly been in steady decline his entire term, first being hidden by supporters and the media and now castigated with indignation by the very same players. This is all being aired out on the world stage. It's like a SNL sketch, only it's not remotely funny. It's sad and disgusting and terrifying. All of this steps beyond the realm of political party divides. This is THE threat to our democracy. The 46th president has been a Manchurian candidate under the control of the deep state.

And I want to say I told you so, but there's no gravitas in watching the country I love go to shambles. 

The fourth didn't have the effect on me it usually does. I usually leave the beach all kumbaya America, but I'm not being dramatic when I say that the scene reminded me of a scene from you name the war...the beach. Normandy, Omaha, Utah. My nerves had nerves.

It was the kind of night without a horizon. There was no visible reach or moon as marker. The smoke from the fireworks clung to the dewy air. The Fog meets The Longest Day meets some kind of survivor apocalypse. Can you see it? The shadow silhouettes on the shore, the glow of bonfires up and down the beach, no stars in the sky. It wasn't glory. It was guts. Though without guts...what do we have?

Happy Birthday Baby

At 248 years old, America is very young. That's nothing in nation years. Dog, cat, human years...sure, but as far as civilizations go, we are still in our infancy. Despite all of our flaws, and oh are there a litany, today is about independence and democracy and perseverance. I hope we can be united on this one day on the ideals upon which our states were founded. 

Casa Wags is quiet. Teddy is in Ohio on Lake Erie for the weekend, Lils just left in her Jeep with her bike in back to hit the country roads for some training, and Mike is still snoozing. There was a steady stream of families on foot and bike making their way to the parkway for the parade. That brings back a flood of memories...a wave of fleeting nostalgia. How I loved painting their faces and helping them decorate their bikes We'd make our way to a spot passing friend after friend in route. It was Americana at it's best.

I miss the big 4th of July bash that we'd host every year. Friends, family and fireworks. Cold drinks and hot bbq. The tradition ended when Windmill Beach took over. It was the better back drop for the holiday without a doubt. We'll head up there today, but even that young tradition has changed. There's no house on the beach right now. It's a sad story and not mine to tell.

We'll stay at the Tree House and I know it'll still be a blast...literally, if the impending storms hold off for Marge and Barry's firework extravaganza. Forgive me as I wallow a little. I am not known for embracing change. Or the fleeting nature of time.

How is it already July 4th? I know there's a whole lotta summer left, but I also know that the weeks will fly by and it'll be September in a blink. I'd like a pause button about now.

Now I'm off to make my ranch dressing, cut a watermelon and chill some rose for today's birthday bash. Freedom is worth celebrating.