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What about you? By the wonderful Grace Farris.
P.S. A very low-key summer checklist and a trick for better summer salads.
Things I’m Looking Forward To
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My upcoming trip to Chicago, including meeting up with one of my barista friends and seeing the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Art Institute. Getting tatted on the ribs. Catching up with friends after several busy seasons. Solo hiking in Colorado. Should I purchase the Nine Inch Nails ticket. Making more abstract art. Enjoying my last summer before I graduate next year with (hopefully AND manifest) my LPC license and a big girl job.
I live in Florida. I am looking forward soon to be taking some Lomi Lomi massage classes for my Massage CEUs required. Also taking a vacation to my home state of Maryland visiting friends and loved ones including Karma Fest.
Hoping COJ can help me. We’re planning a trip to Washington DC to see a commanders game in the fall. Can anyone recommend a great hotel in maybe Georgetown or Navy Yard? Or is Alexandria better? It’s a bit overwhelming! We also will not have a car so I already know the stadium is pretty far from the metro station.
We stayed last year at Hilton Club The District in Dupont Circle and we loved it. Great breakfast and lovely staff. Huge rooms.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/wasvcgv-hilton-club-the-district-washington-dc/
I was also going to recommend the Hilton Club The District! My small family stayed there last summer and it was truly the perfect hotel. Fabulous location, great rooms, peaceful neighborhood! Have fun!
Thank you both! (If you have any other suggestions re. restaurants I’m all ears!)
As a teacher, I am looking forward to not reporting to work at 7 in the morning!
Both excited for and terrified of my homebirth – 37 weeks along today so could be anytime.
Homemade ice cream and buttery popcorn, all the cherries, tomatoes and beans from my garden
Enjoying extra time with my beautiful 7 year old daughter, feeling all the feels as she adjusts to being a sister. I know it will be both hard and likely beautiful
Hopefully lots of low key park hangs with baby in tow
Beautiful Portland weather
Some river and lake swims
All the walks and baby wearing
I had a homebirth with my second daughter, 27 years ago this September. It was a Monday morning. I woke at 6 am, uncomfortable, just past 37 weeks, so I got into the bathtub and almost immediately fell back asleep. I woke a few minutes later to a weird pop sound, my water breaking. I called my midwife, woke my husband, and gave birth at 8am. No pain, no pain at all (not my previous experience). I remember the light twinkling through the Cottonwood tree leaves outside my window. I felt my baby talking to me. I felt that tree and the stars talking to me as well. I felt like I knew exactly where she was as she descended. And I felt the spirit of her twin finally leaving my body. I was high as a kite. And completely calm. And felt safer than i ever had in my life (or since). She was born in the bathtub into my midwife’s gentle hands. She was asleep. The birth was so gentle it didn’t wake her. My mother cut her cord. She had almost black hair like her father, was perfect and beautiful and her almost 2 yo sister loved her instantly. It was healing for me. We walked to get ice cream later that day. The sky was that perfect blue that we often get in September.
I wish you the very best of luck. And a safe delivery for you both.
It’s my baby’s first summer on earth and I’m looking forward to showing him the truest joy of Portland summer. For him that will mean snacks on the deck, swim lessons, friends in back yards. And for me it will be the same, but this year I will get to have a glass of rose in hand.
Love it, Hanna. Enjoy your first summer together.
Beach weekends, Prospect Park hangs, bridge walks, all the vegetables, and maybe some popsicles. Fall is my favorite season, but summer in the city is such a vibe.
I picked up the following titles on my wanders with my dog today, from tiny free libraries (I’ll return all to them when I’ve finished). I’d love feedback if you’ve read any and loved them.
Let us descend, jessamyn ward
The signature of all things, Elizabeth Gilbert
James, Percival Everett
Wilderness, Lance weller
Dirt creek, Hayley scrivenor
James and Signature of All Things are excellent!
You don’t have to return books to little libraries. Or, you can if you want to.
I loved The Signature of All Things
Dirk Creek is awesome, written by someone I know – she is also touring to the USA very soon – like 2 weeks or something like that. (She’s from Wollongong, Australia). The Signature of All Things is fabulous – honestly, it is brilliant. (I wasn’t a fan of Eat Pray Love but this one is gorgeous and smart and a real epic). Love to see what you think though they’re both big boys so it will take a while I am guessing.
Kirby! How awesome. I love Australian murder mystery TV (and comedies too), and I’ve loved a few book series in the mystery genre too, so Dirt Creek seemed like a good fit. When I saw it was a young woman and a debut, that just made it even better. I wish her the very best of luck.
Thanks everyone! I think I’ll tackle DC or Signature first. I will have loads of time to read at a cabin in a few weeks and I’m very much looking forward.
-reading new Emily Henry book (tucked away for July long weekend when teacher life officially ends and summer life beginnnnnnnnns)
-summer mornings on my porch with coffee and my dogs
-watching my badass daughters learn to wakeboard
-ice cream
-bonfires
-floating, lying, soaking up the sun
Sigh…. I once thought the beach was a safe place for my ultra-sensitive nose. You know, ocean breezes, less pollen, no strong smells? And then people spray that horrible sunscreen and it drifts 100ft towards me and I start wondering if I’ll get sick from it (because it literally can make me sick) and I’m burying my face in a towel and wishing it didn’t exist.
And I can’t really even be mad because I also have very sensitive skin, and anyone using sunscreen gets a good mark in my book! But really, people… please be considerate with that stuff! (And I don’t get it anyway… if you’re still supposed to rub it in [and yes, you are] then how is it really nicer?)
I’ve heard the spray is far less effective as sun screen, ESPECIALLY for children. I get it, but if the whole point is sun screen, I think it’s worth the lotion. And yeah, spraying into air others are also consuming isn’t great. Disposable gloves are awesome for applying sunscreen if it bothers you to get on your hands.
I don’t think the sprays are safe at all either… also, in Australia most of us wear rashes / long sleeve SPF 50 tops which not only doesn’t stink, but protects your skin so much better. Maybe they will start to take off where you are as more people become aware of the dangers of sun exposure ?
I’m a lap swimmer and once saw someone spray himself copiously with the stuff. Then he got into the pool, in the lane next to me, and after he had swum about two laps (so, like, after maybe a minute and a half) I could taste his sunscreen. Yuck yuck yuck!!!!
I’m looking forward to our first home-grown tomatoes. I’m not a big fan of hot weather.
Yes to all of this! I love this season!
Leaving next Thursday to meet one of my dearest besties (since 1984) in Charleston for 5 days! She’s flying in from LA, me from Pittsburgh. Booked a sweet boutique hotel in the historic section, planning all kinds of fun things–last time we did a “girl trip” together was Nashville 2019, where we saw Elton John in concert. So excited to spend time with someone that shares memories with me since we were 22! Everytime we have to say goodbye we cry our eyes out…
An entire week at a forest service cabin in the mountains, week of 4th of July. I’m counting the seconds lol. It’s my favorite bit of summer every year. This cabin has an electric stove, fridge, lights and outlets (for fans!!). So it’s a bit of glamping. I’m not mad about it.
Last year, I was there alone for a few days with my dogs and I accidentally locked us out. At 9 pm. With the truck locked, phone inside (no service anyways) and literally nothing but a book. No bear spray in griz country. Not even a coat. No other humans for miles and miles.
I ended up climbing in a high window and dropping a long ways onto the floor, then pivoting on my hands to land on my feet. Simone Biles got nothing!! Ha ha. That will not be happening this year lol. Procedures will be in place.
Eating almond butter toast with sliced nectarines and all the cherries I possibly can!
Yes! The best foods!!
Really looking forward to reading Jacinda Ardern‘s new memoir “A Different Kind of Power.” She is such an inspiring contrast right now
I just finished the new Carley Fortune beach read- One Golden Summer. I am a person who looks forward to it being cold and November again all summer, but I was transported reading this book to a place where summer is magical! Picnics at the park for free concerts around the city, outdoor yoga, and hooky days driving up to the lake will get me through until it is blissfully cold again!
I also just read One Golden Summer and what a dream it was. I’m not a water or swimming person, but that book left me begging to go swimming in a beautiful lake!
Kindred spirit! I can never wait for crisp autumn days again, with warming food and open fires :-) My husband is forever making fun of me for it haha.
Sitting outside just being, moving to my new space and making it all my own, my dad’s bbq chicken, the delight of my mum eating ice cream, SWIMMING, biking with my sister, taking my friends’ kids to play while they chill on a picnic blanket, hopping in an ice cold shower in my bathing suit and drying off on my deck, indulgent indoor naps, iced coffee, salty kisses
I just sprayed on my new sunblock and LOVE how it smells like summer. Good one!
to me, summer is…. “the most wonderful time of the year” 🍓🫐🍉🌿🌼🌞😎🦋🍹🏖️
The “scent of sunscreen” comment instantly caused me to remember the smell of Bain de Soleil. iykyk!
Yes!!
Late spring and summer are my favorite food seasons. There is nothing better than cooking with fresh, local vegetables. There are so many I only buy seasonably and only pick up at a farmers market. Lettuces. Asparagus. Strawberries. Eggplant. Zucchini. Corn. Peaches. Green beans. Tomatoes. Ground cherries.
I’m looking forward to next Fall and Winter! lol. Not a fan of summer.
You are not alone!
Same! I get seasonal depression in the summer. Which is super handy because this year I also got winter depression for the first time in years. And a little spring depression, now that I think about it. I will check in this fall. It might just be depression this year.
Yesterday was the first day of summer for my 10 and 12 year old, and we reserved a hotel pool to swim in for the afternoon. On the way there my 10 year old gave me a piece of his watermelon gum, and, man did that take me back to summers from 1988-1991!! It was like a time machine! (And still tasted pretty good…)
Reading non-fiction books recommended by other CoJ readers!! I’ve already made it through The Worst Hard Time and You Could Make This Place Beautiful, and they did non disappoint.
I read the recommended Donner Party book and was not ready for it! (It was great.)
I started Caste!
I’ve been reading Relinquished and would second the recommendation
Meeting my first nephew in July. Farmers market peaches. No cook dinners by the pool. Vacation at the beach. A social media-free summer. Long walks in the morning with friends. Date night with a crisp white wine.
Identical to me! Except first niece arriving in august :)
– Swimming way past the last buoy with my sister
– Dancing my ass off at the Grace Jones / Janelle Monáe show
– Finishing a book (this is me manifesting)
– Drinking Roald-Dahl-character quantities of gazpacho and lemonade
Wishing you writing flow, Lauren O! I’m looking at finishing next summer for myself so you’re my inspiration.
-Packing a picnic and visiting a local vineyard with the husband and the dog
-drinks and dinner tonight with a good friend
-hosting a 5th of July party at my house for a bunch of my besties, can’t wait to grill and make zippy side salads and desserts with all the berries
-good tomatoes
-my brother’s face when I hand him a check this weekend. My husband and I decided to pay off his credit card debt to help him buy a house, he’s just my favorite person and being in a postition to take away that burden is such a gift. My mom always says that she’s only as happy as her least happy child and for me that transfers to siblings.
-CARROT CAKE
-reading the new Emily Henry book!
When I got to the part about your brother, I got such a warm, sunny feeling. How absolutely lovely of you. This will be a life changing gift. And now I want to see his face too!!!
What an epic sister move! You rule, Julie.
This really spoke to me. About 10 years ago my husband and I paid off the debt of someone we love very much. It wasn’t a gigantic debt but it was enough to interfere with this person’s life plans. It made such a difference and wonderful life changes ensued. Even after all this time, I feel it was one of the most impactful things we’ve ever done. Could we have done something else with that money? Absolutely, but nothing would have been as joyful.
Love this awesome generosity. Good for you!
Ok Julie, you got me, crying into my delicious salad. Wow! You are a beautiful and generous soul.
May I ask how did your generosity of spirit toward your siblings come about? Im a mom of three boys and I want that for them.
We talk about St. Thomas Aquinas, a prominent philosopher and theologian, who defined love as “willing the good of the other”. This means that love is not just a feeling, but a conscious choice to act in ways that benefit another person. It’s a deliberate desire to promote their well-being and happiness.
You and your husband epitomize that statement.
Julie, BSE (best sister ever).
25 years ago my husband and I were able to buy our little bungalow house. We still live there. It’s almost paid off. 6 dogs, dozens of hens, 2 cats, 2 girls, and now one baby grandson (while his mama works). We never owned our home when I was growing up, my husband’s family either. All either of us ever wanted was a little bit of security for our own children. My husband’s brother gave us the $6k we were short. I am grateful every single day. Every. Single. Day.
I truly hope you know how immense your generosity is, what it will mean for his future.
And this is what working class people mean when we talk about the lack of generational wealth, and how some folks will never be able to move up because of it. It makes me cry to think how different our whole lives would have been had that $6k not appeared.
I cried when I read the part about your brother. I don’t know your cultural background but where I grew up – upper middle class white people whose immigrant past was 3 plus generations back – these acts of generosity rarely happened or if they did it was with so many strings attached. I married into a middle eastern family where people help each other, as you are doing – it’s what we have to do if we can and how we can (without hurting ourselves of course or enabling). Your brother is so so blessed.
You all are lovely. Honestly, my relationship with my siblings came about organically. I’m the oldest of 3, my sister and I are 17 months apart, my brother is almost 8 years younger. With him i felt maternal towards, I always wanted to be that safe space for him-I also wanted him to like the things I like, hence my heavy metal obsessed brother also adores Tori Amos and horror movies. My mom (a retired hospice nurse) is an empathetic woman to her core and she passed that to us. Andy would give me the money if our roles were reversed.
And I’m Irish Catholic via my great parents, from Philly-my aunts and uncles and cousins are all sarcastic northeast maniacs who would give you the shirt off their back while mocking you for needing it. 😀
For a beach-themed house party in college (20+ years ago!), held in chilly fall, my roomie and I found a drugstore with Coppertone Waterbabies and slathered it all over. The nostalgic reaction from everyone was amazing. That smell just takes you to the shore!! Now I live in a tourist trap and when I’m commuting in the summer I get whiffs of it on visitors clearly out of place and it makes me smile.
My family and I are going to Malta in 30 days and I cannot wait. I think Scotland had its Summer in May so it will be nice to be somewhere hot with sun loungers, cocktails, scuba diving and snorkelling. So excited!
This comment is only going to be familiar to a very small segment of CoJ readers. When I was little, there used to be a show called Big Blue Marble introducting kids to different cultures around the world. It was really neat and reminds me of CoJ Motherhood Around the World. Anyway, you could sign up for an international penpal and they matched me with another 5 year old from Malta. Her literal house address simply was “St Francis House”. That’s all! I asked her about it and with both of us being only 5, she just said that’s how it was haha. I’ve always wondered about that and wished I still remembered her name.
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