We are in the dog days of summer.  I always thought it was because it was so hot and the dogs just laid around in the shade, not wanting to do anything.

But, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, ” The phrase is actually a reference to the fact that, during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of the earth and part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.  This is why Sirius is sometimes called the Dog star”

So, there you go!  I didn’t know that until recently while studying the stars.  I still like to believe it is because my dogs are shaded up under the trees or in the air-conditioned house!

This has been an odd summer.  I don’t know how we got from March to the middle of August in a blink of an eye. It seems like I was sketching up my garden and going to work.

Now I am trying to keep my garden alive and working from home.  (which, by the way, I love!)

I would leave our house very early in the morning, around 4:15 to make the 1 1/2 hour trip to the office north of Fort Worth.  I would arrive way before sunrise.  However, I did get to see many falling stars, beautiful moonscapes, and hardly any traffic.

I still get to my “office” before sunrise, but now I can watch it rise from my home office.  I can see the cattle make their way around our fenced in yard and hear the birds morning songs. At lunch, I eat outside on our back porch.  I survey my flower garden and watch the bees and butterflies. I catch a glimpse of my cats chasing grasshoppers.  I feed my ever-hungry grumpy squirrel. I have set up my work routine.  I get up 30 minutes before I log into work.  I fix my coffee, take the dogs outside, look up at the stars and say a few prayers for the ones I love.   It is a good gig.

It has been an adjustment, but a positive one.  I do miss my co-workers, our camaraderie, and working together to figure out a project.   I do not miss the crowded elevators, little cubicles, and the long, hot walk to my car in the late afternoon.

I try not to watch too much news lately.  I get my news from a local radio newscast.  Quick and to the point.  If I want to know more about it, I will research it, not taking anyone’s word until I know it is true.  Sadly, most of it is true.

I keep hearing about the “new normal”.  I have to agree with most of it….for now.  I am not going to debate mask or no mask, social gathering, or not.  I just know what is best for myself and my family.  We are making the best of it and having fun all the while.

To me, the new normal is slowing down, while keeping the pace.  Taking just a minute longer to watch the bumblebee, to be in awe of a rainbow.   My husband and I work very hard, each day, but that does not stop us from sitting on the steps and watching the sunset. Even if it is just a few minutes.

Anyway, my point was about how fast this summer went by.  Did it seem like it just flew by or are we just wanting this to all be over?  I for one, am wanting to get back to having family and friends over for a bonfire and marshmallows.  To be able to visit the museums and go to the movies. Eat out with more than a few people at the table.  I want to see people smiling and not being so stressed out.  To give a genuine, huge, tight hug to my friends.  But I understand people’s worries and frustrations.  It is damned if we do and damned if we don’t situation.  I am right there in the middle.

Let’s just be kind to each other, forgive and love anyway.

Until next time, smile and be nice!

 

much love,

Cindy

Phillippians 4:6