the inspired family

i don’t know if the summer weather is over… if fall is truly stomping its way down the valley.  there was a skiff of fresh snow high in the mountains, the wind was howling and there was no going out without a sweatshirt.  but word on the street is that there’s a whiff of warmth blowing through here too… and supposedly things will turn lovely yet again, just in time for the weekend… and a little more time at the beach.

on a blustery monday… labour day.  our first day of school- a happy, diligent one, i might add- i enjoy… time, lightroom- lifesaver!!- for the most part completing a daunting job…

freckles on pert, little noses, a lively, new, if inadvertent, bob…

modules, spiderman pencils, oprah radio, low interest rate pre-approved credit cards, morning pages, self-propelled lawn mowers, yoga pants, flip-flops, baked beans and quesadillas, sour cream, homemade peanut butter cookies, upstairs laundry, a tiny office…

this late summer blast of crystal clear, hot and delightful weather has been a dream.  the lake has been like glass and begs for the brief disturbance of our wake and laughter!

despite the look on her face, nan does enjoy a good ride.  it was a deliriously beautiful day, where the niggles of work took a back seat to the life sustaining sunshine, fresh cool water and clean air.

today… a saturday.  clear, warm, ripe for the joy of a new union… and i get paid to be a part of it!  freedom, time, ample work, laughter across calm water.

strong coffee, peaceful early mornings, kittens, and the nudge of honey bear’s huge head.

movement. strength. feist, great lake swimmers and the band.

trust.  faith.  knowing….

up until yesterday, this is where i’d spent two and a half days.  alone.  soaking up sun… warmth… and a little much needed perspective.  in amongst the yoga and meditation, that is.  just a whole lotta goodness all ’round.

the weather, couldn’t have been better.

the company- 12 other women- wonderful… when i chose to find my way into it.

the yoga, just what i needed.

the meditation… something i intend to resume yet again… finding valuable space.

coming home… into the arms of my waiting five year old chickadee, who fell apart against my shoulder before i’d even made it up the stairs to the house.  the boys… happy to see me too, but couldn’t quite be bothered to tear themselves away from the computer to say, ‘hello’.  i found ‘em and squeezed ‘em anyhow.

husband… dutifully cleaning the kitchen.  now, there’s a homecoming!

on this sunny wednesday… an early morning after many ummmm, not so much.  good coffee… and oatmeal cookie. work.  a generous and gracious rcmp officer.  an afternoon snooze. the sun. warm, fresh air. meeting up with a friend.  girlfriends.

time alone.

a new, invigorated practice… and an enthusiastic five-year-old girl to share it with.  a reliable, mature ten-year-old.  a seven-year-old reader. cuddly kittens.  anger.  release.  rest.  renewal.

thursday’s mark our weekends… they have for years.
pizza, hot peppers, garlic… my eldest child, dear beasley… a glorious day on the river- fresh, cold, real mountain spring water- to drink! solid rafts!

hot, hot, hot! endless sunshine, warm evenings.  kittens.  filipes’ homemade pizza!

jerry’s gelati- raspberry cheesecake with fresh, homemade waffle cone.  farmer johns.  flowers. weekends.

kept too much thinking at bay today… just way to much to do to spend time mulling over how much there is to do… surrender.
sunshine! warm, hot sun… paddle ball… ella… little girls… bubbles… neighbors… water guns, beach blankets… birthday parties, sourpatchkids… empty parking lots, fluffy clouds, reflections… curves in the river… time… a tidy house, madmen, movie nights… husband, rowdy, dirty boys… blue eyes!

we’re leaving for camping today… and the weather is not looking as though it will cooperate.

but, we’re bringing games, books, fishing gear, a little boat, warm clothes and yummy food… all the trimmings for three days in a camper by the lake, nestled in the mountains.

getting on the road… caramels, bratwurst, comforters, miss vickie’s, fresh air, time, fresh perspective, hikes, sleeping in the woods, no screens for miles… camping food….

when we’d thought summer over, with weather grey and downright disagreeable, we got today. despite a sky vibrant with blue of intense late summer air, and the faint sniff of autumn, the temperatures exceeded predictions.

my morning coffee.  found purple flowers on the highway.  hoodoos and shadows. started to conquer mt. laundry.  snuck a snooze and enjoyed a quick walk with the dog and a neighbor to the river.  my girl told me she loved me.

time on the lake made it complete… still, warm, full of youthful energy… from where I’m not quite sure.

and with hundreds of images from the day, thankful for just one.