Realizing I was scheduled to blog Wednesday, I started thinking about my topic. The morning news suggested the perfect idea with a calendar reminder. Two days ago, June 20, was officially the longest day of the year, meaning the sun stays with us longer than any other time. Conversely, December offers the shortest day of the year. Normally I don’t think about that extra few minutes of sunlight but this time I did and decided to keep track of my activities with a purpose of using my precious sunlight well. So here’s list of what I accomplished on Monday, June 20.
First, I got up early, walked the dog and headed to Metro PCS to have my phone fixed. Yay, my voice navigation works again. Then I went to the pool (I live in hot, humid Florida) and did 40 minutes of water aerobics. Now, hours later, everything on my body hurts but I’m thinking one day all this effort will be worth it. Had lunch, took a short nap, and signed into an online author summit with the Heartwarming editors and staff of the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Thanks editors for your time and knowledge. I actually managed to sign on with minimal frustration and I was inspired to think about my next book proposal.
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Then I trimmed my trees, disposed of the palm fronds and sucked an obnoxious palm needle out of my finger. Checked the tiles on my back patio and decided they need a thorough scrubbing. Didn’t do it, but definitely realized it needed to be done. Was supposed to go out to dinner with a friend, but instead cooked a light meal and spent the waning hours of the day on my kinda dirty patio where I looked up at my happy outdoor lights instead of down at the tiles. And until the sun went down, I read a book – a Harlequin Heartwarming naturally. And may I remind you that this month’s offerings are really good! I hope you’ll think the August books are worth your time too, because that’s when my next book comes out, The Bridesmaid Wore Sneakers.
As I look back at my longest day, I understand that nothing I did will change the world. Heck, nothing I did changed anything really except my trees look better. But I used up all that extra sun and look forward to doing it again next year. What do you do with your extra hours of sunlight during daylight savings time? We still have the whole summer ahead of us with dazzling sunlight and lots of opportunities. Are you glad you don’t live in one of those areas where the sun only shines a few hours a day? I know I am. (You people in hot, HOT Arizona are excluded from answering if your A/C isn't working and you currently have your heads in the fridge. :-)
Cynthia
My happy trees, my happy reading spot, my happy Sparky.
First, I got up early, walked the dog and headed to Metro PCS to have my phone fixed. Yay, my voice navigation works again. Then I went to the pool (I live in hot, humid Florida) and did 40 minutes of water aerobics. Now, hours later, everything on my body hurts but I’m thinking one day all this effort will be worth it. Had lunch, took a short nap, and signed into an online author summit with the Heartwarming editors and staff of the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Thanks editors for your time and knowledge. I actually managed to sign on with minimal frustration and I was inspired to think about my next book proposal.
.
Then I trimmed my trees, disposed of the palm fronds and sucked an obnoxious palm needle out of my finger. Checked the tiles on my back patio and decided they need a thorough scrubbing. Didn’t do it, but definitely realized it needed to be done. Was supposed to go out to dinner with a friend, but instead cooked a light meal and spent the waning hours of the day on my kinda dirty patio where I looked up at my happy outdoor lights instead of down at the tiles. And until the sun went down, I read a book – a Harlequin Heartwarming naturally. And may I remind you that this month’s offerings are really good! I hope you’ll think the August books are worth your time too, because that’s when my next book comes out, The Bridesmaid Wore Sneakers.
As I look back at my longest day, I understand that nothing I did will change the world. Heck, nothing I did changed anything really except my trees look better. But I used up all that extra sun and look forward to doing it again next year. What do you do with your extra hours of sunlight during daylight savings time? We still have the whole summer ahead of us with dazzling sunlight and lots of opportunities. Are you glad you don’t live in one of those areas where the sun only shines a few hours a day? I know I am. (You people in hot, HOT Arizona are excluded from answering if your A/C isn't working and you currently have your heads in the fridge. :-)
Cynthia
My happy trees, my happy reading spot, my happy Sparky.
Hello Cynthia from hot, HOT, Arizona! Actually, the area where I live isn't quite as hot as some places, thank goodness! But even here it's a little warmer than usual. I lived in Yuma (aka HELL) for 8 years and the thermometer read 120 degrees a lot. A LOT!
ReplyDeleteNow I just need to make the rest of my summer days as productive as yours were.
LeAnne, I'll remember that name for Yuma and avoid it the rest of my life. Hot flashes and Arizona don't go together.
DeleteNice job on the trees, Cynthia. Your reading spot looks cozy and, of course, I love the picture of happy Sparky!
ReplyDeleteThe more hours of sunlight the better, as far as I'm concerned. These days, I love that we don't have to walk our dogs in the dark at all. The sun's already up for their first walk in the morning and it's still out for their last walk of the day (barely). In the winter, even their dinnertime walks are generally in the dark. :-(
I enjoy being outdoors, too, and the summer months are certainly more conducive to that!
Thanks for sharing a day in your life, Cynthia. As for your August release, I think the cover gods were definitely smiling on you!
The only time I like walking Sparky in the darkness of winter is holiday time. At least the neighborhood is lit with beautiful colors.
DeleteHello from the Pac NW. The temperature is supposed to hit 70 today. And sunny, too! I like the long days for the early morning sunlight. I do my first draft writing from 6-8 and the light makes it so much easier to wake up and get going.
ReplyDelete70??!! I am so jealous!
DeleteCynthia, sounds like my kind of day. And I just got my June books yesterday. They didn't come before I went on my trip, but were waiting when I got home. (Nice) Since it's so hot here, I'll make inroads into reading all of them, plus some books I bought on vacation. I have watering and weeding on my list of to-dos. Maybe today. Maybe tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'm really getting used to the "maybe" kind of life, Roz. Glad to hear others do it too.
DeleteCynthia, I think we should celebrate summer solstice more like they did in the old days with parties and dancing, singing, feasting etc. I was on vacation in Florida at Disney World for that day so I guess that might loosely apply? I just returned home last night and I'm actually looking forward of making a summer to-do list.
ReplyDeleteDancing, singing, feasting?? That's my kind of solstice!
DeleteI like Carol's idea! Instead I celebrated by staying in all day finishing up the first draft of a book. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Cynthia! Like Kate, I love the extra sunlight because I don't have to walk the dog in the dark. My neighbors were planning to get together on my porch to observe the full moon on summer solstice (only happens every 50 years) but cloud cover came in late and we couldn't see a thing! Disappointing, but we comforted each other with the thought that you could probably see it in Arizona, but who would want to be there right now? Bless Oregon's cool temps. Congratulations on all you accomplished.
ReplyDeleteThanks for those congrats, Muriel. But I'm wondering if they are really deserved. Remember, I snuck a nap in there.
DeleteSounds like you had a very productive day. I love the sunlight. Where I live in NC it always seems bright, especially these last couple of weeks. My bedroom is flooded with light when I wake up. The light makes me feel invigorated and hopeful. I enjoy it. I think I have a bit more energy when it's bright and sunny, as long as I'm on the inside. Congrats on the upcoming new book. ( :
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie! I'm leaving the hot sticky days of Florida summer to come to NC in three weeks. I will stay for two months. Can't wait. I'll be in Banner Elk on Sugar Mountain.
DeleteHow nice!! Isn't that near Boone or Valle Crucis? We've been to both of those places. Heading to Asheville soon. Can't wait!! Enjoy your vacation.
DeleteMy book - Forget Me Not - comes out in August as well. I've already put in a kindle order from Amazon for your book and mine in the four Heartwarming box set. When June days get longer our temps go up in Phoenix but we don't suffer from the humidity you have down in Florida. Your pictures are lovely and that reading chair looks very comfy.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely order yours, Marion. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGardening and reading? It sounds like to me you had a perfect summer day. When my kids were at home we always spent the solstice at the Midnight Sun soccer tournament in Fairbanks. The last game started at ten, and there were no lights. Nowadays, we just enjoy the long days from home.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very nice day. I volunteered at the fairgrounds Monday morning and at the hospital on Monday afternoon. Then I collapsed and was totally nonproductive all evening. Missed the summit, missed a writers' meeting, and...slept really well. :-)
ReplyDelete