Here we are, mid-moving-to-late July, and we finally have weather as sunny and warm as we enjoyed in Rome back in April . . .when and where I photographed this pleasing combinations of tables and chairs. . .
Meanwhile, though, Rome is suffering through temperatures in the high 30s, even hitting 40C occasionally. I couldn’t cope in that heat — and, in fact, am feeling uneasy about the likelihood that our thermometers will push into the high 20s next week. And that after weeks and weeks and weeks of rain, we’ve not had a drop this last week, none in sight for next week, and parts of our province (British Columbia) are again facing wildfires. (I’m crossing my fingers our weather here will provide pleasant respite for our Italian ex-pats who will be popping back for a visit in a few weeks! Can’t wait!)
Here on the Coast, though, weather has been perfect for cycling — the next two photos were taken last week as Paul and I pedaled a beautiful 25-kilometre trail through meadows, woods, and along three rivers in the area where he was raised.
As he tells me each time we do this trail, he learned to canoe in the DeBoville Slough, now part of a Nature Preserve and host to a small marina. . .
It’s also been great weather for walking, and I’ve done a bit.
Much of my walking, now that it’s warm enough, is done in a linen dress and sneakers. The (McVerdi) dress above is new (Summer Sale!! and I’ll wear this dress year-round) — as is the hat. Trying to create a hat habit for myself. Not really my comfort zone, but I’m trying. . .
And speaking of comfort zones. . . . Pictured below, the reason I’ll be out walking and cycling as much as I can for the next while. All our outdoor furniture is currently indoors — the building envelope maintenance project has landed on our terrace just as the weather is perfect for lounging outside under the sunbrella. And our terrace is needed for the moving stage/walkway that the workers use to reach all the units above us. We’ve been told they’ll be done our portion in a week or two. We’re preparing ourselves for three or four. . . .
Across our back lane, a much more disruptive project has begun. An old building has been torn down and when the front-end loaders have finished moving all the smashed-up concrete foundation, the excavators will arrive. It’s going to be a noisy and probably dusty year or two ahead. Ugh!
So I’m walking . . . looking for all the good stuff that’s out there.
Beebalm (monarda) — I’m going to fill a few containers with this when I eventually get my “garden” back!
And the Oregon grape (mahonia nervosa) — berrying up already. I love this combination of colours, that pinky red, the dusky blue, and the rich green. . .
And so many other photos I continue to snap as I go about my days, photos that I think, when I snap them, I’ll share with you here. . . But somehow they have simply been accumulating in my files, languishing while Pater and I have spent a significant portion of our summer with grandkids, releasing the kids’ parents for some necessary recharging time. . . Which seems to mean, in turn, that our batteries need to be plugged back in as well, once we’ve hugged and kissed and waved our way back home. . .
This weekend, for example, we’re spending some lovely active time with a Seven and a Four. Yesterday, we walked four kilometres and hiked a local hill for some splendid views (of the surrounding countryside, yes, but also of some speedy local lizards). Then a trek to the local “artisanal” ice cream shop. The afternoon included a bike ride with Granddad (Nana had to nap!), then soccer (Granddad, not me) followed by water games (tiny pool, big water sprayers!) in the back yard. A cooking lesson, dinner, a movie (Beethoven, old but still gold, those St. Bernard movies đ . . . Then stories to read and finally . . . bedtime for all.
And I barely got the jump on them this morning — I woke at 6:30 and tried to finish this post (which I started on Thursday, while we were still home) . . .and at 6:45 the Four started calling. I’ve convinced him (and then his sister, who padded into the kitchen not long after) that he would love to snuggle under his blankets for a few more minutes. But another active day is imminent here. Pancakes will soon have to be made — but no worries, I’ll have two helpers standing on kitchen chairs next to me. . .
So a decision has been made. Since “something’s gotta give,” and grandkids are only young once and since grandparents have finite energy and limited summers to dispense . . . the Blog and I are going to take a few weeks’ summer vacation. Not quite sure when we’ll start up again, but if you’re subscribed, the next post will land in your mailbox then. Otherwise, we’ll see you when we see you . . . (because I’m sure you’re busy summer-ing as well, unless you’re currently doing the opposite season đ
When we next meet here, we’ll have all sorts of news to catch up on and some interesting conversations to continue (the one we made space for in my last post, for example; thanks for such an encouraging response). . . My July reading post should land mid-August; and then I’ll probably have a What I Wore: Late Summer version, with sketches. Also hoping to put together some posts on Art I’ve seen and Thoughts about Ageing and Community and Mending . . . Cavolo! Un sacco di cose! (loosely translated as “Oh heck! A bunch of stuff!)
Happy Summer!
See you before long,
xo,
f
So many lovely photos. I used to have a huge pot of bee balm on my deck. It was pink though, and I much prefer that red. Not sure what happened to it, but I do remember it being very low-maintenance. Taking notes for the new house, if this moving process ever comes to an end. A disruption of home, like your patio situation or my stripped-down decor and unnatural tidiness for home showings, is stressful. âLooking for the goodâ is exactly what I was telling myself yesterday in an effort to keep my spirits up.
You set an excellent example of the power of staying active, mentally and physically. Enjoy the sunshine and sweet, exhausting time with the grands. Iâll look forward to that email notification!
Happy Summer to you too,Frances!
Time goes by very quickly-any minute with your dearest little ones is precious
We are near 40°C for days now- it is utterly exhausting-if we only could save a couple of Celsius for next winter!
Walking is nice only very early in the morning,as well as any other activity or errand,so there is always competition every day-what to choose?
Dottoressa
Weâre having the wettest July on record so your photos with beautiful blue skies are very welcome. The ground is so overloaded with moisture from a very wet summer, autumn and now winter that even a little rain canât be absorbed. The ground squelches and grass is drowning to death. Even so, there is much pleasure to be had from sunshine when it appears. My local French themed market celebrated Bastille day yesterday on a happily dry day (itâs a fortnightly market held on Sunday mornings and the operators chose to celebrate belatedly rather than going early). Many of the stall holders donned marinières and there was a sea of red berets to add to the fun. The pastries and gateaux were sublime and the fresh fruit and vegetables (the real drawcard for me) did not disappoint. How lovely for you to be able to enjoy time with your grandchildren and I know how much happiness your expat visitors will bring. Enjoy your time away from the blog. Weâll be right here when you return.
Enjoy every moment Frances. đź
We are in the same boat with grands about the same age as yoursâŚwe have what we call âGrammie Campâ every summer for about a week when the out of state granddaughters (now 6 and 8, cousins)stay with us, with a side trip for a few nights to the beach here in Oregon. Immediately following we have âPoppy Campâ for their brothers both aged nearly 5. Exhilarating for them to be together and away from their parents but exhausting for Grammie and Poppy! Lots of art projects, walks, playgrounds, cooking and stories, not nearly enough sleeping! The first wave arrives this coming Saturday. We are mindful- like you- that these early years fly by far too fast and we mustnât lose sight of the opportunities to make memories now.
Iâll be ready to read your blog when you resume. (BTW love your reading recommendations).Enjoy these fleeting and glorious, if warm, summer days.
A wise decision! That time with grandchildren is so special, fleeting and exhausting!
Looking forward to posts about âa bunch of stuffâ later!
The weather here in New York has been quite hot, certainly not as bad as what they are experiencing in Europe. We have had little rain. it did rain quite heavily this past Monday, even flash flood warnings, but since then only a brief shower Friday evening. The other evening I was able to go out with three friends to eat dinner at the local restaurant on the beach , a small strip of sand along Long island sound. It was very pleasant and much cooler then inland. As I write this I am sitting at home. This morning I was to have left early in the morning with daughter and her husband to spend the week in Chincoteague island. We were so looking forward to the annual pony swim and all the “pony” activities that take place during the week. Seeing the ponies herded along the Atlantic shore, that first glimpse when they emerge from the morning mists. As many times as I have been there it, for me, it never gets old. For the past two years the event did not take place because of the pandemic. So this year was to have been special. Bags were packed, reservations made for favorite restaurants. But daughter was not feeling well this past week, and an hour before she tested positive for covid. End of vacation. My son and family, 17 and 19 year old did come over to enjoy my complex’s pool, so there is that, and my son invited me to his gig on Wednesday. Since adolescence he has played Guitar and recently joined a small band which will be playing at a waterside restaurant. On Friday I went to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. My friend and I had gone there in March of 2020 just before the lockdown. I was especially interested in the Winslow Homer exhibit. I had seen their last exhibit perhaps 20 something years ago. So glad to see this again. Also saw an exhibition of fashions in America through the years. So perhaps not lacking in things to do but still admit feeling a bit sorry for myself. enjoy the break, and of course your family. hoping tour terrace is fixed soon to enjoy the season.
Enjoy your break… especially the time with grandchildren! I have been taking time away as well and I’m only now catching up on reading blogs that I’ve missed. We all need recharging sometimes and there’s no better time for that than summer. đ
Enjoy your summer Frances . Iâm glad the sun is shining for you & yours . My sister spent a day in Vancouver recently on her Canadian trip & they cycled in Stanley Park . I thought of you when she told me .
For a minute, looking at the first comment on this post, I thought youâd moved to California. đ
Construction, yes. I live on what was a stretch of very small wartime houses on wide-ish lots, which are now being subdivided and filled with duplexes. So, four households where once was one. Very good for urban density, and I don’t mind (have grown used to) construction, but the muddy messiness of it grates on me a bit.
And, the (long anticipated) heavy shade I now have from the new build next door means gardening projects. I thought I would be replanting almost entirely but the slant of light is a bit different that expected…and the bee balm there has exploded. Well, we’ve had rain too, after almost none for a few years. I’m almost afraid of it, it is so suddenly gigantic.
I snooped around McVerdi…oh-oh. The fitted summer dress. Because I need more dresses nearly identical to what’s in my closet.
Enjoy your break and yes we will be here when you return. I like your polite Italian cussing. Mine is rougher; I learned it on the mean streets of crime TV-land. đ
Enjoy your well-deserved break, Frances. xo
Frances,
I’m just catching up with your last couple of posts, as summer is so busy for me right now too.
What wonderful photos from Italy, your bike rides with your husband and of the local flora. I used to have a lot of that color bee balm and my day lilies seem to be choking it out. Only a few springs left. Your photo reminds me that I wanted to move a stalk or two. It’s been too hot to dig in the garden lately, but maybe it will cool down soon.
Enjoy your time off. I hope that you are able to recharge physically and mentally. We’ll all be looking forward to your posts this fall!
I need to go back to the previous post and catch up with your July reading.
I would be doing a lot of muttering about the timing of the building rehab;) Going outside is a much better idea. Love your linen dress and orange shoes! I find that as I age my capacity to tolerate heat is disappearing. Boo!
Have a wonderful blog vacation. I am sure your children and grandchildren are very happy:)