lately

I seem to have forgotten about the internet again. Lately our days have been scheduled around fitting in as many walks as possible...Mollie loves being outside! As soon as she feels the wind she starts flailing her limbs and babbling excitedly. It makes me more aware of the wind on my face, and makes me smile every time. Last weekend we went to the Shenandoah River for a day, and we were all (probably Darcy and Mollie especially) in heaven. It's good to remember the restorative power of nature, and it made me realize that while we get little doses in the parks and greenery around us, sometimes you just need to go all out and get a big dose of the country to truly unwind.

I've also been on a bit of a reading spree. Do you all keep lists of the books you read? I started last year and really like how it brings more order to my literary meanderings. (It also revealed that I have an unconscious habit of reading one new book, and then rereading one old book...I got half way through the year before noticing the pattern.) After a really slow start to this year, I've picked up momentum and in the last three weeks read Moonwalking with Einstein (totally fascinating), re-read The Cuckoo's Calling (the mystery novel secretly authored by J.K. Rowling), and am now reading the second book in that same series, The Silkworm. Besides the usual sun, water, iced tea and lemonade schtick, summer to me means wandering around all day with your head in a book...so I'm very happy. (And I've even managed to keep the house presentable and my dependents cared for. For those who have seen me in a reading black-hole, this may have been a point of concern.)