Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Still Summer
















{This is not a casual connection: I was sad because of the consistent, and persistently mounting, evidence that I am not destined to leave the hallowed halls of Blogging Anonymity, a private pity party I host for me, and my ego, and I decided not to post again until there was at least one new comment, because the universe always responds kindly to ultimatums from suburban housewives in pretty skirts, but being a compulsive blogger and glutton for humiliation, I formatted new pictures, and began composing something in my head, something about "balance" and "nature" and "restoring my soul" and "the life affirming power of stepping where waves are washing the sand," and I was debating whether or not to bother starting to make a new post from the photos and deep thoughts I had laid out, when a very dear friend, a kindred spirit, shared these thoughts:

"My theory is that summer lasts longer than school vacation and therefore, it is still summer; summer in a different way, through different schedules and experiences to be sure, but still summer."

And it was everything that I needed, everything I could say about our two evenings, after school, after dinner, after homework, before sleep... walking in the dusk, following the waves, and holding onto the goodness of our summer. It is still summer. And I am thankful to be reminded of this, and to have just enough gumption to go out and enjoy it. Thank you, Jennifer, for commenting, for connecting, for knowing just what to say.}

9 comments:

PamKittyMorning said...

You are such a considerate blog loving friend, always leaving comments. I'm guilty as charged for not leaving comments, or even visiting blogs much anymore. Where does the time go? You always have such wonderful pictures of your beautiful children, your animals and the lovely day to day living and I'm squandering it by not coming out to check more often. Hello how are you? Sending you well wishes. xo

April, Jennifer, Carol said...

beautiful. i love your picture of the Self-Realization Fellowship with the train tracks in the foreground. such cool contrast. and the picture of Maria, lovely. -jennifer

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Thank you. I always feel sheepish after admitting my blog stresses.
And you've always been kind, generous with your engagement, so thank you for that, too.
Blogging isn't what it used to be, is it? Kind of feels like the whole atmosphere has become very polarized between very successful blogs (often heavily corporate/commercial) and "the rest." I am sorry it's this way, because I miss the amateur and homemade blogs, the community and engagement. It's evolved. I cannot seem to give it up.

I am sending you well wishes, too... and a virtual cup of coffee!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Thank you, Jennifer.
That SRF sure is photogenic!
And I am glad Maria puts up with my camera... she's so sweet.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Was looking for this quote... found it:
"Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate
and the desire to hide."
DW Winnicott.
I totally get this!

Jennifer said...

Yay, yay, yay. Did you know that for several days I have been trying to access Chicken Blog, and getting a message that it was only available to those who were invited? And I thought, am I not invited any more? Then I thought, well that just can't be. And I thought, I should just check in. And then, you know, I had to keep going to work every day and lalalala all that stuff. So I tried again tonight, saw your beloved blog as ever, saw this magnificent post, and now I say -- without you, the blogshere is pointless. Just always keep posting. Also -- do you hear crickets by you? I'm hearing them now, and thinking that it is also still summer for as long as we can hear them. xoxoxox

Burga said...

Hi Natalie, I have actually never, ever written a comment on anyone's blog, but I guess that stinks, because do you know how I "use" your blog? Whenever I get tired of reading and digesting and reiterating and de-constructing the scientific literature on cancer and other disease (which is a large part of my job that I do from home, sometimes a bit lonesome and sad), I come up for air on a number of blogs I visit to see what these folks are up to at the moment, to clear my head and make me more light-hearted. And you seem to be down the coast only a little ways from me so I particularly enjoy your pictures of your beautiful yard and animals, and the way you describe the joys but also the painstaking attention to detail we put into raising our kids, and your lovely descriptions of life in southern CA. Thank you for helping me out of the slumps some days!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

I heard the crickets.
Thank you, Jennifer. Everything gets mixed up and difficult, sometimes, but you... you make me feel better. Thank you.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Burga. Thank you. Thank you for doing your work, for enduring. Thank you for making time to share your thoughts with me. At times, I struggle to justify what I do, and I try not to seem like a superficial person... I find that by highlighting whatever good I can find, I am better able to face to the sad, lonesome, hard things we all face. It's not hard to get into slumps, I know, but you've raised my spirits with your kind words. Thank you, for this.