Hey friends,

Let’s not talk about my tendency to disappear off the face of the blogging world for weeks at a time. They tell you that consistency is key to keeping an audience, so if you’re still here, thank you. . .

Let's look back at June, shall we? In short, it was the weirdest month of '21. It was my first month at this new job, and that adjustment took up much of my energy. There were a lot of feelings and brain fog, and a lot (a lot) of change. For those of you wondering, the job is going quite well. No specific details but: they like me, I like them – win, win. I didn’t realize just how much my life has revolved around work until now. I used to feel consumed and the fact that I don't now, is huge. I keep thinking of how elephants are domesticated as the closest metaphor for how this feels. They always start with a heavy chain. And then, when the elephant no longer struggles against it, they replace the chain with a rope. If you get where I'm going with this, cool. If not, just pass on by: I don't think I can explain it better.

Needless to say, I am excited to be taking life a little slower and even making room for travel: who is this girl!?!?!

I don't think I need to mention the heat wave. It’s been so much hotter than usual and I have been spending all my spare time at the water. I live within a close drive of lakes and creeks, but usually I prefer the one that’s less than 10 from my house. I have to drive a lot for work, so I don’t want to be doing that on my day off! I was joking with a friend that I am more tan this year than ever. Hallelujah I’ll take it!

In truth, nothing surrounded June quite so much as the recently released In the Heights. I was familiar with the story already, but in case you aren't: it's the story of a tight-knit block in Washington Heights, NY surviving the first week of July. (good job on the simplistic description, hu?) This isn’t the right space for a brain dump about it, but I do want to inform you that it is a WONDERFUL piece of art, celebration, and community. It has some of the most loveable characters in musical theatre. the music is freakin' spectacular and dare I say it: better than Hamilton? But in case you start to wonder if I suffer from an obsessional theatre disorder, let me stop you and say that this is a fact I try to reserve for very few people : )

At the theatre and we took a very cheesy picture in front of the poster with Little Brother making heart hands around Anthony’s Ramos’s face. It was AN EXPERIENCE.

. . . .

life happenings from June/early July:

= Property work has been hard due to the heat but most days you can find us after dinner, adding to the retaining wall behind our house.

= I read Alias Grace. It’s based on a true story, and I don’t know how I feel about it as a whole, but I really, really loved the prose.

= I have wanted to make beeswax wraps for a long time, and I finally did. Here's the tutorial I found + love (props to Little Sister the candle maker for having a ready supply of beeswax for me to use)

= I may or may not be learning this piece. It is faaarrrr above my skill level but oh so fun.

= I put out a Instagram song request for happy mood songs, and ya'll delivered. here's the collection of the pieces you sent in + a couple of my own

. . . .

How are you, friends? It's been too long! How is summer treating you?
Give me something you've been obsessed with lately!

xxx.
k.