My Summer Hermit Self

I had a friend come over the other day and she looked terrible. She looked washed out and tired. When I asked her what was wrong she simply said, "I hate the summer! I feel like a hermit and I hate to go anywhere." How many of us who live in the desert feel like this? I bet almost everyone. When I complain, my Mom keeps reminding me about how nice it is in the winter and thinks that will make me feel better. Last summer I spent almost three weeks in Montana, what a beautiful place to live. I did my best to fight off the homesickness but when I left I knew I wouldn't be going back there anytime soon. It's a long way from home. I am amazed at the people around us that just load up their families and leave for a few weeks. What would it be like to have a job where you actually could afford to leave for that long, and miss work. I have thought of going up to the cabin but when you have animals and a pool and ponds with fish, it's really hard to get away for even a couple of days, let alone a week or month. Every year I go through the same emotions, just wishing it would end and I found myself wondering if we were at least half way through the hot months yet. Oh well, I seem to survive it each summer and this one won't be any different except maybe we will break a record for the most days over 110 degrees. I know I've become a hermit too, just like my friend.

4th of July and Forgiveness

It's already the 4th of July, I can't believe how fast this summer is going by. All of my kids and grandkids are out of town except Spencer and his family who came from Montana for a family reunion. It's been a long time since Rich and I have been alone. He's busy working around the house and on some jobs, so I'm alone with the pets trying to keep everything alive until Mindi gets home later tonight. Yesterday in RS the lesson was on forgiving others. I have to admit that one of the hardest things for me to do is forgive those who have wronged me. Two Saturdays ago Rich came home from work and asked if I knew who stole some expensive tools out of the garage. I wondered why he would open the garage and then leave for the day. When it's hot I don't even venture out, so I never saw anyone. Since we have lived in this house we have had a motorcycle, truck, pots off the front porch, and now tools taken from us. Our neighbors across the street had their cars broken into and another neighbor said stuff was stolen out of her opened garage too. What kind of people think it is their right to steal from others? I wish I could just let things go but I do let things bother me a lot. I've got several quilts in the works, one for Tristyn to take to college but when it gets hot I really have a hard time going in my sewing room and working on a quilt. I need to get in the mood because she leaves for BYU in four weeks. The older I get the more I appreciate this country I live in. It seems like the world is on fire with evil people trying to kill us but I feel safe. We pray for our servicemen and all those who serve our country and keep us safe. Happy 4th to all my friends and family where ever you are.