Summer Plans

Now that summer is under way ...

• Write for the blog (LOL!) at least as time allows amid gardening and writing for work.
• Garden. I've been dealing with some longtime problem areas, digging up neglected spots that became infested with grass. I'm either placing new perennials (phlox paniculata or summer phlox), and/or mulching them well until I decide what, if anything, I'm going to plant there. The lilac needs a serious cutting-back, and I'm finally ready to do that this year, even if it means sacrificing next year's bloom. This photo shows the only peony I have blooming this year. Usually my Festiva Maxima is going gangbusters by Memorial Day, but this year nothing. Maybe the cold spring stunted the bloom for this year.

• Read. I'm in the early stages of "Be Hopeful," a commentary on 1st Peter by Warren Wiersbe for my daily quiet time. I just started "The Life You've Always Wanted" by John Ortberg; some of the women at church are reading it for a new book club. Two of my favorite things combined --- reading and fellowship with my sisters in Christ.
• Play golf. The goal is to play nine holes every Saturday and Sunday during the season. Although when we're on vacation, I'm sure we'll play 18 simply because we'll have more time.
• Vacation. We have definite plans to head up to Lost Lake Woods Club and the Upper Peninsula over the week of the Fourth. Hike to waterfalls, play a little golf, maybe take in some touristy stuff, eat fresh Lake Superior whitefish. At noon on the Fourth, we want to be watching the Munising parade from the Golden Heart, a Chinese restaurant right on the parade route. What could be more American? Otherwise, we'll just grab long weekends here and there, as Ken's business travel schedule allows.
• Movies. Our Netflix queue is catching up with last year's must-sees: "Life of Pi," "Hitchcock," and "Searching for Sugar Man."
• TV. I'm really looking forward to the new seasons of "Burn Notice" and "The Killing."
• Meet the new neighbors. Two house across the street and one next door have changed hands in the last few months. We're the old people on the block.
• Spend less money.
• Have more fun.