Attic Update

Corkey's Store, Ocracoke Island, NC

Alas, there is actually nothing to say about the attic. I have made very little progress since I last wrote. What happened is this: we had some friends over for dinner in early February, so I had to move all the stuff I pulled out of the attic back into the attic. And there it stayed and there it stays until the next time I work up a head of steam.

How've ya been? I've been pretty good, all and all. The spring was super-busy with getting Jack graduated from high school and getting Will baptized and confirmed and commenced from middle school. I had periods of moderate free-floating anxiety, which always happens when there are ceremonies to be attended and lots of small talk to be made. But everything went off without a hitch, and as usual all that worry was wasted.

Now we're back from our annual trip to Ocracoke Island and I'd love to think that things will settle down, but they won't. Will goes to soccer camp at the end of this week, and then next week he's going down East to Harker's Island with his friend Henry. On the 17th, Jack leaves for a week-long camping trip, and the week after that, Will is volunteering at a baseball camp for middle schoolers. Then we go to Kentucky for our annual family reunion, and a couple weeks later we take Jack to college.

Which is to say, no settling down for us.

I'm eyeballing my house (but not my attic) for ways to spritz things up a bit. Have you ever looked at around at your stuff and thought, 'This isn't what I meant at all?' I don't feel that way entirely, but the fact is I think I meant to have more painted furniture than I do. I think I was supposed to go to thrift shops and junk stores and buy roughed-up antique tables and chest of drawers and paint them red or aquamarine. Somehow I never got around to that. But there is a spot in my bedroom that is exactly right for a small lavender dresser, so now that's my goal.

I hope you're having a good July so far. It's early days, but July can be a long month for me. Summer doesn't always bring out my pretty side. Fortunately, I've got Travis, and he reminds me that life's too short not to be as cute as you can be. Wish me luck!

Travis says Happy 4th of July, Yanks!