Nothing but Blue Skies...a Blessing and a Curse

 Fast forward through July, which was lovely.  We basked in the plentiful sunshine.  Visited with cousins.  Made it through what we thought would be the hot and humid "week" of the summer...for two weeks.  Said "goodbye" to a few cousins and "hello" to even more friends and relatives who arrived in time for "the Games".   With each passing day it felt like every sequential day went faster, and faster!

Pugwash on Canada Day, July 1

The buoys caught my eye!
Leaving Bar Harbor, Maine

The flower "pot" is doing great this summer!

So is the fennel!

Can't make these colors up!  One of the good ones.

We spent a lot of time watching our diligent tree swallows, build their nest,
populate the nest, feed the babies and raise them over the month.
"Must see tv"

The view from the lawnmower,
back when the grass was green and needed to be mowed.
I'll get to that in a minute.
Plus, my favorite clouds.

Another sunset...why not?

We did take a little trip down to Boston early in July, to help our daughter move to a new place.  It went well and they are settled into a nice neighborhood!  We drove down memory lane back and forth remembering the many years of driving those same roads with a van or a ginormous SUV loaded with 4 kids, one or two dogs and all the luggage for a summer of fun.  We stayed in nicer hotels this time and ate better food.  We added a stop in Bar Harbor on the way home because TJ had never visited Acadia National Park.  Checked one more off the list this summer.  Although I am not sure we can really count it as all he saw was a road, a lot of fog and some misty water.  We did however get the obligatory photo in front of the sign.  

This makes it official!

July shifted gears the last week when Rachel and the three grandsons arrived.  Suddenly the table was set for 6 or 7 or 9 depending on who joined us.  The garden started providing side dishes and summer was in full swing.  Their week culminated with...THE GAMES.  If you are unfamiliar with THE GAMES, read this post...it says it all.  Suffice it to say the days are jam packed with activities and the nights don't let up.  This year the Browns (our team) won and there was happiness and joy along our beach.  It's been a few years since we were the winners!

You would think after THE GAMES we could sit back and relax...but NO.  Add to the family, our daughter Katie and her two kids and we were now a table for 9.  All good, it was a brief overlap and then we had to say goodbye to Rachel and the boys.  Time flies up here!

Last week, was all the events for the kids.  Mini Olympics, the 50th anniversary!  Think about it...THE GAMES celebrated 50 years last year and this year the Mini Olympics turned 50!  We like to play games and compete up here.  All in good fun too!  These games were followed by a Walkathon to raise money for the Koolaid Kids.  Then, we finished the week with the Sandcastle Contest.  

Softball players

Getting ready for the 3-legged race

The Red Solo Relay
not what you think...

Water Relay, swim, push a kayak, SUP, Canoe

Mini Olympians and Alumni Mini Olympians

The Koolaid Kids!

Serious work being done here!

All of this brings me to today.  Have you noticed how nice the weather has been in my photos?  I was counting my blessings for a while when every day was sunny and warm.  After a while, we noticed we needed to water the flowers more and the garden needed more water.  Well...then the grass quit growing and then it started to turn brown.  The cars are all coated with dust.  If the windows are open, you can forget about passing any white glove test.  My skin is beginning to resemble that of an alligator.  The province has issued a fire ban and has closed all hiking in the woods, all trails in the province are closed to hikers. We are living in a giant tinder box.  One spark and it could all go up in flames.  The skies have been hazy from the smoke out west that has blown this way.  When was the last time you were on "vacation" and prayed for rain?!  We need a good soaking...soon.  Normally, looking at my weather app and seeing nothing but sunshine in the forecast would make me smile broadly.  Now I scroll across the week just hoping to see that rain icon or a thunderstorm.  So far...August 23rd is the first day with even a hint of rain predicted.  Yikes!  It is crispy out there.  Please send rain.

Life has taken a bit of a slower pace this week.  With THE GAMES in the rear view and there are only weeks until Labor Day, we are all savoring the time we have left here.  I want time to slow down.  There are things I still want to do and people I want to sit and have a nice chat with.  There are vegetables in the garden that need to be made into deliciousness.  I find myself sitting on the beach later and later each day just dreading going up and saying goodbye to another day of summer at the shore.  Usually, I write at least one summer post on a rainy day, because I am forced to stay inside.  Today I am seeking shelter after a hot and dry game of golf.  My skin felt like it was frying, and I am indulging myself with the AC running.  The other part of my brain says the sun is shining and it is time to go visit on the beach.  Guess I'll apply a gallon of moisturizer and sunscreen and head to the beach.  That part of my brain always seems to win.

Hope your summer is going well!