The 43

We're getting another really-hot-to-really-chilly swings as I type this. Yesterday, the high temperature was in the mid to high 90s. Tonight, the current temp is 54. We didn't get the expected thunderstorms yet, but the cooldown feels good, although I hope it's temporary. Ben had two friends over for some socially distant Dungeons and Dragons today, and yesterday we spent a couple hours clearing out the patio so they could play there instead of in the yard. We did such a good job that I would consider working or hanging out there if I wanted get out of the house but needed a table and some sort of ceiling above me. The weekend went too fast again, but it's been relaxing. I went to Smith's and Costco on Saturday and feel restocked. I lounged in the heat after cleaning out the patio, then grilled a flank steak for dinner. The weekdays in this long stretch were ordinary. Lori saw Michael play basketball at a tournament in Utah County -- I'm going to watch him play ...

I'm outside at 10:45 p.m., and I'm ready to write this post and call it a night. Alas, I remembered that I still need to water the lawn. The day was hot, so the lawn needs a drink, but I'm tired and wish I thought to do this earlier. Ben and I took the dog on a nice walk, and I worked later than I normally would, which is why I'm here no, lamenting that my responsibilities aren't quite done. Nothing too exciting happened today. Lori ordered Este pizza for dinner. Michael finally hung out with friends in a socially distant way, for the first time this summer. I worked in the backyard most of the day. In other words, it was Tuesday ...

Another workweek began after a nice weekend. Pandemic and mad world notwithstanding, this summer is shaping up to be not so bad. Saturday started with a run, followed by taking Ben to swim practice and then the Wendy's drive-through, followed by a nap and then some work cleaning out the patio. I wrote my annual solstice post at sunset , then drove around a little ... and found myself becoming annoyed after my previous optimism. Basically, I was pissed that the all the progress we made with the pandemic is being flushed down the toilet because people, well, suck. Their selfishness is killing my summer plans, and the anger started to boil as I drove up to gaze at the lights in and across the valley. My high school friends and I have been meeting for a virtual happy hour every Saturday, and they were great at letting me vent and talking me down from my anger. I went to bed not as pissed. Father's Day was simply tremendous. Lori made me an egg/bagel sandwich for breakfast, and afte...

Today is the first day of summer, the longest day of the year, and as is my tradition, I am writing from a hillside overlooking the zoo, with a fantastic view of the sunset. A cloudy front had moved through about an hour ago, and I was concerned I would miss the sunset but it's passing at the right moment, and the setting sun is bright and spectacular. Of all the years I've been blogging on around this day, this might be the weirdest. The pandemic in progress, coupled with the fury our nation is feeling, has made this anything but a typical summer or year. The things that I normally would reflect on here seem not as urgent. Yet, this is my last summer solstice before I turn 50. The first year I did this , I was 36 and had two toddlers, and 50 seemed so far off. Thirteen years went by in a blink, and I can't believe that the tradition I started that day has endured, seeming familiar and new every year I write from here, but frightening me that another year has passed. Two ye...

Another work week in the books, and this one went just as fast as the others. Not that I don't mind another weekend, but I'm simply astonished how quickly the COVID weeks continue to fly by. I'm not sure if it means I'm not being as efficient during the workday and stretching work to after dinner (which I did almost every day this week), if I'm not getting an early enough start, if I'm not varying my day with enough productive, engaging breaks, or if I'm just in a rut. Michael has a basketball tournament next week, then we have July 4 on the horizon -- maybe that will provide the variety that will slow things down. I didn't sleep well last night, which prevented a run this morning -- and I missed it, which is a good sign that the routine is feeling good. I grilled bratwurst tonight and got the dog on a long walk. I've been following too much news the last few days as coronavirus cases are ticking upward. We officially canceled the trip to Texas, and ...

We're experiencing the first real thunderstorm of summer right now. It hasn't been too intense, though Michael said the lightning was something else as he was driving home from basketball practice. Luckily, I got Popcorn out for a walk just before the rain started pouring down. The rain never stopped, so I'm typing this up from the comfort of the living room. I didn't sleep well last night and was dragging all day. I wasn't stressed or anything -- just could never get comfortable. Today was cloudy, though yesterday was nice. Perhaps the beginning of the week just has me a little uninspired. My walk tonight in the pre-rain was nice, and yesterday I enjoyed a nice early morning run. I wish I had more to write about, but these two days really have been boring. Maybe Wednesday will be a thriller.

Five quick days and an even quicker weekend were stark reminders that summer is rarely slow. Plus, I haven't had too much desire to write in the evening, which I've encountered before. If anything, the last five days have been uneventful. Work was nondescript. I went to Walmart and Smith's Friday to complement Lori's trip to Costco -- we're set for food for a while. I was looking forward to baking in the heat Saturday, but alas, the expected 90-degree temps never materialized, giving way to clouds and wind. We had spent some time planning a trip to Texas next month, but Michael's job might throw a wrench into our plans -- he can't leave the state without having to quarantine three weeks before returning to work after he gets back. That pretty much would kill the rest of his summer of work, and he's really focused in making some good cash. We'll see how strict his job is sticking to this policy, but for now, the road trip looks shaky. If we don't ...