…the truth of the matter is that God is the God of Ordinary Time. All the ordinary, regular, forgettable years. It has all been a journey. Sometimes we just haven’t noticed. …Oh! Ordinary holds such promise! There’s really nothing banal in any life. It is all quite extraordinary. Remember.
Diana Butler Bass, Sunday Musings – June 11, 2023
Yes, more words from that Diana Butler Bass essay I shared a few weeks back … I can’t stop thinking about it! I’ve lived through many seasons of Ordinary Time, and this is the first one in several years (maybe since 2018?) that actually feels “ordinary”. Diana’s right – it holds promise. it’s not banal (except maybe just a little bit?!). and it is all quite extraordinary. I want to remember. maybe this is exactly what I’ve been on the cusp of … waiting to see.
We got back from my mom’s just before noon today, while the front porch was still in the shade. not that it was one shot and done, but it wasn’t that hot … and still, schnauzer-side-eye.
Noticing … that I feel more “together” about my day when I have my morning journal time. It became a 3-4 day a week habit for a while (travel always interrupts this practice), and now it’s back to almost every day.
Seeing … Lucy on the chairs (all of them), the sofas (she’s not allowed in the library without me), and wondering – when did she learn to jump up like that?!
Hearing … the wind chimes on the front porch (which is right outside my study). This week is hot, not-so-humid (45%), and breezy.
Feeling … hopeful.
Eating … salads and leftovers. popcorn! pretzels. almonds. apples. cheddar cheese. (yep, still) and the first few homegrown tomatoes and cucumbers. Last Friday night’s salad was tomatoes, cucumber, and basil … all from the garden (finally!) We’re still at the one-salad-a-week stage, but that’s about to change. Marc and I are both excited.
Drinking … hot coffee – still! I have iced coffee pods ready for the cold drinks. The forecast is HOT for the next week, so maybe it’s time… Also, still enjoying the Brewdog AF mixed pack and wanting to explore more alcohol-free beers (suggestions still welcome).
Wearing … full on summer clothes. finally! shorts/skirts with short/sleeveless tops/sweaters, or dresses. I do love the dresses, and I’d love to make another one (or find one to buy!)
Exercising … pretty much in the same rhythm I found last month – strength training 3-4 times a week with shorter walks those days, and longer walks the other days – my knee and shoulder are doing fine, I feel good, and Lucy is getting enough exercise to be a good dog. We explored two new paved (no post-walk bath necessary, thank goodness) walks this month and I’d like to find more.
Reading … Milkman (paper) and I’m obsessed. as in I’m halfway through and all I want to do is read that book!
Knitting … Summer Notice. Hoping to finish the second sleeve this week, then block, and finish (seam sleeves, knit button bands), but … Milkman. and QUILT!
Quilting … my first quilt! and I’m also obsessed … yesterday I made the sandwich (backing + batting + top) and stitched the first 11 (of 88, I think?) quilting lines. Even Marc’s impressed!
Going … at a better pace. Daily walks, baseball (which is now over until Fall, which starts in August), weekly visits with my mom and the library, sometimes church, and monthly visits with the shawl ministry and seniors. My sister and I started (trying to) acclimate her cat (Bandit – he’s almost 3) and Lucy so we could take them both to Thomasville next April. It’s … challenging. We both know we just need to let them be together, and we’ve tried it twice with mixed results.
Shifting … into Ordinary Time.
Looking forward to … family time this upcoming week.
Dreading … (not quite, more like “putting off”) my first church committee meeting since February?! It’s happening July 9 and I need to get a reminder and draft agenda out this week. I’d rather be reading (or quilting)!
Noted today: sunrise/sunset (EDT) – 6:27am/8:42pm (same as last month!). low/high temps (F) – 68/87 (the air conditioner is ON!)
Many thanks to Carolyn for hosting this monthly check-in, and to all of you for being here with me.
In closing, look what started to bloom in our side yard this week
mere-et-filles 
I think it makes me feel even worse hearing about your 45% humidity. Ours is at 70%, except for when it’s raining and 100%. No wonder my lawn is filled with new mushrooms and toadstools popping up! Congratulations on the salad from the garden and your lovely quilt!
We are still in the middle of Rain Season here, which is welcome after 20 days without rain, but it doesn’t help with humidity!
I think after the past several years of extraordinary times, getting back to Ordinary Times is a very welcome thing.
traveling always interrupts my morning routine that I love dearly. I try to keep most of it intact when visiting the kids and try to give myself grace if anything is skipped. Lucy is such a blessing!!
Life sounds just about perfect for you right now. How fun to go into the summer holiday season filling hopeful and looking forward to fun! Dogs and cats together—OH, MY!
I love thee word extraordinary- is it extra-ordinary or extraordinary!! I think it can actually be whatever we want. I’m hopeful that I found a sunny enough spot for a single tomato plant-I do love fresh tomatoes during the summer.
It sounds like you are enjoying all that is good about summer!
Our skies are overcast with smoke from the fires in Canada today, so I’m keeping busy with indoor activities.
This is the best time of year for salads made with fresh produce from my little garden or the farmer’s market.
I enjoy reading your thoughts on Ordinary Time. I always think of it as a time to breath, think deeply, and grow. This time is so much more meaningful than when we just counted the Sundays after Pentecost!
I love ordinary days. I also love that orange top you are wearing in the photos. Did you sew it? I am determined to do a little sewing soon. Hooray for a salad from the garden. I loved this post.
Those daisies are a gorgeous header!
So much good stuff here. I was happy to read your glimpse of what you’ve been ‘on the cusp waiting to see’… (here’s to Ordinary Time–on the Christian AND secular calendars! I love the gift of an ordinary day.)
I’ll be curious to hear how Bandit and Lucy do. That’s a big one. Is Bandit a traveling cat? In our cat years, I always found it a challenge just to get our guys cool with the car ride. (Whew.)
Ahhh, Ordinary Days are so wonderful. Our cukes and tomatoes are growing…not yet near ready, but I’ve plenty of basil and fresh garden lettuce for my daily lunch salads. I also add a few sprigs of mint, lemon balm and parsley from the garden for some other flavors. I think today I’ll stay inside – between the humidity and the air quality (fires in Canada sending down smoke and ash), it just makes sense.
So interesting… our sunset is at 8:42 pm but sunrise is at 5:30 am!! We’ve already lost a few seconds of daylight…