Our Days Are Long

Literally speaking, I guess our days are about as long as ever. I love June and July for their light. In this part of the world this time of year, the sun comes up long before I wake up (5am maybe?) and doesn't set until 9:30 or so. If the day is sunny, the light can last until 10pm.



There's a certain amount of energy that comes from that extra summer light. I mean, when the sun sets at 4:30 in December, and the rain and gray clouds make it seem half dark all day long, don't you just want to curl up in front of a fire by about 6pm, and tuck into bed with a good book by 8? But in the summer everything seems possible, even at 9. Need to do some weeding or wash the car? Want to toss a frisbee with your dog? Hey, no problem -- still plenty of light left. And somehow our stomachs even know the difference in seasons and we find ourselves eating dinner at 8 because we were so busy outside that we didn't realize we were hungry.

We're spending lots more time outside these days. We're doing yardwork, chasing Miles down the sidewalk, keeping Grace from writing in the dust on our cars, trying lunchtime picnics in the backyard, and visiting every park in a five-mile radius. Vic has taken the kids to the zoo twice in two weeks, and we go to one beach or another on a regular basis. We love summer.

Our days are also busy and we are trying so hard not to overdo or overcommit. It's too easy to run from one thing to another when there is so much possible. The reminder at church on Sunday to invest our lives well was so timely. And we still have to accomplish the regular routine -- Vic's work requires quite a bit of time, energy, and organization lately, my work around the house never even approaches being caught up, the kids still need their meals, naps, baths, reading, playing, and consistent parenting...yikes.

No wonder our days are so long.