Thoughts on August

It is August already--the time of year when the evenings grow shorter, but glow with a brilliance not unlike a king's palace. Early summer sounds begin to fade; the cars that zoom around the track on Friday nights slowly die away each week, until all you can hear is that solitary race car doing laps alone, envisioning a brighter future come next June. Bird calls and insect hums are still as distinct as ever. They are making the most of short life spans, stretching their days into one mortal song.

College bound teens also make the most of their final days of freedom, before deadlines once again real them in, cramming in all of the lasts with friends until Christmas break. School children excitably prepare for the coming autumn, happily choosing new pencils, backpacks, and clothes.

August is a time of ending. The last impressive opera of summer, and freeway to fall. I felt the chill of death in the air this morning. The temperature was crisp, and my feet felt frigid in the flip flops I wore. Windshields on cars and grass wore the signs of a light frost, sparkling in the light like jewels. Yes, summer is fading in August.

Glory Falls

The oak stood proud and tall,

Until its leaves began to fall.

When Autumn comes, she gives them gold

And with the colors they then are sold.

But now, as their glory drops, they feel

Pangs of regret. They turn and reel

And thrust the gold at Autumn's breast.

But only leaves do fall and rest

Upon the house, the porch, the ground,

In piles of gleaming, glowing mounds.

The oak's gold crown falls

down

down

down.

~ H.H.

2011

October's First Morning Light

Day Book 9-21-11

On Monday, we took advantage of the beautiful weather, and took a walk in the woods. Being well into September, 76 degree temperatures are wonderful for our part of the world! I wore a light weight jacket to ward off the chill of the shady woods, but I ended up shedding it. The lighting was fabulous for pictures, so Mom and I each snapped quite a few! Here are some of my favorites.

Josh and Mom (that small grey and white blotch is Bella)

Autumn is showing itself on the ferns...

I love all the different shades of green. It's so fresh!

We found a big old rock that was covered in moss. Now I know why fairies sleep on it. :)

(Oh, and Josh is pretending to be a model!)

Golden corn ripe for the harvest!

Bella rolling in something....she always does. :P

And again!

Haha my new eyes!!!

Josh and I. Shadow and light. Gold and blue. I love it!

Josh. I love his lips!

The corn field was huge!

We played in the rows. Josh and I had great fun hiding from Bella. She always gets very upset if she doesn't know where I am!

Bella jumps up and walks around on her back feet to try and see us from a higher vantage point. She's such a cutie!

Mom spotted an old rotted ladder that was propped up against a tree. The remains of a hunting blind lay scattered on the ground.

Boy and his dog headed home. :)

I love this house and the land that surrounds it. Our family calls it Hidden House. My mom came up with that name a long time ago.

Tuesday was our neighbor, Julie's birthday. So at like 9 that night, we called her and invited her over for a bit of a surprise party. She said it was the highlight of her day!

Prior to her coming, Dad found Mom's old glasses--the ones she got married in, and so I couldn't help but trying them on. I sure hope the 90's style doesn't come back--at least not in my lifetime! haha

The festivities! Julie's cards and gifts, and the cupcakes...mmmm. :) Josh did the outside of the card and I wrote the note. He had Happy Birthday Julie in six different languages.

When she walked in I played Happy Birthday on the viola. And yes, I am in my pajamas!

Julie with a beaming smile! She loved the marshmallow kabob!

As you can see.... haha

Dale, Josh, and Dad. Mom made apple-walnut cupcakes with homemade caramel sauce. Mmmm!!! And she also made some without the nuts, since Julie doesn't like them.

Julie brought over almond raspberry cake with butter cream frosting. It was funny because last year she had three of the same cakes. Her co-workers got her one, her mom got her another, and Julie bought one for herself. And they were all the same! It is a pretty tasty cake, although it's a little too sweet.

7-5-11 4th of July Weekend

Mom, Dad, Josh, Uncle Bob, Aunt Judy, Jonny, and Me.


Josh, Jonny and I.
Fumee Falls

Jonny just finished climbing those rocks in the background. He's wearing his climbing shoes. I guess you have to buy them too small because when your toes knuckle up it helps you to grasp the rocks.

I loved all of the shapes, and so I had to take a picture of it.

Courtney and I trying dresses on at Maurices.

I really liked this shirt! But, it wasn't on sale or clearanced, so it was a no go.

One of the trails Courtney and I traversed. The forest looked so pretty bathed in the evening light. :)

Courtney.


My bike waiting patiently for me. :)

The glowing creek was mystifying.

Here I am in front of the babbling water.

A gigantic moth on my bike seat. A little while before, when Courtney and I were biking around the campground, one of these moths flew up and hit her in the face. She was screaming and swatting at it with one hand while trying to stear her bike. This older man who was walking by kept laughing and laughing. It was pretty funny!

The last peonies of the season on our kitchen table.

Courtney and Michael. :) The whole gang of Schroeders and Saberniaks came to our home for lunch yesterday. We had ham and turkey sandwiches, barbecue chips, coleslaw, dilly beans, watermelon and blueberries, and lemonade. Dessert was homeade ice cream cake, made by Cassie and Mr. Schroeder, in honor of Mrs. Schroeder's birthday (the 5th).

The birthday girl blowing out a pretend candle.

The Schroeders brought their adorable Standard Poodle, Gibson, along. He is such a nice dog! Bella got jealous because we were giving him more attention than her, and he got a bigger treat than she did, even though she had four cheese treats. I found her in the bathroom with her eyes all red and puffy like she had been crying. I felt terrible. So then I encouraged her and pet her. I was doing so many kind things for her that I forgot to button my button and zip my zipper. When I walked out of the bathroom, I happened to look down and see my shorts. I quickly flipped my shirt down over it. I was so embarressed!

Cassie and Pooh. Pooh was terrified of the new dog in his terrain. He was hissing and batting at Gibson with his declawed paws. The spat was pretty hilarious. Gibby just wanted to be friends with him.

Cassie trying to make them friends. It didn't work. Pooh was not going to surrender to some scary dog!

Our house all decorated for the Fourth of July. It looks very patriotic!


I love the reds and greens together.


The dining room table waiting to be feasted on.


I picked these beautiful bouquets right before every one arrived. My mom had the daisy and mini daisy idea and I had the backdrop idea. We wanted them to look like fireworks. :)


Poor Pooh wanted to be on the other side of the gate where the dogs were.


Josh ready to go meet his team on the float. They came in 3rd place in the championships.


Cassie and I putting our atrocious band uniforms on.

Haha we were making fun of our hats. Can you see why?!

My dad tightening my hat so it didn't fall off on the march.


Cassie, Josh, and I were all in the parade this year. Sadly, we had to miss out on the candy being thrown out. :( Isn't that the best part of parades?

The saxophone section. :)


Josh and his baseball team--the Moose.


I like all these cool flags.


Hot and tired. It was ninety degrees and we had to wear suits. Ugh!


The song we played--Yankee Doodle Boy.



Evan, Heather, and Lainey. Lainey didn't recognize me in my band uniform. Evan did, though.


Our church's float. VBS this year is Panda Mania.


Night is falling fast. Soon fireworks will be spurting and flashing across the sky.