so hot...

 It was so hot that for the first time, when the kids said to me "we're ready to leave the pool..." I responded -- oh, come on! Five more minutes!

The cool water felt as magnificent as a hot shower might be on a cold winter day: the perfect wet remedy to a body in need of a temperature adjustment.

That we were at the public pool was a bit of an unusual Friday event, but I'm not complaining! First, though, came the garden care.

And breakfast. On the porch, but we sit strategically to avoid any stray sunbeam.

Ah, now for the pool!

(But first, we have to wait a bit while they "clean out the pool." With this being young kids swim morning, I can only imagine what this means.)

(No matter how many whistles you blow and reminders you shout out, it's so difficult for kids not to run by a pool!)

When I was last here with them, Sparrow was shy about venturing out far and Snowdrop, too, liked a hovering adult. But after a month or so of lessons and nearly daily swims in their own local pool, they are in their element. Shallow, deep -- they love it all.

(Splash! So refreshing...)

Afterwards, we retreat to the farmhouse. 

 

(Hungry!)

 

 

(Sparrow is not at all a Dennis the Menace type, except maybe for the hair today after his shower.)

 

 

No one wants to spend time out in the yard. Hot! Only toward the end of the visit can I get them to at least pick the favorite flower of the day. For Snowdrop -- another pink phlox.

For Sparrow -- a false sunflower.

And for Sandpiper? Back at home, too young to express his preferences.

(With mommy now, listening to a song...)

Hot day today. Nothing out of a July normal, except for the absence of rain. In the evening, I roll out the hose. Snip, water, snip, water. Peaceful and restorative, for both the flower fields and me.

And yes, I watched the parade of nations from the Summer Olympics. I mean, come on! These athletes have had a hell ride this past year. I've always liked the Olympic Games for all that coming together stuff and of course, for the individual excellence that I so admire. This year, the Olympics are both weird and magnificent and perhaps a bit too bold and nervy. But I'm watching. Not all, not even half, perhaps not even a hundredth, but enough to remind me that there's a lot of talent in this world. And emotion. Imagine!