Summer Fun!

I'm continuing to check little "to do" items off the list, but for me summer (weather wise and mental state) finally arrived this past week with my first lunch and book on the deck.  I was inspired by other bloggers who made a bucket list for summer.   I haven't created an actual list, but I made a promise to do something fun every week of the summer.  Here's a look at the first three weeks!

1.  First week out of school and the day after the wedding, Karl, Kathy, and Kara  took me out for a belated birthday lunch to Paradise, one of my favorite lunch spots.  They have great salads, soups, sandwiches, and cookies - definitely a winning combination.

2.  The next week Kara and I were busy in my classroom.  After she helped me get ready for the open house, we spent the following week in room 104.  We took a day off from our Purging Party to run tons of errands, but managed to squeeze in lunch at Aqua Verde on Lake Union. How lucky I am to have a niece who not only shares the teaching profession with me, but is willing to help me weed and file!  We had a blast talking shop and sharing ideas!  

3.  Last week with the arrival of  gorgeous sunny weather, I indulged in my favorite summertime activity - lunch and a book on the deck.  In case you can't tell, the lunch consists of a pretzel roll from Alpenland with delicious dipping sauce, a cheese stick and blueberries.  The book was South of Superior, a very fun read!  I try to make sure that I read on the deck at least once a day during the summer!  

I'm also enjoying making time for walking.  We walked with the Ormes in Pioneer Park last week.  It's incredible that we have this lush green beauty right here on the Island.  We parked at the Ormes and a few hundred feet from their house, we hit the trail and walked in the woods for the next hour.      

Mother's Day Tribute

Karl shared this picture last year on Mother's Day of the four of us with mom in July 1985, (twenty-seven years ago)!  And none of us have aged a bit!  

I never tired of holding mom's hand.  Oh, how I would love to have it wrap around mine for a few hours tomorrow.  This poem was a work in progress for several years, but I finally settled on this version in 2009.

My Mother’s Hands

My mother’s hands were soft and firm,

Measuring, stitching, guiding, and holding,

Hands that labored long and hard.

Measuring fabric at Ben Franklin’s,

Patching to make clothes good as new,

Tucking cash into my hand after a visit home,

Showing love for her family.

Frosting countless birthday cakes,

Shaping the crusts of pies lovingly filled,

Stitching special dresses long into the night,

Showing love for her family.

Guiding my footsteps on the gospel path,

Leading always by her loving example,

Holding me through troubles, joys, and sorrows,

Showing love for her family.

My mother’s hands were soft and firm,

Providing years of loving labor for loved ones,

My mother’s hands, a design for love.

Ramona Behnke

Mother’s Day 2009