Summer Day

I love summer time.  Warm sunshine, long days, relaxing in the backyard.  I finally feel like it's July; only tomorrow August comes.  This whole having a child makes time fly.  Oh well, maybe at this rate, summer will last until October...

Today was a rare day at the Snyder house; we had absolutely no plans.  I can't remember the last time we could simply be a family.  We putzed in the backyard, explored downtown, and reveled in the late afternoon sunshine. It was wonderful.  As I watched Lillian run around naked in the backyard, helping Daddy by lugging around a huge garden bucket, running in and out of her play house, enjoying the sunshine with me on the back wall, I thought, "This is a day I will cherish until Lillian is grown."  And I carefully tucked away all the earthy smells, the little puppy licks, soft skin, and gentle hugs this day had to offer.

  (Who cares for this child anyway?  Don't they put clothes on her?)

After Lillian went to bed, Dan coaxed me onto the rooftop to watch the setting sun.  This is no easy step for someone who is as deathly afraid of heights as I am.  This was a big HUGE step for me.  After three attempts, I finally overcame my fears of tumbling unabated to the ground, and cautiously climbed the ladder onto the roof top.  Clutching the shingles of the roof with all the strength my fingers could muster, I made it!  The whole time I  thought, "How am I going to get down?  Why did I do this?"  When will this sun ever set?"  In between these doubtful thoughts, I had to admit it was a beautiful sunset.  I was glad I did it.  And.... Dan was right.  I survived the scramble down, and after happily scratching my dog behind the ears, and reassuring her that I was all right, I went inside for a big helping of ice cream.

And for those who care, here's a picture of my clothes line inverted umbrella.