Hello, August ☀️
August in Maine is always hot. The hottest month by far, but always such a rewarding one.
Gardens are in full bloom.
Our blackberry bushes finally turn ready.
The lakes & rivers are a swimable temperature.
The grill is always cranking.
And the iced coffee is always in the fridge.
We have already been living outside since about April, but now that it stays real warm, my boys are ready to be outside (and eating from the yard) at about 6 am, 7 days a week. We have been enjoying learning more about the dew in the grass, where the birds are most likely to be searching for worms, and which neighbors are consistent about walking their dogs in the morning.
My youngest, Finn, has self appointed himself the mayor of our street at the ripe age of 21 months. He’s the greeter and the farewell sayer at the end of our driveway. Never one to miss an upcoming dog, he’s quick to alert me that one is coming, and the first to say “Oh, Ivy” when his own protector starts barking at the visitor.
Today we harvested a lot of blackberries, and our first tomato (which wasn’t quite ready, but you try explaining that to my 3 year old).
When we first discovered the raspberry and blackberry bushes on our property, I was over the moon with excitement. I never imagined how much my kids would love them too, or how much I would love watching them graze their way along the rows.
Wild, unruly, and a little bit dangerous with the thorns, these bushes give up an amazing yield, if you’re ok to pay the price for them! It’s a slow harvest, one that will continue well into the early parts of September, but I know that my favorite memories will always include the time we spent eating and talking and sharing along the back side of the yard.
Summer isn’t my favorite season, but this year more than those before, I’m learning to appreciate it in a different way.
Heat that slows us down.
Cold drinks that can be sipped from a shady spot.
Yard berries & a garden harvest.
Constant, but calm, energy.
I think I’m excited for what these next 31 days will bring.
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