Pool time, avocado toast, thunderstorms and more (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

Our friends have been out of town this week, and they offered to let us use their pool while they were on vacation. Having a pool for a week is a special kind of treat, and we have really enjoyed being able to swim there—even though we haven’t been able to go every day.

It felt like an extra mini-vacation toward the end of this summer that is flying by so quickly.

~2~

As we find ourselves putting our masks back on and staying a little closer to home, I think of those few golden weeks we had this summer when we felt safer being out and about. I’m happy we didn’t take that time for granted. I didn’t realize the light at the end of the tunnel was going to turn into such a tiny glimmer.

Most days I’m at peace with this situation. Other days I feel a little discouraged.

In the spring of 2020, everyone was worried about the older members of our communities. Now that most of those we were worried about are vaccinated, I am concerned about the children. People tell me not to worry, that children generally don’t get COVID badly, and that they should be fine. But it’s natural to worry about your children and not want to expose them to danger. There seems to be so much we don’t know about this variant.

Still, I am trying to trust God and hold onto hope and faith that all will be well.

~3~

Avocado toast is one of my favorites.

When I make it at home, I’ve been trying to add tomato and think about how to take it to the next level.

The other day I ordered it in a restaurant, and it came, and it was magnificent. I had thought about diced onion, but goat cheese? Yum.

The avocado toast bar has definitely been raised.

~4~

The thunderstorms this week have been intense. One night the thunder was rumbling so long and loud that the whole house was shaking. Even our pet finches, who don’t usually seem to notice thunder, got quiet. We watched the torrents of rain and the water rushing down our street, and I hoped we wouldn’t lose power. We didn’t. I find weather fascinating, and I’m in awe of the power of nature.

~5~

My father built a beautiful bunk bed set—actually a lower bunk and a trundle for now—for my sister’s 3-year-old twin boys. Now it’s our turn. I have been asking for a wooden stand for our two finch cages. We just need to give my father a design. This is very exciting because right now we are using a card table, with one cage on the table and the other cage below it on the floor. The finches don’t complain (well, not about that), but it’s not ideal.

I can’t wait to see how this goes.

~6~

We’ve lived in our house for almost eight years, and I still use the landline phone number from our old house for discounts at the grocery store. I just never bothered to get a new savings card. Sometimes I wonder whether the person who has that number now shops at the same store and enjoys the discounts I am earning them on gas.

~7~

Speaking of money that I would like to save, I handed our sons their school supply lists and told them it was time for a scavenger hunt. I offered 5 cents for each item they find in the house that is something we can actually use. I don’t want to pay 5 cents for a broken pencil sharpener. But I really believe we have most of what we need.

So far, no one has looked for anything. But we still have time. The school year doesn’t start for two weeks and two days. But who’s counting?

Find more quick takes on Kelly’s blog, This Ain’t the Lyceum, and have a wonderful week!

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