Tuesday, July 4, 2017

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!


6 comments:

Tracy said...

My dearest Frances, it's soooo good to hear from you. I am grinning from ear to ear! I was just thinking about you a couple of weeks ago, and wondering how you've been (and how that pesky attic has been). Somehow it's comforting to know that in a world that constantly changes, there's something stoically constant about your attic. You probably don't feel that way, though.

I've been reading about the rigmarole you guys (from the US) seem to go through over choosing colleges and then sending your kids off. I'd love to hear about Jack's road. What will he be studying? Will he be far away, or close? We just don't do this, where I live. We are within cooee of great universities, so Miss Sunshine drives herself the 45 minutes (we're 30 minutes from anywhere useful anyway), and not every day at that. So she lives here. Some baby adults shouldn't live with their parents!

Hugs and hugs and hugs!!

GretchenJoanna said...

You were supposed to go to thrift stores... Hmmm... But you were supposed to write books and cook dinner and have your friends over so you put the stuff back in the attic. It sounds so familiar, what with my version of attic, and moving things from room to room to make way for *people* -

It's wonderful to read your post and hear that you are keeping on keeping on. You are always inspiring in your down-to-earthness.

Love,
Gretchen

Pom Pom said...

How perfect! "This isn't what I meant at all!" You say it so well!😂
College? How? Time can't go by that fast, can it?
I loved your vacay pics on Instagram!

Jo said...

Ha ha, I had so much similar furniture! It mostly left the house when I moved. Now I know myself better. I am not, and never will be that crafty person. I don't even like painting! So I leave all that furniture right there in the op-shop for someone else who really will paint it...

So glad to see you back! I want to sit on that porch with you and drink iced tea :) xx

Kit said...

Hello there! So good to see you here again. You sound so busy! Yikes! I hope you can find some moments for that furniture of yours. :) Happy Summer! Kit

Angela said...

Welcome back friend. I thought of you only last week, when I found an envelope from a letter you sent me several years ago. Why did I keep the empty envelope and not the letter? Hoping you are all well. Our attic is out of bounds too. It is an oven up there. Blessings be upon you and your dear ones x