Summer Plans--Or Not by Leigh Riker



How’s your summer going? In fact, this whole year? I’ve seen some pretty funny memes lately about 2020—and I can’t disagree. It’s a strange time, all right.

 

In the past five months, I’ve gained a new respect for blithely making plans that can actually be carried out. Last year I would have booked flights long before August to see my family back East. I would have escaped the worst of the Arizona heat at just the right time, maybe even taken a few smaller side trips until the weather finally cooled down a bit here. This summer? I’m not going anywhere. A staycation, I suppose.

 

Still, go figure. This year time has ceased to have much meaning, yet the summer seems to have flown by in a hurry and I’m actually having fun—catching up on my reading, finishing a proposal, toying with another new project, watching a favorite pair of quail and their five adorable babies on my office patio. They are the cutest things! And very well fed. Here's Daddy.



 

I’ve also watched quite a few movies on Netflix (writerly matinees) or with my husband in the evenings (more guy stuff then). I became absolutely “hooked” on the Sweet Magnolias series, which thank goodness—after a shocking finale!—has just been renewed for a second season. I can’t wait to see how the many plot threads and romances get tied up.

 

I should have planted flowers this season as I usually do, grown some tomatoes and peppers, and used my neighborhood swimming pool more, but I haven’t. Along with the odd time thing this year, quite a bit of inertia set in. Never mind all those chores that never got done. And I know I’m not alone.

 

Here’s another thing: I find it strange these days to read or write about people doing normal things, shopping, eating out, taking trips, gathering with friends and family. It can be disorienting but also comforting. In the latter case, take, for example, my July book (the latest in my Kansas Cowboys series) in which Dallas Maguire and Lizzie Barnes join forces to put on a local rodeo, including fun events for the kids.



 

How are you spending your pandemic summer? What are your favorite activities?

 

As always, happy reading!

Leigh

 

 

Comments

  1. Leigh, this really has been a strange and different summer, hasn't it? Love that quail pic. So regal! And I just binge watched the entire season of Sweet Magnolias after getting my AAs turned in this past week. Great series full of relatable emotion and life challenges and I can't wait for season two.

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    1. Strange times, indeed, Rula. Yes, the quail are very regal. I wanted to show the babies, but getting a good pic of them is hard! they move so fast. Yay, another vote for Sweet Magnolias--I'm glad you enjoyed it too. I love the interactions among the three women friends. Their dialogue is great.

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  2. I'm not sure why, but it seems to me I've been way more attentive to the wild life around us at our cottage this summer. Maybe it has to do with a new appreciation of simpler things in life. I imagine there's a lot of wildlife around you there, too, Leigh. Staycations are a good way to refresh! Ive been lucky to have a daughter and granddaughter with us for a chunk of summer. Stay well!

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    1. The wildlife are good entertainment, and I agree life is simpler these days so we notice that more. In my neighborhood we have the quail families, lots of different doves, some Acorn Woodpeckers, Mockingbirds, the occasional hawk (not good news for the other birds) and Bobcats (ditto). Lizards, a Gopher snake I saw one day in the yard, and bunnies, one of which has learned to come to the door for carrots. I've also seen one Roadrunner this summer.

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  3. The quail are so entertaining, aren't they? I just read Lizzie and Dallas's story. Great characters. I know what you mean about inertia. That to do list just gets longer. Enjoy your staycation!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! I'm glad you liked Dallas and Lizzie. My inertia was made worse this past week by some dental surgery that kind of knocked me out for a few days. That's my excuse, anyway! Now I really should get back to that to do list. Enjoy the rest of your summer--and Rula, stay safe and well too.

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  4. I love the quail picture in particular because my mom loved quails. And your cover is very evocative.

    I think this has been the strangest year on record for me. With our neighbors doing heavy construction all around their house, we haven't even been able to go out much or open windows because of all the dust and motor fumes. Last evening we rushed out at a quiet moment and washed the cars. Exciting, right? My garden isn't doing well under all the dust though I keep washing it down. Looking forward to 2020 being over on onto to 2021!

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    1. Thanks, Julianna about the book cover and I'm glad you enjoyed the quail. Their babies are so much fun to watch. I feel for you with the neighbors' construction project going on, especially while you're stuck in the house. Today is what we call mowing and blowing day here so the noise from the yard guy is deafening at times. Lots of dust too. I saw a funny meme about this year the other day: what if 2020 is the trailer for 2021? Yikes. I sure hope not but it made me laugh.

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  5. It's been a strange summer for me as well, since it's the first one I've spent living on the boat. I've spent weekends and vacations on the boat in the summer, but this year, home is our catamaran. I'm not used to spending months on the boat without a break. I normally would have flown back to Canada a couple of times to visit family, but not this year.

    I've had writing deadlines to keep me busy, but it's hard to set a routine. It's a new life, a new location, a new set of normal, and I'm starting to want my 'real life' back. But that life doesn't exist anywhere right now, and might never be the same again.

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    1. Hi, Kim. Your boating adventure sounds terrific--but in the midst of the pandemic, even with gorgeous views around you every day, I imagine a bit of "cabin fever" sets in there too. I have a nice view from my home here, but some days I just think "let me out." I've been busy too and being a writer really helps because the routine hasn't changed all that much. But still...it's nice to have options like visiting family and just getting away sometimes. Here's hoping that "normal life" does return soon! We human beings are, after all, social creatures.

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  6. I had baby magpies outside my front window this summer. Five squawky, tantrum-prone, belligerent, pudgy kids running their parents ragged. One parent had a gimpy left wing and the other had feathers poking everywhere which only added to the general harassed look of them. I wish had your quails. Demure things, I imagine.

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  7. Yes, it's been a crazy year. Except my life hasn't changed that much except early on, I.Could.Not.Write. I still have deadlines, so of course I'm behind now. I hate to think this is our 'new normal'--a phrase I do not like!

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  8. I'm so glad you mentioned Sweet Magnolias! I just finished watching it... what a cliffhanger! I immediately had to look up whether there will be a second season, thank goodness there will be! And aren't quail the cutest? I love seeing them. Usually we have to go hiking to see them but the other day one was hanging out in our neighbor's yard with a blue jay. It actually seemed like they were buddies!

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  9. Enjoyed your post. If we look for them, there are plenty of ways to enjoy our summer despite everything going on in the world. Also, I'm so happy to hear Sweet Magnolias has been renewed. Something to look forward to! Thanks, Leigh.

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