Inconsequential Journals

  The summer heat arrived earlier than normal this year. We broke several long standing records. Some people love the heat, some do not. Regardless of our preferences, we all still need to eat. Admittedly, my menu changes drastically during these warm spells and suddenly everything is a salad or sandwhich. The word "baked" is not to be considered. Ripe fruit and crisp vegetables take up more room on the table so there is a healthy element to the change. The upcoming holiday week makes me think about all the various dishes I've eaten or made for summertime get togethers. What is your favorite dish bring to the neighborhood potluck when the heat index is on the rise? Do you carefully carve a watermellon bowl or empty a bag of baby carrots next to some homemade hummus? I still remember a popular recipe that made the rounds at summer cookouts when I was a kid. It was basically vegetables and cream cheese. What's not to like? In your journal today, take a few minutes to wr

 Do you ever feel overwhelm? Many of you are probably saying something along the lines of 'last night, this morning, right now, of course I do'. Work has been very time consuming for me this week and I feel like I've been tumbled a few too many times in the wash. I would have liked to cut down on my obligations, said no to a couple of things. However, it simply wasn't possible. Yes, I know that boundaries are important and that I should advocate for myself and think more about self-care. But, as I am sure you can all relate, I live in the real world. Our journal, however, does not. We can do whatever we like here. So, today I am writing out all those nos I wish I could have said. Unleash it all and don't hold back. Hopefully, we'll all feel a little better when we are done.   

    Summer is on our doorstep! The kids are getting out of school. The sun shines bright into the evening hours and we all have the urge to get outside. It's not just the humans feeling this way either. In fact, I have spied many more woodland creatures of late as well and that is the subject of our post today. Be they sweet or slimey, large or tiny, viewing the animals that share our environment is a great way to enjoy nature. I am often greeted with birds in the morning, bunnies in the evening and hoping toads at night. On occassion, we are visited by foxes, deer, and owls as well. Make a page to record all your sightings and fill it with as much as possible.  You might even consider narrowing your focus to a particular time or day or type of animal (think warm vs. cold blood etc.) Don't neglect the ones you see daily either. Sure, some critters may seem very ordinary but when you put them all together you might be surprised and a little delighted with your collection.