Summer Starts

We're starting to get into our summer groove. It takes about a week or so for everyone to figure out how to get along and what to do after nine months spent mostly apart during the day. I like some structure to the day mostly for my own comfort level, but also because I think too much down time leads to boredom and (for DS13) video games.

Not that I think boredom is bad. I think all kids (and even adults) need the time to re-group and think about something different. You can only do that if you have nothing to do. When we are all going 100 mph in different directions, it's hard to re-energize. Sometimes you don't even know how tired you are until everything stops.

Still, we have enough going on in small chunks that the summer will go by too quickly. Today is such a beautiful day here, full of the promise and potential of summer. And yet, I feel a sadness that it will pass quickly as it always does. I remember when the kids were small and the summer days seemed endlessly long and nightfall never came. It was as if we could never get them into bed fast enough after a day of activities, boredom, naps, meals and more meals, arguments, constant supervision, and never feeling as if anything got done. Did I enjoy that time? I don't remember! I know I felt they were growing too fast, and yet not fast enough. I was so tired and it was so much work.

And now it's not so much work and one is poised to leave the house and another is not far behind. Life is not constant and things change, but for now I will enjoy the summer time and try not to think too far ahead. It's all good.

Strawberry Picking

Yesterday we went strawberry picking at a local farm. We love our local farms, and try to support them as often as possible. This one particular farm has been around for a couple of generations, and like most smaller farms, has gone to u-pick and birthday parties in the barn and corn mazes to try and stay afloat. Still, the owners are down-to-earth types, not boutique farmers. (I'm thinking of the type that ditch the corporate world and run what I consider "designer" farms with speciality produce and cute gift "shoppes." Not that there is anything really wrong with that--more credit to them for trying this life--but it seems less authentic to me.) Hmm, that sounds like my immigrant roots are showing.

A few years ago, when I started out on this health journey with my family, I gave up strawberries unless they were local....which means we only eat them for a few weeks in June. I had read so many scary things about imported pesticide-laden strawberries and strawberries from big production farms out west that use migrant workers...things unfit to print. It really grossed me out.

Too bad, because strawberries are such a healthy fruit. A cup of strawberries contains more vitamin C than a cup of orange juice. They are rich in antioxidants and fight inflammation that can lead to a host of diseases.

Local berries usually have more flavor, since they are eaten soon after they are picked (in our case, just 1/2 an hour later!). If there are any left and they start to get too soft, I'll toss them into smoothies or yogurt.

Since the season is so short, we'll try to pick a few times a week and eat our fill. Maybe I'll try freezing some, to use later in the year in muffins or smoothies or even stirred into yogurt. It won't matter much that they'll be mushy after thawing.

Graduation

Graduation came and went. I didn't even cry, although husband did. I don't know, I think I'm sort of cryed out. And this is a good thing. It's good to be here, at this point in time.

Now I'm just trying to plan a graduation party. It's a little stressful since I don't usually throw parties, but it's OK to step outside of my comfort zone. And it's important to acknowledge this especially important milestone and invite the people that have been supportive and kind through our journey.

Now if they would just RSVP already!