Reading:

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller.  Excellent explanation of the work God did and does for us, as illustrated in the parable of the "Prodigal Son."  The chapter that got to me is the one in which he compares the laying down of Christ's life to that of an elder brother paying the cost of my profligate lifestyle.  What real brother would give up even half of his inheritance to enable my life, support my place in the household?  

Meandering

In these last dog days of summer, the gardens are wilting and going to seed.  We've sadly neglected the flower beds and need to give them some fresh manure and mulch on the washed out soil.  The dogs think they want to go out for a walk every day, but Herbs falters half way down the neighborhood, panting his complaint that the road is hot, his feet are sore, and he's going to die if he can't lay down in the shade for five minutes.   Sweetpea simply puts her paw down and declares "you can drag me but I choose to stay here in this nice neighbor's yard." So, Sweeps just stays home.

While Eric's been putting in some long hours, O and I have gone to town, walking.  We walk around the neighbourhoods of downtown.  We scope out rentals, dreaming of the day we can live in walking distance of the harbour.   

O decided he likes a later bedtime than what we were doing before, so a long evening walk is a perfect way to end a long, hot day.

(This photo was actually from 4th of July, so he's aged a bit since this was taken.  Thanks to Molly and Grandpa for the hat and overalls to match.  He likes to wear them red neck style, no shirt).

All smiles this summer

We spent a lovely afternoon in Emerald Isle with our "Webster Family" a couple weekends ago.  They know how to live at the beach, with a huge tent to stake claim to a piece of the beach and enjoy a nap without frying.  O was intrigued with Elle's beach toys, who was not so fond of a wee boy snagging her loot.   I wouldn't either!  Boys are notoriously destructive of dolls, dirty the carefully protected dress up clothes, and are generally creatures to beware until further notice of good manners.

(Regretfully, the photos are poor quality; consider them impressionistic).  Check out more of O's happenings at The Talking Lion blog.

hot dog summer

It's been warm here, so much so that we are glad to be busy and indoors and since we (sadly) are not farmers we need not be out in the dry dirt.

But we've had good Saturdays to read on the couch, mow the grass,  and stock the fridge at the Farmer's Market--the "normal" things.

Because we live within an hour of the best beaches around, we make obligatory drives down every weekend, or find a pool to swim and soak in the cool waters.

Omari has found his favorite place to be in the water and sand, relishing the texture and salt spray, and mysteriously knew that when Papa built him a sand castle last week, he was supposed to knock it down!