Finishing up!

 Summer is finishing up.  Tomorrow it is official - we say farewell.  As I look back on these past few months it has not been a normal season for us.  We had a tremendous amount of rain in May and June but by mid July it was so dry nothing was growing.  As of this post we have not received more than a 10th of an inch for over eight weeks.  The forecast says we may see some some showers in the next couple of days.

Well enough about the weather...the last I checked it is something only the Good Lord controls! 

In the meantime I am trying to finish up a few books that are on my list to be read.

"The Sunrise Cove Inn" by Katie Winters is the first in a series of 19 novels.  May read the second down the road. The first one ended with some things unresolved.  

Began "Our Beautiful Goodbyes" by Julianne MacLean but decided to put it aside for the time being.  I may go back to it later but for now found it to be rather difficult to engage with the characters.  In my younger days if I started a book - always finished it.  Not so now.  Age has taught me life is too short to be that dogmatic when it comes to reading something for pleasure.  "Blue Jeans and Coffee beans" by Joanne Demaio seems to be entertaining  ...will let you know if this one is a pleaser.   Lauren K. Denton is an author that writes a good story.  Just finished "The Hideaway" and wanted to read "A Place to Land".   "Women of the Dunes" takes place in Scotland.  Sarah Maine captured my attention in "The House Between Tides".  It kept me turning the page therefore am hopeful this one will also.  Well that is my stack of reading material for the next few weeks.

Am in the process of completing a few art projects and working on the "small painting" challenge.

Please share friends, what you are in the midst of finishing up as the summer season comes to a close.  Would love to know!

Hugs

Debbie

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:4 (NIV)

  

Long Ago

 I did this pen and ink drawing long ago.  The house reminds me of my grandparent's  home.  It was my favorite place to visit.   

They had a porch swing and a trellis that morning glories climbed.  There were old apple trees and lilacs growing nearby.  In the summer the windows would be open and the fragrance would permeate the rooms.  

A railroad track ran behind the property.  Early in the morning the whistle would wake me.  Sixty- six years later when I hear the sound of a train I am transported back to that sweet time.  

When I was about four or five the state came to tell my grandparents they would have to move because a major highway was going to be built and run through their land.  It was a sad time for my grandma because this had been where she grew up.

I remember my last time there, walking through the rooms slowly, climbing the steps to the upstairs where I slept when I stayed overnight (which was often) and feeling angry that this lovely house was being torn down.   

Fortunately Grandma and Grandpa found a very nice place to move and there were several acres where my brother and I could play.  We had many years and memories of that home as well.  Yet it always lacked something.  It was never like their first one.  When I need to escape in a nostalgic moment this is where I often go.  The memories warm my heart and once again this safe haven embraces me.

Thanks for letting me share this long ago home with you.  Bet some of you have a similar childhood place too.  Would love to hear  about it.  Have a lovely week.

Hugs!

Debbie  

"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."  Isaiah:32:18 (NIV)