The Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

Today has been one of those summer days – lazy because it’s summer, hazy because of the smoke from wildfires in the state, crazy because – it’s one of those semi annual days of the blues, the day after the day my kids have, again, flown the coop. It happens every summer and every winter. It is a day through which I stumble about the house, putzing around here and there, doing nothing worth mentioning, but keeping my mind occupied. More or less. Just a crazy summer day.

On the upside, today was somewhat cooler than the past several days have been – those days that broke high temperature records as well as the records for the number of successive days of those record-breaking temperatures. Just a tiny bit, but welcomed. Enough cooler that I could enjoy a late afternoon beer on my deck, the pleasure of which was diminished by the absence of both Kat and Gep. I am not complaining. I am grateful for their visits, always, and the joys of having them here for the time their schedules allow trumps the blues of them leaving. These feelings are not unusual, not new feelings, bittersweet but, oh, so worth it.

My furry girls have noted their absence – at least, when Gep left a week ago, Kat was still here to talk to them, give them treats and bites of what she was eating, cuddle with them – make them feel that much more special. For them, she is one of theirs. As is Gep, but she gives more attention than he does. Today, Shasta slept for awhile on her bed. Then watched out the window for her. She hovers near me, as does Bailey.

For me – for me, there is the adjustment period, offset by the comfort of knowing my kids spend time with me because they choose to. The knowledge that they will be back, that they would welcome visits from me – that is more than enough in this life.

Tonight my evening wine time will not be shared with anyone, but the memories of the shared times will be strong and in the forefront.