For Today | Doesn't Feel Like Summer

Outside my window…my goodness, it is absolutely gorgeous outside! After a crisp, cool morning, the abundant sun is shining down from blue skies punctuated with puffy white clouds. The temperatures will climb to 70 degF today, unseasonably cool for mid-July. With low humidity, I am not complaining.

I am thankful… for my great friends – they have served as a pillar of support these past months.

From the kitchen… I’ve been in a cooking rut recently, so simple fish tacos is what we’ll have for dinner tonight.

I am wearing… black pants from Athleta, a striped racer back tank from Lululemon and a periwinkle sweater from LOFT. Summery and totally comfortable.

I am creating… I’ve started writing some poetry, but not ready to share.

I am going… with my daughter on her first college visit, in Ohio. Should be exciting!

I am reading… I'm still trying to get through the epic novel, Shantaram. I had to put it down for a couple months, but found myself reading it again last weekend.

I am hoping… my left ankle and knee pain goes away – soon! The ankle appears to be much better today. Foam roll, stretch, repeat.

I am listening to… an artist who goes by 'Birdy' and her Fire Within album. Her music is considered to be “alternative”, not my typical genre, although I tend not to be influenced by labels. It’s definitely not mainstream pop. Birdy’s voice is beautiful, the music simple and sparse sometimes, other times rich and ethereal. Her music has been used in recent yoga (Body Flow) classes and is featured on the Fault In Our Stars soundtrack.

Around the house… Louie has been sneezing and coughing for two weeks now - the cortisone shot the vet gave him last week helped a little bit, but his symptoms don’t appear to be waning. Another trip to the vet might be in the cards.

One of my favorite things… a silver running charm necklace. The rectangle charm is stamped 'run', the other, circular disk is embossed with ’26.2’ – nicer than a 26.2 decal for my car and less showy. I may add a green crystal / emerald to the mix.

A few plans for the rest of the week… simply work, a whirlwind college visit, a concert in the park, running, yoga and enjoying this wonderful weather while it lasts!

A picture to share - A typical barn / prairie scene I captured today on the way to work. I took a slight detour down a country road to find the barn.