Currently: July 2020

Hello July – one of my favorites!  I love the Fourth!  I like my porch looking festive and patriotic:)  That is not my street in the photo above, but we do have someone in our neighborhood who, every year, does something similar.  He places a flag in front of every house lining all the streets (and our neighborhood is not that small).  It is a big chore and I always wonder if he will keep it up, but he put them out just last night and it looks great!  I love it! When July arrives, I also know that summer is here to stay for a while.  Summer refuels my tank – and, yes, there has been much to drain my tank lately.  Trying to keep my heart guarded, my perspective in check and, as well, simply trying to enjoy all that makes my heart happy in summer!  Here is a little bit of what is keeping me busy (and happy) lately.  Or “Currently.

COOKING – All the summer vegetables.  I enjoy cooking seasonally – with what is fresh and in season, and there is nothing better than all the fresh fruits and, especially, the vegetables right now!  I love farmer’s markets or even local produce stands.  Definitely, happy places for me.  Even if I was not a vegetarian, I could make full meals every day with fresh veggies and some fruit.  Thankfully, I am a vegetarian! Winning:)

PHOTOGRAPHING – I looked at my Instagram feed and, apparently, it is flowers.  Lots of flowers.  I walk the neighborhood and fawn over all the yards and beds full of flowers.  Especially the hydrangeas!  Even the flowering wild things – ie, weeds – seem so pretty in the late evening.  Everything is in full bloom and somehow I feel like I can actually capture pretty pictures.  Natural photographer, I am not.  Pretty flowers help me!

SHARING – my no longer needed and/or wanted “treasures.”  I did quite a bit of decluttering and purging during the days of quarantine; however, there was no place open where I could donate or consign them.  I have been able to pass on (um, get rid of) several trunk loads of treasures these last couple weeks.  I tried to make a second dropoff and our local Goodwill but they were temporarily closed.  Lack of space.  Apparently, I was in good company with all that purging!!  I have an appointment at my favorite consignment shop on Friday.  I have to remember the appointment is to drop off – not to acquire!

TRYING – to stay positive and encouraged.  I am staying in God’s word every day and trying to be purposeful with what I listen to and what I read.  But it does not take much for thoughts to spiral and for my emotions to go south.  I have to be very intentional – which is a good thing.  I want to be intentional – with many things.  But sometimes I get summer-time lazy.  Just sayin.

WONDERING – if we will be able to travel later this year for our anniversary.  We will be celebrating 35 years – thirty-five!! – and we have taken a great trip every fifth year.  We have tentative plans but are not sure if we should purchase tickets, etc.  We would love to visit the UK…especially England but would love to fit in as much as possible…but I’m not sure, as tourists/visitors, if we would even be welcome.  Sigh.  That would be a sad visit.  If that trip is not possible (I’m still hopeful), I hope we will be able to plan something.  Any suggestions?

Currently….I am enjoying more time with friends.  Being able to get out and about more (even if it requires a mask – ugh) and going to church again.  I love my church family and it has been great to see them again.  I looking forward to more and more feeling comfortable and returning to church soon. Still enjoying evenings on the front porch and, occasionally, morning coffee on the patio.  The sun hits there early.  I also have developed a habit for sudoku.  I’ve always hated numbers – but those puzzles are quite addicting.  Who knew?

Tomorrow….you will be able to see what everyone else is up to currently! I’m a day early – but I post on Tuesdays and Fridays…and I do crave my schedules!  Check back tomorrow for the link-up!!

27 thoughts on “Currently: July 2020

  1. Congratulations on the 35th anniversary coming up this year! My hubby and I will be celebrating our 24th in October…but next year for our 25th, I’d love for us to renew our vows with just us, our sons and with my Pastor, and I’d love to go to New York, Boston, and Maine. We started our marriage by going there, minus Boston, so fingers crossed we’ll both be able to travel soon…you this year and us next. Thanks for always sharing your heart…I just love your blog. Have a wonderful day.

    1. Thanks, Jennifer – you are too sweet! Maine is another place we have always wanted to visit. Hmmm – good idea!

  2. How lucky are you to be able to go to church again! Our congregation is too large for us to start going back. It will be nice to get back into that routine for sure.

    Staying positive these days is hard, especially if you are still watching the news or on social media.

  3. The travel thing sure is a challenge…but I’m telling myself that if I stay home now, I’ll have more travel opportunities later! Because, progress for all. Fingers crossed. (I had 3 trips cancelled this year, and some days that’s harder to digest than others.) Meanwhile–Hmm… I know it wouldn’t be fancy, but renting an RV and doing a national park could be a fun anniversary adventure! Happy 35 years to you!

  4. Well, let me offer sincere, even if premature, congratulations on your anniversary. We just celebrated 35 years in April. And we were hoping to get to Europe in the fall, but have pretty much given up on the idea.

    How nice to go back to church, but please do wear a mask. Our former church just had its first case of Covid and they are rightfully fearful of how quickly it could spread through the eldest of their congregation. Many are wondering if the 3 weeks freedom of not wearing masks was worth the risk and worry that they now feel since reality has struck so close to home. Everyone thinks it cannot happen to them, it can!

    1. Thanks for the reminder, Susanne. Our church actually lost its oldest member due to the virus back in March. Most of our senior members have returned yet. You are right – it can happen and it is devastating! Thanks for stopping by today!

  5. Yeah, I don’t think the EU is currently letting Americans in. Travel looks weird this year. I hope you can plan something for your anniversary though — even if you wait until next year. You want to enjoy it!

    -Lauren

    1. Travel….tricky and, yes, weird. And we just might have to wait until next year. Sigh. But I do want to enjoy it…you are right!

  6. Congrats on that upcoming anniversary! Hopefully things will be different and you will get to do something. Our 20th is this year and we were hoping to do something fun… not sure what that is going to be as of now.

    And I hear you – summertime lazy kicks in sometimes. I think it is healthy to take a break occasionally though! Or so I tell myself. 🙂

  7. I can very much relate to how my thoughts can quickly effect how I’m feeling. The spiral starts and it’s really hard to stop. These past few months have been a very heavy time for us that goes beyond the added hardships of the Corona virus. But one thing that most definitely helps is remembering all of the wonderful things to be thankful for and there really are so many. Thank you for sharing some of the things you love about summer. Summer truly does bring so much joy.

    Congratulations on your 35th wedding anniversary! I hope you will still be able to make it special and memorable even if you aren’t able to do your big trip to England.

    Love,
    Annie

    1. I totally agree – so much joy in summer!! Thanks for your sweet wishes and for stopping by today!!

  8. Same here on the summer vegetables – that plus the time reading at the beach combined make me frequently declare, “this is what I’ve been waiting all year for!” And yes, all the unknowns of the rest of the year are hard, especially when it’s wondering whether you’re going to be able to enjoy such an exciting milestone in the way you’d like. We often end up celebrating “big” at random anniversaries, like taking our fanciest vacation at our 9th anniversary, so maybe you can make a big hoopla for 36 😉

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Anne. Definitely looking like 36 might be our “big year”!:) I tend to be a celebrate on the exact day or it doesn’t count kinda girl….and I’m sure there is a lesson to learned there!!

  9. I think everyone had the idea of purging over quarantine! I’ve already made one trip to Goodwill, but need to make another 1-2 because of the amount! It sure feels good though. 35 years is amazing! Congratulations and here is to many more!

  10. Hi Jennifer! And a happy 4th to you!

    I love decluttering and a good consignment shop. Unfortunately none of them have opened around here and I’m wondering if they will.

    What a loss for so many of us who enjoy the thrill of the hunt … or desperately need gently used items.

  11. Congratulations on your 35th Anniversary later this year. I’m sure we in Britain would welcome you with open arms as soon we’re allowed too :0)
    Hubby and I have just had to postpone our 25th Anniversary cruise to Croatia and Italy until next year but I’m sure we can celebrate 26 years just as easily and hopefully without a mask!!

    1. I agree – I think we will be (technically) celebrating 36 years when we make our trip. Will be nice to come when arms are open:) Thanks, Liz. We cannot wait to visit beautiful Britain!!

  12. Oh wow what a milestone anniversary to be celebrating! I hope you’re able to go somewhere! We’ve always wanted to do an anniversary trip but it’s never quite worked out… one day! I did some closet purging earlier during the quarantine but could do some toy purging as well, if I can sneak them out 🙂

    1. Ha…yes, I can imagine most toy purging would need to happen in the wee hours:) Thanks for stopping by, Shea!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *