Monday, September 2, 2013

Summer's end

Sunflower in our community garden
Seems like I've been seeing lots of pictures of sunflowers on the pages of my fellow bloggers, and it's because these beauties are growing huge now, giving us yet another taste of the last days of summer. Today is Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, as many schools open their doors tomorrow, the school buses will be back on the roads, and in many parts of the country the heat of summer will begin to give way to crisp mornings and cooler temperatures.
Changing leaves and clouds
When I woke this morning, it was a day when nothing I would normally do had a place in the day. No buses were running, no gym to visit since it was closed, and everything felt different. Holidays are like that for me these days, now that I'm retired and cannot follow my usual schedule. I mapped out my day: drive to the coffee shop for my usual latte (since they were open), and then get my scheduled massage. It was wonderful, as usual, although over way too soon. I then headed to Lake Padden for a nice walk around the lake, a two-and-a-half mile trip. I took the above picture there, when I noticed the leaves are already beginning to turn color.

Then I went to the local bookstore to buy a book I've been wanting. Yesterday I finished a library book that I enjoyed very much: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. (The link will take you to a New York Times book review that I enjoyed.) I've read almost everything Kingsolver has written, and I have to say this was one of my favorites. She writes both fiction and nonfiction (this is fiction) and she brought me immediately into the story. I recommend it.

The book I bought today was one I had to wait too long to get at the library, since it was on the bestseller list for many months. It's not yet out in paperback, but I've been hearing about it almost every Thursday, since Peggy read it and has brought up some tidbit from the book while on our hike. It's the only Mary Roach book I haven't read yet, Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal. She's a brilliant science writer who knows how to make science fun and interesting. I also heard an NPR segment where Mary Roach talked about her book and I was intrigued. I'll let you know after I read it if it lives up to its hype.

Tomorrow my life returns to normal, with the buses running and the YMCA open for business. And I'll be glad to get things back to operating on an even keel in my own life. I hope if you are still working that you had a renewing vacation, and if you're like me, that now you can get back to your regularly scheduled routine.
:-)

26 comments:

  1. sounds like you had a good day anyway. :)

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  2. David wants to try borrowing books from the library using my Kindle. Since he is retired, he has lots of time to do that. Maybe, we will go to the library and have it set up for us.

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  3. I've heard a bit about the Gulp book. It sounds quite interesting. I hope you enjoy it. I love the perspective of the sunflower image. You really show its height. One could almost.. skydive off of its uppermost petals. ;)

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  4. Gulp sounds like a good book, thanks for the recommendation. That sunflower is HUGE!

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  5. A perfect day....latte, walking, reading...it does not get any better!

    Summer is ending here too but that means it is time to travel to another place where it is still summer!

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  6. ha. we've been back at school for 10 days already....def look forward to your review of that book...high praise on the kingsolver book too....

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  7. Dear DJan, I'll look for the Kingsolver book at the library.

    Like you, I enjoy a routine, although my routines are not nearly so physical as yours. I do walk each morning. In July I was doing 45-minute brisk walks, but August brought some health problems and now I'm doing only 20 minutes of ambling a day. But I feel okay about that. Doing some walking however brisk or relaxed is better than doing nothing at all.

    Mostly, my routine is made up of blogging and writing and looking for an agent (in the weeks and months that follow). A lot of reading and looking at Netflex and cooking and--in the winter--baking.

    So I have a sedentary lifestyle, which isn't the best, but somehow it's what gives me contentment and peace. Peace again to you, pressed down and overflowing.

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  8. DJan, have you read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed? I think that would be right up your alley. Rosy

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  9. I have read neither writer and may have to change that. Must say that Gulp and Roach as a writer interests me the most so I will probably go there first. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  10. I loved Flight Behavior. I've read almost every Kingsolver book except The Lacuna, which is actually autographed. So far I've not been able to get into it. I may give it another try as the days shorten up here.

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  11. Another Barbara Kingsolver fan here. Fiction and non-fiction.
    And I will look out for that Mary Roach book too - thank you.

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  12. Sunflowers are on of my favorite summer flowers, I can't help but take photos of them. It sounds like you had a pretty good Monday anyhow even though your schedule was off.

    I'm not familiar with either author but the books sound interesting.

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  13. I am a Kingsolver fan too, and will want to read her book, I will wait and see what you think of Gulp.
    As to routine, I don't think I have one right now. It will take a couple of weeks to settle as the seasons change.

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  14. I am a Kingsolver fan too, and will want to read her book, I will wait and see what you think of Gulp.
    As to routine, I don't think I have one right now. It will take a couple of weeks to settle as the seasons change.

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  15. Our school here (South Georgia) has been in session for a couple of weeks, so Labor Day was a holiday for the students here, for sure!
    As autumn quickly approaches, I wish for you a wonderful season, Jan. I know it will be. As I watched Nyad's incredible story last night, I thought of you. I thought, "Jan is like that. She is such a go-getter with spunk and energy." Continued best wishes to you in anything you endeavor. Your "regularly scheduled routines" wear me out,...just thinking' about them!
    :))

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  16. Hullo DJan - I was just wondering as I read your post - do you have an E-Reader? I expect you probably do. I use my Kindle all the time, however, still go to my fav bookstore and purchase those lovely things called BOOKS. I haven't tried using the library on the kindle yet, as I haven't read through my book-books or E-books yet, however, I will tell you it sure is fun to spend a rainy day sitting in front of the window and searching through my E-reader for books. Nothing like a good book, put my feet up and sip a cuppa tea. Our leaves have started to change slightly - just the odd tree here n there - our weather is still quite warm like summer and my tomatoes are still producing flowers n looks like I will have a bunch more yet.
    Cheers

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  17. Sunflowers are always welcome. Changing leaves to Fall colors too.

    Thanks for the book recommends.

    Happy September. Happy Fall. Have some fun.

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  18. I always add your book recommendations to my library list now. :)
    I know what you mean--isn't it Tuesday? ;)

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  19. I know how you feel about routines D-Jan. We retirees are all the same. It becomes almost inconvenient when there is a bank holiday, doesn't it! My routine has been hay-wire for nearly 7 weeks now with Larry over here and so much to do. We all go to bed exhausted. I am hoping to catch up over the next few weeks and get back to some kind of normal!

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  20. I am back to working out though was waylaid this week by shingles. I read the review and the book sounds compelling. Hi DJan. :)

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  21. Hi there! I've been MIA for 3 weeks with loads of house guests. Just caught up on your posts and am happy to see you are as busy as ever enjoying life.

    It's funny how holidays can change the schedule, especially with no transportation running. It doesn't really make sense either-- with the quest to reduce gas consumption on a holiday that's traffic heavy. Wonder if the powers that be thought of that! Ha.

    Enjoy September, jj

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  22. I love sunflowers, I hope your week is normal after your holiday not normal day:)

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  23. I love that you went hiking despite the weather and found a miracle in the day.

    And for me any day that ends up with me drinking a glass of wine while someone makes me dinner is a miraculous day.

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  24. That sounds like a fabulous book, DJan. I've got too many books on my Kindle that it's hard to get to them all. I just signed up for Netflix which is causing a little problem. I can't seem to find time to watch anything, read and blog. Ack!

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  25. So many books, so little time. I'll have to add your recommendations to my list of books to read.

    The community garden behind my neighborhood coffee shop is called the Sunflower Community Garden. I don't go back there very often, but did the other day and it was bursting with sunflowers. They're such a cheerful flower. I always smile when I see one.

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  26. Your book recommendations are captivating my attention but I still struggle to find the time. I have become rather disorganized and need to get on a more structured schedule again.

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