“And so with the sunshine and the great burst of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
When Vicki Atkinson and I podcasted with my meditation teacher, Deirdre Wilcox, last fall, she said something about our agrarian roots that left me with a huge a-ha. Her insight was that the feeling of “Have I done enough?” at the end of the summer comes from our centuries of having to stockpile supplies to last all winter.
It made me want to be intentional about how to get my fill of the summer time. Slowing down to enjoy time with my kids, in the water, and in nature would top my list. And we got plenty of those three this week.


Iconic scenes. In the first one, it was the first hot day of the year so apparently everyone wanted to see the Space Needle from the water. And the second picture – I’m guessing it won’t take long for someone to guess what song Miss O was dancing to.


We made new friends this week.


School isn’t out yet – but the academics are winding down so both of my kids had fields trips to a nearby Puget Sound beach this week. I tagged along as a chaperone for both of them and stockpiled a bunch of time with my kids, near water, and in nature.


The neighborhood skeleton and sign of the week. I’m not sure – is it is the brain or the heart that we need to start using more? Maybe both!
Hope you all have a great weekend filled with whatever fills your summertime cup, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, of course!
Whatever it’s easy for me- whether my brain or my heart. It depends. I enjoyed the photos, Wynne, especially the snail with Mr. D. (Hope I’m correct). I love this update of your life.
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Thanks, Hazel! Yes, it was a snail – you are so right!
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You’re always welcome, Wynne. Happy Sunday!
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Once again, the Village Market sign nailed it!
I’m guessing Miss O is dancing to “Walk Like an Egyptian” by the Bangles.
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that’s my guess, too…
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Yes!
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Exactly!! That was her aunt’s influence — but we’re teaching her the important stuff like song’s from the 80’s. 🙂
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Yes! 80s music knowledge is a critical life skill! 😂
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Yes!!! God help those kids being raised by Millennials. 🙂
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I love Miss O’s Walk Like An Egyptian Moves! I used go as a chaperon when ever I could just to sneak in some kid time too.
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Yes – you are totally right. Chaperoning is such a good excuse to get away, isn’t it? Thanks, Darlene!
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love the moves, the trips, the signs, the welcomes to summer
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Welcome to summer – perfectly said, Beth!
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Looks like a week well spent! Cheers to The Bangles🍻 Great sign of the week as always!
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And… did they really take the time to paint that skeleton pink? Didn’t it used to be white?
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Cheers to the Bangles! Love it. I’m proud of all the 80’s music my kids know… 🙂
Good question about the skeleton. Yes, it did used to be white. And I think it was green at some point too. I’ve never seen them do the work but it must be quite a job!
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Wow! They are very dedicated skeleton owners! 80s music rules!🤘
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Great sign. I agree with you, it’s both our brains and our hearts that need to be put into action. ❤️
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Both – I agree, Jane!
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‘Have I done enough?” I have been thinking about this in quite a different way, especially today.
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Especially today — well said, Dr. Stein!
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Wonderful images! And yes… that question of “Have I done enough” has a way of seeping into many things.
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Oh, love your phrase, “seeping into many things.” So good, Dale!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Pics of embracing the joy of life. Thanks Wynne.
“I’m not sure – is it is the brain or the heart that we need to start using more? Maybe both!”
I’ll default to the heart, with the brain as a supplemental App . . . as I suspect you do as well lady😊
Be Blessed and . . .
Keep Looking Up ^ … His Best is Yet to Come!
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I agree about the heart, Fred! Thanks, my friend!
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I’m with Hazel. I love a good snail pic! Mr. D’s holding her so gingerly.
Cheers to a great week for all of you…and for the call back to that great chat with Deirdre. I can see why it resonated for you this week. Hugs to all! 🥰
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That was another fun conversation, wasn’t it? And here’s to great snail pics – love yours too!! Hugs right back to you, dear Vicki!
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🥰❤️🥰
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Walk like an Egyptian. Oh you’re bringing your kids up right Wynne. Love the 80s music! 🤣🤣🤣 Chaperoning on school trips is always interesting isn’t it? At the very least, I used to come home glad that I didn’t have to be responsible for a classroom of kids!!! Used to be interesting too seeing how my kids interacted with others. The start of a wonderful summer!!!
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Yes – the 80’s music! I’m proud of that part of my kids’ education. 🙂 You are so right about how interesting chaperoning is. Here’s to a wonderful summer, my friend!!
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My brain totally played the song I know Miss O was dancing to! That skeleton is so awesome. Great pics, Wynne and Happy Summer 🙂
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I love how readily that song comes back! The power of the 80’s! 🙂 Happy Summer to you, Rhonda!
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Happy Saturday! The sign is perfect. The heart is usually on the money. Here’s to an amazing weekend and a rest before a new week.
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Cheers to that, Clay! Glad you are spending Father’s Day at the lake. Beautiful!
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Great pics Wynne .
The one of Miss O evokes happy memories for me.
Thank you for sharing Wynne.
Have a wonderful weekend .
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It’s a good memory for me too, Maggie! Thank you!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend! All my best!
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My pleasure Wynne., and thank you 🤗🙏
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Fun and happy pictures Wynn. I keep seeing your gas prices?? Wow. We have been under $3 for awhile now. Keep enjoying summer.
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Yes – our gas prices are usually in the $4 range – that gas station is expensive so I just take pictures of the sign and buy my gas elsewhere. 🙂 Hope you have a lovely summer, Gary! Happy Father’s Day to a great dad!
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Thanks Wynn. a great summer here. Cool nights and t-shirt days.
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wonderful, joyful photos: O how I miss summer down under ; but love that zinger of a sign 🙂
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Ah, we’ll keep you reminded of the warmer days until yours come again! 🙂
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Wonderful as always!
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Thanks, Lori!
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Is that skeleton always that color? Not sure I’ve ever seen a star fish in the wild..and purple too! wow. Puttering out in the garden and watering the wild flowers before and after work, does as much as anything to fill my summer cup. I guessed on the song name before scrolling through other people’s comments.. I was right. 🙂 We were just starting to have children in the 80’s so what was on the radio is somewhat of a blur. during that season of my life.
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Someone else noticed that too. I think it’s been green as well as white before. Must be a labor of love! I love that you guessed it – I totally know what you mean by a blur!
Enjoy your wildflowers and Happy Father’s Day to a great dad, Doug!
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I like that idea about stockpiling for winter, Wynne. We have some interesting instincts ingrained in our collective psyche! But it’s all about acting on it and you definitely did with field trip days and water activities (which I gravitate towards as well. My astrological sign is the crab, after all, haha.) And the skeleton is magnificent!!!!!
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Oh yes, you are destined to love the water then! We do have some interesting instincts ingrained — and some revealed in our intuition and dreams, right? Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend, my friend!
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Great point! There are always interesting reveals in other ways. 😊
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Awesome photos, Wynne! Love the water and Space Needle, and your daughter dancing, and that sign, so on point! All are great! Happy Summer! 🥰🐌
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Thank you, Lauren! Happy summer to you!
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The photo of the paddle boarders against the iconic Seattle skyline looks so inviting. The snail Mr D encountered is a sign to slow down and enjoy your summer ahead. You are so so close! And love the rainbowed up skeleton. The sign is both amusing and prescient. I wonder if the two “I”s that were in red were intentional and if so, what the intended meaning of that was?
Enjoy your sprint to the end of the school year!
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Oh my goodness – I hadn’t noticed the red i’s. Do you think that was a test of whether I was using my brain?
It seemed like there was a paddle boarder on every square inch of Lake Union that day which is only a small exaggeration. That first hot day of the summer and EVERYONE around here goes crazy!
I hope you had a good weekend – you are getting close too!! Happy Father’s Day to you and Hubby – you two are amazing!
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You’ll have to ask the sign maker about their intention!
Paddle boarding sounds so fun just about now.
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Your photos are so gorgeous. There’s no better place to be in the summer than the Puget Sound.
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And that’s just with my iPhone. Can you imagine what your pictures would look like, Elizabeth? Puget Sound is amazing in the summer. Enjoying the views while we can! Hope your healing is going well!
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The Space Needle always made a big splash whenever I visited. But never quite so literally! That’s a great vantage point (and the perfect remedy for a hot day).
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You are so right – my brother’s boat moorage is a perfect vantage point! It was so nice for the first hot day of the summer.
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This is a wonderful reminder to slow down and enjoy the time we can. And I agree with you Wynne, our brains and hearts need to be used so much more. Your photos of the week are always such a joy.💞
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What a lovely comment. Thank you, Rose! Here’s to slowing down!
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Brain and Heart, yes!
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Nature’s therapy at its best!
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“Walk Like an Egyptian”—yes! 🙌🏼 The sign of the week was awesome, and you’re right, we need both as an app.
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Such joy and fun in these great photos and your new friends doing such fun things! Of course Ms O is dancing.. xo 😘
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