GOODNIGHT Irene

Winds over 50mph
5+ inches of rain
Power out 17 hours
Flooded roads and basements
First day of school CANCELLED!
And finally....Irene departing Pennsylvania.....

GOING....GOING...GOING...

GONE!!!
A warm country hug to all,
Lisa <3

The Hurricane Cometh

Clearing the deck and battening down the hatches....Irene is on her way! More to come.....

The END

Today marks the last day of summer vacation for teachers in my district.  I have absolutely NO IDEA where those carefree days went. Too few gone too soon. A brief 24 hour visit to my daughter Sunday was the bittersweet end to road trips and time away from the everyday of home.  As the university she works for ( and who I believe is LUCKY to have her!) returned to classes yesterday, the norm of schedules and intellectual pursuits begin. And so does FOOTBALL!  My husband, as I write, is experiencing his first scrimmage of the year, determined to find success on the gridiron that has eluded his group of freshman of late.
Tomorrow I will be back in my normal routine, and once again don the watch I refused to wear for the lazy days of summer.  I will pack my lunch like I did as a student, and thankfully drive to school in the warm rays of the rising sun. That too shall end.
Here's to new beginnings, to fall, to football, and to the students who are the critical factors in stories to be told for years to come.
A warm country hug to all,
Lisa <3

The Short List

As the summer begins winding down, my long list of activities, chores, projects and trips meant to fill the short 2 months has barely been touched.  I have spent the past two rainy days painting trim in my kitchen, knowing full well it will remain half painted for the holidays if I do not complete it by Labor Day weekend. Of course, school begins even before that date, so this is a luxury to sit for a few minutes and get myself back in blog mode.
I think my list of what I didn't accomplish is longer than what I was able to actually scratch off that list.  The funny thing is...I don't care!!  I slept in, stayed up late, didn't wear a watch all summer, spent most days barefoot in the garden and by the pool, and it was well worth NOT getting through my list.
I say YAY for me!  Life is short, and sticking to my short list of relaxing time with family and friends trumps all those projects any day!
Enjoy the last dog days of summer, I know I will!

A warm country hug to all,
Lisa <3

Technical Difficulties

It has been a summer of technical difficulties, and I am currently without a reliable internet signal.  This has been an ongoing issue but I hope to be up and running again when school starts.  Sadly, that day is right around the corner. I found my first fall leaf, in all its red and yellow glory, in the backyard today. 

It both saddened and gave me joy, as fall is truly a spectacular season when you are tucked amidst mountains and trees.  Thank you for your patience and warm thoughts.
I'll be BACK!
A warm country hug to all,
Lisa <3