august musings.
Summer is the time when one sheds one’s tensions with one’s clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all’s right with the world.
Sunny. 80 degrees. Clear, blue skies. A slight breeze. My definition of perfect weather. A day to cherish. I am sitting in my favorite adirondack chair on the back porch, keeping an eye on the girls while they swim, being entertained by the hummingbirds and allowing myself to gradually accept the fact that the end of summer is nearing and, like it or not, back to school time is upon us.
It was a whirlwind of a summer. We didn’t do much — no family vacations, no jam-packed calendar full of events, even our plans to have an annual visit from our close friends fell through — but we kept busy with our favorite pastimes: going to the beach, exploring the woods, hanging out in our own backyard. And time flew by nonetheless. 
There was a bittersweet goodbye ’see you soon’ to some dear friends. A camping trip. Making our own popsicles. Yoga on the beach. Encouraging our daughters to experience science firsthand — from watching a moth chrysalis to trying to build a bird’s nest. A weekly ‘girls night out’. Getting tipsy on love and wine. My green thumb, ahem, somehow managing to plant tomatoes in the same pots as my flowers — marigolds and tomatoes, nice mix, eh? Building a fire, roasting marshmallows, and making s’mores. And most importantly, making memories.
· · · · ·
A couple weeks ago, as we were walking out of the grocery store, my husband nodded toward a vending machine of scratch and win tickets and said, ‘What do you think? Should we get a ticket?’ An unusual suggestion coming from him, as he’s not much of a gambler,
but the reality remained that we just didn’t have an extra five bucks to risk at the time, so we kept on walking.
A few days later, I found out that someone, that very same night, had bought a ticket from that very same machine. They won $100,000.
Needless to say, we were struck with a huge What if…? moment. What if we had bought that ticket… and won? How would it have changed our lives? What would we have done with the money? Would we have been sensible and paid off the house and all our debt, allow ourselves a fresh financial start and a chance to save for the future? Or would we have splurged on new vehicles, a luxurious vacation, new clothes, toys and gadgets? Whatever our choice, would we be happier at this very moment?
And then, this thought provoking question I saw the other day via Christine at swirlygirl: “…life gets grander as you simplify. What are the things you would still have in your life if you earned only half of what you earn now?”
Hmm, speculating the what if…? at the opposite extreme. Christine’s thoughts are right on — “so often we are encouraged to think wildly and grandly” — and while I have on occasion speculated what my life would be like if I had a heftier bank account, I haven’t really given much thought to what my priorities would be if I had to downgrade my life. Definitely a worthy thought to ponder.
August 12th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
I love the picture of the girl and the feather. Its is beautiful in its simplicity.
August 12th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Such beautiful photographs, Melanie! They capture so well the mixed feelings August brings. Funny - we play the lottery from time to time, and like so many people, fantasize about the “what if.” Most of our fantasies don’t involve more stuff; they generally have to do with having the financial freedom to spend our time doing and exploring things we’ve always wanted to do . But the idea of downsizing and cutting out the fluff is good no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. I know I’d have so much more if I could cut through the clutter of possessions and unnecessary obligations. It is most certainly “a worthy thought to ponder.” Thanks!
August 13th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Your post means so much to me and is a reflection of our life. About 5 years ago my husband & I left 2 full time jobs, a 3 bedroom house with large yard, and a community we knew by heart to move 5 hours north to a place we did not know. Our move wasn’t a whim, it was carefully thought out ~ we moved to this place so my husband could earn his 3rd Master’s degree and a PhD.
Here we are 5 yrs later, still living in a tiny one bedroom apartment. Still making due on a salary & a 1/2 in the 3rd most expensive city in America. My husband not only earned that 3rd Masters but successfully completed all his PhD. coursework and is now moving into the writing of his dissertation.
There have been times when it has been so difficult. We’ve thought many days of turning back to the comfort of much, in a place we know, surrounded by people who cheer us but then all the sacrifice we’ve made so far would be lost not to mention him coming so close to fulfilling a major life dream. So, to us, it has been worth it, to downsize, to give away, to refrain from luxury. We are stronger and we are so much closer to being the people we desire to be. . . simplicity, there’s a lot to be said for living simply on purpose.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
[...] leggi su melanie [...]
August 14th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
oh yo’ve captured it although I fall somewhere in between where I want few, simple things of great luxe although the wild blackberry I found and ate on my walk this morning was the definition of luxe and cost me not a penny– LOVE your blog!
August 17th, 2007 at 8:01 am
What a great thought! We actually did have to simplify a little. Our new house is small so we had to get rid of clothes, toys and other randomness. It felt good. I miss Erie and the beach. It is comforting to see that old friends are still out there. xoxo
August 19th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Lovely photos and a great thought about downsizing versus dreaming about winning the lottery : )
August 20th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Nice post!!
Let’s see..if I made only 1/2 of what I do now, I’d still have my Fiance and my diesel-filled car and my little apartment. And not much else. But that would be enough for me.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:39 pm
There is always a what if not just on un bought loto tickets but on much of life. What do we really need…in the end…but eachother.
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:27 am
beautiful words melanie!! you know what i think about simplifying!! i’m not doing SO great at the moment–but am jumping back on the wagon when summer is done! hope you are well–have been VERY neglectful of friends over the past couple of months–but hope you know you are in my thoughts–and my heart–and i am going to do a WAY better job of staying in touch!!
take care
liz xx
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Hi. My name is Lara Berch. I have just launched a new website with step by step art tutorials. I was wondering if it’s possible to exchange links with you. http://www.laraberch.com
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely
Lara
August 25th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Great post, your summer sounds heavenly to me too (as I bake here in 100 degree weather, Texas style).
September 5th, 2007 at 6:37 am
I have had a hard time finding time to check blogs lately, and the last time I was you seemed to be taking a bit of a break too.
Thank you for the lovely comments on my flickr photos. They brought me to this beautiful (new to me) website of yours. Your pictures just take my breath away. This one of your daughter holding the feather. Wow. The sunset the butterflies.
When I looked at your flickr I felt a calm and soulfulness that was so beautiful.
I don’t know you well but I feel your centeredness and it is delightful and intrigues me.
I am excited to know you are here and blogging and photographing and can check in to your beautiful world now and then:)
Hugs