Thankful

I used to start most of my summer posts saying I was sitting on my porch. Funny how the porch changed to the deck. It started because Sparky could be out here with me. I guess it still is, but it's really a lovely view. It means I don't get to see my front garden as much. Both are great places. 

I'll admit here that the first thing I do when I wake up is look at my phone. Twenty-something years ago I would have smoked a cigarette as soon as I woke up. And right before I turned out the light for bed. And if I woke up in the middle of the night. So I'm still an addict, but in a much better way. This leads me to this video I saw this morning. I think everyone should see it. http://qpolitical.com/ice-bucket-challenge-end-like-rest-gotta-see/ I hope the link works. Using blogger on my iPad is much different than on my laptop, which I never use. Except to change my Facebook cover or profile picture. I have a Zagg keyboard case for my iPad and with it I hardly have a use for my laptop.

I recently came back from a 3 day trip to Stone Harbor, NJ where I joined my cousins on their vacation. This was my 5th year of doing this. I love Stone Harbor but most importantly, I love being with my cousins. There's just a special bond between cousins. Brian and I grew up being best-friends cousins. His wife Maureen and I feel like blood cousins. I wish I could have stayed there longer.

It's been a great summer, and I have fun things planned thru the fall. I'm signed up for kayaking trips with my groups twice a week. I'm going kayaking for 3 days next month at Jane's Island on the Eastern Shore. That's cabin camping. I'm going kayaking in Williamsburg on the James River in October. Tent camping. I have bike trips and concerts and other fun things on my calendar. I am so thankful for my ability to adapt and find new ways to be happy. 

Smiling

I have about 20 minutes before I leave for work. It's not often that I have time to just sit on my deck and relax. Often I run errands before work. It's nice to take the time to be still. My sister Ilene arrived from GA last night. She's here to spend a lot of time with my parents. The best part is that we get to spend a lot of time together. When my parents lived at home she stayed at their house. Now when she comes she stays with me for a week. We're happy about that. 

I've been busy having fun. I've gone out kayaking with my main group, The Chesapeake Kayak Adventure Club (CKA) almost every Wednesday after work. This past Wednesday there were 30 of us. We stopped midway to share food and fun. I'm getting to know a lot of my fellow kayakers. I'm making new friends. I have a big paddle coming up on Sunday on the Eastern Shore. I can't wait!  

                          

                              

Last night I went to an outdoor event in Annapolis to hear music. There were 10 of us amongst about a hundred people on lawn chairs. The venue was on the watefront. 

So...there's always something fun for me to do. I'm soaking up every moment of the summer that I can.